Now and Xen
The podcast about contemporary microtonal and xenharmonic music, launched by Sevish and led by Stephen Weigel.
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079 - Melopœia
04/10/2024
079 - Melopœia
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 [Valaquenta] 26-TET Melopœia - Varda [Valaquenta] 26-TET Melopœia - But an Instrument [Ainulindalë] 26-TET Melopœia - But an Instrument [Ainulindalë] 26-TET Melopœia - Varda [Valaquenta] 26-TET Melopœia - Varda [Valaquenta] 26-TET Melopœia - Varda [Valaquenta] 26-TET Melopœia - Ilúvatar’s Chord [Ainulindalë] 26-TET Outro: Melopœia - Varda [Valaquenta] 26-TET Melopœia’s Bandcamp: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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078 - Christopher Otto (JACK quartet)
02/26/2024
078 - Christopher Otto (JACK quartet)
Chat about contemporary music, composition, and just intonation with us in this theoretically adventurous and wide ranging episode. Christopher Otto, composer and violinist, works with the JACK quartet, a group that has played the music of such individuals as John Zorn, Tristan Perich, Cenk Ergün, Tyshawn Sorey, Catherine Lamb, Georg Frederich Haas, Dan Trueman, and many, many, more. Intro: Christopher Otto (jack quartet) rag’sma Catherine Lamb - divisio spiralis (mvt. II) Beethoven - Symphony No. 6 (storm section low notes) Vicente Atria - Seasons Will Pass You By Christopher Otto (jack quartet) rag’sma Christopher Otto - 3x5x7 (loadbang) Christopher Otto - violin octet (d1) LaMonte Young - Trio for Strings (Part 4 out of 8) LaMonte Young - Trio for Strings (Part 4 out of 8) - demo of 17 “equalizing” 9/8 Vicentino - Madonna il poco dolce (31edo) Stephen Weigel cover Christopher Otto - 3x4x5 (Weslos) Outro: Christopher Otto (jack quartet) rag’sma Rag’sma: Christopher and JACK’s links: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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077 - Noah Jordan
02/12/2024
077 - Noah Jordan
Take a magical tour with us through some of Noah Dean Jordan’s microtonal instruments (including the requinto), including improvised performances! Be sure to check out the “Noah Dean Jordan” account on Bandcamp as well as the “Nueva Armonica” account! Intro: I Was Once a River (Rock Creek II) Outro: I Was Once a River (Te Quiero Verde) Check out Noah’s work on the requinto: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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076 - Matthew Sheeran
01/22/2024
076 - Matthew Sheeran
Today’s episode celebrates the culmination of a years-long project with Matthew Sheeran, widely celebrated composer, orchestrator, and arranger. The album we’ve been working on is called “Acoustic Microtonal,” and it is a recording of Easley Blackwood’s Twelve Microtonal Etudes using acoustic instruments, playing monophonic lines in isolation and then being re-tuned using Melodyne. Matthew commissioned the Budapest Scoring Orchestra to achieve this huge compositional feat. Check out our episode here for the largest dive into the notes and chords behind the music, and be sure to check out the full album in all its glory! The album: Episode music: Intro: Blackwood – 23 notes (Matthew Sheeran version) Blackwood – 16 notes (Stephen Weigel version) Blackwood – 16 notes (Hesangasang score) Blackwood – 16 notes (original) Blackwood – 16 notes (Stephen Weigel version) Blackwood – 17 notes (12-TET scordatura) Blackwood – 16 notes (Stephen Weigel version) Vicentino – Madonna il poco dolce (Jonathan Wilde version) Blackwood – 13 notes (original) Blackwood – 13 notes (12-TET version with diminished 3rd) Blackwood – 14 notes (original) Poulenc – Sextet for piano and winds Blackwood – 14 notes (original) Blackwood – 14 notes (12-TET version) Blackwood – 14 notes (original) Blackwood – 14 notes (Stephen Malinowski video clip) Blackwood – 14 notes (12-TET version) Blackwood – 15 notes (Matthew Sheeran version) Blackwood – Suite for 15 tone guitar Stephen Weigel – open guitar chords in 15 video clip Blackwood – 15 notes (Stephen Weigel version) Stephen Weigel – What if we played EB’s 15 note etude in 12 video clip Blackwood – 16 notes (Matthew Sheeran version) Blackwood – 16 notes (Matthew Sheeran version) Blackwood – 17 notes (original) Blackwood – 18 notes (Matthew Sheeran version) Blackwood – 18 notes (isolated flute in Matthew Sheeran version) Stravinsky – The Firebird Suite (Dance of King Kaschei) Blackwood – 18 notes (original) Blackwood – 19 notes (Matthew Sheeran version) Blackwood – 19 notes (original) Blackwood – 20 notes (original) Henri Duparc – La vie antérieure Blackwood – 20 notes (original) Blackwood – 21 notes (Matthew Sheeran version) Blackwood – 21 notes (12-TET version with Hendrix chord) Blackwood – 21 notes (Matthew Sheeran version) Blackwood – 22 notes (Matthew Sheeran version) Blackwood – 23 notes (original) Blackwood – 23 notes (Matthew Sheeran Kontakt arrangement – different orchestration) Blackwood – 23 notes (isolated harp in Matthew Sheeran version) Blackwood – 14 notes (12-TET version) Blackwood – 14 notes (Matthew Sheeran version – comparing 12 and 14) Blackwood – 23 notes (12-TET version) Blackwood – 23 notes (Matthew Sheeran version – comparing 12 and 23) Blackwood – 19 notes (Matthew Sheeran version cello ending) Blackwood – 24 notes (original) Blackwood – 24 notes (Matthew Sheeran version) Stephen Weigel – 11 notes (original) Stephen Weigel – 11 notes (Matthew Sheeran version) Stephen Weigel – 7 notes (Matthew Sheeran Kontakt arrangement) Blackwood – 15 notes (Stephen Weigel version) Stephen Weigel – keyboard fingering for 11-TET Stephen Weigel – 11 notes (Matthew Sheeran version) Stephen Weigel – 7 notes (original) Stephen Weigel – 7 notes (Matthew Sheeran Kontakt arrangement) Blackwood – 18 notes (original) Stephen Weigel – Zones of Lasting Novelty (9-TET) Ben Johnston – String quartet No. 7 (guide tracks only) Blackwood – Gulliver’s Travels (23-TET) Matthew Sheeran – Lyres of Ur (7-TET) Outro: Blackwood – 17 notes (Matthew Sheeran version) Matthew’s stuff: Microtonal Etudes and Macrotonal Etudes: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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075 - Saad Haddad
01/12/2024
075 - Saad Haddad
In this episode, we discuss composition and performance with composer Saad Haddad. One prominent topic - the challenges involved working with orchestras and large ensembles playing microtonal music, and logistics of the industry. We also discuss ideas of east vs. west, style infiltration, using minimal sets of pitches, and maqam. Music: Vortex Temporum - Gérard Grisey Vignettes - Saad Haddad Aysheen (demo) - Saad Haddad Outro: Aysheen (demo) - Saad Haddad Saad has his own podcast! (check it out): Other links: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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074 - Sevish and benyamind (Big Sway)
12/18/2023
074 - Sevish and benyamind (Big Sway)
After this episode, be sure to check out the new Sevish album, “Big Sway!” Myself, Sevish, and benyamind have a classic microtonal chat about all things fun and intervallic, covering topics such as intuitive tunings, voice manipulation (vocoding, autotuning, etc.), perfectionism, going gridless, expectations, and communication and accessibility within the microtonal community. Several instruments get the spotlight, such as Sevish’s new microtonal keyboards, the Lumatone, melodica, and saxophone! We also stretch some tunings out for 22-edo Lambda, and frolic about in JI with harmonic series segments. Check out the new Sevish album: Our stuff: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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073 - Brock Benzel
06/30/2023
073 - Brock Benzel
In this brief but informative chat with Brock Benzel, we explore uncharted territory, with a firm commitment to being true to the self, taking on challenges, putting the music first, and breaking rules just the right way. Enjoy the comfort of alien intervals that Brock brings using the Lumatone keyboard instrument (our big topic). Music [Intro] Paranola (31-TET) - performed by Brock Benzel Something found (31-TET) - facebook excerpt (Brock Benzel) stay hydrated (53-TET) - facebook excerpt (Brock Benzel) [Outro] happy pride from me n my pride keyboard to u (31-TET) - facebook excerpt (Brock Benzel) Brock’s stuff: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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072 - Steve Mueske
06/29/2023
072 - Steve Mueske
