John Loeffler Interview Answers

[poke07]

Hello! Here are John Loeffler's answers to the interview I posted about a couple weeks ago.
A couple things to remember:

I DO compliment the dub BGM A LOT in my questions to him (I wanted to be as polite as possible). Please do not criticize me for doing this. Obviously I was not going to tell him that certain people didn't like his music.

Please do not get into arguments, or else the admins probably won't let us talk about these sort of things in the future.

The answer to question 6 is VERY interesting to me...along the same lines as the voice actor switch.

Thanks!

Ok, here it is:



Please note that whenever I refer to "background music" I am only
referring to what you (and/or any of your assistants) composed for the dub. I am not referring to the Japanese background music.

Here are my "top [8]" questions for you:

1) In working on background music for the show what is the process for
composing the music and then adding it to the video?



We either compose music directly to the picture, or we compose a "library of music" often several hours in length convering a variety of styles.
This music is then edited by a music editor to the picture. I meet with the producers of the show months in advance to discuss the style and mood of the music based on many factors and then compose various demos or examples until we all collectively agree upon a dominant overall style for the series or film.



2) As for the theme songs, which theme song was your favorite to work
on? What were your inspirations for composing these great tunes? Are
you still working with David Rolfe? [I think he misinterpreted this question...I was talking about Pokemon]



All popular themes become my favorite - like "Kate and Ali", the original "Pokemon", and the recent instrumental theme for "Poker After Dark". My inspiriation comes from understanding what the show needs - in other words, something warm, something funny, something provocative, etc. That is often a place to start. As for David Rolfe, after he moved from New York, I have not seen him or worked with him much.


3) A number have fans noticed that during end of Battle
Frontier/Diamond and Pearl Season, the background music alternated
every other episode between older dub music (used while 4Kids was handling the show) and newer dub music. What was the meaning behind this pattern?



This is simply because my two music ediotrs have favorites. We are
trying to slowly add more of the newer music to keep the show fresh
and current.



Why was a whole new set of background music composed, instead of
using the older dub background music? Also, the style of the music,
while just as good, is quite different. Was there a reason for this
change?




Yes, I was asked by the Pokemon people to make the music a
little "hipper" and more modern. Of course, then everyone began to appreciate how timeless the original music is - so we are trying to combine styles a little going forward.



5) Of the background music you composed, which is your favorite? I am
familiar with the episodes of Season 1 (very first season), Diamond
and Pearl 1, and Battle Dimension.if you choose to describe it in the
context of an episode.



i cannpt answer that question easily - as I have
composed hundreds of tracks. But usually the latest things I write I
like the best. ( Until I write something new)


6) Which song did you have the most fun working on for the 2BA Master
CD? Do you ever plan to include one of these songs in the TV show
again? We, older Pokemon fans, would love it!



This was my favorite project by far. I loved writing those songs and I am very proud of them. It is sad because Icould be doing that every season but Pokemon does not want to spend the money on original songs beyond the theme. It is a lot of work for them to re-edit the shows around new songs and I guess they are not that interested. Stiull, musically, it was
a blast to write those songs and have them used after every show on
Pikachu's Jukebox.


7) Finally, as I am such a huge fan of the background music, I was
wondering if there is any way to pay and obtain copies of your great
background music tracks?



Unofrtunately this music is not available to the public. If it ever ir, or we make a CD of it, I will be sure to let you know.


8) Pokemon is now being handled by DuArt instead of TAJ. For some reason the new company seems to lower the volume of the background music. You should ask them to raise it!



i will mention to DuArt about "raising" the levels. Thanks for being such an informed fan.

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

Hipper and more modern is their goal? Then they fail...but then most of the original music fails in that regard as well, but hey.

 

[poke07]

I found that comment surprising as well. As their current BGM is more orchestral than that of 4Kids, I thought they were trying to mimic the Japanese BGM.

I found it REALLY interesting that Loeffler has not been composing more "2BA Master" -esque tracks and using them in the series because PUSA DIDN'T WANT TO PAY FOR IT. This seems to be a theme...

Also, that was strange that the directors wanted to redo ALL of the dub background music. I would have never guesses that this newer dub music was by the same composer as the 4Kids music.

 

[Snake Bandage]

Hipper and more modern is their goal? Then they fail...but then most of the original music fails in that regard as well, but hey.

I don't think the original music even aims to be "hip and modern".

Besides, trying to be "hip and modern" is a sure recipe for failure. If you want to be hip and modern, you have to BE hip and modern. Trying too hard to be what's cool these days is just lame.

