Sound Advice

What happens when you put together the sounds of arcade games along with the Nutcracker Ballet? A new album, of course! Tyler Larson, an Ankeny native who now lives in Windsor Heights, has played and taught piano for 20 years. He grew up with a Gameboy in his hand but also loved classical music. The album, titled “The Nutcracker Suite,” includes Larson playing the Nutcracker Ballet using a celesta and synthesizers and then mixing in samples from video games, Sega Genesis and NES consoles.

He’s recorded several 8-bit and other piano CDs as well. He melds his two loves together, video games and music, saying, “It makes me smile and brings back the nostalgic vibes.”

Catch Royce Johns at Prairie Meadows on Nov. 21 for a free concert starting at 6 p.m. You’ll hear original tunes from his newly released country album “One Last Two Step.” The album features the song “A Fixture at the Greenwood Lounge.” It’s a tune written by Johns’ mom about the Greenwood Lounge, a local Des Moines hangout on Ingersoll. The music video is shot at the Greenwood, which gives an intimate look at the legendary bar. ♦