We sit down with composer Cameron Paxton, best known for his work on the hit indie game Dome Keeper. From growing up in a music-filled home to serving in the Air Force and eventually carving a path into game audio, Cameron’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and rediscovery.

We explore what it means to balance youthful creative urgency with the more deliberate craft of maturity, how to chase sparks of inspiration before they fade, and why discipline is just as important as inspiration. Cameron shares lessons from his journey through rock bands, tape recorders, game jams, and ultimately finding his voice in game music.

This episode is about more than music — it’s about the art of becoming. Whether you’re a musician, creative, or simply curious about the philosophy behind making art, you’ll walk away with insights to fuel your own journey.

CAMERON LINKS:

Website: cameronpaxton.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1OBr3Jn1ePWfUJ4f0Vp0VE?si=mwcfwL4JRy-nKI_Zq8scWg

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cameron-paxton/608985830

Bandcamp: https://cameronpaxton.bandcamp.com/

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00 ) – Intro & Tech Setup

(00:09:12 ) – Life in Austin & Texas Stories

(00:17:41 ) – Growing Up Military & Air Force Years

(00:28:33 ) – Lessons from the Military & Diversity of People

(00:53:14 ) – Discovering Music as a Teenager

(00:55:03 ) – C-Lane Project & Early Recordings

(01:09:10 ) – Inspiration vs Discipline in Creativity

(01:24:45 ) – Game Jams & The Road to Dome Keeper

(01:36:23 ) – Dome Keeper’s Development & Soundtrack Expansion

(01:46:45 ) – Release Reflections & Creative Validation

(02:32:46 ) – Sound Design, Tools & Process Insights

(02:51:41 ) – Work-Life Balance, Therapy & Sustaining Creativity

(03:10:00 ) – What It Means to Be an Artist

(03:18:17 ) – Closing Thoughts & Outro