An episode about synth and drums among other tidbits. Topics include names, aliases, Sevish himself, reverberance, randomness, evil, disguising tuning, non-octave tuning, flaws, beauty, the joy of doing creative work yourself, AI, picking your genres, the microtonal community, and art. Be sure to check out Steve’s work as “Pentachrist” on Bandcamp, releasing new music periodically! Music The Road After [Four] - Pentachrist (15-TET) Machine Love [Look - A Living Retrospective] - müesk (9-TET) Emancipate Pitch! - Stephen Weigel (22-TET) I’ve Been Thinking [Look - A Living Retrospective] - müesk (11 out of 19 McLaren) [Outro] Entropy’s Song [Four] - Pentachrist (23-TET) Check out Steve’s music both old (Müesk) and new (Pentachrist): Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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071 - Denny Genovese
06/28/2023
071 - Denny Genovese
In this episode, Denny Genovese recalls his history of creating and studying microtonal music, and his experience creating and performing in the impressive Exotic Music Ensemble. Join us as we become inspired through the brown note, Ivor Darreg’s secret math codes, the origins of Fractal Tune Smithy, the Moody Blues, FM synthesis, JI scales, and numerous other topics. Denny also explains his discography, and each individual instrument of the ensemble. Music [Intro] Five in Five [JI] - Denny Genovese [Outro] Reggae [JI] - Denny Genovese Some resources: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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070 - Danny Playamaqui
05/31/2023
070 - Danny Playamaqui
Check out Danny Playamaqui’s electronic music, a hugely expansive discography using a staggering variety of techniques. Danny conducts by-ear-tuning editing, strategic de-tuning, varispeed tricks, and poly-systemic techniques in addition to starting out with xenharmonic tunings as templates. Luckily, 4 bars a day keeps the doctor away (or is it an apple? Perhaps a lemon, or some paprika). We take inspiration and feedback from what is around us, trying to counterbalance that with boredom, motives, gimmicks, and alter egos. Animals and food, the ultimate kid-friendly songwriting subjects, here ironically take a bitingly sans-vocal formation. Tunings may or may not include Wendy Carlos scales, meantone tunings, 9-TET, 11-TET, 16-TET, 17-TET, 22-TET, and/or 31-TET. Music[Intro] Ichi-go ichi-e [New album!] - Danny PlayamaquiCorrecaminos [479^2] - Danny PlayamaquiWe Can’t Be Blamed [Harmony Hacker] - Sevish (22-TET)Lemongrass [VEG ༼༼༼༼ ◕◕◕ ༽༽༽༽] - Danny PlayamaquiTigre [479^2] - Danny PlayamaquiNuggets [479] - Danny PlayamaquiTruffles [479] - Danny PlayamaquiUna Tortuga de Patas Amarillas [479^2] - Danny Playamaqui Bears [479^2] - Danny Playamaqui Octopus XX [New album!] - Danny Playamaqui Chocolate [479] - Danny Playamaqui Silver Bells [cover, xenharmonic chocolate] - arr. Stephen Weigel (21-TET) ♥ ◕ ༽つ ♥ [VEG ༼༼༼༼ ◕◕◕ ༽༽༽༽] - Danny Playamaqui (31-TET?) Bitter Melon [VEG ༼༼༼༼ ◕◕◕ ༽༽༽༽] - Danny Playamaqui Turmeric [VA] - Danny Playamaqui Little Fox [479] - Danny Playamaqui [Outro] Lynx [New album!] - Danny Playamaqui Danny’s music: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow SubscribeRSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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069 - Bryan Deister
05/19/2023
069 - Bryan Deister
Come join us for a pleasant studio chat with Bryan Deister, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and jazz pianist extraordinaire. Recently he has been exploring microtonal covers on the Lumatone, with massive success on TikTok. He has also written many albums featuring microtonal music in various tuning systems, generally equal divisions, the most recent fully microtonal one being “In Your Hands.” Our conversation covers many topics relating to context switching, genre, surveys, paucitonality, and unusual instruments. Technical points include discussion of Lumatone layouts and pseudo-octave tropes, the too-perfect ring of JI soiling holy counterpoint, adolescent hatred of microtonality, translating between different tunings (transfer), and Scriabin. Music [Intro] The Call [In Your Hands] - Bryan Deister Apprehension [In Your Hands] - Bryan Deister Go Away [In Your Hands] - Bryan Deister Gasoline [In Your Hands] - Bryan Deister (5-ED(5/4)) Uneven Halves [In Your Hands] - Bryan Deister Lavender Town (Pokemon) - Bryan Deister Lumatone cover (13-TET) 32edo - Bryan Deister 33edo - Bryan Deister 34edo - Bryan Deister 35edo - Bryan Deister 36edo - Bryan Deister 37edo - Bryan Deister 38edo - Bryan Deister 39edo - Bryan Deister 40edo - Bryan