How I Make Music
252 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsDiscover new fiction podcasts in an immersive, sound-designed listening experience with their music composers. In this show, we challenge audio drama music makers to break apart a song, soundtrack or composition and get into why and how it was made. Immersive listening. Headphones recommended.
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Episodes
Three-Months Forevers from ‘The Orphans’ by James Barbarossa
August 05, 2020 08:00 - 13 minutes - 9.44 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Three-Months Forevers. It’s a slow and steady post-rock influenced piece which I wrote for the sci-fi audio drama The Orphans, which follows a group of survivors who crash land on an alien planet. The soundtrack aims to convey a yearning feel as the characters feel the loss of one of their own. This week we’ll look at some of the insights into why and how it was made. My name is James Barbarossa. I'm a composer from England, and this is H...
#067 Theme from 'Confessional' by David R. Simpson
July 29, 2020 10:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Confessional. It’s a menacing and grisly piece which I wrote for the historical audio drama Confessional, which tells the story of a 15th century French sadist called Gilles de Rais. The soundtrack aims to convey a dark and viscerally evil feel. This week we’ll look at some of the insights into why and how it was made. My name is David R Simpson. I'm a composer from Scotland, and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 02:37 Inspirati...
Theme from 'Confessional' by David R. Simpson
July 29, 2020 10:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Confessional. It’s a menacing and grisly piece which I wrote for the historical audio drama Confessional, which tells the story of a 15th century French sadist called Gilles de Rais. The soundtrack aims to convey a dark and viscerally evil feel. This week we’ll look at some of the insights into why and how it was made. My name is David R Simpson. I'm a composer from Scotland, and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 02:37 Inspirati...
#066 Anneliese from 'Palimpsest' by Ian Ridenhour
July 21, 2020 22:29 - 9 minutes - 6.39 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Anneliese. It’s an off kilter piece which I wrote as the character theme for the psychological fantasy/horror audio drama Palimpsest. The soundtrack conveys a quiet and contemplative feel. This week we’ll look at some of the insights into why and how it was made. My name is Ian Ridenhour. I'm a composer from Asheville, NC, and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:56 I was influenced by Gregorian chant music. Gregorian sheet musi...
Palimpsest - Ian Ridenhour - Anneliese
July 21, 2020 22:29 - 9 minutes - 6.39 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Anneliese. It’s an off kilter piece which I wrote as the character theme for the psychological fantasy/horror audio drama Palimpsest. The soundtrack conveys a quiet and contemplative feel. This week we’ll look at some of the insights into why and how it was made. My name is Ian Ridenhour. I'm a composer from Asheville, NC, and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:56 I was influenced by Gregorian chant music. Gregorian sheet musi...
#066 Anneliese from Palimpsest by Ian Ridenhour
July 21, 2020 22:29 - 9 minutes - 8.72 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Anneliese. It’s an off kilter piece which I wrote as the character theme for the psychological fantasy/horror audio drama Palimpsest. The soundtrack conveys a quiet and contemplative feel. This week we’ll look at some of the insights into why and how it was made. My name is Ian Ridenhour. I'm a composer from Asheville, NC, and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:56 I was influenced by Gregorian chant music. Gregorian sheet musi...
066 Palimpsest - Ian Ridenhour - Anneliese
July 21, 2020 22:29 - 9 minutes - 6.39 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Anneliese. It’s an off kilter piece which I wrote as the character theme for the psychological fantasy/horror audio drama Palimpsest. The soundtrack conveys a quiet and contemplative feel. This week we’ll look at some of the insights into why and how it was made. My name is Ian Ridenhour. I'm a composer from Asheville, NC, and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:56 I was influenced by Gregorian chant music. Gregorian sheet musi...
We Fix Space Junk - Hedley Knights - Theme from We Fix Space Junk
July 14, 2020 22:35 - 11 minutes - 7.74 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Theme from We Fix Space Junk. It’s a playful and futuristic piece. I wrote it as the opening tune for the comedy sci-fi audio drama We Fix Space Junk, a story about two female repairmen who travel space fixing things (and trying not to get killed in the process.) The soundtrack conveys fun, adventure and an overall positivity, and this week we’ll look at some of the insights into why and how it was made. My name is Hedley Knights. I'm a c...
