1. I've been making chiptune for 4 years.
2. When I was in my teens it was watching bands play live.
3. I use a prosounded/backlit/half-clocked DMG. I use FL Studio for all fakebit sounds, for VSTs I mainly use 3xOsc and magical8bit.
4. Pop punk.
5. I know a fair amount. I am no expert. I understand the basics of melody, harmony, and rhythm and I have learned them on my own.
6. Go on YouTube and see what you're getting yourself into. If you want to use a Gameboy I suggest starting off with an emulator.
7. I used to, there is no scene for me to play in my current city.
7.a. I played in London (ON) mostly, also in Kitchener (ON), and I do webshows as well from my home in Dryden (ON).
7.b. Share my music with people, try to spark strangers interest in chiptunes.
7.c. I use my modded DMG, LSDJ, and I used to use a mini-mixer but I find that most venues have a mixer. If I'm playing stuff on a mono system I'll use my microKORG to add effects to my DMG.