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Description: Gwendolyn Sanford is most famous as a composer for TV shows Weeds and Orange Is the New Black, but she got her start as a quirky children's singer. In fact, it was because of her childrens band that she and her writing partner Brandon Jay scored the audition for Weeds in the first place. On this episode, we talk about how to craft suitable music for show characters, play some of Gwendolyns favorite TV cues, and learn more about her hilarious, unbelievably L.A. tale of spontaneity, opportunity, and good old fashioned grit. Note to Our Listeners: The Underscore team is currently undergoing transition, as we shift our focus to other exciting projects within the musical-digital realm. Thus, the Underscore podcast is now on indefinite hiatus, at least in its current incarnation. We are so grateful to the astounding guests and loyal listeners whove made our ears dance and brains light up episode after episode. If youve enjoyed the podcast, please continue to listen, revisit, and share it with friends, as the unique stories and artists featured on the show deserve to be celebrated! Last but not least, we hope you stay in touch with Chrysanthe, Thomas, and the rest of the Underscore team; we have many more things coming soon... Playlist: Here is a Spotify playlist with hand-picked selections from Chrysanthe, Thomas, and Gwendolyn Sanford. Music Featured in Interview
- Free to Be...You and Me by Marlo Thomas (iTunes / Spotify)
- Freedom of the Heart (Ooodily, Ooodily) by Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang (iTunes / Spotify)
- Drain by Gwendolyn Sanford (CD Baby)
- Selfish Shellfish by Gwendolyn and the Good (iTunes / Spotify)
- Somebody Elses Man by Gwendolyn (iTunes / Spotify)
- Huskaroo TV Spot (from Weeds) by Brandon Jay & Gwendolyn Sanford (iTunes / Spotify)
- Toy Piano or Toy Poodle (Weeds cue) by Brandon Jay & Gwendolyn Sanford
- Skimming Tree Tops (Weeds cue) by Gwendolyn Sanford & Brandon Jay
- Walk the Walk (Orange Is the New Black cue) by Gwendolyn Sanford & Brandon Jay
- Walk the Walk by Gwendolyn Sanford & Brandon Jay
- Bad Man by Gwendolyn Sanford (Music video on YouTube)
- Fun with Cigarettes (from Orange Is the New Black) by Gwendolyn Sanford & Brandon Jay (iTunes / Spotify)
- What genre is your music? Folklore
- Performance ritual? Warm up my voice and play her songs without singing them.
- A modern/technological tool thats extremely helpful to your practice? Metronome
- A failure that turned out for the best? Not getting signed with the Good Time Gang and not getting the TV show for kids.
- Something besides music that youre obsessed with right now? Being a good mom. (Gwendolyn has two daughters, but only one of them is a Good Time Gang fan.)
- A piece of art that changed your life? Performing The Insanity of Mary Girard (by Lanie Robertson) at age 12
- Hosts: Chrysanthe Tan and Thomas Kotcheff
- Guest: Dorian Wood
- Script: Chrysanthe Tan
- Recording engineer: Mark Hatwan
- Produced by: Chrysanthe Tan
- Editing: Mark Hatwan
- Underscore is an extension of the Classical KUSC family
- Podcast theme: "Playground Day" by Chrysanthe Tan (iTunes / Spotify)
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Description: Dorian Wood is a magical typhoon disguised as a humble singer-songwriter. LA Weekly calls them "a fearless artist and performer whose voice inhabits a room like a choir of ghosts," while Mondosonoro compares their concerts to "a meteor shower and the four elements." If we had to boil down the essence of Dorian Wood's music, wed call it a mixture of theatrical-experimental, folk, gospel-soul, and classical music, with a large dash of performance art. Speaking with Dorian was a rare treat. On this episode, we listen to musical excerpts and talk about sensuality, queerness, classical roots, bittersweet family, Dorians "curvy delicious body," and so much more.
Note: Dorian is non-binary, and their pronouns are them/they. At the time of this recording, Dorian still used he/him pronouns and thus the interview reflects those old pronouns. We are proud to publish this podcast episode with Dorians full, enthusiastic blessing.Playlist: Here is a Spotify playlist with hand-picked selections from Chrysanthe, Thomas, and Dorian Wood.