065 We Fix Space Junk - Hedley Knights - Theme from We Fix Space Junk
July 14, 2020 22:35 - 11 minutes - 7.74 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Theme from We Fix Space Junk. It’s a playful and futuristic piece. I wrote it as the opening tune for the comedy sci-fi audio drama We Fix Space Junk, a story about two female repairmen who travel space fixing things (and trying not to get killed in the process.) The soundtrack conveys fun, adventure and an overall positivity, and this week we’ll look at some of the insights into why and how it was made. My name is Hedley Knights. I'm a c...
#065 We Fix Space Junk - Hedley Knights - Theme from
July 14, 2020 22:35 - 11 minutes - 7.74 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Theme from We Fix Space Junk. It’s a playful and futuristic piece. I wrote it as the opening tune for the comedy sci-fi audio drama We Fix Space Junk, a story about two female repairmen who travel space fixing things (and trying not to get killed in the process.) The soundtrack conveys fun, adventure and an overall positivity, and this week we’ll look at some of the insights into why and how it was made. My name is Hedley Knights. I'm a c...
#065 Theme from We Fix Space Junk by Hedley Knights
July 14, 2020 22:35 - 11 minutes - 11.1 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Theme from We Fix Space Junk. It’s a playful and futuristic piece. I wrote it as the opening tune for the comedy sci-fi audio drama We Fix Space Junk, a story about two female repairmen who travel space fixing things (and trying not to get killed in the process.) The soundtrack conveys fun, adventure and an overall positivity, and this week we’ll look at some of the insights into why and how it was made. My name is Hedley Knights. I'm a c...
#064 The Interrogation of Carol Shaw from 'The Darkroom' by Ryan McGowan
July 08, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 8.97 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called The Interrogation of Carol Shaw. It’s a dark and menacing horror-influenced soundtrack that I wrote for the psychological thriller audio drama The Darkroom Podcast, a weird fiction story about an amateur photographer and the mysterious photographs he discovers on old rolls of film. The soundtrack was conceived with a cobwebby basement in mind, and created live on a Korg MS20. My name is Ryan McGowan. I'm a composer from Steep Falls, Maine...
Darkroom - Ryan McGowan - The Interrogation of Carol Shaw
July 08, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 8.97 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called The Interrogation of Carol Shaw. It’s a dark and menacing horror-influenced soundtrack that I wrote for the psychological thriller audio drama The Darkroom Podcast, a weird fiction story about an amateur photographer and the mysterious photographs he discovers on old rolls of film. The soundtrack was conceived with a cobwebby basement in mind, and created live on a Korg MS20. My name is Ryan McGowan. I'm a composer from Steep Falls, Maine...
064 Darkroom - Ryan McGowan - The Interrogation of Carol Shaw
July 08, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 8.97 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called The Interrogation of Carol Shaw. It’s a dark and menacing horror-influenced soundtrack that I wrote for the psychological thriller audio drama The Darkroom Podcast, a weird fiction story about an amateur photographer and the mysterious photographs he discovers on old rolls of film. The soundtrack was conceived with a cobwebby basement in mind, and created live on a Korg MS20. My name is Ryan McGowan. I'm a composer from Steep Falls, Maine...
#064 The Interrogation of Carol Shaw by Ryan McGowan
July 08, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called The Interrogation of Carol Shaw. It’s a dark and menacing horror-influenced soundtrack that I wrote for the psychological thriller audio drama The Darkroom Podcast, a weird fiction story about an amateur photographer and the mysterious photographs he discovers on old rolls of film. The soundtrack was conceived with a cobwebby basement in mind, and created live on a Korg MS20. My name is Ryan McGowan. I'm a composer from Steep Falls, Maine...
#063 Halftone Comics by Erik Jourgensen
July 01, 2020 10:00 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Halftone Comics. It’s a light and cheerful comedy soundtrack that I wrote for the superhero audio drama Heroics, a story about a group of superheroes who decide to pivot and go evil. It contains a lot of live woodwind instrumentation and serves as a leitmotif for the story’s comic shop. My name is Erik Jourgensen. I'm a composer from Los Angeles, and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:13 Influences included Ennio Morricone’s s...
