Star Wars Music Minute
Celebrating the music and sound of Star Wars 5 cinematic minutes at a time!
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Episodes
Friday May 12, 2023
Friday May 12, 2023
Mastering engineer and film music restoration expert Chris Malone joins Xanthe for the season finale to talk about all things Empire Strikes Back soundtrack. We cover a ton of ground, from analog recording technology and methodology to the unique issues affecting The Empire Strikes Back releases. This episode contains many visuals, including spectogram displays that allow us to see tangible differences between various mixes.
This episode is also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DVwqsZ9Wv60
Timestamps:
0:00 - Hello there!
5:08 - Do you have one of these Empire Strikes Back soundtrack albums?
12:25 - Film music is recorded to part of the film. There wasn't always an expectation to produce a separate soundtrack album.
18:04 - When, where, and how the Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back scores were recorded. Terminology: 35mm magnetic film, magnetic tape, sprockets, tape machine, magnetic oxide particles, 50Hz tone, reproducer.
24:09 - Using magnetic film for synchronization. Limitations of the tape technology.
33:51 - John Williams editing together multiple takes with Ken Wannberg.
46:05 - What is a 24-track tape? Why does the width of tape matter?
49:58 - What is a live mix, and why is it an important reference for the ESB soundtrack albums?
1:02:53 - Listening to minutes 126-128 (end of the End Title music) while looking at the spectral frequency display.
1:10:27 - Diagonal splices.
1:23:07 - Different version of the Imperial March in the End Credits.
1:37:39 - Differences between the original ESB soundtrack and the Special Edition release.
1:57:37 - Comparison example: "Hyperspace" track on the 4CD and Special Edition releases. Listening for the violin presence and spatial movement of the horns and trombones.
2:09:17 - More spectogram comparisons: "City in the Clouds" and last note of the "Main Title."
2:21:21 - Applying the Hippocratic Oath to score restoration.
2:30:00 - If something was recorded in mono, should it stay mono?
2:40:31 - When it comes to restoring a film score, which sorts of recording artifacts is the engineer trying to correct?
2:42:21 - Example of "wow."
2:48:02 - Flutter.
2:53:13 - Why Chris champions the CD as an audio format.
3:01:21 - What type of gear does Chris use when listening to/analyzing music? (Question from Alex Cunningham)
3:12:06 - Was the ARP 2600 synthesizer overdubbed or recorded with the orchestra for the Empire Strikes Back soundtrack? (Question from Ender Smith)
3:13:58 - What has the transition to digital production done for Star Wars? (Question from Fr. David Mowry)
3:18:14 - Differences between the original 1954 20th Century Fox Fanfare and the one John Williams re-recorded for ESB.
3:20:28 - Eric Tomlinson's technique for recording punchy-sounding brass.
3:25:02 - The original trilogy scores (especially The Empire Strikes Back) could sound 1000x better than they sound on any of the current releases. What might prevent it from happening?
3:28:49 - The 2018 Disney releases of the Original Trilogy (the albums that are on Spotify).
3:39:03 - SWMM Questionnaire
Things to Check Out:
Cinematic Sound Radio's 2-part interview with Chris Malone: http://www.cinematicsound.net/interview-with-chris-malone/
The Goldsmith Odyssey's interview with Chris Malone: https://goldsmithodyssey.buzzsprout.com/159614/4802774-odyssey-interviews-chris-malone
Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Cues:
12M3 "Finale"
Musical Themes:
Imperial March (Theme)
Imperial March (Vamp)
Han & Leia (A)
Han & Leia (B) - Theme Form 1 (1980)
Where are we in the soundtrack?:
"The Rebel Fleet/End Title"
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Star Wars Music Minute Questionnaire:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
Simply the best. Thematic orchestral richness. Well of richness.
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
Everything there is to learn about the first three scores (1977, 1980, 1983). How did they get to where they got? What were the spotting sessions like? What were the internal memos like?
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
Goldfinger (John Barry). The Lion in Winter (John Barry). Out of Africa (John Barry). Early James Bond scores by John Barry. Raiders of the Lost Ark by John Williams.
