As a music enthusiast who’s been following CG5’s journey since his early days on his dad’s computer, I must say I’m truly inspired by his relentless pursuit of excellence and creativity. His words echo a sentiment that resonates deeply with me – the importance of quality over quantity in artistic expression.
Charlie Green, commonly referred to as CG5 by his followers, established the base of his musical career around video games, particularly indie horror titles such as Five Nights at Freddy’s and Poppy Playtime which garnered millions of views on his YouTube channel. This 25-year-old artist has teamed up with other well-known game-related artists like The Living Tombstone, created his own version of Friday Night Funkin, and his vocal characteristics have even spawned a meme on TikTok.
Game Rant had an engaging chat with CG5 about his upcoming global tour ‘Under the Spotlight‘, his music inspired by fanbase, his recent move towards a mainstream musical style, and his views on independent horror cinema. Following the debut of his latest track “OCD”, he also shared insights into how this condition has impacted his personal connections and serves as inspiration for much of his current work. (For clarity and conciseness, this conversation has been condensed.)
Making Game-Based Music is Harder Than it Sounds
A: It appears that your collection of music inspired by fan culture indicates a wide range of interests. Could you tell us how you discover a game, TV show, or meme that sparks the idea for a new song?
CG5: Well, there’s always something new that’s popping on the algorithm. Some of these things that pop are games, new internet shows, or TV shows that pique my interest in writing a song about because of their luscious stories. I like to do research on these topics that aren’t quite about me, but these are topics that are presented for me, right in front of me, if that makes sense. I just love writing about things that are put in front of me. Like, if you were to give me the topic of writing a song about an egg, just for no reason, then I would write a song about an egg. In fact, I have.
Q: Is it just things you stumble across?
My friends introduce me to various topics. One such topic piques my interest when I research something new online as part of my work. For instance, currently, I’m composing a song titled “Murder Drones,” which is a popular internet series produced by Glitch Productions. To accompany the song, I am also creating an animation on this theme.
Could you elaborate on one aspect that particularly stands out in your music: your talent for portraying characters’ viewpoints and narrating their stories. Would you mind sharing some insights into how you manage to delve into the thoughts and feelings of these characters?
Writing a song about “Among U”s involves extensive research and embodying various characters, particularly the Impostor. This requires assuming the perspective of a paranoid Crewmate, trying to figure out who among the group is the Impostor. Adopting these different viewpoints can be challenging but is manageable if I’m engaged with the character and story, especially when it’s exciting, chilling, or scary. I find it easier to get into the zone when the topic resonates strongly with me.
You often create works that are reminiscent of independent horror genres, and frequently, you narrate stories from the antagonist’s point of view, as can be seen in pieces such as the song “Sleep Well.
In truth, the story of “Sleep Well” doesn’t follow Catnap’s viewpoint. Instead, it’s told from the standpoint of a survivor, a scientist who lived through a factory explosion triggered by characters coming to life and causing chaos, including murder. The Smiling Critters’ perspective is woven into the narrative, but the story switches between perspectives, such as the scientist narrating events. When the Smiling Critters enter the scene, it represents current time. It’s like I, as a former scientist, am reminiscing about my past while singing along with them during their Hour of Joy.
Q: So you need to feel some sort of connection with the character?
CG5:Sleep Well held an intriguing quality for me, as I found it challenging to write the narrative through Catnap’s perspective. Although he appears sentient, he was artificially created by someone else. His actions of spraying laughing gas onto others left me curious about a more complex backstory. The individuals who developed these potentially hazardous products likely have their own compelling tale. I wanted to explore the narrative of a character who survived when the factory exploded from within, sharing what I imagined would be their harrowing and miraculous journey.
A: When you’re preparing to compose a song, how do you choose from among the various genres of music you’re familiar with, which one the song will adhere to?
CG5 swiftly adopts new ideas. With nearly two decades of experience in music and extensive exposure to tunes from the ’80s and beyond, particularly cinematic soundtracks, he is frequently inspired by familiar melodies that prompt him to create a song in a specific style on the spot. For instance, while producing “Lyin’ 2 Me,” his aim was to portray a detective investigating an impostor, so he decided to blend the vintage ’50s sound with contemporary pop and electronic elements. The character’s persona sets the tune’s tone.
