Jordan Chin – Monster Train 2 Composer Interview

Composer Jordan Chin (Monster Train 1 & 2) joins me to explore what it means to create with vulnerability, curiosity, and purpose. We talk about the courage to be a beginner, the balance between exploration and deadlines, and why great game music must serve both the artist and the larger world it belongs to. A conversation for anyone walking the creative path.JORDAN LINKS:Website: https://www.jordanchinmusic.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5FqaQ5TCnpKQCFJNyzrQJX?si=DbzIaktYSgO3boMn3cd5ogApple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jordan-chin/1046850267Bandcamp: https://jordanchinmusic.bandcamp.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClF_ljAEbAs1wL6B3Rci5vAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanchinmusicX: https://x.com/jordanchinmusicFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JordanChinMusicMarkus 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/markusjunnikkalhttps://www.twitch.tv/markusjunnikkalahttps://www.reddit.com/user/markusjunnikkala/https://www.linkedin.com/in/markusjunnikkala/Subscribing, sharing, and liking helps the podcast.TIMESTAMPS:(00:00:00) Intro & greetings (00:01:02) Warhammer 40k – Factions, lore & painting as meditation (00:11:01) The art of being a beginner & practicing discomfort (00:16:47) Lessons from the gym – health, judgment & resilience (00:25:01) Vulnerability in music & creating beyond validation (00:30:06) Serving the larger whole in game music (00:34:23) Music + medium magic – Ghibli, Final Fantasy & Monster Train (00:38:42) Monster Train 2 soundtrack, guitars & band influence (00:41:17) Drummers, rhythm, and the foundation of energy in composition (00:49:28) The value of space, restraint & arrangement in music (00:58:38) Curiosity vs. practicality in the creative process (01:07:40) Origins – growing up in San Jose & family influences (01:20:00) First bands, instruments & discovering composition (01:36:00) Breaking into game music & career lessons (01:54:00) Creative workflow, iteration & collaboration (02:15:00) Monster Train 1 & 2 – writing process & challenges (02:40:00) Finding your own sound & balancing influences (03:05:00) Tools, production & mixing philosophy (03:30:00) Reflections on vulnerability, judgment & creative growth (04:17:19) What your dog can teach you