I talk with composer and sound designer Ian Boddy about curiosity, sound, and building a creative life without a roadmap.

We cover how Ian moved from studying biochemistry to discovering analogue synthesis by accident, teaching himself through experimentation, and falling in love with sound as art rather than rules or theory. We also talk about working jobs you don’t love, protecting your creative energy, finding your own tribe, and why solitude and patience matter more than visibility.

Ian shares practical insight into sound design, library music, and how writing hundreds of small pieces over time quietly became the foundation of his career. This is a grounded conversation about sticking with what fascinates you—and letting the long game do its work.

IAN BODDY LINKS:

Website: http://ianboddy.com/

DiN Records Bandcamp: https://dinrecords.bandcamp.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/theianboddy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theianboddy/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theianboddy

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/ianboddy.bsky.social

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

Support this podcast by becoming a member:

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) Introduction and life in Northeast England

(00:06:30) Childhood, family background, and early creativity

(00:13:30) Lego, imagination, and thinking in systems

(00:20:30) Discovering sound, synthesizers, and Spectro Arts

(00:29:30) First concerts, albums, and creative obsession

(00:38:30) Working life vs artistic life

(00:46:00) Akai, technology, and entering the music industry

(00:58:00) Sound design, sampling, and early libraries

(01:12:00) Library music and sustainable creative careers

(01:28:00) Technology shifts and changing tools

(01:43:00) Creativity, aging, and long-term perspective

(01:58:00) Advice for artists and industry realities

(02:13:00) Meaning, fulfillment, and artistic philosophy

(02:32:00) Reflections, lessons learned, and closing thoughts

In this episode, I sit down with Gitae Kim (aka Gimgi), the composer behind Ogu and the Secret Forest, for a long, honest conversation about creativity and the cost that sometimes comes with it.

We talk about discipline, hyperfocus, burnout, physical health, and what it’s really like trying to sustain a creative life. Gimgi shares how mandatory military service, learning instruments under pressure, and losing himself in flow states shaped the way he approaches music and game scoring today. We also get into the thinking behind the Ogu soundtrack — world-building, leitmotifs, and making music that serves the game rather than draws attention to itself. A grounded conversation about sensitivity, survival, and why we keep creating.

GITAE KIM / GIMGI LINKS:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gimgi2974

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gimgi_tae/

X: https://x.com/Captain_Gimgi

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

Support this podcast by becoming a member:

https://markusjunnikkala.com/membership/

Want me to answer your question?

Ask it on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/markusjunnikkala/

https://www.facebook.com/markusjunnikkala/

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https://www.reddit.com/user/markusjunnikkala/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markusjunnikkala/

Subscribing, sharing, and liking helps the podcast.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) Opening meditation and restless creative minds

(00:04:30) Finally meeting after Tokyo Game Show

(00:07:40) Korea vs Finland seasons culture and daily life

(00:12:10) Mandatory military service in Korea

(00:21:30) Learning trumpet in the army band under pressure

(00:31:00) Discipline control and emotional survival

(00:43:20) Hyperfocus paranoia and losing track of time

(00:55:50) Overworking on Ogu and the limits of flow

(01:07:40) Physical consequences spine pain and burnout

(01:21:10) Standing desks ergonomics and creative health

(01:39:30) Responsibility family and structure as an artist

(01:56:40) Stress nervous system overload and sensitivity

(02:15:00) Health crisis and long-term recovery

(02:32:10) Reset after interruption continuing the conversation

(02:35:40) Early musical life and discovering instruments

(02:54:30) Bands guitar and finding a creative identity

(03:12:20) Music technology DAWs and self teaching

(03:28:40) Falling in love with game music

(03:45:50) How Ogu and the Secret Forest happened

(04:02:30) Composing Ogu themes structure and hidden ideas

(04:21:40) Real instruments vocals and production choices

(04:39:20) Working with developers and creative trust

(04:50:40) What’s next reflection and closing thoughts

Composer Geoff Knorr — known for his work on the Civilization series and other large-scale game soundtracks — joins us for a deep conversation about creativity, discipline, and what it really takes to build a life in music.

We discuss learning to accept criticism, letting go of ideas that don’t work, why good music can still be the wrong music, and why some composers grow while others stay stuck. Drawing from Geoff’s experience composing for major games, teaching at the Peabody Institute, and collaborating with musicians across diverse musical traditions, the conversation explores humility, perspective, and long-term creative growth.

The episode also touches on health, sustainability, and discipline — from staying physically active as a composer to recognizing that music is simply too hard to pursue unless you genuinely love it.

GEOFF KNORR LINKS:

Website: https://www.geoffknorr.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KnorrMusic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1OFCjpSAsyIOWWzIAYb3OI?si=_eoobKhuQTSmDIWa4DYmjg

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/geoff-knorr/411130469

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geoff.knorr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Geoff-Knorr-Composer/174736382555080

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

Support this podcast by becoming a member:

https://markusjunnikkala.com/membership/

Want me to answer your question?

Ask it on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/markusjunnikkala/

https://www.facebook.com/markusjunnikkala/

https://x.com/markusjunnikkal

https://www.reddit.com/user/markusjunnikkala/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markusjunnikkala/

Subscribing, sharing, and liking helps the podcast.

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:08) Introduction

(00:02:16) Growing Up, Family, and Early Influences

(00:08:32) Sports, Discipline, Health & Longevity as a Composer

(00:13:19) Failure, Hard Work & Lessons From Sports

(00:16:37) Subjectivity, Criticism & Facing Reality in Music

(00:23:14) Letting Go of Music That Doesn’t Work

(00:27:19) Teaching, Mediocrity & Why Some Musicians Don’t Improve

(00:34:15) Game Music Reality: Serving the Vision (Beyond Earth)

(00:38:19) Technology, Early MIDI & Audio Foundations

(00:45:33) Collaboration, Culture & Working With Musicians

(00:51:35) Childhood, Encouragement & Learning to Love Music

(00:56:05) Classical Foundations, Bach & Musical Identity

(01:01:04) Why Music Is Too Hard If You Don’t Love It

(01:05:11) Video Games, Direction & Choosing a Career Path

(01:16:10) Studying Composition, Recording & Wearing Both Hats

(01:30:10) Composing Process: Score, DAW & Sample Libraries

(01:46:00) Improvisation, Structure & Non-Western Traditions

(02:02:10) Trust, Sensitivity & Recording Real Musicians

(02:18:40) Sound vs Notes: Where Music Actually Lives

(02:36:00) Experience, Speed & Long-Term Creative Thinking

(02:57:30) What Keeps You Going (Final Reflections)