UPDATE 7/29/2024: Not taking service requests at this time.

Ian Knowland

Welcome to Kokoroad Studio, an indie game music production house!

So, what does “kokoroad” mean? 

During my eastern philosophy studies at university, I encountered the concept of the “heart-mind,” a Confucian idea for the part of us that feels genuine, unconditional warmth and unity toward others.

In Japanese, this is called kokoro (心) and it means very close to the same thing but with an emphasis on getting to the heart of something. Along with “road,” this name represents a path between eastern and western ideas, as well as my own journey toward expressing this concept in my own life.

This studio is the culmination of two decades spent honing my craft while playing in numerous ensembles, folk & blues bands, arranging for and performing on many studio albums, studying composition at university, writing orchestral works on the side while serving in the Coast Guard, and volunteering my time, hard work, and expertise with several indie game developers. 

I believe that my instincts for spontaneous collaboration, creative unity, and public service have been signposts on my road toward the heart of what matters most: providing for my family while doing what I love.

The Journey

My path has taken me through orchestral, electronic, rock, country and folk landscapes, but I’ve always landed firmly on the foundations of game and film composers such as Joe Hisaishi, Nobuo Uematsu, Koji Kondo, and John Williams.

Some of my favorite soundtracks from recent years have come through the indie retro-pixel game resurgence, with masterworks such as CrossCode, Chained Echoes, Owlboy, and Shovel Knight, to name a few.

More and more, I find myself pursuing opportunities such as these. Being a part of a small, dedicated team creating the kinds of games I adore, oozing nostalgic quality within artistic constraints, is my eternal dream as a game developer.

As you explore my portfolio here, you’ll encounter a diverse array of musical tracks.

No matter the style or instrumentation, the essence of my work lies in the delicate balance of emotion, tone and texture, with singable melodies and smart but accessible harmonies.

Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to hearing from you!