Is This Music?!?!

Recorded live 5/27/22 at Studio Z in Saint Paul! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/is-this-music/message

This episode features Ryann Daisy Swimmer, and oooooo buddy was it a fun one. This conversation is pure musical journey from high school punk bands, to delay loop art song, to Sufjan Stevens. What rabbit holes do we travel down along the way? As always, listen to find out. But, I can say that Daisy is such a warm person to talk to, and can make tenuous connections with the best of them (me). Get your ears weird everyone! Send me some feedback or connect at [email protected] Subscribe!  Check out Daisy's stuff here: https://www.ryanndaisyswimmer.com/ And here: https://ryanndaisyswimmer.bandcamp.com/music Intro: Dysphoria by Ryann Daisy Swimmer: https://open.spotify.com/track/6iWjqDE2ROwCircvyMZxpp?si=6b46b818c8e84f80 Tronics by Ryann Daisy Swimmer: https://open.spotify.com/track/4jGCf4HCqupmlviMq7zCna?si=842e1e031b1e47be Bliss by Ryann Daisy Swimmer: https://open.spotify.com/track/1cAlarqs9G7wxNO6PJktAQ?si=054eba8e035143d1 Prelude to the Holy Presence of Joan d'Arc by Julius Eastman https://open.spotify.com/track/08KFyVApzpJNqGi3TrjI6M?si=8bf64440e4124ebc Diluted Dreams by Claire Roussay on A Softer Focus https://open.spotify.com/track/5ZbP43SVnbXcqBYKR5DOPn?si=957b0617f5ea4c0a BUTCHER OF THE WORLD by Lingua Ignota on CALIGULA https://open.spotify.com/track/69xWltyIPMEXVzz3CcOKjq?si=7e8e0dd2f6834b6a Outro: Evensong by Robert Fripp and Brian Eno on Evening Star https://open.spotify.com/track/3LG2OxAR616MOrTH8EQg9i?si=79e34ade38f94d83 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/is-this-music/message

My guest on this episode is composer and bassist, Emily Koh. How does one get seen? A pink resume can help. Cheery color schemes and refreshing marketing help, too. But what really lands is Emily's music- a complex thread of sound that can be as broody as the next complex contemporary, yet somehow always nudges upward as if to say "look, I did that".  Well, Emily, we see what you did there. Come enjoy a conversation that centers on expectations, approval, and creating with your own palate.  Questions? Feedback? Interview suggestions? Wanna be on the show? Email me at: [email protected] Links: www.emilykoh.net https://soundcloud.com/emykoh Timestamps: Intro: esphyr (2017) for violin, piano and percussion by Emily Koh 27’46”: The Flowing Water From High Mountain by Shanghai Chinese Traditional Orchestra on Hanshan Temple 34’14”: resonate/勤 (2017) for Chinese chamber ensemble by Emily Koh 41’19”: Hammer to Fall by Queen on The Works 54’38”: Savage by aespa on Savage EP Outro: Beseeching by Texu Kim on Primavera II: The Rabbits --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/is-this-music/message