Music Featured in Interview:- "Corpulenxia" by Dorian Wood (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Piano Sonatina in G Major, Anh. 5 No.1: I. Moderato (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Blood Red River" by Dorian Wood (unreleased cover of Beth Orton song)
- "A Gospel of Elephants/Hpssos" by Dorian Wood (Amazon / Spotify)
- "Little Doggie" by Tommy Santee Klaws (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Paisa" by Dorian Wood (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Ashes to Ashes" by Dorian Wood - David Bowie cover (YouTube)
- "Martillos" by Dorian Wood (iTunes / Spotify)
- What genre is your music? Cookies
- Performance ritual? Cookies
- A modern/technological tool thats extremely helpful to your practice? Toilet
- A failure that turned out for the best? I have yet to find it.
- Something besides music that youre obsessed with right now? God
- A piece of art that changed your life? "The Look" by Roxette
Other links:- Paisa GoFundMe campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/paisa-short-film
- Dorians custom pet portraits: http://petproper.net/
Find Dorian Wood online:
Website / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / YouTube
Something Old: "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" by Ralph Vaughan Williams (iTunes / Spotify)
Something New: "Clouded Yellow" by Michael Gordon (iTunes / Spotify)
Something Borrowed: "Hungarian Rock (Chaconne)" by Gyorgy Ligeti (iTunes / Spotify)
Something Blue: "Bluebird Story" by DJ Okawari feat. Jumelles (iTunes / Spotify)
Credits:
- Hosts: Chrysanthe Tan and Thomas Kotcheff
- Guest: Dorian Wood
- Script: Chrysanthe Tan
- Recording engineer: Mark Hatwan
- Produced by: Chrysanthe Tan
- Editing: Mark Hatwan
- Underscore is an extension of the Classical KUSC family
- Podcast theme: "Playground Day" by Chrysanthe Tan (iTunes / Spotify)
Social Media:Facebook: /underscorefm
Twitter: @underscorefm
Instagram: @underscorefm
Thomas is @thomaskotcheff on Twitter and Instagram.
Chrysanthe is @chrysanthetan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Facebook group: Join our Facebook group, Underscore Society, to give us your thoughts, request future topics, and connect with other podcast listeners!
Newsletter: Sign up for our mailing list to receive Underscore updates, offers, and opportunities to connect with other music aficionados.
Email: Thoughts, questions, suggestions? Were at info@underscore.fm
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Description: In our last episode, Washing Machine Revelation, we interviewed composer Reena Esmail, who talked about her unique blend of Indian and Western classical music, revealed her composing ritual, and told us about the washing machine that sparked a revelation. For this bonus episode, Reena treated us to a live Hindustani vocal improvisation.
Find Reena Esmail online:
Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
Credits:- Hosts: Chrysanthe Tan and Thomas Kotcheff
- Guest: Reena Esmail
- Script: Chrysanthe Tan
- Recording engineer: Mark Hatwan
- Produced by: Chrysanthe Tan
- Editing: Mark Hatwan
- Underscore is an extension of the Classical KUSC family
- Bonus Opening music: Part and Parcel by Thomas Kotcheff (YouTube)
- Podcast Ending music: "Playground Day" by Chrysanthe Tan (iTunes / Spotify)
Social Media:
Facebook: /underscorefm
Twitter: @underscorefm
Instagram: @underscorefmThomas is @thomaskotcheff on Twitter and Instagram.
Chrysanthe is @chrysanthetan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.Facebook group: Join our Facebook group, Underscore Society, to give us your thoughts, request future topics, and connect with other podcast listeners!
Newsletter: Sign up for our mailing list to receive Underscore updates, offers, and opportunities to connect with other music aficionados.
Email: Thoughts, questions, suggestions? We're at info@underscore.fm
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Description: Reena Esmail knows she doesn't look like a stereotypical composer, but that doesnt prevent her from making a big impact. Known for her signature blend of Indian and Western classical music, Reena joins us in the studio to discuss stage fright, getting in touch with her heritage, how the #MeToo movement inspired her, and the washing machine that sparked a revelation.
Playlist: Here is a Spotify playlist with hand-picked selections from Chrysanthe, Thomas, and Reena Esmail.
