Tis (host)
6:00:23 PM
we out here
WPRB Princeton 103.3 FM
New Jersey's Only Radio Station
WPRB is a community-supported, freeform radio station. Our FM signal (103.3) serves central New Jersey, Philadelphia, eastern PA and the northern tip of Delaware. We reach a global audience at wprb.com.
it is what it is
Jul 7, 2025 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Music
With Tis
50% video game soundtracks, 110% heart. we're gonna dance, we're gonna feel feelings, and we're gonna make connections.
ep44: in the cherry tree garden
two falls ago, i did a show solely devoted to my favorite video game composer, Miki Higashino. in researching that show, i found out about a 1998 album called Ten Little Plants, which featured Miki (a notoriously prolific collaborator) and a bunch of her video game music friends making some weird, fun little music together. many of the other participants were luminaries in their own right.
but there were a few i didn't know, including today's subject, Tsukasa Tawada. and it turns out that they rule, too. so today we're doing another deep dive with another one of the ten little plants. our Tawada, it turns out, has the pure heart, the proper technique, and the playfulness, to do something very few other composers can do: make really good happy music. let's give it a listen.
| 6:01 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Track 5 Tsukasa Tawada Druid: Kyōfu no Tobira sdtk. Druid: Kyōfu no Tobira released 1988 for FC
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| 6:02 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada In the cherry tree garden Tsukasa Tawada TEN PLANTS AQUA LABEL 1998
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| 6:05 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada AC89002 [1] Tsukasa Tawada Takeda Shingen sdtk. Takeda Shingen released 1989 for PCE
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| 6:07 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Ending Tsukasa Tawada Ninja Kazan sdtk. Ninja Kazan released 1988 to arcades
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| 6:07 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Ending Theme Tsukasa Tawada Plus Alpha sdtk. Plus Alpha released 1989 to arcades
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| 6:09 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Choose Your Fate Tsukasa Tawada Dungeon Master (J) sdtk. Dungeon Master released 1991 for SFC
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| 6:10 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada NAME ENTRY Tsukasa Tawada E.D.F. PONY CANYON, SCITRON 1991 Earth Defense Force released 1991 to arcades
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| 6:13 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada AC89002 [5] Tsukasa Tawada Takeda Shingen sdtk. Takeda Shingen released 1989 for PCE
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| 6:14 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Staff Roll Tsukasa Tawada Dungeon Master (J) sdtk. Dungeon Master released 1991 for SFC
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| 6:16 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Track 14 Tsukasa Tawada Dungeon Master: Theron's Quest sdtk. Dungeon Master: Theron's Quest released 1992 for PCE
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| 6:18 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Title Theme Tsukasa Tawada Ihatovo Monogatari sdtk. Ihatovo Monogatari released 1993 for SFC
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| 6:20 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Stage 7 (Colony Ark) Tsukasa Tawada Keio Flying Squadron sdtk. Keio Flying Squadron released 1993 for Mega CD
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| 6:23 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Cipher Admin Battle Tsukasa Tawada Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness sdtk. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness released 2005 for GC
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| 6:25 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Select Your Pokémon Tsukasa Tawada Pokémon Battle Revolution sdtk. Pokémon Battle Revolution released 2006 for Wii
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| 6:29 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Main Menu Tsukasa Tawada Pokémon Battle Revolution sdtk. Pokémon Battle Revolution released 2006 for Wii
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| 6:31 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Track 12 Tsukasa Tawada Druid: Kyōfu no Tobira sdtk. Druid: Kyōfu no Tobira released 1988 for FC
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| 6:32 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Chapter 1 - Song 2 ~Duet of Birds~ Tsukasa Tawada Rod Land sdtk. Rod Land released 1990 to arcades
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| 6:34 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada AC89002 [4] Tsukasa Tawada Takeda Shingen sdtk. Takeda Shingen released 1989 for PCE
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| 6:35 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Continue Tsukasa Tawada Hero Shuugou!! Pinball Party sdtk. Hero Shuugou!! Pinball Party released 1990 for GB
