If you had an 8 or 16-bit home computer back in the 1980s and 1990s, it would be hard not to have heard the sequenced compositions of Dave Lowe. From Arcade conversions like Street Fighter 2, Afterburner, Power Drift and Final Fight. To the depths of space exploration with the ZX Spectrum game Thrust, and 16 bit classics Starglider 1 and 2, and Frontier: Elite II. He converted Rob Hubbards IK+ theme for the Amiga version, and provided music for the Summer Games series, and popular hits Turbo Outrun and Formula One Grand Prix. One of his final works was the epic theme for Beneath a Steel Sky, and Cybermorph on the Atari Jaguar. Yes, for all you AVGN ans out there, Dave composed the music for the game, but also the voice of Skylar was actually provided by Dave's wife!
Dave Lowe (Uncle Art) was quite the go-to guy at one time, but with the dawn of studio music in games, his popularity and small amount of fame faded away. This documentary, produced, recorded and edited by his daughters, is a rare spotlight on Dave's life and works, presented from a retro pixelated angle, mixed with interviews and game footage. We look at some of Daves classic game scores; including of course the incredible Starglider Theme; which I think was the first use of a studio-produced song in a video game?
The film also has a marked light and dark side, and we see the struggling and the pressure, and reflections from people who might suggest Dave's music inspired them, encouraged them, or perhaps saved their life and soul. From the heady heydays of those 8 and 16 bit days, to modern times, the film can be quite dramatic and emotional; as a reluctant hero tells his stories, and takes a bow for us. I think everyone can take something away from this film, as this labour of love is a reflection of life and art itself.
Dave Lowe (Uncle Art) was quite the go-to guy at one time, but with the dawn of studio music in games, his popularity and small amount of fame faded away. This documentary, produced, recorded and edited by his daughters, is a rare spotlight on Dave's life and works, presented from a retro pixelated angle, mixed with interviews and game footage. We look at some of Daves classic game scores; including of course the incredible Starglider Theme; which I think was the first use of a studio-produced song in a video game?
The film also has a marked light and dark side, and we see the struggling and the pressure, and reflections from people who might suggest Dave's music inspired them, encouraged them, or perhaps saved their life and soul. From the heady heydays of those 8 and 16 bit days, to modern times, the film can be quite dramatic and emotional; as a reluctant hero tells his stories, and takes a bow for us. I think everyone can take something away from this film, as this labour of love is a reflection of life and art itself.
