Fireside Chat: Sound and Music Talkback Extravaganza: The Sound and the Fury: Music is All Around Us Volume 1

Listening to Taylor geek out about the little details makes me so happy. I've bookmarked this episode for the next time I'm having a rough day

@Taylor okay I’m only 28 minutes in so you very well might answer this but: hOw did you go about learning to compose? What sort of programs or tutorials or what have you helped with your process? Thank you, legend!!

Not all baroque music is created equal! And there are, hopefully obviously, different genres within baroque itself. Sure, there's a lot of boring garbage (featuring a lot of harpsichord), but then there are also J.S. Bach's cello suites. We accept the bad because the good is soooo good. Also, loved hearing the "if it ain't baroque, don't fix it" joke from a non-music major. Lastly, there aren't words to adequately describe the incredible feeling, not sound, of a truly low note being played on a pipe organ. That's the good stuff.

I can't articulate why, but Erika yelling "FUGUES!!!" with just the most *palpable* exasperation in their voice took me the fuck out

As a native Michigander pls put some respect on our pleasant peninsula… even if we are lowkey the Florida of the midwest

Come on guys, the Rain Toad was right there

Erika is 1000% correct with Hozier

Listen…as someone who’s been in Texas for a few years…you’re right. Not this friendship. It’s not great, and getting worse.

Dog Suvi opening the door just confirms that they are a wizard! Aabriya isn’t playing a character, dog Suvi has asked for their story to be told in this format.

i heard "uncut jems" and disassociated for 10 minutes

Taylor blasts this storytelling into outer space. Can't wait for an album of the OST. Having heard in an earlied podcast that he had to throw out the first attempt for the [spoiler] at the end of the first episode was wild, he absolutely nailed it with what is my favourite music in this story.

Guys a fucking genius

Taylor you are a true wizard bard artificer of sound. Thank you for these explanations! They are so useful and inspiring for a learning composer

Composition and sound design are adjacent to but outside of my field of music nerdery, so Taylor, as far as I'm concerned, you're a straight-up wizard. I did have the idea, though, that a church organ, as the perfect meeting of the metalwork of the Empire and the winds of the spirit world, would be the most perfect instrument if the Empire ever gets into the business of religion.

Thank You Taylor for the amazing part in shaping the sounds that move us as the tale unfolds

So now that we are post-Arc 2, I am trying to guess which Ame scene Taylor was referring to. There were a lot.

omg my dad played jonathan richman a lot for me as a kid i can totally see that

As someone who played a few instruments growing up and truly missing being in a symphonic band I truly appreciate the hard work. I have been obsessed with the sound design. It also just makes me want to pull out my clarinet and play again and find a way to get back into playing

The deep cut of a Paul Simon Graceland parody jumpscared me sp bad

Was it ever answered if you guys are releasing a soundtrack?In the description it's one of the questions but i didn't here it answered, if you did and i missed it many apologies

Thank you, Taylor, for all of your fantastic work. Truly makes me cry at how well your music brings out the emotions in each scene. 💙💜💙💜

Can we use some pieces of your music for our fanart to WBN, Taylor?

I'm with Taylor. If you must perceive me, do it in fear.

TAYLOR IS AMAZING AND FUNNY AND TALENTED LIKE WOOOOOOWW SO AWESOME TO HAVE SOME AMAZING PEOPLE WHO I'VE BEEN ADORING THEIR PASSION AND SKILL IN STORYTELLING FOR YEARS WORK WITH A POWER I'VE NEVER KNOWN TO CREATE SOMETHING SO BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING YOU GUYS ARE SO AMAZING I LOVE ALL OF YOUR CRAFT!!!!!

I'm constantly inspired by Taylor's work , and am definitely coming for his job.

I was promised psychological destruction. *witch cackles intensify*

This was a great peek behind the technical curtain. As a person with serious focus issues and a little bit of a processing delay, I can't usually follow podcasts at all, except scripted audio dramas, and even that's hard. This is only the second actual play podcast that sidesteps that inability for me, and that's 100% owing to the perfect marriage of powerful storytelling/play at the table with tight and skillful editing and sound design. As curious as I am about some of the planning, trimming that and all but the best table talk is what helps keep me immersed enough that my spacey brain won't wander off. This is definitely my favorite podcast, and it would be entirely inaccessible to my particular brand of ADHD brain if it weren't for Taylor's skills and choices.