#063 Halftone Comics from Heroics by Erik Jourgensen
July 01, 2020 10:00 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Halftone Comics. It’s a light and cheerful comedy soundtrack that I wrote for the superhero audio drama Heroics, a story about a group of superheroes who decide to pivot and go evil. It contains a lot of live woodwind instrumentation and serves as a leitmotif for the story’s comic shop. My name is Erik Jourgensen. I'm a composer from Los Angeles, and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:13 Influences included Ennio Morricone’s s...
#063 Halftone Comics from 'Heroics' by Erik Jourgensen
July 01, 2020 10:00 - 14 minutes - 9.88 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Halftone Comics. It’s a light and cheerful comedy soundtrack that I wrote for the superhero audio drama Heroics, a story about a group of superheroes who decide to pivot and go evil. It contains a lot of live woodwind instrumentation and serves as a leitmotif for the story’s comic shop. My name is Erik Jourgensen. I'm a composer from Los Angeles, and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:13 Influences included Ennio Morricone’s s...
063 Heroics - Erik Jourgensen - Halftone Comics
July 01, 2020 10:00 - 14 minutes - 9.88 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Halftone Comics. It’s a light and cheerful comedy soundtrack that I wrote for the superhero audio drama Heroics, a story about a group of superheroes who decide to pivot and go evil. It contains a lot of live woodwind instrumentation and serves as a leitmotif for the story’s comic shop. My name is Erik Jourgensen. I'm a composer from Los Angeles, and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:13 Influences included Ennio Morricone’s s...
Heroics - Erik Jourgensen - Halftone Comics
July 01, 2020 10:00 - 14 minutes - 9.88 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Halftone Comics. It’s a light and cheerful comedy soundtrack that I wrote for the superhero audio drama Heroics, a story about a group of superheroes who decide to pivot and go evil. It contains a lot of live woodwind instrumentation and serves as a leitmotif for the story’s comic shop. My name is Erik Jourgensen. I'm a composer from Los Angeles, and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:13 Influences included Ennio Morricone’s s...
#062 The Culling - Randy Greer - Rupture
June 24, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Rupture. It’s a heavy and dissonant horror-inspired action soundtrack that I wrote for the choose-your-own-adventure audio drama The Culling, a story about a research intern who discovers some disturbing experiments happening at a remote space colony. My name is Randy Greer. I'm an audio drama writer and composer and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:12 I played in a metal band for years, and I’m pretty sure I lost some heari...
The Culling - Randy Greer - Rupture
June 24, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Rupture. It’s a heavy and dissonant horror-inspired action soundtrack that I wrote for the choose-your-own-adventure audio drama The Culling, a story about a research intern who discovers some disturbing experiments happening at a remote space colony. My name is Randy Greer. I'm an audio drama writer and composer and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:12 I played in a metal band for years, and I’m pretty sure I lost some heari...
#062 Rupture from The Culling by Randy Greer
June 24, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Rupture. It’s a heavy and dissonant horror-inspired action soundtrack that I wrote for the choose-your-own-adventure audio drama The Culling, a story about a research intern who discovers some disturbing experiments happening at a remote space colony. My name is Randy Greer. I'm an audio drama writer and composer and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:12 I played in a metal band for years, and I’m pretty sure I lost some heari...
#062 Rupture from 'The Culling' by Randy Greer
June 24, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Rupture. It’s a heavy and dissonant horror-inspired action soundtrack that I wrote for the choose-your-own-adventure audio drama The Culling, a story about a research intern who discovers some disturbing experiments happening at a remote space colony. My name is Randy Greer. I'm an audio drama writer and composer and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:12 I played in a metal band for years, and I’m pretty sure I lost some heari...
062 The Culling - Randy Greer - Rupture
June 24, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBThe piece of music featured in this episode is called Rupture. It’s a heavy and dissonant horror-inspired action soundtrack that I wrote for the choose-your-own-adventure audio drama The Culling, a story about a research intern who discovers some disturbing experiments happening at a remote space colony. My name is Randy Greer. I'm an audio drama writer and composer and this is How I Make Music. IN THIS EPISODE 01:12 I played in a metal band for years, and I’m pretty sure I lost some heari...
061 Observe and Report - Nate Fisher - Title Theme
June 17, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBThe two versions of Title Theme from Observe and Report covered in this episode are soundtracks for the sci-fi audio drama Observe and Report, a story about an alien that gets stranded on earth. My name is Nate Fisher. I'm a writer and composer from Washington. I wrote the two versions of this piece to express the loneliness of an earthbound alien. The first version is a gentler solo piano piece while the second incorporates big orchestral elements for a grand cinematic feel. Let’s break it ...
