For a few weeks now I've been running a new YouTube channel called Pixels and Power Chords. I'll explain what this is all about in the following blog post.
Love at first play
When I think about it, everything in my life has led to this YouTube channel. In my childhood "Mario" almost as important as “mom”. My love for video games began the moment I first saw the legendary plumber flicker across our neighbors' CRT screen. I was probably about five years old at the time. Even if over time the importance of video games for participation in "real life" something has subsided, I can't imagine that they will ever disappear from my life.
I recently asked myself why I never did more with this passion. After all, she has been with me for 30 years now. Why I love games? As with riding a motorcycle, the incredible feeling of the flow state inevitably comes into play when... well... playing. Every gamer knows what it means when you completely lose track of time and just want to complete one more level. And games do something else incredibly well, which is of great value for the flow state: They constantly present you with new challenges, which lead to growth as a player. In literature this is often referred to as the hero's journey - in video games you experience it first hand. There are also imaginative game worlds in which you can get lost and wonderful soundtracks that can stay in your ears for weeks.
However, in the past few months I have also struggled with the feeling that I was "wasting" my time when I should actually be making more of my potential. And that's exactly where the idea was born to create something out of my passion that goes beyond pure consumption.
Nothing works without music
As much as I like video games, my life wouldn't work without music. My love for what is probably the most beautiful art in the world has continued to develop over the years. Games like Gran Turismo or Tony Hawk's Pro Skater with their sensational soundtracks have certainly paved the way to rock sounds for me. Just look at the opening movie of Gran Turismo 3 with the sensational "Just A Day" by Feeder (I have never skipped this intro):
But it was around the age of 17 when I became more interested in becoming active myself. And like many lovers of harder sounds, it was the electric guitar that particularly fascinated me. So I bought my first guitar and asked a friend for some lessons to learn the basics - and just a short time later we founded our first band together, Road to Nowhere. I've been playing in various bands for over 15 years now, but paid guitar lessons are still on my to-do list. Because my guitar playing never really got that good.
Nevertheless, making music is one of my passions that I am really proud of. Where we used to dream of big stages, today I simply enjoy the aspect of being able to create something with friends that is fun for me and them (and in most cases the audience too). And I love how earthy rock and metal music is. It simply feels "real" to sweat in a room with other metalheads and indulge in the hard sounds with body and mind - a wonderful contrast to everyday life that is becoming increasingly digital.
Reinvent the wheel
Over the last few years I've slowly worked my way into the world of YouTube with motorcycle content. That actually went quite well and I kept receiving good feedback and was able to build up a following of around 1,700 people. But somehow my fire for it has gone out a bit. The reasons for this largely overlap with the considerations that I already discussed in my previous Blog.
As I am a regular consumer of YouTube content myself and wanted to make something of my experience with what is probably the largest video platform in the world, it was actually clear to me where my new format should have its home.
But you shouldn't just create content just for the sake of it being done. In addition to providing added value for the viewer, content must also be original. Since there are already what feels like millions of creators in the gaming environment, I thought about what kind of content I could create to find my own niche.
Hybrid Theory | What does Linkin Park have to do with Pixels and Power Chords?
The solution is sometimes easier than you think. As already described, my two biggest passions are video games and guitar music. And like Linkin Park with their legendary album "Hybrid Theory" brought together great things from different worlds, I came up with the idea of combining different subject areas into a new format. Pixels and Power Chords was born - a fusion of video games and guitar music.
The idea behind it should be relatively clear, but it offers a lot of creative freedom to create content that is of interest to both me and other gamers. Of course, I don't expect to reach everyone with this. But I still hope that my impression is confirmed that many rockers and metalheads have a place in their hearts for video games.
Every beginning is difficult
I still have a lot to learn on my way to becoming a YouTuber in the gaming sector. For my motorcycle content, I always focused on simple and authentic videos. Pixels and Power Chords should also be authentic, but the demands on the content are many times higher. And that's exactly the appeal of doing this for me.
In addition to the satisfying feeling of putting formative melodies from my childhood into a new guise, I also find the fact that I can improve my general media skills very interesting. It's probably difficult to imagine what you need to bring to create a video like this. The following skills are necessary for this:
Play the guitar
Write music
Tablature software Guitar Pro or Drum Computer
Record and edit music in Cubase Pro
Video recording with various tools like OBS Studio
Video editing with appropriate knowledge of video editing software
Foreign language (in this case English)
Presenting yourself in front of the camera / speaking to the camera
Image editing for thumbnails and social media
Operate social media accounts
Upload and optimize on YouTube
Etc.
My first video was a bit bumpy and didn't really convince either my girlfriend or me. But almost every big creator gives the advice to just start and then just improve a little with each video. And that's exactly what I plan to do.
The second video from Pixels and Power Chords was released on October 29th, 2023. In addition to more dynamic cuts including so-called J-cuts and freer language, I have also adjusted my format somewhat. In the second video I forego a Let's Play segment and instead use time to explain the creation process of my cover song for the "Super Mario Bros Wonder Underground Theme Metal Cover" (yes, the name is long).
Of course the result isn't perfect yet, but I'm happy with the progress compared to the first video and already have a lot of ideas about how it could continue. I also definitely need to work on efficiency, because all in all I spent almost a whole weekend working on this content.
And this is what the result looks like:
Now I'm obviously interested in what you think about it. What do you think of the format? And how do you like the video in general? And if the topic appeals to you: What would you like to hear and see from me next?
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