In this episode, I talk with George Strezov about how imagination, world-building, and instinct shape the way he writes music. We dig into growing up in Bulgaria, discovering film and game music through RPGs and early PC games, and why “vibe” often matters more than rules or theory. George shares how he thinks about atmosphere, writing to picture, and creating music that places the listener inside a world rather than explaining it. This is a conversation about how music works on a felt level — how it creates space, meaning, and immersion — and what happens when you trust instinct over formulas.

🔗 GEORGE STREZOV LINKS

Website: https://www.strezov.net/en

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/george-strezov/958294122

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2DNnA9F0OrEmC80UWEwrMi?si=jQrJ7S9HQcCPyP47jkEyNw

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

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/George.Strezov

🎻 STREZOV SAMPLING LINKS

Website: https://www.strezov-sampling.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/StrezovSampling

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

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

X: https://x.com/StrezovSampling

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) Introduction & meeting George Strezov

(00:03:30) Bulgaria, culture, and creative roots

(00:10:30) Family, upbringing, and early artistic influences

(00:18:30) Discovering film music & formative listening

(00:27:30) Art vs commerce and creative identity

(00:38:00) Childhood, curiosity, and non-linear learning

(00:50:00) Role-playing games, imagination, and world-building

(01:02:00) First steps into music production and game music

(01:15:00) Education, self-teaching, and musical foundations

(01:30:00) Entering the professional world of composing

(01:55:00) Large-scale projects, orchestras, and collaboration

(02:20:00) Burnout, balance, and sustaining a long career

(02:40:00) Philosophy of music, success, and the future

(02:58:00) Final reflections and closing thoughts

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:

https://markusjunnikkala.com/membership/

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Ask it on social media:

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

Subscribing, sharing, and liking helps the podcast.

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:

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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