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Chris Malone:
Website: https://malonedigital.com
Articles, Analyses, Commentary: https://malonedigital.com/articles.html
Project List: https://malonedigital.com/projectlist.html
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Malone_Digital
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Join the Discord server by becoming a patron at any level! (This is the best way to support the show): https://patreon.com/chrysanthetan
Leave a voice message, and I might play it on the show... https://starwarsmusicminute.com/comlink
Where else to find SWMM:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/652WVfMTLwJpVZ82i8uhFA
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/star-wars-music-minute/id1552988763
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
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Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
Friday May 05, 2023
Friday May 05, 2023
Chrysanthe covers minutes 121-125, answers listener questions, and shares their 30 takeaways, trends, surprises, and highlights from The Empire Strikes Back season of Star Wars Music Minute. This is part 1 of a 2-part season finale! 📹 YouTube version of this episode: https://youtu.be/RoEzVlLUFt8 ⭐️ Patreon/Discord server: https://patreon.com/chrysanthetan ----------- Timestamps: 0:00 - Hello there! 1:51 - Minutes 121-125. 23:47 - 30 takeaways, trends, surprises, & highlights from this season. 1:55:06 - Listener questions. 1:55:24 What new tools, techniques, approaches, or critical lenses did you encounter this season? 1:59:46 Do you think the Death Star and/or Imperials motif should have returned for ESB? 2:02:59 - The critical consensus remains that ESB is the best Star Wars film. Is it the best sounding Star Wars film too? 2:03:39 - How did the (music) writing change from ANH to ESB, and what surprised you the most about it? 2:07:30 - What kinds of guests and/or voices do you want on future seasons of the show? 2:12:08 - How did you go about arranging the dense "Asteroid Field" cue? 2:36:20 - In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like (according to all the guests this season)? 2:39:15 - Acknowledgements Things to Check Out: Dominic Sewell Music on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dominicsewellmusic Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/. Cues: 12M2 "To Hyper-Space" 12M3 "Finale" Musical Themes: Force Han & Leia (A) Main Theme (A Section) Rebel Fanfare Descending Heroic Tetrachords Yoda (A Section) Yoda (B Section) Imperial March (Theme) Imperial March (Vamp) Where are we in the soundtrack?: "Yoda And The Force" "The Rebel Fleet/End Title" --------------- STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE: 1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like? ESB answer: Filigree, fanfares, flow. SOLO answer: Intricate orchestral storytelling. ANH answer: The Cosmic Force. 2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about? ESB answer: Is there an internal "sonic style guide" at Lucasfilm or Skywalker Sound that's specific to Star Wars? I mean even things like relative loudness of music and dialogue, a specific protocol for mic'ing or looping in aliens, etc. Especially curious if there's anything in the Star Wars style guide that goes against current industry norms. SOLO answer: The working relationship between the composer and music editor. ANH answer: I'm curious about how other people experience and engage with the music of Star Wars, on both a macro and micro level. I want to know how other people are making sense of it or analyzing it with frameworks different than mine. Basically, I'm interested in doing what this podcast already gives me the excuse to do -- talk to people about Star Wars music. 3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars? ESB answer: E.T. (John Williams) SOLO answer: Moonrise Kingdom ANH answer: There Will Be Blood (Jonny Greenwood) ------- Patreon: https://patreon.com/chrysanthetan Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute? Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Justin Leo Kennedy is back for another sound design deep-dive! 🎉 Today, it's all about R2-D2. Using a virtual ARP 2600 synth emulator and a recording of his baby crying, Justin attempts to reverse-engineer Ben Burtt's iconic Artoo beepspeak, teaching us a lot about sound synthesis along the way.
We also discuss minutes 116-120 of The Empire Strikes Back, which feature two of Justin's other favorite sounds –the Millennium Falcon's hyperdrive failure and Artoo's scream.
Check out the YouTube version of this episode to follow along with the live demonstration! https://youtu.be/4crbLjDl5zg
Timestamps:
0:00 - Hello there!
10:48 - You may recognize this music from when we were on Hoth.
18:19 - Added Vader scene that cuts into a cue.
39:37 - Little motifs and punctuation sprinkled throughout the orchestra.
44:37 - Cloud City visual comparisons. (This is the timestamp I promised, audio listeners!)
46:43 - Hyperdrive malfunction sound design.
53:47 - Semiotics.
1:03:23 - Band Batch shoutout.
1:14:50 - R2D2 sound design deep dive begins.
1:19:42 - Introduction to the ARP 2600 and ARP 2600 plugin/emulator (It wasn't showing up on screen yet).
1:29:25 - It's showing up now!
1:30:00 - Tour of the virtual ARP 2600.
1:39:43 - Recording of Justin's baby crying.
1:49:03 - Closer examination of the modular synth, patch cable routing, oscillators. Justin's 3 attempts at making the R2 sound.
1:58:41 - Justin's third and best attempt at making the Artoo sound.
2:00:38 - Modulating the speed of the sample and hold with a low frequency oscillator (LFO).
2:09:30 - Shoutout to anyone who is still listening.
2:19:46 - Yearning Vader and heartbroken Luke.
2:33:17 - Artoo's scream.
2:43:44 - SWMM Questionnaire.
2:53:05 - Shoutout to Justin Scheid.