And, um, "hip and modern" sounds really 80's.

 

[Yoshi1001]

And, um, "hip and modern" sounds really 80's.

You have to admit, though some of the best Pokemon music came out in the 80's. ;-)

"Hip and modern" means a lot of different things to different people.

I would like to know if it would be possible to get some of the commercially unreleased vocal music out, however.

 

[Trainer Lisa]

"Hip and modern"? Ugh, it figures. Pokemon USA has poor taste in dub music. I prefer the original music that John Loeffler and Manny Corallo composed. =(

And why does everything in this world have to revolve around money? In my opinion, if Pokemon USA really wanted the Pokemon dub to have more vocal songs (like the 2 Be A Master soundtrack), then they would definitely use some money to do something special like that.

I mean, it's really a shame that they're choosing not to do this, just cause of money. I don't understand the issue here, because Pokemon USA is bound to have a lot of cash, due to owning the video games, the TCG, the merchandise, and the anime.


By the way, poke07, you forgot to ask him if they had composed full versions of these songs: "I Wanna Be A Hero, "This Dream", "You Can't Remember" (A Scare To Remember), and "Read My Mind" (Do I Hear A Ralts?)

Not that they would be able to release that music to us, but it would just be nice to know if full versions existed.

 

[Yash]

You have to admit, though some of the best Pokemon music came out in the 80's. ;-)

Pokemon was released in the 90s

Maybe when he says "hipper and modern" he's speaking from his experience at 4Kids, since PUSA's music is definitely not "hipper and modern." For the most part it seems like it's trying to mimic the Japanese score.

"Hip and modern"? Ugh, it figures. Pokemon USA has poor taste in dub music. I prefer the original music that John Loeffler and Manny Corallo composed. =(

You think 4Kids wasn't going for the same thing? Need I point to the rap theme for Orange Islands?

In fact the whole reason they rescore their shows is because they think it'll appeal more to the kids. It's the same principle.

 

[Trainer Lisa]

You think 4Kids wasn't going for the same thing? Need I point to the rap theme for Orange Islands?

Actually, I was referring to the background music when I said that. ^^;

And as for 4Kids, I don't know what they were going for with their vocal songs, to be honest. Oh well, at least we know what happened with David Rolfe. He doesn't live in NY anymore, which probably explains why Pokemon USA couldn't use him to sing the Battle Frontier and Diamond and Pearl themes.


Anyway, I simply prefer the style of the 4Kids BGM in general. It has this unique sound to it, which is really wonderful! And I love hearing those 4Kids tracks! ^_^

Pokemon USA's music isn't bad, it's actually quite good sometimes. However, in my opinion, their music lacks that wonderful tone or style from the 4Kids dub music.

 

[Dogasu]

Those people who cling to WPM's interview for proof that "they just replace the music because it's too expensive/difficult to get the rights to it" really should take a look at this. Because there are obviously some artistic reasons for changing the music as well.

I found it REALLY interesting that Loeffler has not been composing more "2BA Master" -esque tracks and using them in the series because PUSA DIDN'T WANT TO PAY FOR IT. This seems to be a theme...

I interpreted more as both 4Kids and PUSA didn't want to pay for it.

I mean, yeah, 4Kids paid to have a bunch of extra songs made during its fad stage in the early 2000s. But after...say...the episode where Misty left in late Johto, they pretty much stopped, didn't they? I don't think they composed a single non-theme song vocal piece throughout all of Hoenn.

Meanwhile, PUSA composed new vocal songs for "Sweet Baby James" and that episode where May and Meowth go back in time (the title escapes me at the moment).

 

[PDL]

Pokemon was released in the 90s

I think what Yoshi1001 was implying was that the music was made in the 80s and only just got used now.

Or I might have just killed a joke.

 

[Trainer Lisa]

I don't think they composed a single non-theme song vocal piece throughout all of Hoenn.

But they did! O.O

They composed two non-theme, vocal pieces for Hoenn. The first song was used during Advanced Challenge, with the episode "A Scare To Remember". And the second song was used during Advanced Battle, with "Do I Hear A Ralts".

Unless you meant, songs they actually released. In which case, sorry, I misunderstood. ^^;

 

[poke07]

By the way, poke07, you forgot to ask him if they had composed full versions of these songs: "I Wanna Be A Hero, "This Dream", "You Can't Remember" (A Scare To Remember), and "Read My Mind" (Do I Hear A Ralts?)