Observe and Report - Nate Fisher - Title Theme
June 17, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBThe two versions of Title Theme from Observe and Report covered in this episode are soundtracks for the sci-fi audio drama Observe and Report, a story about an alien that gets stranded on earth. My name is Nate Fisher. I'm a writer and composer from Washington. I wrote the two versions of this piece to express the loneliness of an earthbound alien. The first version is a gentler solo piano piece while the second incorporates big orchestral elements for a grand cinematic feel. Let’s break it ...
#061 Title Theme from 'Observe and Report' by Nate Fisher
June 17, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBThe two versions of Title Theme from Observe and Report covered in this episode are soundtracks for the sci-fi audio drama Observe and Report, a story about an alien that gets stranded on earth. My name is Nate Fisher. I'm a writer and composer from Washington. I wrote the two versions of this piece to express the loneliness of an earthbound alien. The first version is a gentler solo piano piece while the second incorporates big orchestral elements for a grand cinematic feel. Let’s break it ...
#061 Title Theme from Observe and Report by Nate Fisher
June 17, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBThe two versions of Title Theme from Observe and Report covered in this episode are soundtracks for the sci-fi audio drama Observe and Report, a story about an alien that gets stranded on earth. My name is Nate Fisher. I'm a writer and composer from Washington. I wrote the two versions of this piece to express the loneliness of an earthbound alien. The first version is a gentler solo piano piece while the second incorporates big orchestral elements for a grand cinematic feel. Let’s break it ...
#060 Back To The Berenian by Gabriel Alvarez
June 10, 2020 10:00 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBBack to the Berenian is an epic cinematic soundtrack for the sci-fi audio drama Starcalled. My name is Gabriel Alvarez. I'm an audio fiction creator and composer from Austin, Texas. I wrote this piece as accompaniment to a climactic escape scene in Starcalled. It plays during a sequence where two renegade characters, Osborn and Oddie, escape from a colonial space station. The piece serves as a transition to an action sequence involving ship-to -ship combat in an asteroid field. Back to the B...
Starcalled - Gabriel Alvarez - Back to the Berenian
June 10, 2020 10:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBAn immersive listening experience. Headphones recommended. Join audio drama creator and composer Gabriel Alvarez in a climactic rollercoaster soundtrack for an epic space action scene for fiction podcast Starcalled. Gabriel’s influences included 90s Australian TV series Farscape, Batman Returns and, of course, Star Wars. Let’s break it down! TRANSCRIPT ABOUT & INFLUENCES Early influences for Back to the Berenian included Danny Elfman’s score for Batman Returns, Australian TV series Farsca...
060 Starcalled - Gabriel Alvarez - Back to the Berenian
June 10, 2020 10:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBAn immersive listening experience. Headphones recommended. Join audio drama creator and composer Gabriel Alvarez in a climactic rollercoaster soundtrack for an epic space action scene for fiction podcast Starcalled. Gabriel’s influences included 90s Australian TV series Farscape, Batman Returns and, of course, Star Wars. Let’s break it down! TRANSCRIPT ABOUT & INFLUENCES Early influences for Back to the Berenian included Danny Elfman’s score for Batman Returns, Australian TV series Farsca...
#060 Back To The Berenian from 'Starcalled' by Gabriel Alvarez
June 10, 2020 10:00 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBBack to the Berenian is an epic cinematic soundtrack for the sci-fi audio drama Starcalled. My name is Gabriel Alvarez. I'm an audio fiction creator and composer from Austin, Texas. I wrote this piece as accompaniment to a climactic escape scene in Starcalled. It plays during a sequence where two renegade characters, Osborn and Oddie, escape from a colonial space station. The piece serves as a transition to an action sequence involving ship-to -ship combat in an asteroid field. Back to the B...
The Tower - David Devereux - The Fog Clears (Interlude)
June 03, 2020 10:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBAn immersive listening experience. Headphones recommended. Join Tin Can Audio's Scottish creator and composer David Devereux in a gentle ascent into the clouds of audio drama. For fiction podcast 'The Tower', their influences ranged from a family love of the Wurlitzer organ to games like Hyper Light Drifter. This piece 'The Fog Clears' was written as an interlude which bridges the story of Kiri, a young girl who climbs an infinite tower to escape the drudgery of her life down below. The Fog...
