When he is not a member of Brisbane electronic-pop act Hunz, Hans Van Vliet also spends time with indie bitpop out 7-Bit Hero.
The band's website outlines what you can expect at a 7-Bit Hero show... and it's exciting. “We are experimenting with new ways of combining video games, concert visuals and audience interaction.
“At our show, your smartphone will be your joystick that allows you to control a character in the multi-player game that is projected behind the band. Your opponents or friends are somewhere in the crowd around you, and the band is playing the soundtrack.”
Hans is also the director at Penny Time as well as creative director at IV Motion, which makes him the ideal music-industry professional to speak at Little Bigsound later this month.
Though Hans really likes video games... really, really likes them. Here are his five underrated video games.
Parappa The Rapper
This is one of the first rhythm games I played and it changed the way I looked at gaming and music. Each button in the joystick was a rap word and you would tap out lyrics to win the battle. Way ahead of its time.{youtube}F5Pm7BL-hyo{/youtube}
Shadow Of The Colossus
Basically you scale giant beasts that roam the earth. It's like a huge, moving-platform game. You climb these things and find their weakness and um, well, kill them. Afterwards you ride off on your white horse.{youtube}32N2LLlQ4b0{/youtube}
Bubble Bobble
Perfect, perfect game. If you wanted to learn about game mechanics this is a gem. Trap monsters in bubbles and then run over and pop them before they burst out again. This game has secrets and many special things that unlock if you do things the right way.{youtube}NGg14HCbpKc{/youtube}
Loco Roco
A small, singing ball that bounces around the level to collect other, little singing balls. What isn't to love? The soundtrack is so special as it reflects where you are and how many other singing loco rocos you have.{youtube}3JKTVh4KdBI{/youtube}
Grav
It's an interstellar survival game that is still in early alpha. You build an empire and travel the universe and find other planets to enjoy or destroy. It has a great community and is updated constantly.{youtube}ayNgiFV1tRQ{/youtube}
Little Bigsound takes place at the Judith Wright Centre 27 July.