Music Featured in Interview:- String Quartet: Ragamala by Reena Esmail (Listen / Score)
- Piano Sonata No. 15 in C, K.545: 1. Allegro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (iTunes / Spotify)
- Jhula Jhule by Reena Esmail (Listen / Score)
- Die Forelle, D. 550 by Franz Schubert (iTunes / Spotify)
- Träumerei by Robert Schumann (iTunes / Spotify)
- This Love Between Us by Reena Esmail (Listen)
- Tuttarana by Reena Esmail (Listen / Score)
- #metoo by Reena Esmail
- Nishani by Reena Esmail (Listen / Score)
- Hindustani Music: Cultural Collisions (and Washing Machines) - Reenas blog on NewMusicBox about the washing machine
- What genre is your music? Indpressionism -- the opposite of Impressionism
- Performance ritual?
- Performance ritual: breathe, open your mouth, smile.
- Composing ritual: A very specific, solitary tea ritual involving the Harney & Sons Soho blend.
- A modern/technological tool thats extremely helpful to your practice? iPad. It was so game-changing that Reena celebrates the anniversary of getting her iPad (July 17, 2017).
- A failure that turned out for the best? Failing to be a pianist
- Something besides music that youre obsessed with right now? Hardcore math and data sets.
- A piece of art that changed your life? The chandelier at Mandarin Oriental by Dale Chihuly on 59th and Broadway in New York City.
Find Reena Esmail online:
Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
Something Old: Call Me a Rainbow by The Mummers (YouTube)
Something New: String Quartet No. 9 by Georg Friedrich Haas (YouTube)
Something Borrowed: Bye Bye Beethoven Concert by Patricia Kopatchinskaja (YouTube)
Something Blue: Aquarium by Nosaj Thing (iTunes / Spotify)
Credits:- Hosts: Chrysanthe Tan and Thomas Kotcheff
- Guest: Reena Esmail
- Script: Chrysanthe Tan
- Recording engineer: Mark Hatwan
- Produced by: Chrysanthe Tan
- Editing: Mark Hatwan
- Underscore is an extension of the Classical KUSC family
- Podcast theme: "Playground Day" by Chrysanthe Tan (iTunes / Spotify)
Social Media:
Facebook: /underscorefm
Twitter: @underscorefm
Instagram: @underscorefm
Thomas is @thomaskotcheff on Twitter and Instagram.
Chrysanthe is @chrysanthetan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Facebook group: Join our Facebook group, Underscore Society, to give us your thoughts, request future topics, and connect with other podcast listeners!
Newsletter: Sign up for our mailing list to receive Underscore updates, offers, and opportunities to connect with other music aficionados.
Email: Thoughts, questions, suggestions? Were at info@underscore.fm
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Description: In episode 6, Goofy Baby Songs, we interviewed composer, accordionist, and electronic musician Isaac Schankler, who shared their inspirations and led us in a goofy baby jam session. For this bonus episode, Isaac treated us to an exclusive live studio performance on the accordion.
Find Isaac Schankler online:
Credits:
- Hosts: Chrysanthe Tan and Thomas Kotcheff
- Guest: Isaac Schankler
- Script: Chrysanthe Tan
- Recording engineer: Mark Hatwan
- Produced by: Chrysanthe Tan
- Editing: Mark Hatwan
- Underscore is an extension of the Classical KUSC family
- Opening music: "Part and Parcel" by Thomas Kotcheff (YouTube)
- Ending music: "Playground Day" by Chrysanthe Tan (iTunes / Spotify)
Social Media:
Facebook: /underscorefm
Twitter: @underscorefm
Instagram: @underscorefm
Thomas is @thomaskotcheff on Twitter and Instagram.
Chrysanthe is @chrysanthetan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Facebook group: Join our Facebook group, Underscore Society, to give us your thoughts, request future topics, and connect with other podcast listeners!
Newsletter: Sign up for our mailing list to receive Underscore updates, offers, and opportunities to connect with other music aficionados.
Email: Thoughts, questions, suggestions? We're at info@underscore.fm
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Playlist: Here is a Spotify playlist with hand-picked selections from Chrysanthe, Thomas, and Isaac.
Music Featured in Interview:
- "Alien Warp Etude" by Isaac Schankler, performed by Aron Kallay (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Etudes, Op. 25: No. 1 in A-Flat Major Aeolian Harp'" by Frédéric Chopin (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Mouthfeel" by Isaac Schankler (artist website)
- "Point of Origin" by Yanni (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Return to Forever" by Chick Corea (Amazon / Spotify)
- "Twirly Moustache" by The Shpil (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Four Organs" by Steve Reich (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Baby Is Bigger" by Isaac Schankler
- "Its Not Ero! (feat. Senah Kim)" from the Hate Plus video game soundtrack by Isaac Schankler (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Everybody Dance" by Isaac Schankler
- "Inconsolable Baby" by Isaac Schankler
- "Pheromone" by Isaac Schankler, performed by Meerenai Shim and Jacob Abela (Bandcamp / YouTube)
Lightning Round:
- What genre is your music? Electro-baby-non-pop.