Deister 41edo - Bryan Deister 42edo - Bryan Deister Microtonal improvisation in 43edo - Bryan Deister Zinnia Riplet - Stephen Weigel (32-TET) Minimal Progress - John Moriarty (~32-TET) In the Dark [The Dying Savior] - Bryan Deister (24-TET, 23-TET, 22-TET, 21-TET, 20-TET, 19-TET, 18-TET) In Your Hands [In Your Hands] - Bryan Deister (8-TET, 9-TET, 10-TET, 11-TET, 24-TET) Come [Spines of the Heart] - Bryan Deister (19-TET) Sunrise - HEHEHE I AM A SUPAHSTAR SAGA (19-TET) Fair [In Your Hands] - Bryan Deister Liquid Smooth (Mitski) - Bryan Deister Lumatone cover (17-TET) True Love Waits (Radiohead) - collab Stephen, Levi McClain, Braelen Addison (31-TET) Shadow Play [Supernova] - Bryan Deister [Outro] The Window [In Your Hands] - Bryan Deister Check out Bryan’s incredible music on Bandcamp! Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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068 - Chris Bandy
02/28/2023
068 - Chris Bandy
Chris Bandy, a cappella maestro and creative polymath, joins us to discuss the microtonality of his spectacular arrangements on YouTube. He works in Logic Pro using FlexPitch. Most of his microtonal strategies involve tuning standard adjustments and drifts, or moving microtonal distances. His most xenharmonic sounding arrangement is likely “Where is Love,” and his latest video, “Silent Night,” gets really in-depth and has pioneered several extremities of his style (vocal agility, subtle and long tuning drift, range, complex slide editing, etc). Check out his videos on YouTube, and his Patreon! Music Silent Night - arr. Chris Bandy [tuning standard adjustment] Silent Night - arr. Chris Bandy [tuning standard adjustment] America the Beautiful - arr. Chris Bandy [tuning standard adjustment] Where is Love - arr. Chris Bandy [144-TET] - m. 92 Where is Love - arr. Chris Bandy [144-TET] - mm. 3-4 Where is Love - arr. Chris Bandy [144-TET] - mm. 99-100 Where is Love - arr. Chris Bandy [144-TET] - mm. 73-75 Where is Love - arr. Chris Bandy [144-TET] - mm. 83-84 Where is Love - arr. Chris Bandy [144-TET] - m. 89 (phase 1) Where is Love - arr. Chris Bandy [144-TET] - mm. 90-91 (phase 2) Where is Love - arr. Chris Bandy [144-TET] - mm. 91-92 (phase 3) [Outro] Silent Night - arr. Chris Bandy [tuning standard adjustment] Chris’s stuff: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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067 - D&D's guide
02/28/2023
067 - D&D's guide
Dave Keenan and Douglas Blumeyer have written an in-depth, specific guide about the mathematical principles of regular temperament theory that are groundbreaking in their consistency and explanatory power. We have them on to discuss how the exchanges evolved, de-mystify some theory concepts, and get spicy with terminology. Music [Intro] Dave Keenan - Tumbling Dekany four six five seven nine [JI] [Outro] Douglas Blumeyer - Blumeyer Comma JI Unpump [JI] D&D’s guide: Other resources: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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066 - Mat Muntz
02/24/2023
066 - Mat Muntz
Experimental 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: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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065 - Aaron Myers-Brooks
11/28/2022
065 - Aaron Myers-Brooks
Check out this conversation with Aaron Myers-Brooks, Pittsburgh prog guitarist/composer extraordinaire. His latest album, “Oblique,” is a microtonal odyssey exploring various quirky polyrhythms, applications of 17-tone equal temperament, electronic sounds, and distortion flavors. We get an inside exclusive look at the scores to “Energy Shapes”, figure out why one might use up and down arrows instead of Gould accidentals, and talk about “drawing” microtones in the highC program. Music[Intro] Aaron Myers-Brooks - Energy Shapes (V - Emerge)Aaron Myers-Brooks - Eight HighC Miniatures (VII - Chitter)Aaron Myers-Brooks - Sonata for 17-tone Guitar (I - Wistful and Halting)Aaron Myers-Brooks - Prelude and EntityAaron Myers-Brooks - The 11th and 6th CavesAaron Myers-Brooks - Energy Shapes (II - Oblique)Aaron Myers-Brooks - Sonata for 17-tone Guitar (I - Wistful and Halting)Aaron Myers-Brooks - Sonata for 17-tone Guitar (II - Angular and Aggressive)Aaron Myers-Brooks - Chasm [from album “Energetic Bursts”]Aaron Myers-Brooks - Energy Shapes (I - Wisp)Aaron Myers-Brooks - Energy Shapes (II - Oblique)Aaron Myers-Brooks - Energy Shapes (III - Chop)Aaron Myers-Brooks - Triads and Arpeggios Aaron Myers-Brooks - Energy Shapes (IV - De-Sync)Aaron Myers-Brooks - Energy Shapes (V - Emerge)[Outro] Aaron Myers-Brooks - Sonata for 17-tone Guitar (III - Somber and Deliberate)Aaron Myers-Brooks’ music (on all streaming sites): Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow SubscribeRSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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064 - The One Footed Bride
11/15/2022
064 - The One Footed Bride
“One-Footed” is a piece written by Taylor Brook named after Harry Partch’s “The One-Footed Bride'' Just-Intonation diagram. We discuss the aforementioned piece with Taylor Brook and John Schneider, diving into the ins and outs of writing idiomatically for the Partch ensemble, using Partch as inspiration, notation, and extended techniques on these instruments. The Del Sol quartet played the string parts! Come join us in exploring this vast sound world inside this justly tuned alternative orchestra! Music [Intro] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (III - Approach) Harry Partch - Delusion of the Fury (I - Exordium) [7/5 to 11/8] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (VII - Power) [naming foot parts] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (V - Power) Taylor Brook - One-Footed (II - Suspense) Taylor Brook - One-Footed (VI - Emotion) Taylor Brook - One-Footed (III - Approach) [opening 9/8 tonality] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (I - Approach) [large 5/4 tonality section] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (III - Approach) Ben Johnston - String Quartet n. 10 Ben Johnston - String Quartet n. 4 [bowl matching section] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (VII - Power) [opening 9/8 tonality] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (I - Approach) [bass line] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (I - Approach) [bowl matching section] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (VII - Power) [singing canon section] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (VII - Power) [low drone section] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (VII - Power) [7/5 to 11/8] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (VII - Power) Ben Johnston - String Quartet n. 7 Bob Dylan - Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door [I V IV progression on 1/1] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (VII - Power) [large 5/4 tonality section] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (III - Approach) [bass line John sings] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (I - Approach) [bass line] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (I - Approach) [I V IV progression on 9/8] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (I - Approach) [Outro] Taylor Brook - One-Footed (VII - Power) The piece, written by Taylor Brook: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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063 - acreil
08/29/2022
063 - acreil
Check out acreil’s music! Algorithmic albums appended with “a.” Keeper of obscure words in lists. Hardware enthusiast and certified synth geek. We have a delightful episode discussing how acreil works in Pure Data among other curiosities, such as how one navigates form to prevent boredom. Not only do we mess it up (or whatever), but we solve the paradox of influence and extremity, by making one chord at a time in chord networks. Musicacropora antozone [acheiropoietic ansätze] - acreil🎧👂🔜🖤💗📛🎲🎰🎮🥇🚴🌫👂👂💘 (track 8) - Stephen Weigelnewdrum7 [Luna Octava] - acreilacridine abeyance [aleatoric aubades] - acreilautochthonous acidification [aleatoric aubades] - acreilDance - Bernard ParmegianiValley Flow - Denis SmalleyContinuous microtonal glissando for 8 oscillators - acreil Check out acreil’s music, YouTube, blog: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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062 - Skueue
08/22/2022
062 - Skueue
Algorithmic August kicks off with Skueue, builder of the unnamed machine in Pure Data. This is an abstract, idea-filled episode packed to the brim with insights about the process. Our points of focus include a discussion of how writing affects software, uncommon disagreement about common practice, VST’s in PD, programming cadences, rootful resolutions, clowntone heptatonica, and SAMPLING. Eventually, we decide that algorithmic music written to sound as its author intended is a success. Music Bisphen [Anagnorisis] - SkueueKaneda [from Akira] - Geinoh Yamashirogumi Bedroom micro - Aphex TwinEquivalence [Anagnorisis] - SkueueGiant Steps - John ColtraneMantle [Andesite] - SkueueTx [Andesite] - SkueueBenthi [Anagnorisis] - Skueue Check out Skueue’s music and YouTube: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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061 - Nicholas Denton Protsack
04/30/2022
061 - Nicholas Denton Protsack
Nicholas Denton Protsack’s music abounds with spectral delights of various kinds. Our talk today has a particular focus on notation, delving into the strategy behind its presentation. As we study tuning more and more, becoming less rigid with its implementation, it becomes helpful to focus on not just approximating some tunings with others, but also to focus on the broader conceptual ideas behind the tuning labels. In particular, polysystemic tunings tend to hint at the methodology of their compositions. “Firebird” (Sounds Like Things) blends aspects of biological study and music, explores the rich timbre of found objects, relies on reference points, and uses freedom to generate complex music. Music Into this Fracturing Land [31-EDO] - Nicholas ProtsackRunaway (from Firebird) - Sounds Like Things🎧👂🔜🖤💗📛🎲🎰🎮🥇🚴🌫👂👂💘 (track 3) - Stephen Weigel Runaway (from Firebird) - Sounds Like Things Into the Refuge of a Cave (Daniel Gelman) - Nicholas Protsack Into the Refuge of a Cave (Darren Williams) - Nicholas Protsack Into the Refuge of a Cave (Andrew Friedman) - Nicholas ProtsackInto this Fracturing Land [31-EDO] - Nicholas Protsack Check out Nicholas’s music: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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060 - Aaron Breeze
04/12/2022
060 - Aaron Breeze
How on earth does one create a 1200-tone tone row? Or even a 372-tone row in Sibelius? Find out in this wacky episode featuring Aaron Breeze, the swingin’ licc master himself! The broader topics in this thrilling, conversational episode include silliness and perceived complexity, the connection between playing and speaking, red dress methodology, repetition and intent, presentation in music, high-effort memes, mixing contexts and genres, and the social state of online spaces. We’re psyched that global icon Sarah Brand brought microtonality back Music Intro - Groovy Serialism in 372-TET (Aaron Breeze)Captain Holt screaming (arr. Aaron Breeze)Troy and Abed off to Dreamland (arr. Aaron Breeze)Red Dress (Sarah Brand) - reharmonized by Aaron BreezeRed Dress (Sarah Brand) - reharmonized by Stephen WeigelCPAC Anthem Video A CAPPELLA HARMONY! (QW4RTZ)this is the greatest piano concerto of all time (Aaron Breeze)3 Slapstick Piano Etudes (Aaron Breeze)Red Dress (Sarah Brand) - reharmonized by FAST-FAST musicFriday Night (Tim Robinson) - from I Think You Should LeaveBeethoven Symphony No. 5 but it’s in 5/8 and 5-EDO (arr. Aaron Breeze)Outro - Red Dress (Sarah Brand) - reharmonized by Aaron Breeze Check out Aaron’s YouTube channel! Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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059 - Stephen James Taylor
03/31/2022
059 - Stephen James Taylor
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 TaylorSivi - 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 TaylorEddie 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 TaylorThree-Part Invention - Stephen James TaylorDizzy Spell - Stephen James TaylorTrouvaille - Stephen James TaylorThe Sugmad is Dreaming - Stephen James TaylorExpressions - Stephen James TaylorThe Coprime Colors [7-limit JI] - Stephen James TaylorMood of Neptune [Fibonacci-based JI] - Stephen James TaylorRockin’ da Beat [17-tone MOS scale] - Stephen James TaylorTopsy Turvy Town theme [from Mickey Mouse] - Stephen James TaylorRafiki’s Theme [from Timon & Pumbaa] - Stephen James TaylorBlack Panther [31-TET establishing shot] - Stephen James TaylorBlack Panther [53-TET dream sequence] - Stephen James TaylorSonic Sky Credits/31 for Spud (Surfing the Sonic Sky) - Stephen James Taylor Check out Stephen James Taylor’s music: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube: Transcription of “Quantum 7” coming soon!
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058 - Anna-Maria Hefele
03/12/2022
058 - Anna-Maria Hefele
Anna-Maria Hefele, overtone singing sensation, has kindly graced us with her presence! Witness conversation about the tuning and construction of the intricate and aesthetically majestic Lambdoma project (built by Josef Baier). We also discuss how overtone singing intertwines with various musical ideas (production, style, classical technique, analytically hearing sound, the clash between overtones and 12-TET, glissando and vibrato). Be sure to check out her overtone singing class!Doing something new: for each Now&Xen episode made, I’m trying to create a cover or transcription. For this episode, I transcribed the first Lambdoma performance excerpt on YouTube! (Stephen Weigel channel). Be sure to check out the Patreon-exclusive episode about the specific notes of the tuning as well! Music OVERTONE SINGING & LAMBDOMA - Improvisation by Anna-Maria Hefele Check out Anna’s overtone singing class and projects: Bonus episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/63529215 Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube: Transcription of Overtone Singing & Lambdoma 1:
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057 - Ventifacts
11/12/2021
057 - Ventifacts
A fascinating collaboration between Ben Spees, of The Mercury Tree, and Damon Waitkus, of Jack O’ the Clock. We take a look at the acoustic instruments used to create it (including non-Western ones), swap files, and talk about the challenges and inspirations behind the project. We also affirm quarter tones as part of the xenharmonic canon, nerd out about the regularity of scales, and hint at the secret “Migraine” project. Check out Ventifacts on Bandcamp, it is WELL worth the listen!Doing something new: for each Now&Xen episode made, I’m trying to release a cover of one of the songs on my YouTube channel, if it’s relevant and I can do it. For this episode, there’s a cover of The Ballad of Hearst and Herriman (10-edo)! It’s premiering the day of episode release (the 12th, since we love 12 so much here at Now&Xen). Music Intro - Rest [Ventifacts] (24edo)Anxiety - Damon WaitkusDog Day Music [Ventifacts] (24edo)Pacific [Ventifacts] (24edo)Azimuth of Sunrise [Ventifacts] (24edo)Pacific [Ventifacts] (24edo)Weeping Wall - David BowieBonneville [Ventifacts] (24edo)Dog Days [Ventifacts] (24edo)Mravalzhamier (Benia, Georgian polyphonic tuning) - performed by trio kavkasiaAzimuth of Sunrise [Ventifacts] (24edo)Hidden Well [Ventifacts] (20edo)Outro -The Ballad of Hearst & Herriman [Ventifacts] (10edo) Check out the album on Bandcamp (and Ben and Damon’s projects): Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube: Cover of Hearst & Herriman:
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056 - Ben Hjertmann & Emmalee Hunnicutt
11/01/2021
056 - Ben Hjertmann & Emmalee Hunnicutt
“Visitors,” a lovely acoustic journey inspired by the visits of animals, is an album that leads to great conversation. Performed by Ben Hjertmann and Emmalee Hunnicutt, this masterpiece uses many different instruments which we discuss here. Fresh topics include: the act of rounding fretless tab, what a mentally ill Sufjan Stevens would sound like, performing live, JI lattices, chord symbols, and why we like secrets. All of the music from the episode is from the album, which is on Bandcamp! By the way, does anyone know the Nick Drake song Ben references at 33:26-34:00? If so, leave a comment!Doing something new: for each Now&Xen episode made, I’m trying to release a cover of one of the songs on my YouTube channel, if it’s relevant and I can do it. There’s a 17-tone equal temperament cover of “Luna Mirage” there now (link is at the very bottom). Music Intro - Puijila Plays in the Mirrored MorningVulture in a Desert of MenRed BluesJack of SpadesRed BluesJack of SpadesPardic HymnWho Cooks for YouLuna Mirage (17edo cover arr. Stephen Weigel)Pardic HymnVulture in a Desert of MenPuijila Plays in the Mirrored MorningRed Blues (ending chord)Outro - Luna Mirage Check out the album on Bandcamp: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube: Cover of Luna Mirage:
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055 - Hear Between the Lines
07/30/2021
055 - Hear Between the Lines
We chat with Rami Olsen and Freddi Sturm, the brains behind “Hear Between the Lines,” about all things microtonal arranging/content! Topics touched upon include contrived wet food analogies, channel ideas, the story of Rami’s cool guitars, fooling the ear by drifting, comparing different tuning systems’ whole tone scales, piano pedal shredding, and the complications that arise in microtonality from using notation! By the way, their idea for monosyllabic words on quarter accidentals is a great one, so from now on, I will be telling people that Jacob Collier modulated to G-shat major, thanks (or did he)? Music Intro - Hear Between the Lines channel tagGiant Steps (24edo challenge version with Stephen Weigel)In the Bleak Midwinter (Jacob Collier modulation) Giant Steps (24edo challenge version)Her Selcouth Touch (ending chord) - Stephen WeigelMicrotonal Star Wars Cantina Band - arr. The RasaBridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel (arr. Stephen Weigel in 19edo)K.G.L.W. - King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel (arr. Stephen Weigel in 19edo)Outro - Giant Steps (24edo challenge version with Stephen Weigel) Check out their YouTube and Patreon: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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054 - browsers and inharmonic sleep therapy (Sevish)