Producer/Host/Editor Note: I had a typo in my notes, and pulled a Ron Burgendy in the intro. The piece featured in the intro is Marble, Glass, and VAPOR, not Paper. What a silly goose I am. Also, kudos, Schuyler, Marble, Glass, and Vapor is a much better song name. On this season-opening episode, I chat with Schuyler Tsuda, a sound artist, noisemaker, composer, improviser, and synth-pop concocter. We talk about styles of music that I haven’t been able to wrap my head around (don’t worry, I’m getting there). We talk about getting your hands actually on instruments and taking away the guesswork. We talk a lot about harsh noise walls and what the hell is going on there. But, ultimately, we just vibed on being good ol’ kindred spirit metalheads. I think that’s gonna come up a bunch this season. If this doesn’t get your ears weird, well, then I want to know what you’re listening to. As always, timestamps of episode music are below, as well as links to my guest, and a Spotify playlist! Schuyler Tsuda Website: http://schuylertsuda.com/ Bandcamp: https://schuylertsuda.bandcamp.com/ Shield Your Eyes Bandcamp: https://shieldyoureyes.bandcamp.com/ Episode Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6T6PFVVmD6h4RuhLb6WMqv?si=a956408bb0874eea Intro: Marble, Glass, and Vaper (2009, 2017) by Schuyler Tsuda; Jeffery Kyle Hutchins, Saxophone 19’11”: In pulverem: tines/table/electronics, xOxbOx/drum machine/pedals from Three Masses, Volume 3 by Shield Your Eyes 21’07”: Part VI from Spectrum Ripper by Masona 22’06”: S.C.A.N. from Magnetostriction by Aube 26’26”: Improvisation by Shield Your Eyes 30’50”: Snakes for the Divine from Snakes for the Divine by High on Fire 32’14”: Concubine from Jane Doe by Converge 37’01”: Pierres Sacrées from Pierres Sacrées/Hazard and Tectonics EP by Iancu Dumitrescu 41’44”: Kado: The Way of Flowers by Schuyler Tsuda; Joey Crane, Cello 49’58”: Lithium from Nevermind by Nirvana 54’25”: Come Live With Me from Dillon: Chamber Music by James Dillon 55’30”: Trilogy Suite Op: 5 from Trilogy by Yngwie Malmsteen 58’15”: …Grey from Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise by Emperor 59’08”: Concerto for Piano, Trumpet, and String Orchestra No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 35: IV. Allegro con brio by Dmitri Shostakovich; Martha Argerich, Piano 59’30”: Apocalypse from The Fourth Dimension/Maximum Abduction by Hypocrisy 1’01’15”: One Wish from Decade Counter by Schuyler Tsuda 1’02’10”: Sulk from TRST by TR/ST 1’02’45”: Morphine from Yr Body Is Nothing by Boy Harsher Outro: Real Life from Decade Counter by Schuyler Tsuda --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/is-this-music/message

My guest this episode is Jeffery Kyle Hutchins, a saxophonist, creator, improviser, mover, shaker, dream breaker, and wish maker. Kyle is, thankfully, responsible for some of the weirdest things I've seen live. He's really one of the first people I saw perform experimental music, now that I think of it. There's a cool music trajectory here, so don't miss it! We talk experiments, the need for over-emoting, what to do when no one wants to jam, with some pretty cool and funny anecdotes to boot. Fun fact: since exploring some of the music we talked about during our chat, Spotify has been suggesting "Afrofuturism through a jazz lens" as a genre that I'm into. And guess what? I'm into it. Music timestamps: Intro: “I” and “III” by Binary Canary on iterative systems 23’43”: “Fm” by The Slits on Cut 24’56”: “Uncontrollable Urge” by DEVO on Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! 32’50”: “Sound Fishes” by Pauline Oliveros on If Tigers Were Clouds 40’43”: “Prickly Pear” by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones on Rocket Science 40’43”: “Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115: III. Andantino - Presto non assai, ma con sentimento” by Johannes Brahms 40’43”: “13 Monsters” by Lightning Bolt on Ride the Skies 40’43”: “Something That Produces Results” by The Early November on The Room's Too Cold 41’02”: “We Owe This to Ourselves” by Anberlin on Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place 44’30”: “Sunday Morning” by No Doubt on Tragic Kingdom 46’06”: “Sweetness” by Jimmy Eat World on Bleed American 48’15”: “Bodysnatchers” by Radiohead on In Rainbows 49’21”: “What It Is To Burn” by Finch on What It Is To Burn 54’10”: “Delta City Blues” by Michael Brecker on Two Blocks from the Edge 55’41”: “Chronology” by Ornette Coleman on The Shape of Jazz to Come 56’38”: “Jupiter” by John Coltrane on Interstellar Space Outro: “Ptah, the El Daoud” by Alice Coltrane on Ptah, the El Daoud --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/is-this-music/message