Things Mentioned:
Cherry Audio Arp 2600 plugin: https://cherryaudio.com/products/ca2600
ESB 22: An Editor's Film (Minutes 106-110 with Dan Golding) - https://youtu.be/cdNMS0dVI54
ESB 4: Snowspeeder Macroharmony (Minutes 16-20 with Jennifer Harding) - https://youtu.be/nnflnU9iecM
ESB 16: Attack of the Envelope (Minutes 76-80 with Jeremy Sawruk) - https://youtu.be/b0tIuc_2fkc
Artful Design: Technology in Search of the Sublime (Ge Wang): https://artful.design/
ESB 1: The First Five Minutes of Empire (Minutes 1-5) - https://youtu.be/c58MO8zcneY
Solo 24: Better Call Maul (Minutes 116-120 with Band Batch) - https://youtu.be/4C2IUmCxr4I
Video of Ben Burtt demonstrating Artoo's sound, but it's not zoomed in: "How sound designer Ben Burtt made Star Wars’ iconic sound effects" (Roadtrip Nation) https://youtu.be/WBKKXjNf1sE
Blast Points Podcast episode about the ESB mono mix: https://blastpointspodcast.com/2019/07/10/episode-178-the-mono-mix-strikes-back/
Daft Punk breakup video "Epilogue" - https://youtu.be/DuDX6wNfjqc
Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Cues:
12M1 "Losing A Hand"
Musical Themes:
Pseudo Bald Mountain motif
Dark Side (Melody)
Dark Side (Ostinato)
Leia
Droids
Imperial March (Theme)
Main Theme (A Section)
Where are we in the soundtrack?:
"Rescue from Cloud City/Hyperspace"
"Yoda And The Force"
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
New answer: mrrrm mrrrm mrawww. R2D2 beeping sounds.
Previous answer: pwsh vrrrrum shhpt
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
New answer: More about the recording sessions. What kind of relationship did John Williams have with the engineers? What was it like in that studio? What kinds of conversations took place?
Previous answer: "Duel of the Fates" orchestration.
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
New answer: TRON (composed by Wendy Carlos)
Previous answer: I, Robot (composed by Marco Beltrami), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) (composed by John Du Prez), Spirited Away (composed by Joe Hisaishi)
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Justin Leo Kennedy
Website: https://justinleokennedy.net
EyeHarp Project: https://eyeharp.org/
EyeHarp demonstration: https://youtu.be/ZLKnNu4fNf8
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLK_Beret
ANH 7: Laser Sword Sound Design (minutes 31-35 with Justin Leo Kennedy) - https://youtu.be/R-isLAAL1Q4
TLJ 10: Colors of the Wind (minutes 46-50 with Justin Leo Kennedy) - https://youtu.be/joH88DBjFFY
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If you want to support the show and join the Discord server, consider becoming a patron! https://patreon.com/chrysanthetan
Leave a voice message, and I might play it on the show... https://starwarsmusicminute.com/comlink
Where else to find SWMM:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute?
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
If you play The Empire Strikes Back backwards, will you hear the wind whispering "Luke?" Are the gentle climaxes on Cloud City byproducts of calculated sensory deprivation? How does John Williams convey Luke's emotional state and connect Leia to the Force? Today's guest is Camila Quiñones -- writer, host of Beings of the Galaxy podcast, and one of my favorite people to talk Star Wars with. This is ESB minutes 110-115, in which Vader delivers the father reveal and Leia senses Luke through the Force.
Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/XUWOwotpVTw
Timestamps:
0:00 - Hello there!
2:26 - Empire Strikes Back table read.
11:34 - Playful, inquisitive trickle of music between Vader's dialogue.
17:23 - Simmering pot.
21:45 - Intensity of the wind.
26:35 - Creative confidence.
34:21 - What would you do if you were in Luke's position? Save your friends or continue training?
40:21 - The Force in The High Republic.
43:40 - Hungarian minor violin vamp (Luke is screwed!)
46:25 - The music clearly marks Luke's choice.
53:22 - Anakin, Luke, oppression, rebellion.
58:21 - Is the wind whispering "Luke?"
1:01:05 - Falling, tumbling music stretched out over an impressively long time.
1:07:39 - Spurious physics claims.
1:13:11 - Chordal knots. A Train Is Coming.
1:19:10 - Music amplifying Luke's persistence. Last ditch effort.
1:23:14 - "Ben. Ben. Ben." Then "Leia" lands on an unexpected note.
1:25:55 - Is this the first time we hear the Force theme in direct connection to Leia?
1:32:04 - Sadness in this Force theme. Dirge-like quality.
1:34:08 - Question for people who watched ESB in theaters in 1980. (Are we being naive?)
1:40:52 - Vader's dialogue changed in Special Edition.
1:43:22 - Pseudo Bald Mountain strings.
1:48:24 - Final thoughts about these minutes.
1:52:21 - Question for Camila as a screenwriter: What do you think of the way that Leia is written?
1:59:36 - Princess and the Scoundrel (novel by Beth Revis).
