Cara Hart is a Spanish-born American who has made a name for herself through her sleek vocals and electronic licks. So, naturally, we asked her about video games.
Born in Madrid before moving to America, Cara Hart now resides in London, making waves within the alternative pop scene. Having featured in Noctis, Notion, and Metal Magazine, she is blending both pop hooks with an avant-garde sound to create electronic music that pops more than most on the market right now.
It's all rather alternative, with her latest single "Mirror" blending distorted electronic fuzz with a light and percussive riff to give us a boppy tune that delivers some pretty startling vocal licks. The chorus is an almost P!nk-esque moment of soaring and Avril Lavigne-like angst, with the quiet and somber verses creating a contrast that startles even after the first few listens. Check it out!
Naturally, we decided to ask her a few questions about music and video games. Here's what she said...
What is your favorite video game soundtrack?
I would definitely go with Minecraft. In gaming there is a certain beauty to the sonic aesthetic. It engages with the player and, in a way, can create an immersive experience. If the music is aligned with the game it quite literally takes you into it. I love anything that can make me feel like I'm in another world or dimension, which is why I love Minecraft.
The whole idea of the game is similar to that of a human, survival. But you get to experience different dimensions, and the soundtrack that accompanies it really gets your mind in it. It's this ethereal, experimental, almost hypnotic soundscape that just fits like a puzzle and creates the perfect atmosphere while playing. I also just listen to Minecraft while meditating, it's a transcending experience if you really dive into it.
Who's your favorite video game music composer?
C418 (Daniel Rosenfeld), also the mind behind the iconic Minecraft soundtrack. I feel like sometimes the artists behind these sounds are underrated, but if you think about it, they’re the modern classical composers.
What’s your favorite video game?
I'm going to have to go with Crash Bandicoot. I had a minor addiction to this game, it's all that I thought about 24/7. It's like this incredible adventure you go on and you just can't stop it, haha!
What game inspired you to do music?
Minecraft was definitely a huge inspiration behind wanting to produce. I've always been a singer, but hearing these sounds made me wonder why I wasn’t allowing myself to explore beyond writing and singing. If they could do it, why couldn’t I?
What video game are you currently playing?
Minecraft, obviously.
Would you ever like to write music for video games? What would it be like?
I would 100 percent love to explore that, and it would be incredible to have that experience in doing so. It would definitely be extremely ethereal and experimental. I'd love to play with robotic sounds and futuristic-like sonics.
How important is music for video games / video games for music?
I think the music plays a huge role when playing any game, it just takes you exactly where you need to go. It can be very transcendent and hype everything up.
Cara Hart's music is available on her Spotify, but also on her YouTube channel, where she has a variety of live clips available.