- Performance ritual? Isaac envisions a performance ritual in which the performer sits in the center of the room, there are speakers situated all around the edge of the room, and the audience chills out in the space between, just soaking in the music. Some people are in beanbags or even have books.
- A modern/technological tool thats extremely helpful to your practice? Graph paper
- A failure that turned out for the best? Getting rejected from a ton of jobs after college. It was a good thing, because Isaac ended up looking outside of the box and getting into video game music, computer music research, etc.
- Something besides music that youre obsessed with right now? Their six-month old kid, Felix. "I miss him right now."
- A piece of art that changed your life? The novels of Ursula K. Le Guin, including The Lathe of Heaven, Dispossessed, and The Left Hand of Darkness
Find Isaac Schankler online:
Something Old: "Il Mercenario (L Arena)" (from The Mercenary) by Ennio Morricone (iTunes / Spotify)
Something New: "Chicken in the Pot" (from SOLO: A Star Wars Story) by John Powell (iTunes / Spotify)
Something Borrowed: "Nothing Is Real (Strawberry Fields Forever)" by Alvin Lucier (iTunes / Spotify)
Something Blue: "The River" by CFCF (iTunes / Spotify)
Credits:
- Hosts: Chrysanthe Tan and Thomas Kotcheff
- Guest: Isaac Schankler
- Script: Chrysanthe Tan
- Recording engineer: Mark Hatwan
- Produced by: Chrysanthe Tan
- Editing: Mark Hatwan
- Underscore is an extension of the Classical KUSC family
- Podcast theme: "Playground Day" by Chrysanthe Tan (iTunes / Spotify)
Social Media:
Facebook: /underscorefm
Twitter: @underscorefm
Instagram: @underscorefm
Thomas is @thomaskotcheff on Twitter and Instagram.
Chrysanthe is @chrysanthetan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Facebook group: Join our Facebook group, Underscore Society, to give us your thoughts, request future topics, and connect with other podcast listeners!
Newsletter: Sign up for our mailing list to receive Underscore updates, offers, and opportunities to connect with other music aficionados.
Email: Thoughts, questions, suggestions? Were at info@underscore.fm -
Described by Pitchfork as a "musical polymath," composer/violist Eyvind Kang has created and collaborated on hundreds of recordings and countless tours, from his own solo masterpieces to his work with Laurie Anderson, Bill Frisell, Animal Collective, Sun O))), The Decemberists, and Blonde Redhead. On this episode, he tells us about his early inspirations, his favorite project, and the music his teacher thought was garbage.Playlist
Here is a Spotify playlist to pair with Underscore Episode 5 with Eyvind Kang. It features hand--picked selections from Chrysanthe and Thomas to encapsulate the conversations and recommendations from the episode.Music Featured in Interview:
- "Marriage of Days" by Eyvind Kang (iTunes / Spotify)
- "The Island" by The Decemberists (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Partita No. 3 in E Major: Preludio" by J.S. Bach (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Straight Outta Compton" by N.W.A. (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Giant Steps" by John Coltrane (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Dhun" by Ravi Shankar (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones (iTunes / Spotify)
- "It's a Mans, Mans, Mans World" by James Brown (iTunes / Spotify)
- "Automatism" by Group Ongaku (YouTube)
- "Seva" by Jessika Kenney and Eyvind Kang (unreleased)
- "Cyclades" by Anne Carson, Robert Currie, and Eyvind Kang (unreleased)
- "Side 1" from Plainlight by Eyvind Kang (LP)
Lightning Round Questions
- What genre is your music? Non--music
- Performance ritual? Quigong and tai chi
- A modern/technological tool thats extremely helpful to your practice? Recording and playback
- A failure that turned out for the best? He tried to adapt a kacapi (Sudanese zither) technique for the viola but ended up creating a new pizzicato technique for himself instead.
- Something besides music that youre obsessed with right now? Agriculture, philosophy, questions of justice and human rights
- A piece of art that changed your life? The Large Glass by Marcel Duchamp
- Something Old: Einstein on the Beach -- "Scene 3: Spaceship" by Phillip Glass. (iTunes / Spotify)
- Something New: Music by Black Composers made a Living Composers Directory. Recommended track: "Starburst" by Jessie Montgomery (iTunes / Spotify)
- Something Borrowed: "Iron" by Woodkid (iTunes / Spotify)
- Something Blue: "Prometheus, The Poem of Fire" by Alexander Scriabin (iTunes / Spotify)
Credits:
- Hosts: Thomas Kotcheff and Chrysanthe Tan
- Script: Chrysanthe Tan
- Guest: Eyvind Kang
- Recording engineer: Mark Hatwan
- Produced by: Chrysanthe Tan
- Editing: Mark Hatwan
- Underscore is an extension of the Classical KUSC family
- Podcast theme: "Playground Day" by Chrysanthe Tan (iTunes / Spotify)
Social Media
- Facebook: /underscorefm
- Twitter: @underscorefm
- Instagram: @underscorefm
- Thomas is @thomaskotcheff on Twitter and Instagram.
- Chrysanthe is @chrysanthetan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Facebook group: Join our Facebook group, Underscore Society, to give us your thoughts, request future topics, and connect with other podcast listeners!
Newsletter: Sign up for our mailing list to receive Underscore updates, offers, and opportunities to connect with other music aficionados.
Email: Thoughts, questions, suggestions? Were at info@underscore.fm
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Daniel Ho is a 6-time GRAMMY winning artist, producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and audio engineer from Honolulu, Hawai'i.
Playlist
Guest
Daniel Ho is a 6-time GRAMMY winning artist, producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and audio engineer from Honolulu, Hawai'i. He began his professional career in the 90s as the leader of Billboard-topping contemporary jazz group Kilauea and has since gone on to win innumerable awards, tour all over the world, and compose, perform, record, and produce dozens of solo and collaboration albums. Most recently, Daniel collaborated with Japanese rock legend Tak Matsumoto, traditional Mongolian group The Grasslands Ensemble, and even performed the National Anthem at a Clippers Game at the Staples Center. Additionally, Daniel collaborates with luthier Pepe Romero in the creation of original ukulele instruments.
- Between the Sky & Prairie - album by The Grasslands Ensemble and Daniel Ho (CD / iTunes)
- "Pineapple Mango" by Daniel Ho (CD / iTunes / instrumental version on Spotify)
- Daniel Ho created original instruments with master luthier Pepe Romero:
- Daniel Ho also designed and produced the Shakerlele and Bongolele instruments with Ohana.
- Electric Island, Acoustic Sea - album by Tak Matsumoto & Daniel Ho (CD / iTunes)
- Sakura Sakura from the album Our World in Song by Wu Man, Luis Conte, Daniel Ho, Jhou Yi-cian, and Wu Chen-chun (CD / iTunes)
- More of Daniel Ho's CDs, books, and merch here.
Lightning Round Questions
- What genre is your music? Two years ago, it was classical. Last year, it was stadium rock. This year, it was Mongolian world music.
- Performance ritual? Daniel plays through his entire show the day of and uses his ukulele piece "Amis Rondo" as a technical warm-up. (CD / iTunes / Songbook + CD)
- A modern/technological tool thats extremely helpful to your practice? Yamaha P-115 keyboard, which has a built-in metronome, plays like a piano, and only costs $600.
- What failure that turned out for the best? His last marriage. "Life has been absolutely amazing since then."
- Something besides music that youre obsessed with right now? Finding a better way to live.
- A piece of art that changed your life? The tiny tenor ukulele, which Daniel envisioned and luthier Pepe Romero created with him.
Counterpoint
Is there such thing as "good" music or "bad" music?
Something Old
Moog Sub 37 synthesizer (instrument used in the 80s and on the Stranger Things soundtrack)
Something New
"feelings change" by yaeji - it beautifully breaks a traditional music theory rule called parallel 4ths (iTunes / Spotify)
Something Borrowed
The band S U R V I V E, an analog synth band that uses the 80s-era Moog Sub 37. Check out their song "A.H.B." (iTunes / Spotify)
Something Blue
The Blue Notebooks album that blends contemporary classical with electronic and spoken word featuring Tilda Swinton. Check out The Blue Notebooks and On the Nature of Daylight. (iTunes / Spotify)
Connect
Facebook group: Join our Facebook group, Underscore Society, to nerd out on music, tell us your favorite songs, and debate our Counterpoints!
