Brian Skutle as Composer
What genre is my music?
I would categorize it as Ambient and New Age Electronic Music and Classical (as the case may be), but always with the style of film music.
Where can you find my music?
Other than selected pieces available here, I’ve also put pieces up at www.myspace.com/brianskutle and Society of Composers, Inc., which I’ve been a member of since May 2006.
Brian is also associated with Atlanta Composers, a group of new music composers in the Atlanta area looking to spread the word about the city’s wealth of new music through concerts and cross-promotion with new music ensembles in the area. To learn more, visit either our MySpace page above or the Atlanta Composers Blog.
Who are my influences?
Stylistically, I would have to say Hans Zimmer (“The Lion King”), Ennio Morricone (“The Good, the Bad & the Ugly”), Wendy Carlos (“A Clockwork Orange”), Gyorgy Ligeti (his music was used in “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Eyes Wide Shut”), and Bruce Springsteen (for that personal touch in his music). Other, less obvious influences include: Graeme Revell (“The Crow”), Trevor Jones (“Dark City”), John Powell (“The Bourne Supremacy”), Cliff Martinez (“Solaris”), Angelo Badalamenti (“Mulholland Dr.”), Nine Inch Nails, Moby, John Williams (“A.I. Artificial Intelligence”), Howard Shore (“Se7en”), Danny Elfman (“Big Fish”), Carter Burwell (“Conspiracy Theory”), Bernard Herrmann (“Vertigo”), James Horner (“Braveheart”).
In their personal impact, my high school band director- Mr. Alfred Watkins from Lassiter High School- and the program he has established there, my college recording professor- Dr. Robert S. Thompson- and my college composition and orchestration professor- Dr. Nick Demos- deserve the most credit for their passion for the art of music and their guidance in my own musical journey. I wasn’t the best student, but their teachings have served me well over the years. Many thanks to all of them.
Here’s what some fellow artists have said about my music:
“Very interesting work of yours! Though it’s hard to believe that you mainly use digital synths. Some sounds sound like they would be coming from analogue gear. Amazing also how creative and expressive-dramatic your composition is. Great visuals!”- Rising Star; “Brian, you are the bomb! Many times have I sat back and let your songs take me away! You have a style all of your own and that’s hard to come by. Keep it comin’.”- Trilobyte; “A Mysterious Lunar Discovery has some very nice textures as well! Great sounds. I think you’ve hit new ground with your new equipment. These textures suit your style more than your other/previous sounds, imo.”- Darren Nelsen, founder, Atlanta Composers Blog; ”...you’ve overcome the problem that MIDI almost always sounds extremely cheesy, you have a talent for melody and atmosphere”- Dennis O’Brien; “At times these compositions can get downright spooky, first lulling you and then raising the hairs on your neck with eerie, minimalist rhythms and synthesized reverberations.”- Listen.com; “Unbelievably dramatic music! Brian’s works are unique cinematic soundscapes. He draws you into imaginary movies, creating whole worlds of soothing ambience and dramatic pleasure.”- Secrets of the Soul; “Your music is ever growing & exquisite – I have been a fan for many years”- Earnest Woodall
Brian Discusses his Music
- At the 2001 Georgia State University New Music Festival (2/17/01)
- At the 2001 GSU Brass Ensemble Concert (3/22/01)
The Gear
Here’s a list of some of the equipment I’ve used over the years to create my music: Yamaha PSR540 Keyboard; Korg microKORG Synthesizer/Vocoder; Cakewalk Sonar 4; Cakewalk Home Studio 9; Bach Omega Trombone; Kenyan Finger Piano “Kalimba”; Stylophone; Nickel Doumbek; Indian Damroo; Bamboo Wooden Flute; Shure SM-58 Microphone; Alesis Multi-Mix 8USB; Finale 2006; Cakewalk Score Writer; Sound Forge; Csound; Korg T-1; Yamaha TG-55 & TX-81Z; E-Mu Ultra-Proteus Plus; Opcode Vision Sequencer.
The Music
Here’s the definitive list of all of my compositions- completed works only, and by album in many cases- and if/where they’re available for your listening pleasure. Most albums also available at online outlets such as iTunes as well as CDBaby.
Come visit my store on CafePress for T-Shirts, caps, buttons, and more!
