There’s something magical about collaborating with artists who don’t just understand your universe but also expand it. The Game Continues is the second chapter of our EP The Game, realeased earlier this year. We created with this musical project a world built from retro arcade energy, neon nostalgia, and a sound we’ve slowly shaped into something unmistakably ours.
For this article, we wanted to invite you directly into our creative dialogue.
Same questions, three perspectives, one shared world.
Here is the full conversation.
How is The Game Continues different from the first The Game EP?
Kalamarico:
In my opinion, I think you can notice an evolution in the idea behind the sound. In the previous release, each of us did an enormous job translating into music what we had in our heads regarding how a track in this style should be composed. I’m not sure if I’m explaining myself well. Maybe there’s also a slight improvement in the final sound quality, but I think that’s 100% related to what I just mentioned. I believe that when we started working on this new sequel, the three of us already had a very clear understanding of the style we had been defining and refining together.
Mago:
The sound has definitely matured. Everything feels more cohesive and fluid this time around, like the ideas finally clicked into place and the journey kept leveling up.
Spacey Panda:
I agree! I think we improved our sound, and it really feels like we’ve almost created a music genre of our own. We now know which musical range we work best in together, and that makes everything more focused and intentional.
Was there a moment in the process where something unexpected happened (an accident, a random idea, a weird sound)?
Kalamarico:
To be honest, no. Unlike the previous one, where it happened more than once 🤣. I don’t think it’s necessarily a good or bad thing. We’ll see what happens next time haha.
Mago:
Not really a single moment, more like timing doing its magic. I tried working on two of the tracks twice before, and both times I almost gave up. Then on the third attempt something just opened. I finished both songs in two days. Total “third time’s the charm” energy. 😀
Spacey Panda:
Okay, I have to reveal a secret on my side haha! On Continue, I used all new sounds, except for a stem I originally made for an other track (Accepted ) last year. Completely different music, same stem remixed! You would only notice it if you really, really listen closely to both tracks. I dare you to try and find it! 😉
Other than that, I had a challenge with the beat I made initially for Press Start, but that was very easy to solve… I simply asked the beatmaster Kalamarico to do the beat instead haha!
What part of your signature sound do you feel people can hear most clearly in this EP?
Kalamarico:
I wouldn’t really know what to say… What just came to mind is that it would actually be a great idea to ask people what they think and see their answers on what they believe each of us contributed. Honestly, I think almost no one would get it right! 😆
Spacey Panda:
I think people who know your music will definitely hear the signature Kalamarico percussion on Press Start and Dungeon. But you’re right, each of us stepped out of our comfort zone at some point on this EP, and we created sounds that could easily pass for one another. I feel like we’re influencing each other a lot now!
Mago:
The deep, powerful basslines. They’re always the heart of it.
Spacey Panda: Those basslines are impossible to imitate haha! On my side, i’s hard to tell if I have any signature style, but the ridiculous amount of risers and portal-like sounds are usually a good indicator I was there somewere in the process! 😉
If you imagine the EP as part of a video game, where in the story would it take place?
Kalamarico:
I love this question! As a total videogame nerd who was and still tries to be one, I might get a bit carried away with my answer (spoiler alert! haha).
If we think of games like Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, Target Renegade, etc., there was always a clear difference in difficulty as you progressed through the game. In that sense, I’d say all the tracks fit into the mid-game levels, leaning more toward the later ones.
But they also fit well in other types of games, for example, many MMORPGs, where things aren’t so linear in the “level by level” sense, but instead revolve around “types of challenges,” so to speak. And the challenges I always enjoyed the most were the ones where you went all in, smashing enemies non-stop so you could get that massive badass sword afterward xDDD.
Or even games like Final Fantasy… although thinking about it more carefully… I actually see the previous album fitting better there… 🤷♂️
Mago:
Definitely the middle levels. It feels like a world that expands the story but still hints that more is coming. And trust me, more is coming. 🙂
Spacey Panda:
When I first heard the finished version of Arcade, I immediately imagined the alien shooting mission in GTA V (the one I always call the “aliens on acid mission”). So that’s a pretty clear image haha!
Outside of that, I’d say any type of retro arcade video game would fit really well with this album. And yes, I agree with you both: definitely the middle levels!
We’ve now collaborated multiple times, what do you enjoy most about working together on these projects?
Kalamarico:
Absolutely everything! You guys are like my brothers already 😆🫂. I enjoy absolutely every part of it.
Mago:
Honestly, you guys are THE BEST. My music world wouldn’t be the same without you. I rarely collaborate, but with you it just feels natural, like everything flows effortlessly.
Spacey Panda:
I do a lot of collaborative work in music, but this project with you both has its own special place in my heart. As you said, Kalamarico, we really are like brothers now, and we’ve created our own crazy world. There’s always so much humor, ease, and lightness when we work together. It feels effortless and fun every time.
If The Game Continues had a collectible trading card, what would be written under your character profile?
Kalamarico:
“I spit no flame, but tracks instead — each one fierce, no mercy spread.”
(I’ve wasted hours just to come up with that sentence… 🤦🤣)
Mago:
Mage — Super Hearing 😀
Spacey Panda:
Panda — Summoner of Melodic Portals
If you could describe The Game Continues in three words, no explanation needed, what would they be?
Kalamarico:
The, Game, Continues.
Mago:
New. Retro. Electro. :))
Spacey Panda:
New. Adventures. Await.
Creating The Game Continues felt like revisiting a familiar world with upgraded gear, new quests, and better teamwork stats. What started as a fun experiment has grown into a universe we all feel connected to, one that evolves every time we join forces.
Thanks for reading, and for stepping into our arcade-shaped world with us.
And as always…
With us, the game never really ends…
You can listen to us talk about the EP, and even dive into a full breakdown, on Chris Redjam’s radio show Soundcheck.
The Game Continues
Arcade
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