Star Wars Music Minute
Celebrating the music and sound of Star Wars 5 cinematic minutes at a time!
Listen on:
Episodes
Monday Apr 04, 2022
Monday Apr 04, 2022
Justin Scheid and James Waterman join Xanthe (Band Batch reunion!) in a discussion about A NEW HOPE minutes 116-120, during which Luke Skywalker blows up the Death Star, the Rebels have an awkwardly formal medal ceremony, and Artoo recovers from being zapped.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Hello there!
07:19 - Listening to the start of these minutes.
09:52 - Four drum timpani part.
13:24 - Crash course in crash cymbals.
24:00 - Minor Main Theme.
29:45 - Analysis of the musical shift during the "Use the force, Luke" part.
38:02 - What is this bassline?
46:30 - Heroic descending tetrachords + us trying to figure out the beats.
51:00 - Main Theme variations and the (Not) Death of Artoo.
1:02:20 - Hard mallets vs. soft mallets on timpani.
1:05:25 - The visual interface of the war room screen.
1:10:25 - Main Theme where "all the harmonies are wrong"
1:17:10 - Death Star go boom! End of the Disney ride. Happy glockenspiel.
1:19:03 - Difference between glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone, marimba.
1:29:27 - Feeling stressed about Artoo getting zapped in the Battle of Yavin.
1:35:25 - The Throne Room AKA Star Wars Pomp and Circumstance.
1:43:09 - Why is the medal ceremony so formal?
1:51:15 - Is the music during the medal ceremony diegetic? A debate.
2:00:09 - B section of the Main Theme that barely gets any love.
2:05:40 - SWMM Questionnaire
Things Mentioned:
"Symphonie Fantastique" by Hector Berlioz - https://youtu.be/5HgqPpjIH5c
"Entrance of the Gladiators" by Julius Fucik - https://youtu.be/_B0CyOAO8y0
Medal ceremony/"Trumph of the Will" comparison: https://imgur.com/gallery/JDWlR3Z
Carol of the Bells - violin, synth, electronics! - Chrysanthe Tan and Justin Scheid - https://youtu.be/k1rDgM1FN8A
SWMM: TLJ 3: Falling Jedi Steps (Minutes 11-15 with James Waterman) - https://youtu.be/1nQ2EzZih8A
SWMM: TLJ 20: Palpatine's Musical Legacy (Minutes 96-100 with Justin Scheid) - https://youtu.be/AeSB3oNtbo8
Themes:
18) Descending Heroic Tetrachords
17) Heroic Determination
3) Martial Chords
3. Force
1b. Main Theme (B Section)
9. Throne Room
Note: I use the theme names and numbers established in Frank Lehman's Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars. You can download it free at his website: https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Where are we in the soundtrack?
"The Battle Of Yavin (Launch From The Fourth Moon/X-Wings Draw Fire/Use The Force")
"The Throne Room/End Title"
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
Justin: pew pew pew
James: The Band Batch
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
James: The idea that John Williams composes with pencil and paper. What is his writing process like? James wants to know all the little factoids.
Justin: How all the sound effects were made. Justin would love to be a fly on the wall while the sound designers and foley artists are doing their thing.
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
Justin: The village (composed by James Newton Howard)
James: Hereditary (composed by Colin Stetson)
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THE BAND BATCH = Xanthe, James, and Justin. Join us for music commentary livestreams on YouTube whenever new Star Wars shows come out!
Check out our coverage of The Bad Batch season 1: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE4n8ygyS0MI9s-a1nJOMYqpE8G_tlxLW
Check out our coverage of Star Wars: Visions season 1: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE4n8ygyS0MJh0BOUIeScYaGSOjPVhxh-
Check out our coverage from The Book of Boba Fett: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE4n8ygyS0ML0GLUcTVpaEUlV58BNkljs
James Waterman
Bandcamp: https://jerichojericho.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/jameswaterman
https://www.instagram.com/jameswatermanmusic
https://www.jameswatermanmusic.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2GI8X12qG1udx4RMKCE7Xa?