2:04:47 - SWMM Questionnaire
Things to Check Out:
High Republic conversation on Dyad In the Force with Camila and Xanthe - https://www.youtube.com/live/QEIZoEeGwig?feature=share
Stanford Prison Experiment - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_prison_experiment
Monopoly Experiment: https://youtu.be/bJ8Kq1wucsk and https://nymag.com/news/features/money-brain-2012-7/
Camila's previous episodes:
TLJ 26: Luke and Leia Say Goodbye (Minutes 126-130) - https://youtu.be/eUGjvBesouE
SOLO 5: Beast to Bestie (Minutes 21-25) - https://youtu.be/Q8RSXnL9J0o
Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Cues:
12M1 "Losing A Hand"
12M2 "To Hyper-Space" ??
Musical Themes:
Imperial March (Theme)
Boba Fett Derived Motif 2 (Trouble in Bespin)
Force
Dark Side (Ostinato)
Dark Side (Melody)
Pseudo-Bald Mountain
Where are we in the soundtrack?:
"Rescue from Cloud City/Hyperspace"
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
Tragedy. Adventure. Wisdom. (Previously: Majesty. Hope. Tragedy.)
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
How do the sound design and score elements come together? (Previously: The difference between sound editing and sound mixing.)
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
Succession, composed by Nicholas Britell. (Previously: The Batman, composed by Michael Giacchino)
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Camila Quiñones
Beings of the Galaxy podcast: https://beingsofthegalaxypod.buzzsprout.com/
https://twitter.com/Beings_Podcast
Instagram (Beings of the Galaxy): https://www.instagram.com/beingsofthegalaxypod/:
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If you want to support the show and join the Discord server, consider becoming a patron! https://patreon.com/chrysanthetan
Leave a voice message, and I might play it on the show... https://starwarsmusicminute.com/comlink
Where else to find SWMM:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute?
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Dan Golding is here to discuss minutes 106-110 of The Empire Strikes Back! We talk about Ben Burtt's frustrations, intense pedal points, a nasal brass canon, free fanfares, Empire being an "editor's film," and how the music is "meanwhile" (sounds strange, but it'll make sense when you listen to the episode). 😅
Timestamps:
0:00 - Hello there!
7:05 - Ben Burtt's frustrations, Irvin Kershner's on-set mic, David Prowse's fitness book, and other delights from Alan Arnold's Journal of the Making of Empire Strikes Back.
17:51 - Cool tunnel. Gareth Edwards's "indie hour."
22:42 - Misty, foggy, smoky.
29:13 - Empire is an editor's film.
30:39 - Meanwhile...
43:14 - Dark Side motif and a high, strained tuba.
50:04 - Force buzz.
1:10:09 - Luke's little chaos clarinet.
1:17:59 - Ben Burtt on creating the wind sounds.
1:29:26 - Canon with nasal, muted brass, stressed, compressed Yoda's theme.
1:38:39 - Lando, from cad to hero.
1:50:29 - Harmonic fudge?
2:00:32 - Han and Leia theme sounds different here, for many reasons.
2:09:47 - Willrow Hood sighting.
2:11:00 - A fanfare for free.
2:21:39 - "Wonderful!" Rhythm restored. Earnest strings. G pedal point.
2:30:45 - Use of Han and Leia's theme in The Force Awakens trailer.
2:37:52 - Pseudo Dies Irae.
2:40:00 - Return of the pedal. Jazzy voicings.
2:49:18 - Shoutout to Dennis Hamm.
3:00:39 - 15 Second Rule.
3:07:26 - A surprise in the very final frame of these minutes.
3:16:02 - SWMM Questionnaire
Things to Check Out:
Once Upon a Galaxy: A Journal of the Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (by Alan Arnold) - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1960717.Once_Upon_a_Galaxy
Dan's article about George Lucas as a director (Sense of Cinema): http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2021/great-directors/lucas-george/
Untitled Goose Game soundtrack (by Dan Golding)
Art of the Score: The Empire Strikes Back – Part 1: http://www.artofthescore.com.au/podcast/2019/5/23/episode-27-the-empire-strikes-back-part-1
Art of the Score: The Empire Strikes Back – Part 2: http://www.artofthescore.com.au/podcast/2019/8/31/episode-28-the-empire-strikes-back-part-2
Hollywood Harmony: Musical Wonder and the Sound of Cinema (by Frank Lehman) - https://franklehman.com/hollywood-harmony/
The Planets - VI. Uranus, the Magician - Gustav Holst https://youtube.com/watch?v=fUyVFKA1MaU
Partita for 8 Voices (by Caroline Shaw) - https://youtu.be/ab4zTQEsnBk
Solo 13: Millennium Pop Anthem (Minutes 61-65 with Dan Golding) - https://youtu.be/lJeA6qqXqng
ANH 18: The Swashbucklers (Minutes 86-90 with Dan Golding) - https://youtu.be/5xFFLXruO0Y
Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Cues:
11M1 "Through The Window"
Musical Themes:
Imperial March (Theme)
Dark Side (Motif)
Chromatic Knell
Yoda (A Section)
Cloud City (Lando's Palace)
Han & Leia (A)
Where are we in the soundtrack?:
"The Clash of Lightsabers"
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
New answer: Elegant musical storytelling.
