Episode 4, Strange Loop

The new episode is now streaming on your podcast app! To recap, since I know it's been so damn long between episodes:

Episode 1: Fragments. We experience budding consciousness in a brand-new "Neuromax" brain optimizing chip, witness the human host's failing relationship with Lucy (played by Talia Hamilton), and watch uncontrollably as the human host spirals into depression. (Click to listen again)

Episode 2: Tell Me Lies. We meet the human host -- you! -- played by Jenise Morgan (go fund her film!) as well as your best friend Terry (played by KC Comeaux). He's had a Neuromax chip installed for a while, and reassures you that your weird side effects will go away. We also learn that your father gifted you this chip in his will, and learn more about how it ended with Lucy. At the end of the episode, Terry invites you to a hang with the old gang at their favorite dancing spot in Brighton Beach. (Click to listen again)

Episode 3: Reasons to Live. You spend an evening home, drinking alone and watching Netflix. You find a movie titled, "Reasons to Live," which is the same name as the poem recited within it (written by Maria Garcia Teutsch). The movie turns out to be one of those twisty thinkers, and when it's over you being to feel sentimental for Lucy. Suddenly, you experience a sudden loss of bodily control. You eventually find the "Reset Neuromax" button in the app, which makes you very drowsy, and fall straight to sleep. (Click to listen again)

Episode 4: Strange Loop. It's Thursday and you're going to meet your friends! You're feeling more yourself on the train ride to Brighton Beach, and not even the blustery winter storm can dampen your relief. Click to listen!

Episode 4 is performed by some of the most talented voiceover actors I know:

• Jenise Morgan (you): https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6381061/
• Maya Aoki Tuttle (Iksha): https://shoutoutsocal.com/meet-maya-aoki-tuttle-voice-actor/
• KC Comeaux (Terry): https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5324541/
• Chris Clark (Mal): https://www.instagram.com/enginerd_clark

Cadavre Exquis with Yves Tanguy, Joan Miró, Max Morise, Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitzky) Nude 1926–27.

Created in a game of Exquisite Corpse.

Behind the Music: An Aleatoric Experiment

Most of the score to this episode was co-authored by eight musicians who took turns composing and performing layers of sound in a sort-of "Exquisite Corpse" game. Each contributor interpreted the "Two Waves" musical theme in their own way. The results are, to me, delightful and engaging.

Co-authors of the score to "Episode 4: Strange Loop", in order of participation:

Nick Jones is a Portland, OR drummer and family man who loves all styles of music. Check out the newest record from Kinghorn on Spotify.

Reese Bowes is a multi-disciplinary designer, artist, and musician. He has worked with Intel’s New Software Experiences (NEX), PNCA's Make+Think+Code Lab, and Portland Institute for Contemporary Art. reesebowes.com

Daniel Lynas is a musician, producer, and engineer based in New York. He performed the synth line on Kanye West's "Monster," recorded and mixed A$AP Rocky's debut mixtape "Live.Love.A$AP," and most recently mixed a live show recording for BLACKPINK. lynasmusic.com

Derek Muro is a multi-media composer exploring the musical unconscious as it affects emotion, cultural memory, media and perception, seeking to increase human awareness and connection. He has released music on the toucan sounds and Acrylic labels. @derekwavebreakr | derekmuro.com

Darren Solomon is a Clio and Cannes Gold Lion award-winning composer, producer, bassist and keyboard player, based in Brooklyn. He toured with Ray Charles and Barry Manilow, composed music for hundreds of TV commercials and wrote the score to the Netflix series Invisible City. darrensolomon.com | inbflat.net

David Russell is a mathematician and musician based in the Washington, DC area. He is currently finishing up a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from the University of Maryland and will shortly begin working at NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office. By night, he plays, composes and arranges music, and is a regular performer at Open Piano Night at DC’s only nonprofit bar, The Saloon on U Street.

Emily Jeanne Brown is an actor, musician and Embodied Voice Coach based in Brooklyn, NY. Her coaching and consulting practice, OnVoice, allows her to engage her passion in service to growing the joy and talents of others. emilyjeannebrown.com

Learn more about the process here!

The Replicants logo

Featuring: The Replicants!

The track you hear near the end of the episode is titled "In the Mirror," and was created by a (very) underground Portland band called The Replicants.

The Replicants is the brain child of musician, producer, and engineer Nathan Ward, and the track "In the Mirror" is a reference / foreshadow to the next episode :)