Vault Hunter
Written by: Cait Elizabeth - March 2020
Edited by: Travis Ryan
Introductions
Every gamer recognizes the nostalgic power video game music wields. Producer and DJ Brad Vanderhoef harnesses that power by layering pop-culture influences and video game samples into fresh EDM tracks under the name Vault Hunter. A Vault Hunter set is a veritable dance arcade filled with up-tempo bangers that command shuffling geeks to unite on the dance floor. Video games have always been important in Brad’s life, beginning with Final Fantasy VI. The soundtrack for that game sparked a deep love for game music. His balance of dance rhythm juxtaposed against airy, large-ensemble symphonies speaks that language of love.
Brad has been musically inclined from early on, joining choir back in grade school. He picked up recording in college and learned how to DJ in the process. “A lot of my inspiration comes from game soundtracks and very big grand symphonic pieces.” His music often starts with simple loops and melodies before he fills out the sound, each layer intensifying the one before it. He mixes in pop-culture Easter eggs outside of the gaming genre as well, with nods to Steven Universe and genre-bending artist Post Malone. “I listen to a lot of different sounds but some of my favorites are Porter Robinson, Madeon, Dance Gavin Dance and Childish Gambino.”
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From small basement gatherings to the big stage, Vault Hunter comes bearing plenty of mana. His energy behind the board really draws in the crowd, firing up half-remembered DDR combos and Mario Kart victory dances. “My journey has taken me across the US to play places I never thought I would in front of tons of awesome people!” Playing Nation Harbor Maryland’s MAGfest—an annual music and gaming festival—helped Brad solidify the Vault Hunter sound. For those of you not familiar with the Borderlands game series, A Vault Hunter is a resilient treasure hunter. That’s a fitting moniker for an artist on the way to achieving his electronic dreams.
“Seriously, don’t give up. It is a big uphill battle that seems impossible but it really isn’t. ”