Previous answers: Nimble orchestral nostalgia. Mythic orchestral memory.
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
New answer: The unreleased music (and alternate cues, etc).
Previous answers: What will Natalie Holt's soundtrack for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series sound like? Given all the new directions that various Star Wars scores have gone since John Williams was at the helm (ex. Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, etc), will we ever return to the original sort of orchestral sound?
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
New answer: Fleishman Is in Trouble (composed by Caroline Shaw)
Previous answers: Watership Down (composed by Angela Morley) and Vertigo (composed by Bernard Herrmann).
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Guest: Dan Golding
Website: https://dangolding.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dangolding
Art of the Score podcast: https://www.artofthescore.com.au/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DanGoldingVideoEssays
Bandcamp: https://dangolding.bandcamp.com/
Mastadon: @dangolding@mastodon.social
Book: Star Wars After Lucas by Dan Golding: https://dangolding.com/star-wars-after-lucas/
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Join my Discord server by becoming a patron at any level! https://patreon.com/chrysanthetan
Leave a voice message, and I might play it on the show... https://starwarsmusicminute.com/comlink
Where else to find SWMM:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute?
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Minutes 101-105 of The Empire Strikes Back feature extraordinary drama, peril, romance, and even some lightly comedic underscore. Takeo Rivera (English professor, playwright, performance studies specialist) returns to the show to discuss the score's function as a "warm blanket," Threepio's crush on Lando, the film's romantic aesthetics, and more.
This episode is also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fFWVEE9-3R0
Timestamps:
0:00 - Hello there!
3:54 - Brightness as a space of horror.
6:23 - Is ESB the most romantic Star Wars product?
9:09 - Yoda's theme while Luke sneaks around.
16:20 - Stark sounds and the score as a wonderful warm blanket.
19:58 - Vader at open mic night.
24:49 - Luke strikes first. ("Oedipally violent.")
27:17 - Cloud City is staged like a well-choreographed play. Consequences of digital aesthetic norms.
35:21 - Novel technologies become cliche become the new hegemony. Henrik Ibsen's naturalistic prose dialogue. Fungible packets of music.
48:34 - Start of 10M3 Chewie Chokes Lando. Bespin Dirge themes.
54:24 - Threepio's immediate crush on Lando.
57:17 - "Han" pronunciation and the cadence of languages. An interesting socio-linguistic moment.
1:06:10 - Subtle underscore while Chewie chokes Lando. Does the music empathize with Lando?
1:17:55 - Funereal music accompanying casket imagery.
1:24:22 - Perilous-sounding. Han and Leia theme.
1:25:14 - If Threepio played "F*ck Marry Kill" with Artoo, Lando, and Chewie...
1:31:00 - What makes the strings a "warm blanket?" Strings in the context of an orchestra.
1:36:14 - Musicality of lightsabers.
1:42:49 - Point for Nic Tan (circa 28:50 of ESB 18).
1:43:30 - Kinesthetic aesthetic of the prequels, Wuxia movies, high Hong Kong choreography. Visual vocabulary of epic spectacle.
1:51:52 - Psychology of Vader as a father.
1:58:22 - Powerful Force users shouldn't mix the Force with political power.
2:07:51 - SWMM Questionnaire
Things to Check Out:
"Fuel" by Ani DiFranco - https://youtu.be/oTJFUg6N2XA
TLJ 15: Brechtian Ben Swolo (Minutes 71-75 with Takeo Rivera) - https://youtu.be/0cUzoZ1SOx8
Dominic Sewell's analysis of 10M2 Luke Pursues The Captives - https://youtu.be/IMF8g44BQqA
Dominic Sewell's analysis of 10M3 Chewie Chokes Lando (will link when it's available!)
Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Cues:
10M2 "Luke Pursues The Captives"
10M3 "Chewie Chokes Lando"
Musical Themes:
Yoda (A Section)
Bespin Dirge 1
Bespin Dirge 2
Imperials (Ostinato 1)
Han & Leia (A)
Neapolitan Emergency
Where are we in the soundtrack?:
"Carbon Freeze/Darth Vader's Trap/Departure of Boba Fett"
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
Sweeping. Sentimental. Heroic.
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
Musical vocabulary to describe the things he hears in the score.
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
Princess Mononoke (Joe Hisaichi), The Hours (Philip Glass)
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Guest: Takeo Rivera
Website: https://takeorivera.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TakeoRiveraPhD
Model Minority Masochism (book): https://www.takeorivera.com/model-minority-masochism
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If you want to support the show and join the Discord server, consider becoming a patron! https://patreon.com/chrysanthetan
Leave a voice message, and I might play it on the show... https://starwarsmusicminute.com/comlink
Where else to find SWMM:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute?
