Zack Parrish
Zack Parrish | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Stephen Zachary Parrish |
| Born | November 8, 1983 Woodland, North Carolina, United States |
| Genres | Video game |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, Programmer |
| Instrument(s) | Piano, alto saxophone |
| Years active | 2003–present[1] |
| Website | www |
Stephen Zachary Parrish (also known as Zack Parrish or CBlockdis) (born 8 November 1983) is an Annual Game Music Award nominated[2] independent game composer, known for writing the soundtracks to the Metroidvania Valdis Story: Abyssal City, and other games such as Sakura Fantasy.
Parrish additionally composes music of all genres as an independent musician. His debut independent record, "Solo Piano Collection", was released for digital distribution on December 7, 2011.[3] Through arrangements and original music, Parrish has also contributed to OverClocked Remix[4] and OverClocked Records.[5]
Early in his career, Parrish joined with Saturnine Games to create music and occasionally sounds for the games created by Saturnine. The first game launched under Saturnine was Cosmos X2 for the Nintendo DSi on August 30, 2010,[6] with Parrish having created the synthetic soundtrack that can be heard throughout the game. While continuing his work at Saturnine, Parrish has joined with several other Independent Developers including Carolina Moya and Kyron Ramsey who make up the team Endless Fluff. Under the direction of Endless Fluff, Parrish created the eerie orchestral soundtrack to Valdis Story: Abyssal City over the span of 2 years.[7][failed verification] Valdis Story: Abyssal City became an independent hit on Steam, creating the opportunity for Parrish to be nominated under “Outstanding Contribution – Independent Composer” at the Annual Game Music Awards. In the 2013 Annual Game Music Awards, Parrish would go on to win the achievement he was nominated for.[8]
Parrish is known for his versatility in styles as he enjoys mixing up genres. Once receiving concept art, backstories for characters, or other information about the “world” he is creating music for, he comes up with an idea that fits with the game. He doesn’t stick to one genre for this reason, and has received praise for doing so.[9]
Currently, Parrish continues his work under Saturnine Games, and works under several independent companies, but does not stick to one. In addition to composition, Parrish works as a Programmer for Cherokee Health Systems.
Early life and education
Parrish was brought up in Ahoskie, North Carolina, attending local primary schools there.[10] Through high school, Parrish played the alto saxophone in his school concert band as well as marching band while playing the piano on the side. From adolescence, Parrish fell in love with the Final Fantasy series, becoming inspired by the music of Nobuo Uematsu.[11] Parrish would later go to write music for noteworthy games and short films.[12][13]
Works
| Title | Year | System | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmos X2 | 2010 | Nintendo DSi | Guitar performance by Anthony Morgan[14] |
| Antipole[6] | 2011 | Nintendo DSi | Guitar performance by Anthony Morgan[15] |
| Cute Things Dying Violently[16] | 2011 | Windows, OS X, | |
| The Saga of Original Sin[17] | Canceled (Album only release, 2012) | Windows | |
| Windhaven: Spirit of Flight[18] | Canceled (Album only release, 2013 | Windows | Performances by Anthony Morgan and Amanda Lee[19] |
| Valdis Story: Abyssal City[20] | 2013 | Windows, OS X | Additional performances by Anthony Morgan, Melissa Freeman, Akhorahil of Thorngoth, additional composition by Kyron Ramsey[21] |
| Turtle Tale[22] | 2014 | Nintendo DS | |
| Sakura Fantasy[23] | 2015 | Windows, OS X | Native American Flute performance by Alex Ripple[24] |
| Regeria Hope[25] | 2015 | Windows, OS X, Google Play | |
| Dʒrægɛn: A Game About a Dragon[26] | 2015 | Windows | |
| Sakura Dungeon[27] | 2016 | Windows | |
| Sacred Earth: Memory[28] | TBD | Windows, OS X | Additional performances by Alex Ripple[29][30] |
| Antipole DX | TBD | Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U |
Awards and honors
In 2014, Parrish won the award for “Outstanding Contribution – Independent Composer” at the 2013 Annual Game Music Awards for Valdis Story: Abyssal City and Windhaven: Spirit of Flight.[31]
In 2014, Parrish was nominated for “Outstanding Contribution – Independent Composer” at the 2014 Annual Game Music Awards for dʒrægɛn: A Game About a Dragon.[32]
References
- ^ "The music of Zack Parrish". June 11, 2004. Archived from the original on June 11, 2004.
- ^ Annual Game Music Awards 2013 Nominations, Video Game Music Online.
- ^ "Solo Piano Collection", Bandcamp.
- ^ Zack Parrish , Overclocked Remix.
- ^ Zack Parrish, Overclocked Records.
- ^ a b Saturnine Game Releases
- ^ Endless Fluff Developer Log
- ^ "Annual Game Music Awards 2013 - Artists of the Year", Video Game Music Online.
- ^ Zack Parrish Interview Archived September 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, RPGFan.
- ^ Ahoskie News Clipping June 17, 2014[dead link]
- ^ Interview - Zack Parrish Archived September 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, RPGFan.
- ^ Zack Parrish, vgmdb.net.
- ^ IMDb Zack Parrish
- ^ Cosmos X2 Album Information, vgmdb.net.
- ^ Antipole Album Information
- ^ Cute Things Dying Violently, Steam.
- ^ The Saga of Original Sin - Album, vgmdb.net.
- ^ Windhaven: Spirit of Flight, Steam Greenlight.
- ^ Windhaven: Spirit of Flight Album Information, vgmdb.net.
- ^ Abyssal City Team, Valdis Story.
- ^ Valdis Story: Abyssal City Album Information, vgmdb.net.
- ^ Turtle Tale, Nintendo.com.
- ^ Sakura Fantasy - Album Information, vgmdb.net.
- ^ Sakura Fantasy Album Information, vgmdb.net.
- ^ Regeria Hope About, Golden Game Barn.
- ^ Dʒrægɛn: A Game About a Dragon - Album Information, vgmdb.net.
- ^ Sakura Dungeon - Album Information, vgmdb.net.
- ^ Blog Post Feb. 17, 2015, Sacred Earth: Memory.
- ^ "Remember When" (feat. Alex Ripple), Sacred Earth: Memory.
- ^ "Respite from the Cold" (feat. Alex Ripple), Sacred Earth: Memory.
- ^ "Annual Game Music Awards 2013 - Artists of the Year". vgomline.net.
- ^ "Annual Game Music Awards 2014 - Nominations". vgomline.net.
