About
Hello, my name is Laura Shigihara. I’ve been working for the past 4-5 years as an independent video game composer and sound designer. In my spare time I’ve also been developing an rpg of my own called “Melolune.” I majored in International Relations and Business at UC Berkeley, but ended up completely changing my career path after being offered a couple record contracts in Japan for singing and production. Although I turned them down for personal reasons, I learned from that experience that I should be pursuing my passion: a career related to music and creativity. Since then I’ve gotten to create music and sound for over 15 published titles, my most recent work being the soundtrack for Plants vs. Zombies.
I’ve been playing video games since the days of the NES… some of my favorite games: Chrono Trigger, the original Megaman series (especially 2-5), Starcraft, Secret of Mana, Yoshi’s Island, Street Fighter II, Star Tropics, Zelda: Link to the Past and Twilight Princess… there are too many to name. I’m also a long-time fan of video game music. I always tell people that I learned a lot about composition and arranging from NES video games (the Megaman series in particular). My favorite game composers are Yasunori Mitsuda and Yoko Shimomura. When I’m not working on my game or making music, I teach piano to children, and perform at local venues. I also really like hiking, baking, dancing, Shotokan, going on random adventures, drawing, writing stories, and water (both for drinking and playing in).
Interviews
Gamasutra
Play as Life
Spawn Kill
Crispy Gamer
7 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a comment
Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
I’ve started the game just now, and I already see some big similarities to Chrono Trigger. You must be quite the fan! One thing that does worry me a little is that I hope the Chrono Trigger interface style isn’t copyrighted or anything… Your interface looks almost like an exact duplicate! XD Plus I love your Yasunori Mitsuda – with a splash of lemon and lime flavor of music! Yasunori Mitsuda, being one of my top favorite songwriters ever, you just joined him in my top 10 list. I hope to hear more and more from you!
Comment by Chris — June 26, 2009 #
Hi Chris, thank-you for your messages, I’m really happy you’re enjoying the music
I should mention that the Chrono Trigger interface is actually just a placeholder. It’s definitely going to be switched once the permanent UI is finished 
And to answer the question from your email, I’m currently only selling one CD (which can be found at the pop music site via http://www.mybluedream.com), but I’m hoping to have more music available in the coming year (both soundtracks and personal music), so I’ll try my best to keep you posted! Anyways, thanks for writing and hope you have a great day!
–laura
Comment by leebleforest — June 26, 2009 #
I gotta say this is an amazing demo rpg. The personalities you’ve put into each character is absolutely amazing. You can really feel each person and get to know them so well.
Also your voice is just absolutely beautiful to.
Hehe, I first heard it just now when I beat Plants Vs Zombies, and your cute little sunflower sang her heart away~
Good luck! ^^
Comment by Lolifox — July 9, 2009 #
Thank-you so much
I’m so happy you enjoyed the demo and the PvZ song!
Comment by leebleforest — July 22, 2009 #
Hi i just finished plants vs zombies and i hust loved the music it was so awsome i cant stop listening to it. its so catchy . when i can ill have a look at your game oh btw by the looks of the in game pics it looks like your using rpg-makerXP. i was just wandering coz i use rpg makerxp its realy easy to use and make storys to makeing games are so much fun but id never post it on the net i hate getting bad feedback.
hope you having fun.
Comment by Emochris — November 3, 2009 #
You’re so cute! I found your game through the IGF, and I loved it. I was totally blown away by the music, and the story was really great. I can’t wait to play more.
Comment by Kris — November 9, 2009 #
This was incredibly fun, and for those who haven’t tried it out yet, well worth the download. The music was very pretty, and the dialogue was quite well written. I didn’t even realize you did the music for Plants vs. Zombies until after I beat the demo and visited your site again… you are a very talented girl! Keep up the good work!
Comment by Jamie — November 9, 2009 #