059 - Stephen James Taylor

Now and Xen

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:

https://www.stephenjamestaylor.com/sjt/home_page.html

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0853200/

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/stephen-james-taylor/6860557

https://www.youtube.com/user/SurfingTheSonicSky

https://vimeo.com/sonicsky

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Transcription of “Quantum 7” coming soon!