Justin Scheid
https://www.instagram.com/jcscheid/
https://www.soundcloud.com/rain-goat-music
https://raingoatmusic.bandcamp.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlciBsEZTCnF7uK3S1NBXw
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If you enjoyed this episode and want to show extra appreciation, feel free to buy me a coffee and shout out the guests! https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
If you want to support the show, 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:
Spotify: https://smarturl.it/swmm-spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://smarturl.it/swmm-apple
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Friday Apr 01, 2022
Friday Apr 01, 2022
Ralph Apel from Live Action Star Wars joins me in a conversation about the music and sound in Solo minutes 26-30. We discuss flying/soaring music, the musical foreshadowing of Enfys Nest, Rio's voice mixing, and engage in some "educated speculation" about what the valachord might sound like (based on concept art).
Timestamps:
00:00 - Hello there!
04:44 - Listening to the beginning of the minutes.
05:31 - Grooving percussion in "Flying with Chewie."
09:31 - Flying and soaring music in film.
34:45 - "Flying with Chewie" vs "Soarin' Over California"
41:00 - Hint of Enfy's Nest theme 1
56:00 - There's no Han & Qi'ra theme when Han brings up Qi'ra.
1:00:07 - Valachord! A speculative deep dive...
1:12:53 - Nitpick about the line "you are tone deaf"
1:21:00 - SWMM Questionnaire
References:
"Soarin' (from "Soarin' Over California")" by Jerry Goldsmith - https://youtu.be/zh8_Yu_TkWE
"Flying" (from "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" Soundtrack) by John Williams - https://youtu.be/7AR6KQOiNHA
"Test Drive" (from How To Train Your Dragon) by John Powell - https://youtu.be/IpPIK4T068s
"Bastian's Happy Flight" (from The Neverending Story) by Klaus Doldinger - https://youtu.be/rvuteGIuAbc
"We're Going To Fly Now" (from Green Lantern) by James Newton Howard - https://youtu.be/TfFxoiCutLw
Sean E. Atkinson's paper - "Soaring Through the Sky: Topics and Tropes in Video Game Music" published in Music Theory Online (a journal of the Society for Music Theory) - https://mtosmt.org/issues/mto.19.25.2/mto.19.25.2.atkinson.html
Valachord (according to Wookieepedia): A valachord was a musical instrument, played by tapping on keys. The tone of the keys could be described as "a melodious tone tinged with a faint mechanical susurrus behind it." https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Valachord
Matthew Savage concept art for the valachord (2nd slide): https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Yl-77DqmO/
Harpsichord vs. Piano: How Different Are They Really? (Alice M. Chuaqui Baldwin, harpsichordist) - https://youtu.be/oo2VWo9wjJU
Robot Piano Catches Fire Playing Rush E (World’s Hardest Song) - https://youtu.be/uBEL3YVzMwk
Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Musical Themes:
6. Han & Chewie
7a. Enfys Nest 1
Where are we in the soundtrack?:
End of "Flying with Chewie" AKA "Chewie Untamed (2M13)"
Beginning of "Train Heist" and "Deluxe Train Heist (2M15-16A-B-C)"
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
Old, lived in.
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
After this episode, Ralph wants to know what the valachord sounds like. But most of all, he is intrigued about the future of Star Wars music.
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
Evolution (composed by John Powell)
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Guest: Ralph Apel
Live Action Star Wars: https://liveactionstarwars.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CasinoSkunk
CasinoSkunk Productions: https://casinoskunk.com
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If you enjoyed this episode and want to show extra appreciation, feel free to buy me a coffee and shout out the guest! https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
If you want to support the show, 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:
Spotify: https://smarturl.it/swmm-spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://smarturl.it/swmm-apple
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Monday Mar 28, 2022
Monday Mar 28, 2022
Samantha Tripp returns to the show to discuss part 2 of The Battle of Yavin (A New Hope minutes 111-115).
Discussion Guide:
00:00 - Hello there!
10:54 - A poignant fanfare.
18:43 - Star Wars metal music.
21:10 - Mic'ing and editing orchestras.
31:39 - Concert rituals.
37:08 - Pet peeve with lightsaber bows.
45:38 - Awkward flute writing.
52:53 - John Williams's history as a piano player and orchestral musician.
1:01:21 - How John Williams plays with building tension during the trench run. Overarching ascending trajectory.
1:06:53 - Brighter orchestral tone in the original trilogy.
1:08:58 - SWMM Questionnaire
- Goodbyes
Things Mentioned:
Galactic Empire - "The Battle of Yavin/Launch from the Fourth Moon" - https://youtu.be/Eu0P7GydVRw
Recording the Star Wars Saga -- Analysis by Chris Malone (2005-2012) - https://www.malonedigital.com/starwars.pdf
Do You Know How Much Classical Music Is Edited? (Sound Field) - https://youtu.be/o2P_dRbYn_4
Score: A Film Music Documentary - https://www.score-movie.com/
Giulio Briccialdi (19th century Italian flautist/composer)
Soundtrack: "The Battle Of Yavin (Launch From The Fourth Moon/X-Wings Draw Fire/Use The Force")
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE (this is Samantha's second time answering it):
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
Powerful, evocative, grandiose
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
Solo season answer: Musician stories from recording the sequel films, particularly The Rise of Skywalker. What is it like sitting in the orchestra, hearing those themes, and trying to make connections in the film ahead of time?
New answer: What was it like for the musicians recording the original trilogy, particularly the first film? Did they realize that they were playing something so iconic? Did they realize the impact that the music would have as they were playing it?
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
Solo season answer: The Shape of Water (composed by Alexandre Desplat)
New answer: Spider-Man: No Way Home (composed by Michael Giacchino)
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Samantha Tripp:
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3hiwYy5oTsb50N-kxRhonA
Check out Samantha's other episode on SWMM: Solo 3: Imperial March Diegesis - https://youtu.be/Kj9EAuzCY68
Samantha will be teaching a course on Star Wars music through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Tufts University soon.
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If you enjoyed this episode and want to show extra appreciation, feel free to buy me a coffee and shout out the guest! https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
If you want to support the show, 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:
Spotify: https://smarturl.it/swmm-spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://smarturl.it/swmm-apple
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Friday Mar 25, 2022
Friday Mar 25, 2022
Camila (BoricuaWookiee) is back on the show to discuss minutes 21-25 of Solo: A Star Wars Story! Today, we're talking about inter-species communication, the hierarchy of sentience, and sound design as an unreliable narrator. Toward the end, we touch upon the psychology of flying, the different flavors of flying music in film, and of course, that god-forsaken rain showerhead.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Hello there!
06:48 - Camila's (incredible) Chewbacca impression.
12:20 - Why don't any Imperial soldiers speak Shyriiwook?
16:09 - Hierarchy of sentient species in Star Wars.
20:47 - Heartwrenching Chewie moan.
26:41 - Han's orgasmic "yes, yes!"
35:55 - "Chewie Untamed" AKA "Flying with Chewie"
39:59 - Confidence of a mediocre white man.
43:18 - Have any Powell cues from Solo shown up in future Star Wars projects (The Book of Boba Fett, etc)?
49:20 - Xanthe's Jon Favreau Recognition Origin Story.
51:54 - Beethoven-esque buildup leading into the Young Han (Heroic) theme.
58:06 - Luxurious rain shower.
1:05:33 - Different types of flying music, "Soarin' Over California," atmosphere, sightlines, focus.
1:15:40 - SWMM Questionnaire
Things to Check Out:
"Superman" theme (by John Williams) - https://youtu.be/78N2SP6JFaI
"Soarin' Over California" from the retired ride at Disney's California Adventure (by Jerry Goldsmith) - https://youtu.be/zh8_Yu_TkWE
"Test Drive" from How to Train Your Dragon (by John Powell) - https://youtu.be/_5N3q68e7OQ
Camila's previous SWMM episode: TLJ 26: Luke and Leia Say Goodbye (Minutes 126-130) - https://youtu.be/eUGjvBesouE
Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Musical Themes:
5. The Gang
1. Young Han Solo (Heroic, comp. JW)
6. Han & Chewie
Where are we in the soundtracks?:
"The Beast (2M12)"
"Chewie Untamed (2M13)"
"Flying with Chewie"
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
Majesty. Hope. Tragedy.
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
The difference between sound editing and sound mixing.
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
The Batman (composed by Michael Giacchino)
Bonus Question: What's something you'd encourage listeners to pay more attention to on their next viewing/listen of this film?
Pay attention to the way Chewbacca sounds as the movie goes on, whether it's different when he's with other people besides Han, etc.
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Follow Camila!
TikTok (BoricuaWookiee): https://www.tiktok.com/@boricuawookiee?
Beings of the Galaxy podcast: https://beingsofthegalaxypod.buzzsprout.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_camilacecile_
Instagram (Beings of the Galaxy): https://www.instagram.com/beingsofthegalaxypod/
Instagram (Camila): https://www.instagram.com/camilacquinones/
------------------
If you enjoyed this episode and want to show extra appreciation, feel free to buy me a coffee and shout out the guest! https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
If you want to support the show, 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:
Spotify: https://smarturl.it/swmm-spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://smarturl.it/swmm-apple
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Monday Mar 21, 2022
Monday Mar 21, 2022
We're getting into the Battle of Yavin today with Alex and Mollie Damon (Star Wars Explained)! We talk John Williams's frenetic score, wet and squishy X-wing sounds, comms chatter, and other soundscape details from Star Wars minutes 106-110. Don't worry -- Biggs is still alive in at this time.
Note: My mic has an intermittent crackly sound for the first 10 minutes. Sorry about that! Skip to about 10:50 if you want to avoid the robot voice.
Discussion Guide:
00:00 - Disclaimer
00:20 - Hello there!
09:30 - Can Alex name all of the Red Squadron?
10:50 - Skip to here if you don't want to hear my robot crackle voice.
23:40 - Force theme, fanfare-style
27:20 - Descending Heroic Tetrachords
39:00 - The little Imperial motif in ANH that got overshadowed by the Imperial March in ESB
41:00 - Wet X-wing blasters
1:10:40 - SWMM Questionnaire
Themes:
5. Death Star
3. Force
18) Descending Heroic Tetrachords
17) Heroic Determination
Note: I use the theme names and numbers established in Frank Lehman's Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars. You can download it free at his website: https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Soundtrack: "The Battle Of Yavin (Launch From The Fourth Moon/X-Wings Draw Fire/Use The Force")
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
Mollie: Hope, bravery, curiosity.
Alex: bwaaap tscheww pew!
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
Mollie: The psychology behind how different chords of music make someone feel. How does sound evoke different emotions?
Alex: How Ben Burtt made the X-wing sounds.
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
Mollie: Lord of the Rings. (composed by Howard Shore). Also: Tarantino soundtracks, Moulin Rouge, and the new West Side Story.
Alex: Lord of the Rings (composed by Howard Shore)
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Star Wars Explained:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/starwarsexplained
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsExplain
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starwarsexplained/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsexplain
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/starwarsexplain
Star Wars Music Minute:
Buy Me A Sweet Potato (Coffee): https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
Website: starwarsmusicminute.com
YouTube: /starwarsmusicminute
Twitter: @StarWarsMusMin
Instagram: @starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: @StarWarsMusicMinute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Leave a voice message: SWMM Comlink
Xanthe:
Twitter: @chrysanthetan
Instagram: @chrysanthetan
Spotify Artist Page: Chrysanthe Tan
Website: chrysanthetan.com
Support the show! patreon.com/chrysanthetan
Friday Mar 18, 2022
Friday Mar 18, 2022
Darth Choco returns to the show! This time, we're talking about the music and sound in minutes 16-20 of Solo: A Star Wars Story, which starts with Han meeting Beckett and ends with Han getting thrown into a cell with a hungry beast...
Discussion Guide:
00:00 - Hello there!
1:11:58 - Choco's favorite part of the movie.
1:14:25 - SWMM Questionnaire
Things to Check Out:
Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Darth Choco's last time on SWMM (discussing The Last Jedi): https://youtu.be/5Q_iuTbsJic
Musical Themes:
5. The Gang
1a. Main Theme (A Section)
Where Are We in the Soundtrack?
"Mimban Battle (1M10A-B)"
"Blackmail (1M11)"
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Star Wars Music Minute Questionnaire
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
Hope. Redemption. Spirituality.
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
The creation/engineering of new sounds.
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
Pirates of the Caribbean (composed by Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer)
Bonus Question: What would you encourage listeners to pay extra attention to on their second viewing of this film?
Pay attention to the way that the music ducks, adapts, and pivots to make room for the comedic bits, conversation, and heroic moments.
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Darth Choco:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@darthchoco
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DarthChoco
The High Ground podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/high-ground-star-wars-podcast-for-people-who-actually/id1525044964
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarthChoco7
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If you enjoyed this episode and want to show extra appreciation, feel free to buy me a coffee and shout out the guest! https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
If you want to support the show, 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:
Spotify: https://smarturl.it/swmm-spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://smarturl.it/swmm-apple
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Monday Mar 14, 2022
Monday Mar 14, 2022
Guest: Alex Cunningham
In minutes 101-105 of A New hope, our rebel friends attend a briefing, rev up their engines backstage, and get ready for showtime on the Death Star. Today's guest is Alex Cunningham, who raises interesting questions about the diegesis of Obi-Wan's voice, the timing of the PA voices, and General Dodonna's accent.
Discussion Guide:
00:00 - Hello there!
10:14 - Does Luke literally experience Obi-Wan's voice?
18:57 - Subjectivity and objectivity in music/language.
25:41 - Dodonna's microaggression toward Princess Leia?
35:28 - Acting then (1977) versus now.
46:15 - Sinking realization.
50:12 - What do you think about Biggs?
59:04 - A beautiful minute of engines roaring.
1:06:51 - Are the PA voices too perfectly timed with the cuts?
1:16:45 - "I'd never want to be an ill-behaved guest, but I was kind of curious..."
1:27:53 - Gnarliest violin spot in the Star Wars score?
1:33:19 - Examples from pop/rock music that remind Alex of these minutes.
1:41:20 - SWMM Questionnaire
Things Mentioned:
Thomas Tallis madrigal "Verily, verily I say unto you" https://youtu.be/KaQ_DRvHqr8
Yo La Tengo, "Sugarcube": https://youtu.be/_1Dwa68U5os?t=119
Buffalo Daughter, "Earth Punk Rockers": https://youtu.be/LYZ3y6uOKeQ?t=134
Sonic Youth, "Stones": https://youtu.be/DAkJO0UcBhs?t=232
Where Are We in the Soundtrack?
Very beginning of "The Battle Of Yavin (Launch From The Fourth Moon/X-Wings Draw Fire/Use The Force")
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
John. Ben. James. (Shoutout to Nani from Triad of the Force for saying this answer first.)
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
Alex would love to ask Ben Burtt what other sound designers he admires.
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
Akira (composed by Geinoh Yamashirogumi)
Runner-up: The Harder They Come (primarily featuring Jimmy Cliff)
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Alex Cunningham:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muay_tie_fighter/
------------------
If you enjoyed this episode and want to show extra appreciation, feel free to buy me a coffee and shout out the guest! https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
If you want to support the show, 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:
Spotify: https://smarturl.it/swmm-spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://smarturl.it/swmm-apple
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Friday Mar 11, 2022
Friday Mar 11, 2022
What happens to the narrative when an iconic theme like the "Imperial March" becomes diegetic? What does that do to the audience? Samantha Tripp is here to help us explore this fascinating topic today. We discuss Solo, Rebels, the British Empire, the efficacy of propaganda music, and other bits and pieces from minutes 11-15 of Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Hello there!
01:49 - Characteristics of the diegetic Imperial March in Solo ("Empire Recruitment")
18:25 - John Powell's own words about his diegeticization of the Imperial March.
26:30 - Comparing this to Star Wars: Rebels ("Glory of the Empire")
35:35 - Could we reverse-engineer Williams's original "Imperial March" by taking this Edwardian Pax-Britannica-style version and putting it through a filter of chromaticism?
45:01 - Does the propaganda do its job?
50:49 - David Glen Russell possibly wrote the "Glory of the Empire" theme for Rebels.
1:02:40 - SWMM Questionnaire
Things Mentioned:
Star Wars Rebels Season 1 - "Glory of the Empire" - https://youtu.be/TouCl6yp13A
Elgar - Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 (Land of Hope and Glory) - https://youtu.be/Vvgl_2JRIUs
Walton - Orb and Sceptre Coronation March - https://youtu.be/Qir5ndIlsJ8
Walton: Crown Imperial: A Coronation March - https://youtu.be/fraKCzza0To
Resistance Broadcast interview with John Powell: https://youtu.be/Ujm6aLuN7yQ
Another example of a patriotic march but for the USA: The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa - "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band - https://youtu.be/a-7XWhyvIpE
Themes:
4. Han & Q'ira
2a. Young Han Solo (Searching, comp. JW)
3. Secrets
10a. Imperial March (Theme)
1. Young Han Solo (Heroic, comp. JW)
5. The Gang
Note: I use the theme names and numbers established in Frank Lehman's Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars. You can download it free at his website: https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Soundtrack:
"Spaceport" / "Spaceport (1M6-7)"
"Gonna Be a Pilot (1M8)"
"Empire Recruitment (1M9)"
"Mimban Battle (1M10A-B)"
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
Powerful, evocative, grandiose.
