Solo 24: Better Call Maul

Aug 6

Maul's entire sound situation in minutes 116-120 of SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY is absolute wildness. James Waterman and Justin Scheid (from The Band Batch) are here with Xanthe to discuss!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Hello there!
01:31 - Our extremely cute matching outfits.
08:04 - Analog sword fighting.
11:00 - Space pirate polyrhythms + a tangent about notating polyrhythms.
20:26 - Cool accents on beat 2 during the heroic end of the fight.
24:04 - Is Han's theme almost "the lick?"
26:09 - Powell's blend of classic + modern elements, cinematic toms, electronic drums
32:59 - Clap for James's joke.
35:04 - Beginning of Qi'ra and Han's romantic (?) scene.
37:39 - How do Justin and James feel about the "Secrets" theme.
43:56 - Han & Qi'ra's wistful piano theme = a unique moment for a Star Wars score.
53:08 - Giant interval leaps associated with yearning, longing, romance.
58:40 - The weirdest line: "Smile."
1:01:54 - Qi'ra's motivations.
1:08:44 - Darth Maul.
1:16:00 - Time warp.
1:26:30 - Maul's position in the sound mix, microphone technique, speakers, and why does he sound like that? 😩
1:53:23 - Duel of the Fates.
2:03:58 - The original key of Duel of the Fates is maintained here. Does that matter?
2:25:35 - Beckett and Han scene begins. Difference between soundtrack version and film version of score.
2:46:15 - Rundown of musical stats (should the Rebel Fanfare count or no?) with a brief introduction to what Frank Lehman calls "associative progressions."
2:50:42 - Answering listener questions (from Alex C.) about our own experiences composing for film.
3:05:59 - Will there always be a place for "conventional" and/or orchestral film scores?
3:20:35 - SWMM Questionnaire

Things Referenced:

Polyrhythm = the simultaneous use of two or more rhythms that are not readily perceived as deriving from one another - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyrhythm
the lick on 91 instruments (InstrumentManiac): https://youtu.be/i_7bLbrbz-k
Jebel Banat Trailer (film by Sharine Atif, music by James Waterman) - https://vimeo.com/256081152
Vamonos (short film by Marvin Lemus, music by Chrysanthe Tan) - https://www.pbs.org/video/pbs-indies-vamanos/
Mono (film by Sangam Sharma, collaboratively scored by Chrysanthe Tan and 5 other musicians). Xanthe composed "Still," "A Darkroom," and "Void" (from 35:00-48:17) - https://vimeo.com/149306826
ANH 24: Happy Glockenspiel (with The Band Batch) (Minutes 116-120) - https://youtu.be/YR27lFOLgEk
Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (by Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/.

Musical Themes:

1. Young Han Solo (Heroic, comp. JW)
2. Rebel Fanfare
4. Han & Q'ira
3. Secrets
6a. Imperials (Motif) - maybe?
26b. Duel of the Fates (Chant)
26a. Duel of the Fates (Theme)
5. The Gang

Where are we in the soundtrack?:

"Dryden's Long, Long Fight (6M41-42)"
"Testing Allegiance"
"Maul's Call / Parting Ways (7M43-44-45)"

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STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:

1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?

Justin: (Previous answer: pew pew pew)
James: Bum bum bum (Previous answer: The Band Batch)

2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?

Justin: How all the foley is done. (Same answer as previous)
James: What the sound on set is like. (Previous answer: What is John Williams's writing process like?)

3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?

Justin: Stranger Things by Kyle Dixon/Michael Stein and War of the Worlds by John Williams. (Previous answer: The Village by James Newton Howard)
James: Untitled by David Lang (Previous answer: Hereditary by Colin Stetson)

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Guests: Justin Scheid and James Waterman from The Band Batch.

James Waterman: