Join us for the third Composer Quest Quest! Write a classical aria for the Twin Cities Opera on Tap group to perform.
Quest 3: Arias on Tap
Tag: Podcast
Highlights from the First Composer Quest Concert
We recently had our first ever Composer Quest concert at Yoga Sol. The Twin Cities Trio performed some awesome listener-submitted arrangements of pop tunes and film/video game scores for bassoon, clarinet, and oboe. We also got to hear the indie pop duo Matt & Donna Schubbe, indie rocker Peter Frey of Kazyak, and indie folker Paul Spring. Here's a special Composer Quest podcast episode with highlights from the concert.
Season One Finale: Dmitri Tymoczko on Music Composition
Composer and Princeton professor Dmitri Tymoczko shares some excellent composing advice in this season finale episode of Composer Quest. Dmitri says that working on music theory as a composer is like lifting weights as a football player - it helps improve your intuitive composing. We also ponder the morality of exposing babies to only atonal music for experimental reasons.
Quest #2: Conversation
Your composing quest, should you choose to accept it: co-write and co-record an original piece of music with a random Composer Quest listener, based on the theme "Conversation." Your finished track will be part of the first ever Composer Quest album, a free-to-download online release. The Boffo Yux Dudes, a music comedy duo who work together exclusively over the internet, share some collaboration advice in this special Quest #2 announcement episode.
Torley on Creativity, Asperger’s, and Music Production
A truly unique figure in the electronic music world, Torley describes himself as a "time-traveling, universe-crossing, autistic, cyberpunk monk." I was drawn in by the (over 800!) videos on Torley's YouTube page, many of which are thoughtful talks by Torley on music composition, creativity, and his life experiences. In Composer Quest episode 38, Torley talks with me about Asperger's syndrome, his job in the online world Second Life, and of course, his advice on making otherworldly sounds.
North Korean Cannibal Songwriting with Joe Graves
My cousin Joe Graves' songwriting skills somehow flew under the radar in my family, until he finally performed some of his songs this past Christmas. In Composer Quest Episode 36, Joe plays and talks about the music he wrote for his band Goodnight Gorillas. He was inspired to make dark music by his older brothers Matt and Nate (Ep. 4), but he's been developing his own singing and songwriting style. Joe shares some of his lyrical inspiration, including a story about a famine in North Korea that forced some people to dig up dead bodies for food.
Physical Songwriting with Jenny Katz
For wordsmith Jenny Katz, writing lyrics feels like rolling marbles around in her chest. I can't say I've ever had such a physical reaction to words, so it was fascinating talking with Jenny in Composer Quest Ep. 34 about how she approaches songwriting. For her, even the meaning of a song is subservient to the sound of words that feel physically right to her. Jenny also shares stories behind her new Kickstarter-funded album Galaxies.
Reddit Sensation Cameron Scott Boster on Folk Songwriting
Folk singer/songwriter Cameron Scott Boster posted his 24-song album on Reddit a few weeks ago and got a huge response from listeners. In Composer Quest episode 33, Cameron shares some of the stories behind his songs, and cracks me up in the process. He's heading off to law school in Virginia, so music is going to have to be a side project for him. After hearing his incredible live performances, I think you'll probably be with me in wishing that he continues on his songwriting path.
Composer Quest Concert Feat. Paul Spring, Kazyak, Twin Cities Trio, Matt & Donna
I'm pleased to announce the first ever Composer Quest concert! Join us for a fun night of music and hanging out with the podcast guests.
Robot Drummers and Patrick Flanagan of Jazari
Cyborg percussion ensemble Jazari was created by "token human" Patrick Flanagan. He made a kind of robot drum circle that beats on acoustic bongos, cowbells, a djembe, and more. In episode 32 of Composer Quest, Patrick talks with me about his robot band, his day job creating musical iPhone apps, and his reasons for leaving the academic composing world to create dance music.