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
Musician stories from recording the sequel films, particularly The Rise of Skywalker. What is it like sitting in the orchestra, hearing those themes, and trying to make connections in the film ahead of time?
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
The Shape of Water (composed by Alexandre Desplat)
Bonus Question: What would you encourage listeners to pay extra attention to on their next viewing of Solo: A Star Wars Story?
The juxtaposition between the Imperial March in the advertisement versus the battle. Also, the way that John Powell's score creates and plays with tension as Han and Qi'ra are trying to make their way through the barrier, then later on, as Han is hiding. Listen for the string ostinati, etc.
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Samantha Tripp:
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3hiwYy5oTsb50N-kxRhonA
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If you enjoyed this episode and want to show extra appreciation, feel free to buy me a coffee and shout out the guest! https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
If you want to support the show, 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:
Spotify: https://smarturl.it/swmm-spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://smarturl.it/swmm-apple
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
For those curious, here is the full abstract for the talk Samantha is preparing. The abstract was co-written by Samantha Tripp and her advisor Frank Lehman.
The Suns Never Set on the Galactic Empire: Recursive References and In-Universe Instances of “The Imperial March”
Allowing a non-diegetic theme to slip into the realm of source music is nothing new: ever since Siegfried tooted his own horn(motif), composers of narrative multimedia have found ways for underscore to peek into the diegetic world. But while such moments of diegeticization provide yet another example of the eminently-permeable “fantastical gap,” their ramifications often run deeper than a blurring of narrational levels (Stilwell 2004, Heldt 2013). Because when fictional characters hear their own music, it can provoke a rehearing for the audience. Indeed, the recontextualized “source” of such underscore-as-source-music may turn out to reside as much in nonfictional reality as some fictional diegesis.
This presentation explores the implications of rehearing an iconic theme—John Williams’ “Imperial March”—through two in-universe instances: David Glen Russell’s “Empire Day” from Rebels (2014), and John Powell’s “Empire Recruitment” from Solo (2018). These cues both reimagine the minor-mode leitmotif as major-mode musical propaganda. Through close analysis, we demonstrate two contrasting approaches to diegeticization: parodic hyper-chromaticization of the theme’s non-functional tonality in Rebels’ ceremonial parade; and nostalgic diatonic hyper-correction for Solo’s military-recruitment ad. By cannily channeling the nobilmente style of Elgar/Walton, these cues resurface a subtextual “source” of Williams’s theme—Edwardian Pax-Britannica style nationalism—and with it the complex relation of imperial-versus-revolutionary politics in Star Wars generally (Buhler 2002, Lerner 2004). We conclude by situating the “Imperial March” at one further level of remove: out of the meticulously controlled diegetic canon of Disney-era Star Wars and into the real world of contemporary protest music.
Monday Mar 07, 2022
Monday Mar 07, 2022
A NEW HOPE minutes 96-100 take us from the TIE fighter attack to the Rebel base on Yavin. Composer and music/sound editor Nick Norton joins Xanthe for a discussion about jungle soundscapes, downtime in the cockpit, and the 5 categories of sound in film.
Discussion points:
00:00 - Hello there!
16:27 - Vertical harmony
20:00 - TIE fighter music talk-through
27:05 - Math and music editing
33:44 - 5 categories of sound in film.
42:33 - Transition to Yavin
53:12 - What is "production sound"?
5 types of sound in film
1:10:40 - SWMM Questionnaire
Things Mentioned:
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound (documentary) - https://youtu.be/xsckp8r1-8c
Flash Gordon Series musical score by Franz Liszt - https://youtu.be/YgyJtJNiYZY
Themes:
2. Rebel Fanfare
8. TIE Fighter Attack
5. Death Star
Note: I use the theme names and numbers established in Frank Lehman's Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars. You can download it free at his website: https://franklehman.com/starwars/
Soundtrack stuff:
Last minute of "Ben Kenobi's Death/TIE Fighter Attack"
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SWMM Questionnaire:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
Original space opera.
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
More about Ludwig Göransson's process. How is/was the work divided (between Göransson and Joseph Shirley) in The Book of Boba Fett? How do electronics and sound design feed into the sound of The Mandalorian?
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
Blade Runner 2049 (composed by Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch)
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Nick Norton:
Website: https://nickwritesmusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notnicknorton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickwritesmusic
Equal Sound: https://equalsound.org/
------------------If you enjoyed this episode and want to show extra appreciation, feel free to buy me a coffee and shout out the guest! https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
If you want to support the show, 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:
Spotify: https://smarturl.it/swmm-spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://smarturl.it/swmm-apple
YouTube: https://youtube.com/starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starwarsmusicminute?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWarsMusMin
Instagram: https://instagram.com/starwarsmusicminute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com
Saturday Mar 05, 2022
Saturday Mar 05, 2022
Kyle Katarn and Xanthe discuss minutes 6-10 of Solo: A Star Wars Story. In this excerpt of the film, Han and Qi'ra escape from Lady Proxima's lair, get chased at high speeds through Corellia, and end up at the Spaceport. We discuss Han Solo's themes, the visual language of Star Wars, and why John Williams is the "emotional taskmaster of the movies."
Timestamps:
00:00 - Hello there!
04:00 - Grindalids
15:12 - Han starts with a Hail Mary, but when he starts to achieve success, his music grows more confident.
16:22 - John Williams wrote a couple variations of Han's theme to reflect his different states.
22:18 - How do contemporary Star Wars composers balance between being authentic and emulating John Williams?
29:24 - On Solo drama, leaks, news, public discourse in 2018.
35:05 - Is this a violin sul D or sul G in "Corellia Chase"?
48:51 - The dice.
55:59 - Silent world building during the Corellia Chase. We fly through all these set pieces showing us Imperial checkpoints, TIE fighters on an assembly line, etc.
1:02:39 - Hint of the Star Wars Main Theme... and what it may represent.
1:08:30 - John Powell getting a lot of mileage out of the John Williams themes.
1:12:46 - Emotional taskmaster of the movies.
1:20:11 - SWMM Questionnaire
Things to Check Out:
Kyle Katarn's previous episode on Star Wars Music Minute: https://youtu.be/WMtZhUZnINM
John Powell posted the score video to "1m4-5 Corellia Chase" on his YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/gwxKd0BU4ew
John Powell shared a video from the scoring session for "Corellia Chase" - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2055945587962066
Themes:
2b. Young Han Solo (Searching Variant, comp. JW)
1. Young Han Solo (Heroic, comp. JW)
2a. Young Han Solo (Searching, comp. JW)
Note: I use the theme names and numbers established in Frank Lehman's Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars. You can download it free at his website: https://franklehman.com/starwars/.
Where are we in the soundtrack?
end of "Bunk / Proxima (1M2-3)" (about the last 10 seconds)
full track: "Corellia Chase (1M4-5)" or "Corellia Chase"
beginning of "Spaceport (1M6-7)" or "Spaceport" (until about 0:57)
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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?
Epic. Exotic. Alive.
Pewpew! Brrrrrr! Pppphufff! (rough transcription of Kyle's sound effects...)
2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?
The process of crafting new sounds to represent species or technologies. What parameters or instructions are sound designers given? Is it like "I want it to sound wibbly wobbly" or something subjective like that?
3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?
Kingdom of Heaven (composed by Harry Gregson-Williams)
Bonus Question: What would you encourage listeners to pay more attention to on their next viewing of Solo?
Pay attention to what's going on in the background during fast-paced moments like the chase, because there are a lot of important world building information, Easter eggs, and references to other Star Wars media that can be found.
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Kyle Katarn:
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/ky1ekatarn
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb8X1bh7GNenZizQtypmUBw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ky1eKatarn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ky1ekatarn/
If you enjoyed this episode and want to show extra appreciation, feel free to buy me a coffee and shout out the guest! https://buymeacoffee.com/starwarsmusmin
If you want to support the show, consider becoming a patron! https://patreon.com/chrysanthetan
Leave a voice message, and I might play it on the show... https://starwarsmusicminute.com/comlink
Star Wars Music Minute:
Website: starwarsmusicminute.com
YouTube: /starwarsmusicminute
Twitter: @StarWarsMusMin
Instagram: @starwarsmusicminute
TikTok: @StarWarsMusicMinute
Email: podcast@starwarsmusicminute.com