about:
Dren McDonald founded Nerdtracks in 2009 and has composed/produced a lot of music for a lot of different mediums. His music is in over 75 video games (much of it he implemented himself, and designed the dynamic music systems), but also theme parks, advertisements, film and TV. Recently a lot of his work can be found in AR and VR experiences, specifically with his knowledge of Spark AR Studio, Unity and Quill. This section used to be a lot longer, but also, a lot more boring. Before nerdtracks Dren ran a record label, toured in a band, and he's also taught a little bit at UCSC/SFCM (music and audio for games).
Daria Novo is a composer, conductor, vocalist & orchestrator who is a frequent collaborator with Dren. If there's a recording session happening for anything 'nerdtracks', Daria is sure to be there, either as a performer, orchestrator or conductor. She also composes for games, theater and libraries (such as the Facebook Sound Collection), and teaches at SFCM when there's time.
DISCOGRAPHY (Dren)
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polyheDren - the singles
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Dangerous Dave in the Deserted Pirate's Hideout Original Game Soundtrack
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The String Arcade String quartet arrangements of classic video game music. Successfully Kickstarted, and released. Click here for full reviews page for The String Arcade.
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The Music of Ravenworld (Music from Ravenwood Fair, Ravenskye City and Ravenshire Castle)
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GrnNtlBrnds (Grand National Brands) – The Great Dumbening (Vaccination Records Co. CD 2002)
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Robot Arm – “Giant” (M/F Jackson CD 2002)
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Knomalities vol. 2 w/Nels Cline, Alboth etc (Amanita 2000)
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GrndNtlBrnds (Grand National Brands) – Communicating for Influence (Vaccination Records Co. CD 2000)
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Rawk Party – v/a – (Vaccination Records Co. CD 2000)
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Funny Rubber Hand – v/a (Vaccination Records Co. CD 1998)
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Eyesore: A Tribute to the Residents – v/a (comp including Primus, Snakefinger, Cracker, Idiot Flesh, Thinking Fellers Union Local 282, Stan Ridgway, The Residents and more) -(Vaccination Records 1996 CD)
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Oh God, Mother, Blood… – v/a – Vaccination Records Co. CD 1995
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Giant Ant Farm – Dressed In Milk – (Vaccination Records Co. 1995 CDep)
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Giant Ant Farm – Fortune – (Vaccination Records Co. 1994 CD)
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Giant Ant Farm – Them! – (Vaccination Records Co. 1993)
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John Cage – Europera’s 3 & 4 Long Beach Opera (Mode Records 1993 2CD set)
AWARDS | NOMINATIONS
2017 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Music in an Indie Game: (nominee) Gunman Taco Truck
2016 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Audio in a Handheld Title: (nominee) Gordon Ramsay Dash
2016 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Music in a Casual Game: (nominee) Gordon Ramsay Dash
2016 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Sound Design in a Casual Game: (nominee) Gordon Ramsay Dash
2015 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Indie Game Audio (WINNER) Gathering Sky
2015 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Sound Design in a Casual Game (WINNER) Gathering Sky
2015 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Game Audio Article (WINNER) Audio Journals: Gathering Sky (Gamasutra)
2015 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Interactive Score (nominee) Gathering Sky
2015 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Music in a Casual Game (nominee) Gathering Sky
2015 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Handheld Audio (nominee) Gathering Sky
2014 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Remix/Cover Song (WINNER) Grasswalk (Plants vs. Zombies)
2014 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Soundtrack Album (nominee) The String Arcade
2014 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Sound Design in a Casual Game (nominee) Diner Dash 2015
2012 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Audio in a Social, Casual or Indie Game (nominee) Ghost Recon Commander
2011 GDC Online : Best Audio in an Online Game (nominee) Ravenwood Fair
2010 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): “Distinguished Service Award” (WINNER)
2011 IndieCade Best Audio (nominee) Skulls of the Shogun