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Pete the Retailer and Alex Robinson from Star Wars Minute join me to discuss the music and sound in minutes 96-100 of The Empire Strikes Back. Han gets frozen in carbonite! John Williams's dramatic, emotional score moves us through the action. In this episode, we also listen to the original footage from the carbonite freezing scene before music was added.
This episode is also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4MoDKl4ej-0
Timestamps:
0:00 - Hello there!
3:13 - The many actors of Boba Fett.
6:50 - Is this the first time someone says "buddy" in Star Wars? (No.)
13:14 - Threepio = superego, Chewie = id.
17:22 - A subtle Han & Leia moment that's easy to miss (visually and musically). Pan and scan technology.
20:15 - Does the first bar of the Imperial March loop an extra time here?
31:02 - Footage of the carbonite freezing scene before music was added + footage from the original spotting session (!)
41:58 - Breakdown of the music from pre-kiss to post-freeze. (Han & Leia in B => Han & Leia in E => Neapolitan Emergency with Chewie's moans => Dramatic dotted triplets => Wailing Imperial March => Funereal themes).
50:29 - Memorable rhythmic feel of the Neapolitan Emergency (with visuals).
56:14 - Dom, filigree check?
1:02:06 - Cool whistle sound. Ben Burtt's sound design secret.
1:08:53 - Meter discrepancy between the soundtrack and film (2 beats cut out).
1:14:10 - Is this the Imperial February? (No.)
1:19:00 - Night on Bald Mountain-esque chromatic violin line.
1:27:07 - Is this the Imperial February? (Yes. Bespin Dirge theme 1.)
1:34:41 - Bespin Dirge part 2. Delicious chords over C pedal.
1:40:22 - "It's a trap!" with Yoda's theme. What's the significance of that?
1:45:30 - Strings/piano call & response.
1:52:01 - Yoda's theme harmony goes D => Db (instead of D => E).
1:55:38 - Speculating on how the carbon freeze calipers were sound-designed.
2:00:59 - SWMM Questionnaire
Things to Check Out:
John Williams BBC Documentary (1980) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBCF465B155E38603
Dominic Sewell's analysis of cue 9M6/10M1 Carbon Freeze - https://youtu.be/COioN-dY0NM
Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Cues:
9M6/10M1 "Carbon Freeze"
9M6/10M1 "Insert Bar 57"
10M2 "Luke Pursues The Captives"
Musical Themes:
Imperial March (Theme)
Han & Leia (A)
Neapolitan Emergency
Bespin Dirge 1
Bespin Dirge 2
12a. Yoda (A Section)
Where are we in the soundtrack?:
"Carbon Freeze/Darth Vader's Trap/Departure of Boba Fett"
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Star Wars Music Minute Questionnaire:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
Pete: Pneumatic machinery sounds. (Previously: Aunt Beru's kitchen. Short wave radio.)
Alex: Imperial walker clanking. Elephant on blacktop. (Previously: Majestic French horns. Tchew tchew tchew.)
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
Pete: "What is That? with Ben Burtt" (a TV show proposal)
Alex: Ugnaught noises.
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
Pete: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Previously: The Black Hole and Fight Club)
Alex: The Royal Tenenbaums (Previously: Superman and Magnolia)
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Star Wars Minute:
Website: https://www.starwarsminute.com/
Patreon: https://starwarsminute.com/patreon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheStarWarsMinute
Pete the Retailer:
Website: https://petetheretailer.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeteTheRetailer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterbonavita/
ABCD:TOS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/abcd-tos/id1531020539
Alex Robinson:
Website: https://alexrobinson.fun
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arobtwit/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARobTwit
Godfather Minute: https://godfatherminute.tumblr.com/
----------------
Join the Discord server by becoming a patron at any level: https://patreon.com/chrysanthetan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
Monday Mar 20, 2023
Monday Mar 20, 2023
James Waterman and Justin Scheid from The Band Batch are here for minutes 91-95 of The Empire Strikes Back. We talk about Threepio's analog rejuvenation, the timpani doom roll, and what happens when Star Wars voice actors are overdubbed in later editions (like how Jason Wingreen was replaced by Temura Morrison). We also get to hear Justin's favorite sound and what James considers the funniest line in this movie. Video version of this episode is here: https://youtu.be/GLWmWl3fmHs Join my Discord server by becoming a patron at any level: https://patreon.com/chrysanthetan Timestamps: 0:00 - Hello there! 3:32 - ESB planted aesthetic seeds in future Star Wars content. 8:37 - Threepio's analog voice cycling. 21:54 - The role of the timpani roll in transitions. 28:05 - What differentiates the timpani from other percussion? Focused pitch, blending ability, etc. 35:40 - "He's no good to me dead." Boba Fett voice. Changing voice actors. Overdubbing. 