I envisioned ‘Sleep Well’ as a soothing, lullaby-like piece, similar to ‘Come Along, Down with Me’ or the whimsical ‘Pure Imagination’ from Willy Wonka. These concepts just pop into my mind instantly, which allows me to swiftly create a song about a specific theme. My head is filled with melodies and ideas that I can access quickly.
Taking the Show on the Road
A: Could I provide a brief preview of the experience awaiting attendees at my international tour without revealing any plot details? Absolutely! Imagine stepping into an immersive, story-driven Broadway performance. From its captivating beginning to its climactic ending, the show promises to keep you engaged and entertained every step of the way.
In composing my music, I’ve found that stories resonate most with people, so I thought it would be engaging to develop my own narrative. Fans seem to relish lore and intriguing storylines, after all! Just like a captivating series or movie, I wanted to incorporate a beginning, middle, and end into my performance. There will be a unique character joining me on stage during these performances, but he harbors sinister ambitions of seizing control. To prevent this, I’ll have to thwart his plans, so let the mystery unfold!
Q: I’ve also seen that your father is joining you on this tour.
CG5: He’s the character.
Beyond that, your spouse, Emma, has made an appearance in some of your latest music videos. How does it feel to be able to celebrate this success together with your family?
Recently, I tied the knot about four months back with the one I adore, Emma Fox, who’s now Green. We’ve been overjoyed together, and Emma’s been accompanying me on tour, capturing my performances on camera and chronicling our experiences through blogging. Having her by my side has been an incredible blessing throughout this tour; she’s helped keep me grounded amidst the fatigue of travel.
So far, I’ve completed 10 performances and am preparing for number 11. At present, I have approximately 14-15 shows left, but I can’t do them all on my own. I truly need my wife by my side right now, although if she needs to stay home at some point, that’s okay. However, she’s been with me for most of this tour, and her presence has been invaluable. She’ll always be close to my heart because I adore her so deeply, and she’s provided immense support. I’m truly grateful to have her by my side during this tour.
It appears that she could have served as the motivation for much of your latest music that isn’t related to fandom.
Certainly. My latest track titled “OCD” is essentially based on past relationships, specifically touching upon my relationship with Emma, its origins included. In truth, I’ve struggled with a form of Relationship Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (ROCD), which I wasn’t aware of beforehand.
Before encountering Emma in my life, I felt compelled to understand what was happening within me and if it was typical or not. To cope with this, I underwent extensive therapy during my relationship with Emma, which allowed me to stay committed and avoid fleeing immediately. My past was marked by a tendency to run away instantly due to my OCD, a condition I wasn’t aware of until meeting Emma. In the past, I had numerous encounters with people but never truly formed meaningful relationships – just brief interactions filled with kisses, hugs, and ultimately realizing these connections wouldn’t last long. I often found myself running away from these situations quickly because I thought they weren’t for me.
There was something about Emma that just made me think that I couldn’t, I shouldn’t run away. Even if I wanted to, I shouldn’t because that running away was from the OCD. The therapy gave me a way to give love a chance. I found Emma and now we’re so happy, but with every experience comes a song, and that’s why I wrote “OCD.”
Around the year 2020, you began to publish a series of songs that were not related to specific fandoms, and seemed to be more mainstream. With songs like “Forbidden Feeling” and “OCD,” it appears as though you’re delving deeper into self-reflection on certain matters.
Essentially, anything that’s within my Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) resides in my mind. The song “Forbidden Feeling” was about a relationship that I desired but felt unable to pursue due to some OCD factors. I clung to it fiercely, despite numerous reasons suggesting I shouldn’t or couldn’t love her and maintain the relationship. It was quite profound. To counterbalance the melancholy tone of the song and its narrative, I attempted to make the lyrics sound positive. My strength lies in writing introspective songs due to the various experiences I’ve encountered lately.
A Clash of Genres
Q: Given that your music is becoming increasingly popular in mainstream circles, will you continue producing songs inspired by video games, memes, and television programs for the gaming and fandom communities to enjoy?
Definitely, I’m in a dilemma about which activity to focus on more regularly at the moment. However, I understand that I should continue with the gaming content for a while longer as that’s what my audience anticipates from me. I’ll give it my all and make the best out of the situation.