Not that they would be able to release that music to us, but it would just be nice to know if full versions existed.

Sorry! Again though, I figured if I asked too many questions he would get annoyed and just not answer any of them...and I was much more interested in the answers to some other questions.

I agree with you that the 4Kids music was better. He did say, though, that he is aware that fans liked that BGM a lot, and so he said he would try to start mixing in more 4kids-sounding BGM tracks.

As for that "hipper and more modern" statement, I am not sure what to think. I kind of get what he means, particularly with some of the battle music. For instance, the electric guitar theme, or the track that plays when Jessie and Cassidy are fighting in "Sleight of Sand." However, a lot of the music is very orchestral...unless "hipper and more modern" means "no particular melody...and just filler music instead of actual pieces."

I actually was REALLY REALLY surprised that it was the same composer for the 4Kids and PUSA BGM. They are SO SO different...and the synthesizers sound different too.

 

[Water Pokémon Master]

How is whishy-washy, generic, boring music supposed to be "hip and modern?" None of their songs even carry a tune... they just lazily flow along.

 

[Pokemaster Justin]

But they did! O.O

They composed two non-theme, vocal pieces for Hoenn. The first song was used during Advanced Challenge, with the episode "A Scare To Remember". And the second song was used during Advanced Battle, with "Do I Hear A Ralts".

Unless you meant, songs they actually released. In which case, sorry, I misunderstood. ^^;

No because he would have not used the PUSA comparison if he meant that...suprisingly both comparions were made for those episodes too with Dogasu *shockingly* not liking them. Although I did think that episode with Max and Ralts had good muisc.

This interview was rather blah wish he got a bit more in depth

 

[Trainer Lisa]

What was that about a comparison to Pokemon USA?

*reads your post again* Oh, now I get what you mean, lol. XD

 

[poke07]

I was actually surprised that he got as in depth as he did. I was nervous that all of his answers might be along the lines of "I cannot comment on a show in progress." The fact that he referenced PUSA not wanting to spend money was also fairly revealing (albeit already known by many of us due to the va scandal)

 

[Trainer Lisa]

Sorry! Again though, I figured if I asked too many questions he would get annoyed and just not answer any of them...and I was much more interested in the answers to some other questions.

Oh, that's okay. Maybe in the future, if you do another interview with him, you can ask him that question. ^^

I agree with you that the 4Kids music was better. He did say, though, that he is aware that fans liked that BGM a lot, and so he said he would try to start mixing in more 4kids-sounding BGM tracks.

Wow, that's awesome!

Thanks, poke07! I'm looking forward to hearing those 4Kids-style tracks in Battle Dimension soon. :-D

 

[Amazed4587]

The hip and modern kinda scares me at the moment. Whatever how old this guy is, he would obviously would interpret wrong of what kids like. If they want hip and modern, hire a teenager who knows the trend and the answers be solved.

But reading the answers, the responses and questions were a little disappointment to me, I saw more questions asked, but I give up.

But it doesn't surprise me much they PUSA doesn't want to spend more money than they need too, 4 Kids were the same way. Although as now, the BGM is all right, the one I really hate at the moment is the generic battle music that played in DP 74 and 75, Pikachu/Raichu 2nd battle and Milotic one. That BGM got to go. Now my question is, how much money do they spend dubbing an episode if PUSA or DuArt can't afford to pay extra.

 

[Yoshi1001]

I think what Yoshi1001 was implying was that the music was made in the 80s and only just got used now.

Or I might have just killed a joke.

The latter. Actually, it was more a joke for people who've been listening to my station for a long time and know about some of my "time filling" practices.

The other problem with doing too many 2BA Master-esque tracks (by the way, 2BA master is the subject of an upcoming podcast episode for a popular Pokemon podcast) is that eventually you run out of material, particualrly given the static nature of the characters' personalities. I mean, sure, "Two Perfect Girls" is a great song, but I don't want to hear 20 songs in the same vein. This kinda goes along with why I don't write as many song parodies as I used to.

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

The other problem with doing too many 2BA Master-esque tracks (by the way, 2BA master is the subject of an upcoming podcast episode for a popular Pokemon podcast) is that eventually you run out of material, particualrly given the static nature of the characters' personalities.

Something we've already seen in Japanese with all of Ash's image songs. Tell me they're not all about the exact same thing.

(side note--there need to be image songs for more characters. I'm convinced the only reason movie 2 got image songs is because they had a freakin' Broadway star on board for it, and that's kinda sad if that's the only reason)