47:09 - Jeans guy. 50:40 - Yub Nub. 55:14 - Lando's line delivery, Vader's passive-aggressive email, Threepio's aggression, and Chewie's laugh. 1:03:27 - The funniest line in the movie, according to James. Star Wars torture. 1:13:12 - "My friend" ADR with Han's punch. 1:18:25 - Han and Leia's theme doesn't resolve. 1:20:50 - Putting Vader's plan in perspective. 1:29:16 - Slower Imperial March. 1:24:44 - Hiyah claw. 1:36:53 - SWMM Questionnaire Cues: 9M3 "Putting ThreePio Together" 9M4 "Trouble In Prison" 9M6/10M1 "Carbon Freeze" Musical Themes: Droids Imperial March (Theme) Han & Leia (A Section) Main Theme (A Section) Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/ Where are we in the soundtrack? "Betrayal at Bespin" "Carbon Freeze/Darth Vader's Trap/Departure of Boba Fett" ---------- Star Wars Music Minute Questionnaire: 1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like? Justin: Nar. Ra. Tive. (Previous answers: Grandiose, sweeping, futuristic. Pew pew pew.) James: Pew. Vrooppf. Rrrrrr. (Previous answers: Bum bum bum. The Band Batch.) 2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about? Justin: Who makes the decision to replace dialogue? (Previous: How is all the foley done?) James: When original voice actors are replaced by new people, what are those industry conversations like? Is there something in the actors' contracts about the possibility of being replaced? What about SAG, legal specifics, etc? (Previous: What is on-set sound like? What is John Williams's writing process like?) 3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars? Justin: It Follows (DisasterPeace). Previous: Stranger Things (Kyle Dixon/Michael Stein), War of the Worlds (John William), The Village (James Newton Howard). James: The Shining (Wendy Carlos). Previous: Untitled (David Lang), Hereditary (Colin Stetson). --------- Justin Scheid Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcscheid/ Bandcamp: https://raingoatmusic.bandcamp.com Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/rain-goat-music YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlciBsEZTCnF7uK3S1NBXw James Waterman: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameswatermanmusic Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesWaterman YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jameswaterman Bandcamp: https://jerichojericho.bandcamp.com/ Website: https://www.jameswatermanmusic.com/ The Band Batch music and sound commentary: Andor (playlist): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE4n8ygyS0MIkTsWhhs7gBmLFiQtjzAjT The Bad Batch (playlist): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE4n8ygyS0MI9s-a1nJOMYqpE8G_tlxLW Star Wars: Visions (playlist): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE4n8ygyS0MJh0BOUIeScYaGSOjPVhxh- The Book of Boba Fett (playlsit): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE4n8ygyS0ML0GLUcTVpaEUlV58BNkljs ANH 24: Happy Glockenspiel (Minutes 116-120 with The Band Batch) - https://youtu.be/YR27lFOLgEk Solo 24: Better Call Maul (Minutes 116-120 with The Band Batch) - https://youtu.be/4C2IUmCxr4I Etc: Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin / https://twitter.com/chrysanthetan TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/star-wars-music-minute/id1552988763
Monday Mar 13, 2023
Monday Mar 13, 2023
As Yoda says, "There is another." Today's guest is my brother, Nic Tan! We delve into minutes 86-90 of The Empire Strikes Back, which naturally begs discussion about the toys, Boba Fett, Yoda's golden nuggets, cloud cars, negative musical space, changes to film scoring over the decades, how Lando's theme diverges from John Williams's traditional hero themes, questionably un-porcine ugnaught sound design, and why growing up in the prequel era was the golden age of Star Wars fandom (sorry, it's just facts). Timestamps: 0:00 - Hello there! 3:57 - The toys (and Star Wars-branded plastic material). 9:35 - Why Yoda is, without a doubt, the best character in Star Wars. 15:43 - Are Obi-Wan and Yoda equals? 22:12 - Force theme with X-wing sound on top. 24:30 - "They don't make movie scores like they used to" + Phantom Menace memories. 34:13 - Analog synths vs. virtual instruments/sample libraries. Hans Zimmer. 42:15 - Establishing shots of Cloud City with transitional music 43:36 - What makes Boba Fett and cloud cars cool. 47:30 - Demure Main Theme on flute and oboe + harp flourish. 49:23 - Han and Leia theme that trails off with a perfect 5th (with "you're as good as gone"). 53:04 - Huge noise contrast when we cut to Chewie in the droid boiler room. Do the ugnaughts sound porcine? 59:57 - Incessant elevator chime. 1:04:13 - Start of cue 9M2 "Vader Shows Up." 1:06:31 - How Lando's theme diverges from John Williams's traditional hero type of theme. 1:14:35 - Who is more powerful: Vader in ESB or Anakin in ROTS? Shadows of the Empire. 1:24:15 - Does Nic recognize the Boba Fett theme? 1:29:11 - Bitter strings, anguished wookiee moans, naively confident Luke. 1:36:35 - Chewie is an underrated character. Thoughts about Solo: A Star Wars Story. 