Libsyn Directory

059 - Stephen James Taylor

Release Date: 03/31/2022

Now and Xen

Finnish jazz legend Kari Ikonen joins us on Now and Xen to go over the specifics of his new invention, the “Maqiano,” a clamp system that allows pianists to retune individual piano keys microtonally, and quickly, without needing to call a piano technician. For a good idea of what it sounds like in practice, check out his latest album “Al-Bahr” with the jazz fusion ensemble “Wishamalii.” Music: La Eterna Paz [from “Al-Bahr”] Find Maqiano tuners here! New album and other works: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be...

087 - Chris Kline (Projective Tuning Space)

Now and Xen

Chris Kline and I discuss his Projective Tuning Space app and constructed instruments. The app allows one to visualize various connections between temperaments, Lumatone layouts, and microtonal sources for whichever tuning you choose to work with. His self-made instruments involve 3D printing and range from flutes to ukuleles to death whistles. Atlantis Theme [from Banjo-Tooie] Atlantis Theme [from Banjo-Tooie] - Chris’s cover in 34-TET Atlantis Theme [from Banjo-Tooie] Outro - Dungeon Theme (and others) from Legend of Zelda in 15-TET (Chris’s cover) Projective Tuning Space: ...

086 - Phillip Golub and Joseph Branciforte

Now and Xen

Come check out Phillip’s new composed album with us, “Loop 7,” featuring his characteristic style but infused with 22-tone equal temperament. Grammy-award-winner Joseph Branciforte joins us as well to share how the acoustic pianos were recorded and treated as “one instrument” in the process. Find “Loop 7” here: Sites for Phillip and Joseph (label “greyfade”): Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: ...

085 - Julian Woods

Now and Xen

Microtonal jazz extraordinaire Julian Woods shares with us his methodology for re-tuning classic standards into JI and what it’s like playing in a live band. Topics include playing songs, composition directives, microtonal setups, and guitarists’ advantages for frets, fretlets, and fretless, Philipp Gerschlauer has collaborated with Julian on his own work “Every swing has a silver roundabout” and on microtonal “Angel Eyes,” reharmonized in 13-limit JI (with mostly 5 and 7 limit vertical relationships in the triads). Some notes about our analysis: when Julian is showing the sheet...

084 - Subhraag Singh and Infinitone 2

Now and Xen

Subhraag Singh, creator of the Infinitone, graciously agreed to discuss the updated software with me! The update uses many new features such as dynamic re-tuning, visuals, LFO control, key triggers, and more. We go on a magical quest to discover Stephen’s xenharmonic tomato, and dissect the ethics of advertising radical new microtonal morphing software using the intellectual property omnipotence of Santa. SANTA CLAUS IS BRINGING MICROTONES TO TOWN (14-TET, 37-TET spectrum using Infinitone 2) In the Bleak Midwinter - Jacob Collier arr, played by Stephen Weigel (piano) Jacob Collier plays the...

083 - Richie Greene

Now and Xen

Richie and I discuss phonorealism (pioneered by Peter Ablinger), 41-tone equal temperament, and his collection of instruments and live performances, such as “Six Monologues.” Sam Reflecting on the First Time He Heard Her Sing (2017) - phonorealism ludus vocalis (Burp) - Felipe Tovar-Hevao Dream Hangover - !mindparade Six Monologues (mvt. 3 - Tragedy Begins at Home) - Long Drive Theatre (41-TET) Six Monologues (mvt. 6 - This space looks like any other) - Long Drive Theatre (41-TET) isoharmonic etude (41-TET) without difference tone - Richie Greene isoharmonic etude (41-TET) with difference...

082 - Microtonal Guitar Method (Tolgahan Çoğulu)

Now and Xen

We have regular guest Tolgahan Çoğulu back to discuss upcoming projects such as collaboration with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (including their secret new microtonal guitar, sheet music transcription), classical/flamenco guitar ideas, the new fretlet guitar design, microtonal bends on electric guitar, and the Anatonlian rock scale. King Gizzard uses four scales, one of them being F sharp Husayni. The prize for the upcoming 9th International Microtonal Guitar Competition is… an adjustable microtonal guitar! Be sure to check out the Microtonal Guitar Method book, the competition, and...