The last piece of music that Taylor didn't write,,, am i hearing Auld Lang Syne in episode 13 at 1:09:35?

The delicious chaos that pops out in the last 2mins, cover Suvi’s eyes

Taylor coming to you live from the in-house organ in a silent film theatre.

Hey, Taylor answered my question! Thanks friends!

GLITCH MOB REFERENCE

I absolutely loved this entire thing. I’m a music teacher who has always been absolutely fascinated by sound design and hearing his process of the best audio editing I’ve ever heard was wonderful and relatable! I have a dream of getting into this world but don’t even know where to begin!

I usually listen to this in my car, I live in the middle of nowhere, it's practical. But after listening to this, I'm definitely doing my next listen with my headphones! Excited to know that I'll still be getting a new experience. I knew there were things I wasn't hearing, but knowing how much thought went into them makes me even more curious! Thanks for all your hard work 💖🥰 This podcast is my safe place

Brennan peaking the mic on the “UHHHMMM” after saying “apologies for probably being too loud on the mic”

Oh i did clock the baroque music in the dining room! Also yeah baroque music blows, shits boring (except vivaldi but he’s girlypop)

This is in-credible. The literal black panther growl as part of the Stranger's voice?!!? As for who should cover The Rain Road, I think it should be an older woman, as in the story. Given the style of the music, I think Jean Ritchie would be perfect. Anybody have a Resurrect spell handy?

i’m re-listening to this and feel compelled to impart a more genuine comment to Taylor: 🫵🏻 you’re telling me the Sir Curran scene that makes me sob my actual eyes out and, as a result, every time i hear the music used again i become teary-eyed, was PLAYED LIVE???!? you’re off your absolute gourd. you utter madman. you perfect sunflower. 😤🌻

@taylor Look. If you have a problem with compliments you really should back off on the explanation of your detailed and profound creative process. Just tell people you just threw shit together in 2 hours.🤣 Just ignore this: Truly amazing work. Thank you.

The music in episode 7 underscoring the meal and Eursulon's feat of strength with the chest of drawers sounds an awful lot like the post-wedding march (recessional?)

@Taylor really on board with everything you said until you came for Baroque. Now I shall have to duel you.

His butt poppin'

Whenever I hear the Citadels March music, my brain hears "when the saints come marching in" on the ending notes. Its a permanent fixture in my brain now and it prolly wasn't intended.

This is MAGIC. I absolutely loved hearing about your process!!

When are we going to get a soundtrack of all the great music? :))

Too much to say, can’t say it all…short version, the five of you ROCK!

“I take-a da show, I take out all the “umm”s and “IN-credible”s — I leave in one or two “IN-credible”s so people know what they’re listening to…” that was such a targeted razz that I was not prepared for

My goodness, Taylor! Hearing your breakdown on the King of Night's sound design was amazing! I was freaking out when you mentioned the leopard sounds, as I thought I was hearing things when I heard it the first time. Truly felt like the Void given form. Thank you, you madman you!

When Suvi walks, she walks to the beat of a drum

My phone connected to the car sound system right as Brennan said “The orifice of Taylor’s penis looks exactly like a human butthole” so that was really fun to explain to her (I couldn’t convince her I’m not listening to audio porn)

Gimme a 100% "Amazing!" cut!

Taylor, you have the best job - and I like how you explain it

Ericka and I said “Hozier” at the same time and I have never felt more affirmed in my musical taste and life choices.

Is anyone else having the Patreon app crash every time they press play on this?

Rules stuff if VERY compelling please give it to us

Im having a hard time finding that etsy link. Is that still available?

Iirc the thing about Grandmother Wren and crying for Suvi was specifically how Wren told Suvi to make sure her teard fell onto Eursulon or Suvi's blanket which was on top of Eursulon. It was the workings of a spell of some sorts Wren was using to keep him safe or protected. Aabria made mention ooc that Grandmother Wren had taught her "a right way to cry" and extrapolated from that there is a "wrong way to cry"

Ngl, the Yog-Soggoth comment wholeheartedly endeared me to you, Taylor. I appreciate your dedication to the craft. I can't believe you are a single man team doing all this. Keep it up, don't fall into madness. Drink many fluids, don't stare deep into the crawling chaos of the cosmos...too much :)

Almost bought a Bach record yesterday, just to spite Taylor. Important note: I don’t own a record player.

Can we get Taylor to guest as a character? Maybe as a bard? ❤️

NO one is on your side about your dogshit Baroque music opinions Taylor (we love you though).

The well tempered clavier!? My guy

Also… please recreate this episode with the referenced moments included. Pwetty pwease

Love how they got through questions and had room for silliness… but also love when it’s pure silliness. So basically, love, love, love… love, love, love, love, love. No notes.

Suvi being a marching band girl is such a specific and hilarious musical choice.

Man I’m 7 mins in and already rewinding constantly to vacuum up all the information I can 💖

Give me the silence, umms, paper crinkling, catchphrases (interesngs), occasionally broken up by dropped dice and math in an anti-fireside bonus episode.

Music the Reckoning is my favorite World of Darkness spat

This was a wonderful episode! I am so here for all the absolutely nitty gritty details of sound design decisions. I'm hoping this becomes a regular between seasons thing.

Taylor, my guy. That baroque music in episode 7 was specifically distracting, because one part of it is literally the wedding march which is actually used at wedding ceremonies.

Andrew Bird rules. What a dream collab that would be!

Where? Is? The? WBN? Music? Playlist?

Can we get a 'just the mouth sounds' cut for Arc 1? Truly nightmarish for Halloween.

It was sooo nice to have a special fireside for the sound <3 I can't believe you didn't talk about the water sound at the end of arc 1 I guess it is because fireside is supposed to be "light" work but it would have been interesting to have extracts of the sound when speaking about a specific moment or instrument (like the lithophone) but otherwise it was very nice to spend somme Time with Taylor This podcast is GREAT, thank youuuuu ~

The app glitched right at the silence bit and I sat for like full 5 minutes in silence thinking the bit was still on

As the proud holder of a fourth-place ribbon in the National Junior Classical League's Latin Mottoes exam, aka I once spent an entire summer as a teenager memorizing every state's Latin or Greek motto, this episode has been delightful

You’re completely the cousins I didn’t know I had and didn’t know that I needed. Thank you, Family.

Sick Gordian knot reference

Fuck YES Andrew Bird would be incredible

Thank you for answering my question, and thank you to Erika for defending Baroque music on my behalf. Still love you, Taylor.

It is so wild that Taylor said Jonathan Richman. I know that guy. We did a play together and we live in the same town. I’ll ask him next time I see him and it’s appropriate, he legitimately loves to play guitar at parties. I can’t see me getting him in front of a microphone but there is a non zero chance I post a phone video sometime in the next year.

I'm just going to leave this here. No reason. xD https://www.pandora.com/artist/musica-antiqua-koln-and-reinhard-goebel/telemann-flute-quartets/ALc9rmPn2pvflVw

Hate to complain at all, as I love all of these, but the audio balancing feels so off this time. Everyone is kinda quiet so I turn it up and then Taylor is SUPER loud compared to the rest of the group. It makes it hard to listen.

Erika and I said Hozier at the same time, I love

Poor Suvi (Suvi Suvi, not Suvi), walking in on graphic adult time.

Erika is right! Vivaldi is a part of the baroque period

I'm looking forward to doing an entire re-listen with the highest quality speaker system/headphones I can get my hands on to get all the bass, lithophone and pitched up insect noises. Thanks for the details!

As someone who is very loud and gets wildly excited in discussing the things that I love. Taylor it is a joy to listen to you speak on all of this!

I can’t believe we didn’t get a “(Taylor’s Version)” for the intro!!

Do you ever listen to Taylor talk about his orchestrations and think that you haven’t accomplished anything in your adult life?

It's the armpit, right? Taylor is playing the armpit?

This is really interesting and I'm so glad that Taylor let himself be perceived

He's officially Taylor 'fuck it we'll do it live' Moore now.

Release a comp of the cut vocal static!

The Weird Al cover of Rain Road is called “Feigned Brogue” and he just sings it all in a terrible Scottish accent.

I need video of Brennan and Taylor talking. Because I cannot tell the difference between you aurally.

Every time Taylor opens his mouth I get more and more impressed. He's just so knowledgeable and thoughtful in his creative choices

Here for Taylor’s subtle “yas queen” to Lou at 45:17

taylor's play by play of the highs and lows of the creative process where one moment youre like HOLY SHIT IM A GENIUS, A GOD, I'M UNSTOPPABLE and then for the next week you're waiting for a meteor to hit you is truly the EXACT form that my creative process also follows, i truly have never felt so seen and related to someone talking about their creative process so much, THANK YOU taylor lmao

Highly recommend Jonathan Richman, check out "you can't talk to the dude" or "parties in the usa" Also "tandem jump"

Fun weaving fact: woof and weft are both correct! Same thing, different names. Delightful sounds & soundmakers, all. Thanks.

As a native Texan, can confirm our motto of "Friendship" (as the indigenous word from which the state derives its name means "friends"), and tis what I offer all of y'all! Amazing Fireside with fantastic insights and butt jokes (the REAL reason we gather round the fire!). Also, was totally thrown for a loop when Erika popped in and thought "Damn, Aabria sounded JUST like Erika there!". 😜

I can't Belize Lou made it to the fireside

YYYYYESSSSSSSS

Thank you for answering my question! #Lithophone4Life

when did they play A Drop of Nelson’s Blood?

Are there any spoilers in this chat? I joined the Patreon very recently and am still catching up with the story!

love whenever Taylor is on

This is Great!!

So happy to hear from a fellow Baroque hater lmao

Also hey everyone in the comments here, if we all chip in we can get Taylor the funny rock

This was such a cool and informative talkback! The idea of the sound of something huge being moved as a sonic indicator of power is just....wow! They truly are all storytellers making stories out of sound!!

[response to timestamp 44:30] yall can definitely TRY to psychologically destroy me.

Confirmed Taylor is Brennan.

How do we get Taylor a reward?

Question for Lou (welcome back!): that little bit of Belize you brought back with you, how did you get it through customs?

Being a composer, this is such a joy to listen to. I LOVE the music in WWW!

I do wanna say, I grew up in Florida, and moved back after 10 years away. I've never seen a gator, just out and about.

Hi. I'm listening in from Michigan and I need to express the sheer panic elicited by googling my state moto and hearing Taylor say it out loud as I read it

I'm just now learning this process and how important it is. Also, shout out to the signed Animal photo.

Sound Sorcerer Taylor coming through!!! 🎶✨ All of this nerding out about sound and breaking down the process about the sound design is bringing me so much joy. The sound design of this show really is unmatched and transports me into this world so much.

The way I gasped when I heard Lou had finally graced us with his presence

As an aspiring soundtrack creator, words cannot describe how fast clicked on this fireside.

Are we sure Tyler isn't actually Brennan?? No seriously, they couldn't find a more perfect match for this group. I learned so much today. Amazing how much philosophy and psychology is involved in the music on WBN!

Ibeefa

Y'all are just the best. Love the sounds y'all make rubbing your flappy things.

Ooh Taylor! When you're doing a spotting pass what method of organizing your notes do you typically use i.e software that makes it easier, in program, or good 'ol pen and paper?

The incredible work by everyone involved, I'm so happy to support such amazing people!

Oh man, oh MAN! I am so excited to listen to this. This podcast is truly a balm for this audiophile's soul- and for it to also be an independent project, in this day and age? My heart! the environmental storytelling done purely with the audio is *chefs kiss*! Thank you so much for this transformative independent work.

My best friends and band members do sound design, so I kinda feel like Taylor is my best friend 🥰 you all make me feel close to you, cause you remind me of my friends so much.

I'm studying audio and music production in uni at the moment, and I have repeatedly been blown away by the sound design of WWW. My goal is to be a sound designer and I have already taken several inspirations from all of your work on this show. So thank you, and please keep doing what you're doing because it makes me shiver-scream and I kinda like it ❤️

Everyone who works on this podcast deserves a Nobel prize. I’m so grateful for the beautiful you all bring into this world.