088 - Kari Ikonen (Maqiano)
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...
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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: ...
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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: ...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
info_outlineExperimental bagpipe and bass legend Mat Muntz brings his Croatian folk music expertise to the table… a topic most would say he has matsered in depth. Check out his latest album “Phantom Island” on Bandcamp, which freely combines folk music and jazz idioms into a grand polysystemic masterpiece. A lot of our conversation revolves around the intriguing differences between instruments such as bagpipes and double reeds, folk music/other influences, and tuning systems existing together in the same piece. The process of solving microtonal “issues” in an ensemble setting is one we describe as constantly bringing weird findings that cause learning, and joy. Also, keep your ears ready for connections between geography and tuning, and the latest conspiracy about Tartini!
Music
[Intro] Mat Muntz - Phantom Islands (track 3)
Vex Collection - Fugue
Beethoven - Ode to Joy (in Istrian scale)
Mat Muntz - Cembalo Brutto (track 5)
Mat Muntz - Phantom Islands (track 1)
Mat Muntz - Cembalo Brutto (track 3)
Agustín Castilla Ávila - Gemiden
Stephen Weigel - Tenacious Chorale
Mat Muntz - Phantom Islands (track 1)
Mat Muntz - Phantom Islands (track 4)
Mat Muntz - Phantom Islands (track 3)
Mat Muntz - Phantom Islands (track 4)
Traditional - clip of Croatian women singing
[Outro] Mat Muntz - Phantom Islands (track 3)
Mat Muntz’s music on Bandcamp:
https://matmuntz.bandcamp.com/album/phantom-islands
https://thevexcollection.bandcamp.com/album/the-vex-collection
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