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| 6:36 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada STAGE 3 "DEEP CAVE" Tsukasa Tawada E.D.F. PONY CANYON, SCITRON 1991 Earth Defense Force released 1991 to arcades
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| 6:37 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Boss Tsukasa Tawada Moon Crystal sdtk. Moon Crystal released 1992 for FC
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| 6:38 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Otsubei Tsukasa Tawada Ihatovo Monogatari sdtk. Ihatovo Monogatari released 1993 for SFC
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| 6:40 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Track 10 Tsukasa Tawada Dungeon Master: Theron's Quest sdtk. Dungeon Master: Theron's Quest released 1992 for PCE
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| 6:43 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Citadark Island / Last Battle Tsukasa Tawada Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness sdtk. Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness released 2005 for GC
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| 6:48 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Pokemon Center Tsukasa Tawada Pokémon Colosseum sdtk. Pokémon Colosseum released 2003 for GC
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| 6:52 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada The Legendary Highland Civilization Tsukasa Tawada Riot Stars sdtk. Riot Stars released 1997 for PS1
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| 6:53 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Normal Battle Tsukasa Tawada Pokémon Colosseum sdtk. Pokémon Colosseum released 2003 for GC
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| 6:55 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Courtyard Colosseum Tsukasa Tawada Pokémon Battle Revolution sdtk. Pokémon Battle Revolution released 2006 for Wii
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| 6:59 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Construction Tsukasa Tawada Radical Bomber!! Jirai-kun sdtk. Radical Bomber!! Jirai-kun released 1988 for FDS
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| 7:00 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Track 15 Tsukasa Tawada Druid: Kyōfu no Tobira sdtk. Druid: Kyōfu no Tobira released 1988 for FC
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| 7:00 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada AC89002 [3] Tsukasa Tawada Takeda Shingen sdtk. Takeda Shingen released 1989 for PCE
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| 7:01 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Extra Game Tsukasa Tawada Plus Alpha sdtk. Plus Alpha released 1989 to arcades
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| 7:03 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Round 4 (India) Tsukasa Tawada Ninja Kazan sdtk. Ninja Kazan released 1988 to arcades
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| 7:04 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Theme of Boss 1 Tsukasa Tawada Rod Land sdtk. Rod Land released 1990 to arcades
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| 7:06 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Great Demon Beast Revival Tsukasa Tawada Ninja JaJaMaru: The Legend of the Golden Castle sdtk. Ninja JaJaMaru: The Legend of the Golden Castle released 1990 for FC
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| 7:08 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Woods Test Tsukasa Tawada Whomp ‘Em sdtk. Whomp ‘Em released 1991 for NES
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| 7:09 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Screamers Tsukasa Tawada Dungeon Master (J) sdtk. Dungeon Master released 1991 for SFC
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| 7:11 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada STAGE 5 "FORTRESS CHARGE" Tsukasa Tawada E.D.F. PONY CANYON, SCITRON 1991 Earth Defense Force released 1991 to arcades
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| 7:13 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Gosh Solo Tsukasa Tawada Ihatovo Monogatari sdtk. Ihatovo Monogatari released 1993 for SFC
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| 7:14 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Stage 4 (Sky Chasers Marine) Tsukasa Tawada Keio Flying Squadron sdtk. Keio Flying Squadron released 1993 for Mega CD
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| 7:18 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Battle Tsukasa Tawada Universal Nuts Original Soundtrack NTT PUB., POLYSTAR 1998 Universal Nuts released 1991 for PS1 and Saturn
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| 7:21 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Track 5 Tsukasa Tawada Zig Zag Ball sdtk. Zig Zag Ball released 1998 for PS1
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| 7:23 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada BGM #10 Tsukasa Tawada Shin Kisekae Monogatari Shin Kisekae Monogatari released 2003 for GBA
