The-Electric-Bends
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Melodies at mealtime: Behind The Electric Bends, Q-Games' lunch break band
For many, the lunch break is an escape: a reliable block of time to retreat from the rigors of work, and a much-needed respite in an otherwise stressful day. But for several employees of Kyoto, Japan-based Q-Games – the studio behind the PixelJunk series and co-developer of Star Fox 64 3D – it's the time each day in which one creative (albeit professional) outlet is briefly shut down in favor of another.It's when the game creators become a troupe of improvisational musicians, laying down sprawling, electronic-tinged odysseys with titles like "Echoes Infinite" and "Mesmantra," most of which are quickly shared online.Nearing its first full year of existence, The Electric Bends has six recurring members, well over 100 recordings, and three albums, with additional releases on the horizon. Amid heavy work on PixelJunk 1-6, how does the game industry's preeminent lunch break band keep the beat with just an hour-or-so a day to play together?