This episode I talk with Minneapolis-based rapper, composer, producer, director, and plenty other "-er" words, Joe Horton. We cover how music addresses the culture around it, the appropriate time and place for philosophy, the importance of fitting Wu-Tang into your definition of experimental, psychedelics, and just about a dozen other things. I'm still sifting through all the thoughts that Joe put in my head, but I can say that the playlist is one of my favorite so far. So, dive in and get your ears weird. Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0U6lNiN2v3YO4CmGwDpqXM?si=1efda6289b574c93 Music Timestamps: Intro: Apogee (feat. Aby Wolf) by No Birds Sing on Definition Sickness 26'43": Symphony No.6 In D, Op.104: Allegretto Moderato by Jean Sibelius on Symphonies Nos.6 And 7/'The Tempest' Suite No.2  34'35": Cool Down Your Temper by U Roy on U-Roy Meets King Tubbys 38'14": January On Lake Street by Atmosphere on Southsiders 40'08": Mushroom by CAN on Tago Mago 51'06": Sarabande (Version for Piano Solo) by La Monte Young on Panorama of American Piano Music 56'54": Drei Phantasien Nach Friedrich Hölderlin: II. Wenn Aus Der Ferne by Gregory Ligeti on Ligeti: Lux Aeterna 57'59": Smoke in the Temple by Kill the Vultures on Carnelian 1'00'45": Trapped by 2Pac on 2Pacalypse Now 1'01'49": Protect Ya Neck by Wu-Tang Clan on Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) 1'09'31": Freakin Out by Death on ...For the Whole World to See 1'10'56": Trans-Europe Express by Kraftwerk on Trans-Europe Express Outro:  Toilet Tisha by Outkast on Stankonia --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/is-this-music/message

My guest this episode is Lizz Windnagel: director, musician, cat person. When we went to school together, I thought they were 2 kool 4 skool. Now that we've had some years between talking, they've only gotten 4 kooler. If there was some magical nerd school without jocks, I would be in the corner, wondering how to get to their table. In other words, I'm starstruck and it shows. Luckily, they are a kind, generous, and thoughtful person and theater-maker. Hunker down for a chat that goes from self-interrogation to cats, from Weezer to Kagel, and all the glorious glue in between.  Check out 113 Collective: www.113collective.com Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5jkyzURHJdzeJmdU0CXVdJ?si=-Qc5K9_vSS6tQ0LaE2j1jg&dl_branch=1  Music Timestamps:  Intro: Strand (Gathering) by Meredith Monk on Songs Of Ascension  32'34": Miseréris ómnium, Dómine by Massimo Palombella (Sistine Chapel Choir) on O Crux Benedicta. Lent and Holy Week at the Sistine Chapel  34'41":  Leaf House by Animal Collective on Sung Tongs  37'28": Spirit in the Dark by Aretha Franklin on Spirit in the Dark  39'50": Piss Factory by Patti Smith on Hey Joe / Piss Factory - Single  41'57": Sunlight by Tune-Yards on BiRd-BrAiNs  42'30":  Sad by Micachu & The Shapes on Good Sad Happy Bad  43'36": Main Attraction by Junglepussy on Jp4  44'54": Uja by Tanya Tagaq on Animism  46'06": Like Someone In Love by Björk on Debut 1'03'08": Grosse Fuge in B-Flat Major, Op. 133 by Ludwig van Beethoven (Emmerson String Quartet) on Beethoven: The Late String Quartets  Outro: Say It Ain't So by Weezer on Weezer --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/is-this-music/message