1:42:28 - Do you have the same level of excitement every time something new from Star Wars is released? 1:46:14 - Growing up in the prequel era. 1:50:40 - SWMM Questionnaire Things to Check Out: Dominic Sewell's analysis of cue 8M3 "Lando's Palace" https://youtu.be/450lqmYSjl4 Dominic Sewell's analysis of cue 9M2 "Vader Shows Up" https://youtu.be/zY0u8cfGaYY Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/. Cues: 8M3 "Lando's Palace" 9M2 "Vadar Shows Up [sic]" 9M3 "Putting ThreePio Together" Musical Themes: 3. Force 1a. Main Theme (A Section) 11a. Han & Leia (A Section) 15a. Cloud City 1 (Lando's Palace) 10a. Imperial March (Theme) Where are we in the soundtrack?: "Betrayal at Bespin" -------------------- STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE: 1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like? Classic. Modern. Nostalgic. 2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about? How (on a structural musical level) do composers take central themes and vary them to evoke different emotions? 3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars? E.T. (composed by John Williams) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (composed by Burt Bacharach) --------------- Join my Discord server by becoming a patron! https://patreon.com/chrysanthetan Apple Podcast reviews are always greatly appreciated: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/star-wars-music-minute/id1552988763 Leave a voice message, and I might play it on the show... https://starwarsmusicminute.com/comlink Where else to find SWMM: Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute? Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
Monday Mar 06, 2023
Monday Mar 06, 2023
Musicologist Alex Ludwig (Dies Irae guru) returns to the show to discuss minutes 81-85 of The Empire Strikes Back! We talk about the form, orchestration, and rhythm of the Lando's Palace cue, the stern parenting of Yoda and Obi-Wan, and how the music paints the text.
Video version of this episode is here: https://youtu.be/tdJUdPsUQBQ
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro.
10:30 - Meeting Lando with some exhaust, a ship, and a clarinet glissando reminiscent of Rhapsody in Blue or Salome.
16:02 - So many pedals!
19:36 - Old-fashioned but unbalanced ABA-ish form.
24:14 - Jocular cello pizz for Han's laugh.
29:06 - Dotted rhythms are hard.
36:50 - Echuta.
43:08 - Transition from Cloud City to Dagobah.
51:00 - Woodwinds on a bed of strings.
56:04 - Bad cop, bad cop.
1:03:43 - Solo horn, perfect text painting.
1:06:54 - Do you ever fudge the minutes?
1:14:53 - Does Obi-Wan's voice sound unusually deep here?
1:21:15 - Last-minute pep talk.
1:23:49 - Thrawn tangent, Wayland, Joruus C'baoth
1:28:34 - Two very distinct atmospheres in the same cue.
1:32:27 - Dies Irae.
1:39:34 - SWMM Questionnaire
Things to Check Out:
Rhapsody in Blue (by George Gershwin) - https://youtu.be/TDZWLP7TgBM
Salome (by Richard Strauss) - https://youtu.be/50rnWQvIK2I
Field of Dreams (score by James Horner) - https://youtu.be/4qyVehgTxtA
Pavane for a Dead Princess (by Maurice Ravel) - https://youtu.be/DVtNt-6OTM8
Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Cues:
8M3 "Lando's Palace"
Musical Themes:
15a. Cloud City 1 (Lando's Palace)
1a. Main Theme (A Section)
3. Force
10a. Imperial March (Theme)
12a. Yoda (A Section)
Where are we in the soundtrack?:
"Lando's Palace"
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
New answer: Stories in sound.
Solo season answer: Soaring searching strings.
ANH season answers: Triumphant brass fanfares. Ominous contrapuntal warblings.
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
New answer: What were the spotting sessions like for this film in particular?
Solo season answer: Who's gonna write the next paradigm-shifting Star Wars score?
ANH season answer: What it's like for new composers (Michael Giacchino, John Powell, Ludwig Göransson, etc) to play in the playground of Star Wars music -- to have all these themes at their fingertips, get to use them and take them to new places. "What is it like to get the keys to this kingdom as a composer?"
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
New answer: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (composed by Disasterpeace AKA Rich Vreeland)
Solo season answer: The Matrix trilogy (composed by Don Davis)
ANH season answer: The Social Network (composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross) and Sunset Boulevard (composed by Franz Waxman)
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Guest: Alex Ludwig
Website (including the Dies Irae List): https://alexludwig.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/celexo
YouTube channel: Film Music Tropes - https://www.youtube.com/celexo22
------------------
If you want to support the show and join the Discord server, consider becoming a patron! https://patreon.com/chrysanthetan
Leave a voice message, and I might play it on the show... https://starwarsmusicminute.com/comlink
Where else to find SWMM:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute?
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin