Miker: “Atari is your only medicine”

July 01, 2024 • Updated: Mar 18, 2025 - 12:53 AM

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With over 500 works in his repertoire, Michał Szpilowski (Poland) has left an indelible mark on the Atari 8-bit chiptune music scene. His talent and dedication have resonated throughout the years, from his beginnings in the 1990s to becoming an undisputed reference in the genre.

In this exclusive interview for Atariteca, “Miker” shares with us his inspirations, challenges and anecdotes, giving us an intimate insight into his prolific career and his unwavering love for music and the Atari community.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you got involved in computing: your age, whether you are married, where you live and what you do for a living.
Hello! My real name is Michal, I am currently 49 years old. I live in Warsaw. I have been married since September 2012. I work as a clerk in social insurance.

How did your relationship with Atari 8-bit computers begin?
My first Atari computer was purchased in April 1989. It was an Atari XEGS. And yes, it was my parents' choice.

How did you get started in the world of video game music?
It was around 1992 when Chaos Music Composer (CMC) software appeared. There were, of course, other programs, but none were simple and accessible enough to get started.

What motivated you to choose chiptune music in the first place?
Well, it was the easiest way to make some "computer music." I didn't even know it was called that. I just wanted to make music with an easy-to-use tool.

What project inspired you to start composing music for the Atari 8-bit?
First, I wanted to make some of my favorite music from that time, the ones I heard on the radio or TV. Well, there wasn't one song in particular. I just wanted to listen to some music on my Atari - not just for games or demos, but music made by me.

Why did you choose Atari and not other home computers, like the C64?
Atari was the computer I already owned. And there weren't many possibilities to borrow another machine with the right software (let alone buy one). So there was no choice, after all. But I don't regret it at all.

"At first, I wanted to make some of my favorite music from that time, the ones I heard on the radio or TV."

What is your process for creating music for a new Atari 8-bit game or demo?
There is never just one way. Sometimes I just try to hum something and recreate it in the music program. Other times I get inspired by an existing melody, but make it my own way. And sometimes I just try to get a MOD or midi file of the desired piece of music and concentrate on making instruments for the given notes.

Are there specific processes or tools that help you create your pieces?
I use several tools to make music. Nowadays, it's mainly Raster Music Tracker (RMT), modified in some way or not; but I also use Music ProTracker (MPT) and Delta Music Composer. I also sometimes used CMC, but mostly for simpler productions (i.e. for gamejams). And processes? I just sit down and do it. Either from "scratch" or from a given source, as I said before.

With almost 500 projects to your name, which project do you consider to have been a turning point in your career and why?
Well, to be honest, many of them are covers or conversions (partially thanks to the existing MOD/MD8 converters); and I don't really like calling themMYmusic. Perhaps some as "reproductions". And, yes, there are also original pieces.

As for turning points… There were many, such as «Ozor Demo», my first collaboration; «RZóG Joins XE Team», the first group demo; «Bitter Reality», my first demo for Copy Party; «Overmind», my first winning demo... and I really don't want to bore you with them because there were many more. I'm just trying to meet someone's expectations (and mine too), but not at any cost (sometimes I refuse to do so, just because).

You have composed music for well-known demos (such as “Arsantica”). What particular challenges did you face while working on these titles?
Sometimes I just "feel" what music should fit with the given effects. Sometimes I fail with that, but hey, nobody is perfect, not even me!

Of all the projects you've created music for, do you have a favorite or one that has been especially meaningful to you? Why?
Well, there's a funny thing... For example, there's a piece that I don't like, but people say it's just great, and well... the opposite also happens. A bit strange.

What song or project are you referring to?
There is a track called «rAmol's Revenge». Well, maybe it's not that good. Check out the ASMA archive.

Specifically about the games you have composed music for (such as “Mikie”, “Cyborg Warriors”, “FloB”, etc.), which one was the most challenging and why?
Every game music is more or less challenging. Of course, a simpler task is when the music can be converted (or covered); for example, for «Mikie» and «Bomb Jack». But there are some pieces that are 100% mine, like in «Cyborg Warriors», «FloB» or «Spycat». Having the notes or even the whole melody ready, I can concentrate more on the Atari sounds (sometimes there is something new, sometimes not). But speaking of the most challenging piece... hmmm, it's probably the music from the game «Ocean Detox» (maybe not because of its difficulty, maybe more because of my personal problems, which made the simplest things much harder).

Also making music for the “Rewind” and “R:Epilogue” demos was mega challenging, but it also gave me a mega-boost in creating chiptune music.

Can you share a memorable anecdote from your time working on Atari 8-bit projects?
Well, not really an anecdote, but a funny thing happened when Łukasz “X-Ray” Sychowicz and I were composing music for the Stickman World part of the “Overmind” demo. The music was partially ready when my computer suddenly crashed. I knew it had some issues, but I realized that it really needed repair. Nonetheless, we took the machines from “X-Ray” and restarted the project, which was later used in the final version of “Overmind.”