This episode I talk to Nina Dante, A force of nature, and member of Fonema Consort. We talk about storytelling, shedding that which does not fit your voice, amateurisms, and why remembering your tuning fork is more important than remembering your wallet. Where do such intense sounds come from? What about the zen? Listen along and find out. Nina and I recently recorded our interpretation of Bethany Younge's Her Dissapearance, which will premiere as part of 113's Twin Cities New Music Festival on July 8th. The festival runs July 8-10, and tickets can be found at www.113collective.com.  Episode Spotify Playlist:  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3nMnaPiNyXHUugoB48PReK?si=prT4YF3ZQQGhvRhC3B2Myw&dl_branch=1  Timestamps of songs used in the episode: Intro: Now You Are a Wave by Nina Dante (in honor of the Salmon River) 4'42": Consolation II by Helmut Lachenmann on Helmut Lachenmann: Mouvement, …Zwei Gefühle and Consolations I & II 11'52": No Mercedes by Johnny Pacheco and Celia Cruz on Celia and Johnny 13'04": Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out by Bruce Springsteen on Born to Run 20'09": Tomorrow Never Knows by The Beatles on Revolver 31'38": Cantata, BWV 115 "Mache Dich, Mein Geist, Bereit": Aria "Bete, Bete Aber Auch Dabei" by Johan Sebastian Bach on Bach: Arias for Soprano and Violin (Kathleen Battle, Soprano; Itzhak Perlman, Violin) 32'47": Nena Se Me Fue by Luis Vargas on Loco de Amor 34'13": Coyote by Joni Mitchell on Hejira 41'43": Solo es real la niebla by Pablo Santiago Chin on Pasos en otra calle 55'15": Cassandra Fragments by Stratis Minakakis performed by the Dante+Chin Duo 1'03'31": Her Disappearance by Bethany Younge performed by Nina Dante and Justin Anthony Spenner 1'04'55": 8 ejercicios para oír lo inaudible / 8 exercises to hear the inaudible by Mesias Maiguashca performed by Fonema Consort Outro: Boschiana by Pablo Santiago Chin on Pasos en otra calle --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/is-this-music/message

The guest this week is Adam Zahller, a staple of the Twin Cities' new music scene. Improv and structure lines blur together, and so does our conversation. Influence, discipline, the days of Napster, and quality time in Lincoln, NE. What makes the tinkerer tick? Well, Bad Brains will do the trick, but so does Bach somehow.  NEW FEATURE: Click the Spotify Playlist link to take a deeper dive into the music covered in this episode, curated by your host, Justin Anthony Spenner.  Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4nYntsQmvuw3Ee86oFU4Jr?si=1BI0UBLJQtab3SthF6F1AQ Music Time Stamps: 0'00" and 2'20": "Difficult Ferns" by Adam Zahller, from Resistance/Resonance by Duo Gelland 6'30": "T.V. Eye" by The Stooges, on Fun House 8'12": "Structure" by Glenn Branca on The Ascension 16'15": "She's Calling You (Live)" by Bad Brains on Bad Brains Live 19'16": "Ghosts of Thelema" by John Zorn on Moonchild 22'52": "Prelude & Fugue No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 847: Fugue" by Johann Sebastian Bach on Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Books I & II, BWV 846-893 (Glenn Gould, Pianist) 27'04": "Roaratorio: An Irish Circus on Finnegan's Wake, Pt. 4" by John Cage on Cage: Roaratorio 37'11": "Rillwand" by Adam Zahller (Recorded Live) 45'26": "I, purples, spat blood, laugh of beautiful lips" by Aaron Cassidy on Cassidy: The Crutch of Memory 53'58": "Fog Tropes" by Ingram Marshall on Fog Tropes/ Gradual Requiem/ Gambuh I 55'58": "60'-15' from Mantra" by Karlheinz Stockhausen on Stockhausen: Mantra 59'06": "Five Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 10: I. Sehr ruhig und zart" by Anton Webern on Webern: Complete Works, Op. 1 - Op. 31 (Pierre Boulez & London Symphony Orchestra) End: Piss Lasso by Adam Zahller --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/is-this-music/message

On this most introductory of introductory episodes, I chat with Joey Crane and Tiffany M. Skidmore, the powers-that-be behind 113 Composers Collective. We chat about their background, how they got into the sounds they create, the openness of how young people learn, how wild it is to experience something new, and some meta-level Scottish impressions. Music excerpts and their timestamps are listed below, find them all on your favorite streaming service! 0'00": Gorilla by Joey Crane 5'05": Miniatures: No. 2 from The Golden Ass by Tiffany M. Skidmore 16'37": Act 3, Scene 3 from Philomela by James Dillon 31'55": I. Lento from String Quartet No. 1, Sz. 40 by Béla Bartók 36'35": Pleiades: III, Melanges by Iannis Xenakis 55'12": Pt 1: Departure from Black Angels by George Crumb --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/is-this-music/message