I’m composing a tune on the theme of “Murder Drones”, which was recently concluded as an online series. There’s been a lot of buzz about this upcoming track. As soon as I shared a sneak peek on TikTok, it surpassed the views of all my promotional videos for the song “OCD”. It seems that’s what people anticipate from me – turning popular topics into music, which serves as instant promotion for the new song.
I’m finding myself in a bit of a tricky situation: I yearn to delve deeper into mainstream music and start working on another album, but my schedule isn’t quite cooperating at the moment. There are some important projects related to gaming that need my attention first, and I’m eager to see where they lead. In the meantime, I’m still putting out personal singles, and I’m also immersed in this game project which I truly enjoy. The inspiration strikes when topics are presented to me, and I write songs about them, so it’s a bit like having two rewarding but challenging paths to walk on.
Q: You enjoy one, but you’re wanting to move into the other too?
CG5: It’s similar to engaging in a fun battle. Honestly, it’s never static since I’m drawn to the excitement that the game world brings, the camaraderie, the community, and all of that. And then there’s the mainstream appeal because it’s not tied to a specific property, it’s about me, and people appreciate a song because it comes from me. At the moment, I’m just moving forward with what needs to be done. In essence, that’s the gist of it.
Question: Why do many musicians find indie horror games like Five Nights at Freddy’s, Bendy, Baldi’s Basics, and Poppy Playtime an appealing foundation for their work?
Essentially, something that’s already popular will attract people right away. To sustain this audience, one needs to be strategic and maintain quality, just as I have done. If your song is based on a popular franchise like Five Nights at Freddy’s, it’s crucial to make it high-quality because even though it will initially garner views due to its association with the property, it needs to be good to attract more views, keep the audience engaged, and for them to respect your other works.
Rather than focusing solely on the amount of content you produce, it’s crucial to establish a strong foundation based on the quality of your music. Overproducing content on a single topic can lead to oversaturation, which may attract viewers and subscribers, but it often lacks genuine respect. Instead, strive for excellence in each creation.
If you aim to retain your audience indefinitely, then focus on enhancing your song-crafting skills. Essentially, what I’m saying is that if we all dedicate ourselves to creating exceptional work, we can maintain our fanbase. They will come to appreciate and respect our diverse creations that are not tied to specific properties. That’s why so many people have jumped on board the Five Nights at Freddy bandwagon. It offers a fascinating narrative, making it captivating to write about. In summary, that’s the key.
Many enthusiasts looked forward to listening to a tune by The Living Tombstone, whom you’ve worked with on various music ventures, during the end credits of the Five Nights at Freddy’s film.
CG5: I was one of them.
Q: Any chance we’ll be hearing an original CG5 song in any of the sequels?
It would make me extremely happy if it were to occur. I truly wish and long for Blumhouse to recognize me for the next film.
A: Since I began creating music using my father’s computer at just five years old, what words of encouragement can I offer to aspiring, self-reliant musicians aiming to succeed online?
Keep creating music even if it’s not perfect at first. Accept feedback from others and don’t cling too tightly to your own ideas. Share your compositions with friends who may lack expertise in music production, as they can still provide valuable insights since they listen to music. Their level of knowledge doesn’t matter; what matters is their ability to appreciate and critique music. You should value their opinions because you are often biased towards your own work. Although it might be difficult, being open to criticism will help improve your songs, as without it, you may never learn and grow as a musician.
Q: Are there any other projects you’d like to talk about?
Currently, I’m designing a unique marketing campaign for a song using an Alternate Reality Game (ARG), which is different from an Augmented Reality Game. This is my initial attempt at creating something original with a horror theme. The project includes secret VCRs and other intriguing elements, and it will be presented as a series of videos. We plan to release these videos next year, and I’m excited to see how it unfolds. I find the concept of ARG appealing, and I’m looking forward to creating something fresh and exciting in this area.
Q: Anything else you’d like to say about the tour?
CG5: Well, I’m performing “Only in Ohio” but only in Ohio, so I’m not performing that song any other place except for Ohio, which I think is going to be quite funny. But it’s also going to be my first time performing that song for an audience, and I don’t know how it’s going to go. I wonder if there are going to be people that boo, but I don’t give a crap about that anymore. But thanks for buying tickets!
[END]
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2024-09-11 16:24