Video game developer Eric Barone b.k.a. ConcernedApe, who is best known for creating the hit video game Stardew Valley, is a fan of music, and one of their favorite bands is Canadian indie-pop band Alvvays. After the band showcased their love for Stardew Valley, they became pals. Upon hearing about Alvvays’ new studio album Blue Rev, Barone wanted to help out by creating a music video for them. The result is the video for the song “Many Mirrors,” which pays homage to side-scrolling video games. We spoke to Barone about working on the visual and their favorite music.

You chose to do a music video for "Many Mirrors" after listening to Alvvays's new album Blue Rev. What attracted you most about that song?

Barone: It was mostly just a feeling; I think the energy of the song resonated with me. I also liked the concept of passing through many mirrors, which made me think of the many roads we travel down in life. But through it all, there's always going to be a core element which stays the same... you might call it the soul.

This is your first time working on a music video. What was it like having to work around a piece of music as opposed to working on a game?

Barone: It was an interesting challenge. I enjoyed it because it gave me a structure to work within. Normally I am working completely alone and it can be challenging to come up with your own structure all the time. But with this, I could relax a part of my brain and just focus on the creativity within a defined theme. There were also some technical challenges involved with making sure that the visuals were lining up with the tempo of the song, which was important to making the video feel intertwined with the music, rather than just a random video that is playing underneath the music.

Would you want to do more music videos somewhere down the line?

Barone: I would be open to it if the right opportunity presented itself, but I can't do too many or I'll never finish Haunted Chocolatier!

Much like gaming, music is something that connects everyone. What are some of your favorite albums to listen to when you're relaxing?

Barone: I listen to a lot of different music but I'll just name a few albums I really like:

1. John Maus - We Must Become The Pitiless Censors of Ourselves

2. Windows 96 - One Hundred Mornings

3. Killswitch Engage - Alive Or Just Breathing

4. Chrono Cross Soundtrack

5. The Coneheads - L.P.1. Aka 14 Year Old High School PC-Fascist Hype Lords Rip Off Devo For The Sake Of Extorting $$$ From Helpless Impressionable Midwestern Internet Peoplepunks L.P.

Alvvays’ new studio album Blue Rev is out right now. More information about the band, including their upcoming tour dates, can be found here. Stardew Valley is available on consoles and PC right now. More information about Barone’s forthcoming game Haunted Chocolatier can be found here.