059 - The Tower - David Devereux - The Fog Clears (Interlude)
June 03, 2020 10:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBAn immersive listening experience. Headphones recommended. Join Tin Can Audio's Scottish creator and composer David Devereux in a gentle ascent into the clouds of audio drama. For fiction podcast 'The Tower', their influences ranged from a family love of the Wurlitzer organ to games like Hyper Light Drifter. This piece 'The Fog Clears' was written as an interlude which bridges the story of Kiri, a young girl who climbs an infinite tower to escape the drudgery of her life down below. The Fog...
#059 The Fog Clears from 'The Tower' by David Devereux
June 03, 2020 10:00 - 15 minutes - 15.1 MBThe Fog Clears is an instrumental interlude that happens in the middle of an experimental audio fiction concept album The Tower. My name is David Devereux. I'm a audio fiction creator and composer from Scotland. I wrote this piece as an interlude which bridges the story of Kiri, a young girl who climbs an infinite tower to escape the drudgery of her life down below. The Fog Clears is a gentle and expansive soundtrack which musically describes the moment Kiri achieves clarity, peace and the s...
#059 The Fog Clears by David Devereux
June 03, 2020 10:00 - 15 minutes - 15.1 MBThe Fog Clears is an instrumental interlude that happens in the middle of an experimental audio fiction concept album The Tower. My name is David Devereux. I'm a audio fiction creator and composer from Scotland. I wrote this piece as an interlude which bridges the story of Kiri, a young girl who climbs an infinite tower to escape the drudgery of her life down below. The Fog Clears is a gentle and expansive soundtrack which musically describes the moment Kiri achieves clarity, peace and the s...
#058 Kitchen Mischief by John Bartmann
May 27, 2020 09:29 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBThe piece of music in this week's episode is called Kitchen Mischief. It’s a funny, suspenseful and quirky children’s comedy soundtrack which is suitable for depictions of naughty, adventurous fun and even low-level danger. It uses a combination of pizzicato string plucks, organ, bass clarinet, English horn and percussion to convey a sense of mischief, fun and childishness. IN THIS EPISODE For this piece, I had a strong image of children trying to steal some cookies. 01:36 Two sounds are...
#057 Afro-Sax Freakout by John Bartmann
May 20, 2020 10:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBThe piece of music in this week's episode is called Afro-Sax Freakout. It’s an upbeat, exciting Afrobeat track which is suitable for depictions of action, exotic locations and energetic activity. It uses a combination of tenor saxophone, overdriven keyboards, funk-influenced electric guitar and high-energy drumming in the style of Tony Allen to convey a sense of freedom and excitement. Let’s break it down! IN THIS EPISODE How is this Afrobeat? 01:19 Instrument: Drum rhythm The drum kit a...
#056 Spirit Of Java by John Bartmann
May 13, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MBThe piece of music in this week's episode is called Spirit Of Java. It’s a slow and grooving psybient piece which is suitable for depictions of psychedelia and Burning Man scenarios. It uses a combination of flute sounds, a trap-influenced electronic beat and epic percussion instruments to convey a sense of both spectacle and spiritualism. Let’s break it down and explore the sound of jungle hedonism. IN THIS EPISODE I wrote Spirit Of Java as a way of channeling a few seemingly separate inf...
#055 Autumn Wind by John Bartmann
May 06, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBThe piece of music in this week's episode is called Autumn Wind. It’s a piano-centered orchestral piece which might be used in period drama stories set in the late 1800s and historical biopics like The Current War. It uses classical instruments (and omits modern sounding ones) to capture that sense of history. Let’s explore a few questions the composition of this style of music. IN THIS EPISODE I wrote this week’s selected composition, Autumn Wind with two objectives: to keep a sense of f...
#054 Poetic Love Letter by John Bartmann
April 29, 2020 10:00 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MBThe piece of music in this week's episode is called Poetic Love Letter. It’s a cinematic orchestral piece which might be used in British period drama shows like The Crown or Downton Abbey. It uses classical instruments (and omits modern sounding ones) to capture that sense of history. Let’s break it down! IN THIS EPISODE Why does it sound like the past? 02:59 Instrumentation is key to achieving a period drama TV sound, or any sound rooted in a chosen imaginary world. But unlike fantasy an...
