Lacey Johnson Music Interview: Nerdy with a Twist of Pop-Punk
Lacey Johnson does it all—she plays in a VGM metal band, creates her own cosplay costumes, and produces high-quality music both on YouTube and Twitch. Her videos practically ooze with personality, and if I had to describe her aesthetic in a single word it would be fun. Whether she’s rocking out to a Devil May Cry cover or chilling at Seaside Kingdom, Lacey always looks like she’s having an absolute blast. Her exuberance is infectious, and it’s easy to see why so many people enjoy her music.
When did you start making video game covers and why?
I started my YouTube channel in January of 2017 because I had come to the realization that I wasn’t using my degree in my daily life. I started the channel as a way for me to record something weekly to get myself back up to snuff. I was recording whatever came to mind—current popular songs, anime covers, and (what eventually became my main focus) video game covers! “Jump Up Superstar” was the start of everything for me. After I collaborated with Kevin Kenson on his channel, it became clear that VGM was what I was truly passionate about and what I should be creating.
If you had to define your style, what would you call it?
I’ve always been a rocker at heart so I like to think of my style as “nerdy with a twist of pop-punk”.
You also play in a band and livestream. Do you ever get burned out from making music?
Absolutely. It’s impossible not to burn out when you dedicate (sometimes) more than 60 hours a week to something. But I am fortunate in that I love creating many styles of music, so it never feels like too much. I’m great at taking breaks, and even switching instruments feels like a breath of fresh air sometimes.
What is your philosophy when it comes to covers?
Personally, I always approach covers from an educational standpoint. I always ask myself: “What can I learn from recreating this?” All of my covers start with this mindset. There’s always something new to learn from someone else’s work.
What has been your experience in the video game music community?
The VGM community has been amazing! I have had the pleasure of working with some incredibly talented people in both the Internet-sphere as well as the live scene. I think what surprises me the most is how genuinely nice everyone is. Being in a VGM metal band, I have seen that some of the guys who rock the hardest have the biggest hearts. I’m usually willing to work with just about anyone in any style.
What are some of your favorite VGM artists?
FamilyJules, Legendav, Super Soul Bros, and Ro Panuganti.
What have been some of the hardest lessons that you've learned?
IT’S OKAY NOT TO POST SOMETIMES! I put myself under the strictest production schedule when I first started the channel, and I began to absolutely HATE the process. I was making videos just to make them and didn’t really care about the results. Now, we actually spend time on my videos and choose songs that I genuinely enjoy recreating. Life is a lot better that way.
You have a flair for costumes and set design. Do you have any help or do you design all that on your own?
I’m VERY passionate about cosplay and have been a cosplayer for the past fifteen years. Peter Hardee, my boyfriend/video producer, and I both take clothing aesthetic very seriously for each video. I want to stand out and create a vibe every time. We built a video studio in his garage where we shoot everything. Peter handles all of the cinematography, lighting, and editing. He’s the reason my videos look as good as they do.
What are some of your favorite covers?
Oh man, it’s hard to narrow it down, but here’s my Top 5:
What are some of your biggest musical goals?
Honestly, I want to work with more people. I love collaborating and filming together. I’m also looking to start my own live VGM project so you can expect more about that soon!
What are some of your favorite video game soundtracks?
Any Final Fantasy soundtrack, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Devil May Cry V, Banjo-Kazooie, and Katamari Damacy.
What is one thing that you want people to know about you?
One of my biggest dreams is to work on a video game, whether it be composing, session work, voice over, etc. I want to be able to contribute to an artform that I’ve enjoyed for most of my life.
Do you have any upcoming plans that you can discuss?
Soon, I’ll be launching a weekly-produced VGM live music show on Twitch. So be sure you’re following my Twitch channel so you know when that begins!
