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 fr

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 Chrysa

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. Fa

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 L

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,

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 performan

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 / Spo

Daniel Ho is a 6-time GRAMMY winning artist, producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and audio engineer from Honolulu, Hawai'i. Playlist Spotify playlist Guest Daniel Ho is a 6-time GRAMMY winning artist, producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and audio engineer from Honolulu, Hawai'i. He began his professional career in the ‘90s as the leader of Billboard-topping contemporary jazz group Kilauea and has since gone on to win innumerable awards, tour all over the world, and compose, perform, record, and produce dozens of solo and collaboration albums. Most recently, Daniel collaborated with Japanese rock legend Tak Matsumoto, traditional Mongolian group The Grasslands Ensemble, and even performed the National Anthem at a Clippers Game at the Staples Center. Additionally, Daniel collaborates with luthier Pepe Romero in the creation of original ukulele instruments. Between the Sky & Prairie - album by The Grasslands Ensemble and Daniel Ho (CD / iTunes) "Pineapple Mango"

Derek Stein (Vitamin String Quartet, gnarwhallaby, wild Up) is a cellist with the ability to extract exciting, unusual sounds from his instrument. On this episode, he demonstrates his favorite sounds, reveals which audition he bombed, and joins us for a discussion on whether cell phones belong at concerts. Playlist Here is a Spotify playlist to pair with Underscore Episode B3! Co-hosts Chrysanthe and Thomas collaborated with our guest Derek Stein to curate an hour of tracks featuring ice-skating music, electronica, spoken word, microtones, and strange cello sounds. Guest Derek Stein is a cellist with the ability to extract exciting, unusual sounds from his instrument. He is a member of the Vitamin String Quartet and several contemporary classical groups, including gnarwhallaby and wild Up. T'filat ha-Derech by Marc Lowenstein (Soundcloud) Burn the Witch by Radiohead, performed by Vitamin String Quartet (iTunes / Spotify) Vox Balaenae - Voice of the Whale by George Crumb - (YouTube video with masked perf

Composer/pianist Sarah Gibson shows us her bag of tricks, plays the melodica, and tells us why she composed a piano piece for just the left hand. Then, we discuss how different concert venues affect our concert-going experience. Playlist Here is a Spotify playlist to pair with Underscore episode #B2! Co-hosts Chrysanthe and Thomas collaborated with our guest Sarah Gibson to curate these tracks based on the conversations, recs, and vibes of this episode. Guest Composer/pianist Sarah Gibson shows us her bag of tricks, plays the melodica, and tells us why she composed a piano piece for just the left hand. Sure Baby, Manana by Sarah Gibson and it's spring when the world is puddle-wonderful; Concerto for Left-hand piano by Sarah Gibson Outsider by Sarah Gibson, performed by HOCKET ensemble Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major by Maurice Ravel (iTunes / Spotify) John Cage Prepared Piano app Find Sarah Gibson online: Website Twitter HOCKET Lightning Round Questions What genre is you

Sean Hayward, a composer/guitarist with roots in extreme metal, illustrates the intersections between metal and classical music, shares his love for Javanese gamelan, and gives us his top metal recommendations for newbies. Then, we watch a viral music video and discuss whether expensive instruments truly sound better than cheap ones. Playlist Here is a Spotify playlist to pair with Underscore episode #1! Co-hosts Chrysanthe and Thomas collaborated with guest Sean Hayward to curated these tracks with love, based on the conversations, guest, recs, and vibes of this episode. Guest Sean Hayward, a composer / guitarist with roots in extreme metal, talks to us about why so many metal musicians are attracted to classical music, getting involved in Javanese gamelan, and more. Echoes of the Old World by William Kanengiser The Black Moon EP by Sean Hayward. (Bandcamp / Spotify) S&M Album by Metallica, live with San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. (iTunes / Spotify) Metal and metal-inspired artis