Underscore

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 children’s 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 Gwendolyn’s 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 who’ve made our ears dance and brains light up episode after episode. If you’ve 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 Else’s 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)

Lightning Round:

• What genre is your music? Folklore
• Performance ritual? Warm up my voice and play her songs without singing them.
• A modern/technological tool that’s 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 you’re 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

Find Gwendolyn Sanford online: Personal website / Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang   Something Old: “Piano Concerto No. 5 - Emperor” by Ludwig van Beethoven ( iTunes / Spotify ) Something New: “Birdsong” by Regina Spektor ( iTunes / Spotify ) Something Borrowed: “my lips from speaking: III.” by Julia Wolfe, performed by Lisa Moore ( iTunes / Spotify ) Something Blue: “The Blue Studio” piano trio by Stephen Hartke (Live performance on

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, we’d 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, Dorian’s "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 Dorian’s 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)
  • Live performance video
• "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)

Lightning Round:

• What genre is your music? Cookies
• Performance ritual?  Cookies
• A modern/technological tool that’s extremely helpful to your practice? Toilet
• A failure that turned out for the best? I have yet to find it.
• Something besides music that you’re 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
• Dorian’s 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? We’re at [email protected]

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: @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 [email protected]

Description: Reena Esmail knows she doesn’t look like a stereotypical composer, but that doesn’t 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)

Additional Links:

• Hindustani Music: Cultural Collisions (and Washing Machines) - Reena’s blog on NewMusicBox about the washing machine

Lightning Round:

• 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 that’s 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 you’re 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? We’re at [email protected]

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:

Website / Twitter / Bandcamp

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 [email protected]

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
• "It’s 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 that’s 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 you’re 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:

Website / Twitter / Bandcamp

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? We’re at [email protected]

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 Man’s, Man’s, Man’s 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 that’s 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 you’re 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? We’re at [email protected]