#054 Poetic Love Letter
April 29, 2020 10:00 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MBThe piece of music in this week's episode is called Poetic Love Letter. It’s a cinematic orchestral piece which might be used in British period drama shows like The Crown or Downton Abbey. It uses classical instruments (and omits modern sounding ones) to capture that sense of history. Let’s break it down! IN THIS EPISODE Why does it sound like the past? 02:59 Instrumentation is key to achieving a period drama TV sound, or any sound rooted in a chosen imaginary world. But unlike fantasy an...
#053 Zimbabwe Grooving by John Bartmann
April 22, 2020 10:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBThe piece of music in this week's episode is called Zimbabwe Grooving. It’s a smooth lofi deep house track. It uses an mbira to sound a bit African and a software instrument called Flesh to sound contemporary. Let’s break it down! IN THIS EPISODE 05:20 I have an mbira which I like to combine with house grooves and more contemporary sounds. At the time of writing this, I was inspired by little-known artists like Penya from On The Corner Records. 06:17 The jazz guitar hook in this track is...
#053 Zimbabwe Grooving
April 22, 2020 10:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBThe piece of music in this week's episode is called Zimbabwe Grooving. It’s a smooth lofi deep house track. It uses an mbira to sound a bit African and a software instrument called Flesh to sound contemporary. Let’s break it down! IN THIS EPISODE 05:20 I have an mbira which I like to combine with house grooves and more contemporary sounds. At the time of writing this, I was inspired by little-known artists like Penya from On The Corner Records. 06:17 The jazz guitar hook in this track is...
#052 African Secret by John Bartmann
April 15, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBThe piece of music in this week's episode is called African Secret. It’s a cinematic soundtrack meant to depict suspense and tension without sounding too dark and dangerous. It uses a bright Lydian mode melody to retain a sense of adventure and mystery, and a few of the instruments are African in origin. Let’s break it down! IN THIS EPISODE 01:52 What’s it influenced by? This piece was primarily influenced by the soundtrack to the Netflix TV show Ozark. The original score by Danny Bensi an...
#052 African Secret
April 15, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBThe piece of music in this week's episode is called African Secret. It’s a cinematic soundtrack meant to depict suspense and tension without sounding too dark and dangerous. It uses a bright Lydian mode melody to retain a sense of adventure and mystery, and a few of the instruments are African in origin. Let’s break it down! IN THIS EPISODE 01:52 What’s it influenced by? This piece was primarily influenced by the soundtrack to the Netflix TV show Ozark. The original score by Danny Bensi an...
#051 Grand Theft Auto by John Bartmann
April 08, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBThe soundtrack in this week's episode is called Grand Theft Auto. It’s a wonky 90s hip hop piece inspired by the West Coast hip hop sound of artists like Tupac, Dr Dre and NWA. It’s a downtempo and noticeably dated track meant to summon the spirit of games like Grand Theft Auto. It’s best suited to depictions of gangsterism and general badness. Let’s break it down! IN THIS EPISODE 02:00 The beat is not exactly in time. This style of hip hop often involves finger-drumming without the optio...
#051 Grand Theft Auto
April 08, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBThe soundtrack in this week's episode is called Grand Theft Auto. It’s a wonky 90s hip hop piece inspired by the West Coast hip hop sound of artists like Tupac, Dr Dre and NWA. It’s a downtempo and noticeably dated track meant to summon the spirit of games like Grand Theft Auto. It’s best suited to depictions of gangsterism and general badness. Let’s break it down! IN THIS EPISODE 02:00 The beat is not exactly in time. This style of hip hop often involves finger-drumming without the optio...
#050 Theta Waves by John Bartmann
April 01, 2020 10:00 - 17 minutes - 16 MBThe soundtrack in this week's episode is called Theta Waves. It’s a dark but energetic and glitchy electronic music track with an unusual arrangement and a pretty far out palette of sounds. I was inspired to write electronic music that didn’t sound boring and typical, ideally something that wasn’t easy to classify generically. The track is best suited to the cyberpunk genre. Let’s break it down! IN THIS EPISODE 01:47 What does it sound like if a computer takes a solo? If it tries to impro...