081 - Dave Fiuczynski

Now and Xen

Check out our episode with iconoclastic guitar legend Dave Fiuczynski. He wields a double neck fretless guitar, and plays a bunch of cool microtonal riffage for us! We talked about two tracks from “Flam! Bam! Pan-Asian Microjam!” and two from “Mikrojazz.” In “Flam,” there are a variety of compositional methods used, and the vocabulary is almost entirely derived from motivic bird calls. The uirapuru call in particular has an extremely distinctive contour. Many of these works express a desire for exploring continuums and representing sophisticated Eastern articulations. We also...

080 - Music Discord May

Now and Xen

This huge episode features three vastly different conversations, each with prominent members of a respective microtonal music discord. (1) Xenharmonic Alliance (ground, anomaly, xenoindex, Frédéric Gagné, HEHEHE I AM A SUPAHSTAR SAGA) Hyperspace Odyssey [21edo] - from Adxenture EP Serendipitous Arrival [26edo] - from Adxenture EP Liminal City Escalators [17edo and/or 18edo] - from Gone Too Deep EP Six Macrotonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media (8 NOTES) Outro/Transition: Into the Spoogalaxy [15edo, 17-tone tempered 2.3.7.29 ternary scale] (2) Xendergarten (ground, Userminusone, tristan...

079 - Melopœia

Now and Xen

Xenharmonic black metal project Melopœia consists of Brian Leong, Jon Lervold, and Dave Tremblay. Their albums are inspired by J.R.R. Tolkein, and features his direct text both sung, and by mapping the letters of the text to different notes of 26-tone equal temperament. Their latest album utilizing this is “Valaquenta,” be sure to catch the latest track “Varda” which we discuss and play in the episode! Their earlier album, “Ainulindalë,” used the same method of starting the album and then uploading tracks one at a time as completed. Intro: Melopœia - Varda...

More Episodes

In this colorful, rich episode, we take a look into the importance of visual and narrative elements in accompanying microtonal music and its ideas. Stephen James Taylor does this not only through writing music in film, but also through his own visual content, such as in “Surfing the Sonic Sky,” an important documentary about Erv Wilson. Among the topics discussed here are: how to approach microtonality in film composition (mixing that with 12-TET), dosage control, the emotions one can only get from microtonal music, and hearing different instruments played with cool effects! We’ll also spill the beans on how to get tons of Chinese gongs for a cheap price…

Doing something new: for each Now&Xen episode made (often), I’m trying to create a cover or transcription. For this episode, I’m planning to transcribe Stephen James Taylor’s “Quantum 7” performance from YouTube (though I haven’t been able to complete this yet). Be sure to follow the Stephen Weigel YouTube channel if you don’t want to miss it!

Music

Ancient Seers (Surfing the Sonic Sky) - Stephen James Taylor
Sivi - ILEVENS

Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celeste - Béla Bartók

Sonic Sorcerer (Surfing the Sonic Sky) - Stephen James Taylor

Music from “The Giving” [58-tone Hebdomekontany vs. 12-equal] - Stephen James Taylor

MOS Vamp (Surfing the Sonic Sky) - Stephen James Taylor

Music from “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” [7-limit] - Stephen James Taylor
Eddie Van Halen clip (Back to the Future)
Believe me, if all those endearing young charms - Thomas Moore (Bugs bunny clip)
Quantum 7 (Transcendent Tonality) - Stephen James Taylor

Remorphed Keyboard (Surfing the Sonic Sky) - Stephen James Taylor
Three-Part Invention - Stephen James Taylor
Dizzy Spell - Stephen James Taylor
Trouvaille - Stephen James Taylor
The Sugmad is Dreaming - Stephen James Taylor
Expressions - Stephen James Taylor
The Coprime Colors [7-limit JI] - Stephen James Taylor
Mood of Neptune [Fibonacci-based JI] - Stephen James Taylor
Rockin’ da Beat [17-tone MOS scale] - Stephen James Taylor
Topsy Turvy Town theme [from Mickey Mouse] - Stephen James Taylor
Rafiki’s Theme [from Timon & Pumbaa] - Stephen James Taylor
Black Panther [31-TET establishing shot] - Stephen James Taylor
Black Panther [53-TET dream sequence] - Stephen James Taylor
Sonic Sky Credits/31 for Spud (Surfing the Sonic Sky) - Stephen James Taylor