Email list: Sign up for our mailing list to receive Underscore updates, offers, and opportunities to connect with other music aficionados.
Socials: Were @underscorefm on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Email: Thoughts, questions, suggestions? Were at info@underscore.fm Thomas is @thomaskotcheff on Twitter and Instagram. Chrysanthe is @chrysanthetan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Derek Stein (Vitamin String Quartet, gnarwhallaby, wild Up) is a cellist with the ability to extract exciting, unusual sounds from his instrument. On this episode, he demonstrates his favorite sounds, reveals which audition he bombed, and joins us for a discussion on whether cell phones belong at concerts.
Playlist
Here is a Spotify playlist to pair with Underscore Episode B3! Co-hosts Chrysanthe and Thomas collaborated with our guest Derek Stein to curate an hour of tracks featuring ice-skating music, electronica, spoken word, microtones, and strange cello sounds.
Guest
Derek Stein is a cellist with the ability to extract exciting, unusual sounds from his instrument. He is a member of the Vitamin String Quartet and several contemporary classical groups, including gnarwhallaby and wild Up.
- T'filat ha-Derech by Marc Lowenstein (Soundcloud)
- Burn the Witch by Radiohead, performed by Vitamin String Quartet (iTunes / Spotify)
- Vox Balaenae - Voice of the Whale by George Crumb - (YouTube video with masked performers)
- Capriccio per Siegfried Palm by K. Penderecki (YouTube / Spotify)
- a thing made whole by Andrew Greenwald (Soundcloud)
Lightning Round Questions
- What genre is your music?
Bizarre, confusing, mind-opening - Performance ritual?
Wild Up ensemble gets in a circle, puts their hands together, and does a chant before each show. - A modern/technological tool that's extremely helpful to your practice?
iPad Pro - What failure that turned out for the best?
Bombed his Eastman School of Music audition (so did Thomas)! - Something besides music that youre obsessed with right now?
The new Marvel comic book movies; he enjoyed every moment of Black Panther. - A piece of art that changed your life?
Penderecki Capriccio for Ziegfried Palm
Counterpoint Topic
Do cell phones belong at concerts?
Something Old
Quarter-Tone Pieces by Ivan Wyschnegradsky (iTunes / Spotify)
Something New
Vicky Chows recording of "Sonatra" by Michael Gordon (Bandcamp / Soundcloud)
Something Borrowed
Were New Here by Gil-Scott Heron and Jamie xx (iTunes / Spotify)
Something Blue
Chrysanthe hasnt been connecting with most musical selections in Olympic figure skating. On the bright side, Kaori Sakamotos free skate to Yann Tiersen's Amélie selections was stellar.
Credits
- Hosts: Thomas Kotcheff and Chrysanthe Tan
- Guest: Derek Stein
- Script: Chrysanthe Tan
- Recording engineer/editor: Mark Hatwan
- Produced by USC Radio Group
- Podcast theme: Playground Day by Chrysanthe Tan (iTunes / Spotify)
- Old New Borrowed Blue transition: "Part and Parcel" by Thomas Kotcheff (Soundcloud)
Connect
Facebook group: Join our Facebook group, Underscore Society, to nerd out on music, tell us your favorite songs, and debate our Counterpoints!
Email list: Sign up for our mailing list to receive Underscore updates, offers, and opportunities to connect with other music aficionados.
Socials: Were @underscorefm on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Email: Thoughts, questions, suggestions? Were at info@underscore.fm
Thomas is @thomaskotcheff on Twitter and Instagram.
Chrysanthe is @chrysanthetan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. -
Composer/pianist Sarah Gibson shows us her bag of tricks, plays the melodica, and tells us why she composed a piano piece for just the left hand. Then, we discuss how different concert venues affect our concert-going experience.
Playlist
Here is a Spotify playlist to pair with Underscore episode #B2! Co-hosts Chrysanthe and Thomas collaborated with our guest Sarah Gibson to curate these tracks based on the conversations, recs, and vibes of this episode.
Guest
Composer/pianist Sarah Gibson shows us her bag of tricks, plays the melodica, and tells us why she composed a piano piece for just the left hand.
- Sure Baby, Manana by Sarah Gibson
- and it's spring when the world is puddle-wonderful; Concerto for Left-hand piano by Sarah Gibson
- Outsider by Sarah Gibson, performed by HOCKET ensemble
- Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major by Maurice Ravel (iTunes / Spotify)
- John Cage Prepared Piano app
Lightning Round Questions
- What genre is your music?
