BIO

Mikel Dale-Etxebarria is a British-Basque composer based in Los Angeles. Classically trained as a pianist and composer, he combines his love for the orchestra with modern production techniques, creating music that thrives in fantasy, JRPG, and horror worlds. His work has been recorded at AIR Studios London, Ocean Way Nashville, and Synchron Stage Vienna.

While composing for the post-apocalyptic 2D platformer Kandria by Shinmera, Mikel collaborated with vocalist Julie Elven (Horizon Zero Dawn, League of Legends), whose ethereal solo performance lies at the heart of the game’s soundtrack. The soundtrack album and single Shevalin were released by Rare Drop Music.

He is currently scoring the Kickstarter success The Silent Kingdom, a dark otome JRPG by Lucky Cat, and Monstrous Realms, a strategy game by Lockbow Games. As an additional composer, Mikel has worked with BAFTA- and Ivor Novello-nominated composer David Housden on Disney Illusion Island (Dlala Studios), as well as on the sci-fi bullet hell Luna Abyss (Bonsai Collective).

Beyond games, Mikel released his debut album Orchestral Video Game Medleys, featuring four arrangements of classic video game soundtracks. The ‘Animal Crossing Medley’ from this album was nominated for Best Music Cover or Remix at the 21st G.A.N.G. Awards (2023).

After studying piano under Valentina Kalashnik, Mikel earned his master’s degree in composition from the Royal College of Music, London. He later worked with Christopher Tin, the two-time Grammy-winning composer of Civilization IV and Old World, before becoming a full-time video game composer.