Another funny thing was when I was asked to do music for the B-side of the “Forsaken Love” demo. I had the whole track in my head, but when I got home after work, the power was out (some outstanding payment hadn’t been settled or something). So, I went back the next day and did it.
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Who have been your biggest musical influences inside and outside the gaming scene?
Well, there isn't just one. I just like it when the artist makes music that is "feasible" on Atari. For example, I've covered some pieces by The Beatles, Jean Michel Jarre, Chopin, but also Kombi or David Guetta. I also like to cover music by Jochen "Mad Max" Hippel or Jeroen Tel (and not only them), speaking of more "computational" people.

Who are some other musicians or programmers in the 8-bit scene that you admire?
Just everyone who does good things, and also, it's great to have these people around.

Which other artists (programmers, musicians) have you enjoyed working with most and what have you learned from those experiences?
I like to work with anyone who appreciates my work and doesn't cause endless problems (yes, there were some guys like that, but fortunately it's marginal). And when it comes to making music... I prefer to work alone (sometimes collaborations happen, but rather occasionally).

How did you get involved in the Wap-Niak festival and what role have you played in its organisation? Is there any particular memory or experience from this event that has left its mark on you?
Wap-Niak wasn't really a festival. It was a computer party started by Paweł "Sikor" Sikorski in 2012 and ran for 3 years. Then it ended due to lack of time (and will), but after a little chat at Glucholazy's party I decided to "take over" the project ("Sikor" was still involved in the organization) and let it live a bit longer.

As co-organizer of the Wap-Niak festival, how important do you think these events are for the Atari community and how do they contribute to the recognition of chiptune music?
First, there is a lot of fun (sometimes it is very loud fun, but still). But the party is also the productions, including the music. As other events focus mainly on original music, at Wap-Niak there is/was a cover competition. I think such events popularize chiptune music, either as productions in themselves or included in demos or other productions.

"Try making music on Atari! I know it may sound rough and simple, but there's still a lot to discover."

What do you think about the evolution of the Atari 8-bit community since you first got involved?
In the beginning there was a strong competition between the computer groups (almost a war), which was also reflected in the productions (i.e. insults instead of greetings, some fake productions (like the ones by Odbyt Design), and so on. This slowly evolved into more friendly relations (sometimes with some alcohol added, lol). When the times of the Internet came, contacts became much easier than before. You can contact someone from the antipodes in seconds. This interview is a great example of that.

What advice would you give to budding musicians who want to start composing music for video games, especially on retro platforms like the Atari 8-bit?
Hey guys, try making music on Atari! I know that the Atari sound can seem crude and simple compared to other sound chips, but there is still a lot to discover in this area. There is a very good program called Raster Music Tracker (either the original version by Radek “Raster” Sterba or the more modern and much improved one by Vin “VinsCool” Samuel). Also, preliminary POKEY support has been added to Furnace Tracker. So...

Do you still have an Atari 8-bit computer?
Yes. Some machines. But I mainly use an Atari 130XE with 1MB SIMM expansion, 4 OSes, Stereo POKEY, COVOX and (not used today) internal SIO2IDE and SIO2PC interfaces.

What are your favorite Atari 8-bit games of all time? Why?
In my younger years I was into logic games (like «Robbo»), but also «Arkanoid» clones (not all of them, but most of them). Nowadays I only run «Disc'O'Pop» or «World Scrabble» sometimes.

Is there any Atari chiptune tune you like the most?
Any tune that is good to dance to and fun, but my favorite is “Meryb” by Epi.

What are your impressions of the current Atari 8-bit scene?
I'm amazed that so many people still do impossible things with Atari (Hi Zelax, Agenda, Mad Team and the rest of the New Generation, by the way).

How do you feel about the reception of your work in the Atari 8-bit community? Are there any projects that have surprised you with their popularity or impact?
There's a funny thing about submitting standalone music and music as accompaniment to some effect or game. So, I'd rather make music for a game or demo than a standalone entry for a competition (OK, maybe I like some attention, is that bad?).

Do you count your prizes? What do you think about contests like ABBUC and others?
I have a few and will probably make a cabinet out of them, but... maybe in the future? And yes, I like all the Atari-based contests, and I'm glad to see more and more software and hardware appearing (even if I don't have time to see or obtain it all).

What are your plans for the future in terms of projects and collaborations? Are there any new projects you are currently working on that you can share with us?
Time will tell... Just look at the Atari-based competitions.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the Atariteca community and your followers?
Keep up the good work with Atari! Even when you are exhausted with your life and problems, Atari is your only medicine. Cheers, guys!