Magnus Pålsson / Souleye – VVVVVV Soundtrack Composer Interview
Magnus Pålsson is a composer best known for their soundtrack for the video game VVVVVV under the artist name Souleye. He opens up about ego death, creativity, and building a gamified platform for personal growth. A raw, inspiring conversation about transformation, vulnerability, and what it means to live truthfully in a digital age.
MAGNUS LINKS:
Website: https://www.magnuspalsson.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2wguicPfR7ne0MDX7mYPRq?si=z153KlHtQPGc0SzT4I1KSw
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/fi/artist/magnus-p%C3%A5lsson/806918599
Bandcamp: https://souleyedigitalmusic.bandcamp.com/album/pppppp-the-vvvvvv-soundtrack
X: https://x.com/MagnusRender
Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.
Support this podcast by becoming a member:
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.twitch.tv/markusjunnikkala
https://www.reddit.com/user/markusjunnikkala/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markusjunnikkala/
Subscribing, sharing, and liking helps the podcast.
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00:00) – Technical Issues and Settling In
(00:02:00) – Moving to Portugal for Economic Reasons
(00:04:00) – From Music to Investments and Personal Growth
(00:08:00) – Gamifying Personal Development
(00:12:00) – Transparency, Public Growth, and Personal Accountability
(00:16:00) – Magnus’s Ego Death Experience
(00:24:00) – Living Without an Ego and Resetting Perceptions
(00:28:00) – Integrating the Shadow and Emotional Maturity
(00:34:00) – Impact on Creativity and Expressing a Wider Emotional Range
(00:40:00) – Music, Hopefulness, and Emotional Complexity
(00:46:00) – The Return of the Inner Voice
(00:53:00) – Managing the Ego’s Influence in Daily Life
(00:57:00) – Relational Meditation and Circling Practice Explained
(01:03:00) – Building a Gamified Growth Platform
(01:09:00) – Truth, Trolling, and Documenting Transformation
(01:17:00) – Philosophy, AI, and the Search for Truth
(01:19:00) – Facing AI and Redefining Human Connection
(01:23:00) – Human Imperfections and the Future of Authenticity
(01:27:00) – AI Adapting to Mimic Humanity
(01:31:00) – The Futility and Beauty of Seeking Truth
(01:35:00) – Finding Joy in Simplicity and Process
(01:39:00) – Early Music Career and Unexpected Opportunities
(01:44:00) – The Strange Story Behind Magnus’s First Game Soundtrack
(01:49:00) – Creative Integrity Versus External Expectations
(01:55:00) – Sustaining Creativity Amidst Day Jobs and Long Commutes
(02:00:00) – Using Old-School Trackers to Compose Legendary Music
(02:04:00) – Evolving Creativity and Embracing New Horizons
(02:10:00) – Gaming, Childhood Inspirations, and Musical Beginnings
(02:15:00) – The Role of Play and Joy in Developing Skills
(02:20:00) – Building a New Life Focused on Passion Projects
(02:30:00) – Creating a Gamified Platform for Growth and Connection
(02:38:00) – Life Philosophy: Living Authentically and Courageously
(02:45:00) – Final Reflections and Closing Thoughts
Responses