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| 7:24 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada The Under Tsukasa Tawada Pokémon Colosseum sdtk. Pokémon Colosseum released 2003 for GC
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| 7:26 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Crystal Colosseum Tsukasa Tawada Pokémon Battle Revolution sdtk. Pokémon Battle Revolution released 2006 for Wii
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| 7:30 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Intermission 2 Theme Tsukasa Tawada Maniac Mansion (J) sdtk. Maniac Mansion released 1987 for FC
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| 7:32 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Bird Island (Level 3 Flower Town) Tsukasa Tawada Plus Alpha sdtk. Plus Alpha released 1989 to arcades
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| 7:34 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Ch1 Ending Tsukasa Tawada Rod Land sdtk. Rod Land released 1990 to arcades
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| 7:35 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada BOSS ATTACK ~ CLEAR Tsukasa Tawada E.D.F. PONY CANYON, SCITRON 1991 Earth Defense Force released 1991 to arcades
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| 7:37 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Opening Tsukasa Tawada Thoroughbred Breeder 2 sdtk. Thoroughbred Breeder 2 released 1994 for SFC
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| 7:39 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Track 6 Tsukasa Tawada Zig Zag Ball sdtk. Zig Zag Ball released 1998 for PS1
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| 7:41 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada ONBS Building Tsukasa Tawada Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness sdtk. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness released 2005 for GC
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| 7:42 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Sunny Park Colosseum Tsukasa Tawada Pokémon Battle Revolution sdtk. Pokémon Battle Revolution released 2006 for Wii
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| 7:46 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Agate Village Tsukasa Tawada Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness sdtk. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness released 2005 for GC
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| 7:47 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Mining Melody Tsukasa Tawada Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos Original Soundtrack NIS America 2023 Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos released 2023 for various platforms
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| 7:48 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Into the Volcano Tsukasa Tawada Harvest Moon: One World Official Soundtrack - Life on the Farm NIS America 2021 Harvest Moon: One World released 2021 for various platforms
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| 7:50 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Mount Vinter Tsukasa Tawada Pokemon Shuffle sdtk. Pokemon Shuffle released 2015 for various platforms
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| 7:52 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada A Special Spring Night Tsukasa Tawada Harvest Moon: Light of Hope Special Edition Original Soundtrack NIS America 2018 Harvest Moon: Light of Hope released 2017 for PC
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| 7:54 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Looking Out to Sea Tsukasa Tawada Ihatovo Monogatari Original Soundtrack Nano Music Productions 2023 Arr. from Ihatovo Monogatari, released 1993 for SFC
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| 7:56 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Reception Desk Tsukasa Tawada Pokémon Battle Revolution sdtk. Pokémon Battle Revolution released 2006 for Wii
|
| 7:58 PM |
| Tsukasa Tawada Trainers School Tsukasa Tawada Pokémon Colosseum sdtk. Pokémon Colosseum released 2003 for GC
|
Chat is archived.
Tomi
6:01:49 PM
hark do I hear vgm?
Tis (host)
6:02:36 PM
exclusively, on this particular evening and after this particular track!
TAndy
6:09:58 PM
Greetings.
Lucy Catemoji
6:10:09 PM
what was th' trak 2 songs b4 this 1? with th' akoustik guitars, also sry my kyboars brokn :(
Lucy Catemoji
6:10:24 PM
wait 2+1 songs b4 this 1
TAndy
6:11:19 PM
Jamming so hard for the past hour u broke your keyboard omg
Lucy Catemoji
6:11:40 PM
lol
rosasolis
6:11:49 PM
(୨୧ᵕ̤ᴗᵕ̤) this is me during that last segment
Lucy Catemoji
6:12:12 PM
ok I fixed the keyboard. anyways I have a BURNING suspicion that that's a sample used in a death's dynamic shroud song
Tomi
6:12:26 PM
oooh loved EDF
Matt Sabbath
6:12:33 PM
NINJA.
Tis (host)
6:13:57 PM
apologies in advance because i am going to be busy getting this playlist up, but i see you and love you :)
TAndy
6:15:25 PM
I keep forgetting how OLD E.D.F actually is lol
TAndy
6:16:03 PM
I only remember playing whatever version was on the 360 at a friend's house back in the day, it was fun.
rosasolis
6:17:56 PM
<3 this music is so lovely..