Modern collaborative classical - Performance ritual?
Listening to Yo-Yo Ma playing the Bach solo cello suites, drinking a Coke, and listening to playlist in the car. - A modern/technological tool that's extremely helpful to your practice?
iPad + bluetooth pedal; all Sarahs music is stored digitally, and there are no more awkward page turns! - What failure that turned out for the best?
Her phone alarm went off during a show. Luckily, it was in the exact right key and added a nice flavor to the piece. - Something besides music that youre obsessed with right now?
Her dog and cooking. (Not together.) - A piece of art that changed your life?
Ceiling of the Paris Opera House, painted by Marc Chagall
Counterpoint
How do different concert venues affect the concert-going experience?
Something Old
J Dilla's instrumental hip hop album Donuts (iTunes / Spotify / Music video), especially the song "Lightworks."
Something New
Los Angeles Philharmonic's newly-announced 2018-2019 concert season, which features 54 new music commissions, 22 women composers, and 27 composers of color. Article by Brian Lauritzen on the KUSC blog.
Something Borrowed
For All I Care album by The Bad Plus (iTunes / Spotify), especially the song "Semi-Simple Variations."
Something Blue
Blue Planet II (Original Television Soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer (iTunes / Spotify)
Credits
- Hosts: Thomas Kotcheff and Chrysanthe Tan
- Guest: Sarah Gibson
- Script: Chrysanthe Tan
- Recording engineer/editor: Mark Hatwan
- Produced by USC Radio Group
Connect
Facebook group: Join our Facebook group, Underscore Society, to nerd out on music, tell us your favorite songs, and debate our Counterpoints!
Email list: Sign up for our mailing list to receive Underscore updates, offers, and opportunities to connect with other music aficionados.
Socials: Were @underscorefm on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Email: Thoughts, questions, suggestions? Were at info@underscore.fm
Thomas is @thomaskotcheff on Twitter and Instagram.
Chrysanthe is @chrysanthetan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. -
Sean Hayward, a composer/guitarist with roots in extreme metal, illustrates the intersections between metal and classical music, shares his love for Javanese gamelan, and gives us his top metal recommendations for newbies. Then, we watch a viral music video and discuss whether expensive instruments truly sound better than cheap ones.
Playlist
Here is a Spotify playlist to pair with Underscore episode #1! Co-hosts Chrysanthe and Thomas collaborated with guest Sean Hayward to curated these tracks with love, based on the conversations, guest, recs, and vibes of this episode.
Guest
Sean Hayward, a composer / guitarist with roots in extreme metal, talks to us about why so many metal musicians are attracted to classical music, getting involved in Javanese gamelan, and more.
- Echoes of the Old World by William Kanengiser
- The Black Moon EP by Sean Hayward. (Bandcamp / Spotify)
- S&M Album by Metallica, live with San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. (iTunes / Spotify)
- Metal and metal-inspired artists to check out: Opeth, Emperor, Nick Vasallo, Ulrich Krieger
Lightning Round Questions
- What genre is your music?
Quasi-minimalist music for an Indonesian haunted house - Performance ritual?
Brushing his hair in the car before the show. - A modern/technological tool that's extremely helpful to your practice?
Amazon Echo. - A failure that turned out for the best?
When he broke a nail during a performance, which convinced him to start getting fake nails. - Something besides music that youre obsessed with right now?
Breakfast tacos. - A piece of art that changed your life?
The Jejune Institute. Theres a documentary about it called The Institute.
Counterpoint
In which Chrysanthe, Thomas, and Sean watch a viral video and debate whether the monetary value of an instrument really matters.
- Video: Can You Hear the Difference Between a $500 and a $160,000 Violin Bow?
- Stradivarius test article: Million-dollar Strads fall to modern violins in blind 'sound check'.
Something Old
Whale Music (Remixed) (iTunes / Spotify)
Something New
Disney Parks episode on Twenty Thousand Hertz podcast.
Something Borrowed
Clapping Music App (iOS), a fun, addictive game based on the Steve Reich clapping piece of the same name.
Something Blue
12 Bit Blues by Kid Koala.
Music featured in the episode
- Playground Day by Chrysanthe Tan (iTunes / Spotify)
- Ameles Potamos by Sean Hayward (Soundcloud)
- 2 Bit Blues by Kid Koala (iTunes / Spotify)
Connect
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