06/30/2021
054 - browsers and inharmonic sleep therapy (Sevish)
Sevish and I chat about software, instruments, and philosophical questions. We are both excited to continually witness more and more people become interested in microtonality! Web-based browsers such as Scale Workshop, Xenpaper, and Leimma have made it even easier for people to play microtones without downloading synthesizers - all you need is an Internet connection. Sevish also explains how MPE works and why that’s helpful. Find out once and for all whether we’re just hitting random notes out of tune or not Music Sevish - The Almighty Fractal (from “Bubble”) Channels: Use these links to play microtones on your QWERTY keyboard with nothing but an internet connection: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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053 - Automatic Microtonal Guitar (Tolgahan Çoğulu)
05/24/2021
053 - Automatic Microtonal Guitar (Tolgahan Çoğulu)
Check out our latest conversation with the brilliant guitarist Tolgahan Çoğulu, inventor of the LEGO microtonal guitar and automatic microtonal guitar. We dive into how these guitars work, how they could be useful for playing microtones, the inspiration behind these incredible ideas, and the geometry of making frets tune accurately on a LEGO grid! If anyone listening to this episode wants to sponsor the automatic microtonal guitar, or knows someone who would, please reach out to Tolgahan at [email protected] Music Intro (from first concert w/ LEGO microtonal guitar): I Vrisi ton Peyiotisson arr. Benjamin Barbarič Outro (from first concert w/ LEGO microtonal guitar): I Vrisi ton Peyiotisson arr. Benjamin Barbarič, Uzun İnce Bir Yoldayım (comp. Âşık Veysel) arr. Tolgahan Çoğulu Tolgahan’s channels: Support us on Patreon! (If we get 60 patrons, episodes will be released regularly instead of sporadically) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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052B - Subhraag Singh
01/12/2021
052B - Subhraag Singh
Hey all! Since Now&Xen is on hiatus, I wanted to give you some content anyway, so here's the last episode we had on as a Patreon exclusive! I may be releasing select Patreon-exclusive episodes during hiatus sometimes. This wonderful conversation features Subhraag and I talking about Infinitone DMT, an extremely exciting software that acts as the first really practical digital plugin just for retuning synths! Some examples of what it can do? Automate tuning parameters, like fundamental frequency. Shift between subsets of a tuning using similar automation. Calculate beating and de-tuning from a tuning-conscious perspective. For more, be sure to check it out soon at ! All of the musical examples (morsels) are composed by Subhraag and come from his first Infinitone DMT "demo" giving examples of different kinds of microtonal music that can be created using this software. Support us on Patreon! (Stephen will return to making Now&Xen after 60) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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052 - Eric Ederer
12/29/2020
052 - Eric Ederer
We dissect makam scales with Dr. Eric Ederer, using his fantastic instruments and deep knowledge of theory & praxis. Makam music uses a lot of different parameters to identify itself to its listeners, such as direction (seyir) and where the melody starts. There is a lot of analysis work that can be done in this field, especially in describing historically accurate modulation, and/or listing melodic tropes that indicate certain makams. Part of Dr. Ederer’s research involved recording how experts think about their own playing. We also talk about Just Intonation, the history of the oud, and “improvisation” (or not). Other amusements include the licc in Husseini, Pythagoras in general, and kings that brag about being able to bench press cattle as well as tune a lyre. Music Intro: Beyati Çiftetelli - Eric Ederer Makam - Eric Ederer Outro: Muwashshah Without Words #1 Bayyati Nawa - Eric Ederer Socials (YouTube, website) Support us on Patreon! (Stephen will return to making Now&Xen after 60) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube: This is the last public episode until my hiatus from Now&Xen. Thank you all for listening and supporting! I couldn’t have kept on making these without the incredible generosity and positivity that the microtonal community has thrown my way! -Stephen Weigel
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051 - Dsilton (Georg Vogel)
12/12/2020
051 - Dsilton (Georg Vogel)
We discuss the origin and style of the polystylistic jazz band Dsilton, as well as the 36-note keyboard that Georg Vogel often plays and the tuning setups. Be sure to look out for Dsilton’s first studio album out sometime in spring or summer 2021! They play a lot of music live that you can see on their YouTube channels. Music Intro: Iwan Baanas - Dsilton Halogenflügel - Georg Vogel Dsilton - Dsilton (Georg Vogel & David Dornig) Malend (neon moers festival) - Dsilton Prismascatten - Dsilton Outro: Finkostar - Dsilton Find their music: Support us on Patreon! (Stephen will return to making Now&Xen after 60) Follow Subscribe RSS: iTunes: … Spotify: … Stitcher: Twitter: Facebook: YouTube:
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