TAndy
6:18:35 PM
For real 👋
Tis (host)
6:33:28 PM
Alright, whew, that's a lot of tracks on the books :)
Matt Sabbath
6:34:25 PM
we are questing on a questworthy quest
Tis (host)
6:34:42 PM
Glad the early tracks were as lovely for you all as they were for me, and welcome TAndy, Rosa, Matt, Tomi, Lucy <3 <3
Tis (host)
6:35:21 PM
@Matt worthy quests only! :D
Ossy
6:36:41 PM
Hello nerdy sassy arcadey retro tis
Tis (host)
6:37:15 PM
Hello artistic colorful loquacious Ossy :)
Matt Sabbath
6:38:35 PM
Ossy!
Ossy
6:38:44 PM
They all feel to play Link's Awakening DX, Kirby, Mega Man, Contra etc
Ossy
6:39:50 PM
Sabbath! Saw that disturbed scary May horror movie once again and her creepy dark magic doll!!
Matt Sabbath
6:40:23 PM
haha good one
Matt Sabbath
6:41:05 PM
poor May just needs a fwend
Ossy
6:42:11 PM
Yeah, sad life she had, especially made fun of her dislocated eye :(
TAndy
6:56:23 PM
Something about that Colosseum battle theme sounded very familiar in a different context.
Tis (host)
7:02:13 PM
He does recycle some across games, especially within the same franchise, and Pokemon reuses old themes a bunch, so maybe it's interpolated in a later game?
Richard of Rocky Hill
7:03:42 PM
@ Tis (host) I'm not a gamer. But thanks to shows like "it is what it is," I've gained a true appreciation for how fascinating is the best of the game soundtrack musical genre. Arigatou, WPRB!
Tis (host)
7:04:45 PM
🫡 Thank you, Richard, and nice to see you again! :)
Ossy
7:09:52 PM
Kirby vibes from Kirby's Adventure to the classic Dream Land series
TAndy
7:10:06 PM
Maybe? I haven't played Pokemon since XY so I can't say for sure. Maybe from a separate game, or I just misheard a chord.
Tis (host)
7:10:18 PM
@Ossy I think there's a shared heroism there, yeah, plus the similar sound hardware
Tis (host)
7:10:41 PM
@TAndy Well if you track it down, I'd love to hear more! :D
𓀠 ǝɹnɔsqꓳ ǝɥꓕ ǝʌɐꓷ 𓀡
7:13:01 PM
WOW, Tis! I know a great deal of effort went into researching and preparing this special show. Outstanding! 🫡
Ossy
7:15:06 PM
Tis - Mhm, and in Dream Land 2, which I long finished, Dark Matter was intense!
Ossy
7:17:11 PM
Someone on a Kirby classic video youtube comment section noted out Kirby games starting out cute, innocent and carefree to a fateful fight for your life for the fate of the universe
Tis (host)
7:19:24 PM
@Ossy 100%, and part of what fascinates me about this composer is he kinda does the total reverse, as we'll see in the last half hour
Tis (host)
7:20:13 PM
@ǝʌɐꓷ Absolutely my pleasure; we'll see if I have the archival skills to do the eventual Thelonious Monkees show I'll need to do if I continue the series :D
Ossy
7:34:13 PM
I thought this was Sonic genesis at first and yeah Tis, for true
TAndy
7:44:15 PM
That last song is what u hear when your mom lets you take the day off from school and you go to the mall or something and realize how off everything feels
Tis (host)
7:46:32 PM
I love that, what a specific and real vibe!!
TAndy
7:51:56 PM
I try!
Tis (host)
7:52:02 PM
<3
Ossy
7:52:09 PM
Tis - By any chance did you see or hear the new DK Bananza adventure with a little Pauline?
Tis (host)
7:52:27 PM
I am excited to know more! The game looks fun
Ossy
7:53:38 PM
Yeah, especially Pauline's new song!
Tis (host)
7:53:57 PM
I will check it out :D
Ossy
7:54:14 PM
Played a demo of it at Target and a blend of Mario Odyssey and BOTW
Ossy
7:54:47 PM
About time DK got a new adventure and the first 3d point of view in a long time, since DK 64
rosasolis
7:55:03 PM
the hours flew by!!~
TAndy
7:56:38 PM
Thank you for the show!
Tomi
7:58:47 PM
Thanks Tis!
Tis (host)
7:59:08 PM
Thank you for listening all! Good night <3