Individual Works- Not on any album
=“Five Stages” Suite (11:44 in Five Movements); 1999/Not Available
=“In a Lonely Place (for Trombone Quartet)” (5:12); 1999/Not Available
=“Peaceful Meditation: An Ambient Fantasy for Piano” (5:52); 2000/Available for Listen @ www.reverbnation.com/brianskutle
=“Orchestral Melodic Setting in D Major (Final Orchestration Project” (4:45); 2001/Inspired by Berlioz’s “Symphony Fantastique”; Not Available
=“Lost Souls, Guided By Hope”; 2002/Not Yet Recorded
=“Trombone Quartet in A-Flat”; 2002/Not Yet Recorded
=”’Yahoos With a Mic’ Fanfare” (1:16); 2003/Available for Download @ www.sonic-cinema.com
=”’The Musical M.C.’ Finale” (1:36); 2004/Available for Download @ www.sonic-cinema.com
=“Minimalist Suspense, ver. 2.005” (5:35); 2005/Not Available
=“Fear: The Giving and Receiving of…” for “Souls for Sale- Clip 3” (1:00); 2005/Not Available- Written for Turner Classic Movies’ 6th Annual Young Film Composers Competition (Unused)
=“Symphonic Dread” (1:41); 2005/Not Available- Written as a demo piece for a possible scoring opportunity (Unused)
=”’Fallen’ for Strings, Synth, Percussion & Flute” (3:50); 2005/Not Available- Arranged for a “Resume” Film, From the Song By Delerium featuring Rani (Unused)
=“Symphonic Guitar Dread” (1:03); 2005/Not Available- Written as a demo piece for a possible scoring opportunity (Unused)
=“The Case: Chapter One- Running Deadman” Score (3:35); 2005/Not Available- Written for the short film by Standing Water Studios- see below for cue titles.
=“The Case: Chapter Three- The Gamble on Tomorrow” Score (13:51); 2005/“Lament for the Running Deadman” is available for download @ www.sonic-cinema.com- Written for the short film by Standing Water Studios- see below for cue titles.
=“The Case: Chapter Two- The Snap” Score (3:00); 2005/Not Available- Written for the short film by Standing Water Studios- see below for cue titles.
=“Rhythmic Muzak in C-minor” (3:59); 2006/Not Available
=“Alone With Percussion” (2:22); 2006/Not Available
=“Ambient Sustenance” (2:59); 2006/Not Available
=“Sonic Contemplation” (:); 2006/Not Yet Recorded
=“Edge Runner” (Single Version) (10:53); 2008/Not Available- Written for the short film “Unwinnable Hand: A Thriller in Two Movements” by Cinema Nouveau Productions.
=“Edge Runner” (Film Version) (10:53); 2008/Not Available- Written/Remixed for the short film “Unwinnable Hand: A Thriller in Two Movements” by Cinema Nouveau Productions.
=“Wasted Hand” (2:26); 2008/Not Available- Written for the short film “Unwinnable Hand: A Thriller in Two Movements” by Cinema Nouveau Productions.
=“Alone Again (“Lights in the Sky” Remix)” (6:33); 2009/Available for download and listen at remix.nin.com/member/bslemurgeek- Remixed from Nine Inch Nails’ song “Lights in the Sky” off of “The Slip.”
=“Cage Against the Machine” (4:35); 2009/Not Available
=“Word Invaders” Soundtrack (5:57); 2009/Available for Listen @ www.reverbnation.com- Written for the flash game application by David Miles.
=“Walpurgisnacht” (9:23); 2009/Written for the silent short film “Walpurgis Night” by Mathew Timms.
Brian Skutle: “Peaceful Meditation: An Ambient Fantasy for Piano”
“Creative Beginnings” (1999)
1. “Improvised BS” (1998; 3:52)
2. “Creative Beginnings (Original, Uncut Version)” (1998; 2:12)
3. “Minimalist Suspense” (1998; 3:54)
4. “Thematic Tradeoff” (1998; 1:39)
5. “60-Second Canon” (1998; 1:14)
6. “Ethereal Atmospheres” (1999; 3:38); Also available for Download @ Brian’s Society of Composers website
7. “Peaceful Meditation” (1999; 4:32); Also available for Download @ www.sonic-cinema.com
8. “Synthphonic Poignancy” (1999; 4:49); Also available for Listen @ www.reverbnation.com/brianskutle
9. “Creative Beginnings” (1998; 1:50)
In November 2008, I made a music video of sorts for “Peaceful Meditation,” inspired by some recent work on a concert I was a part of, as well as the writings of the Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky. I have presented it here for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoy.
Brian Skutle: “Peaceful Meditation”
“Dark Experiments” (2000)
1. “Mysterious Realms (MIDI)” (1998; 2:56)
2. “Beyond the Infinite” (1999; 3:27)
3. “Ambient Noiz” (1999; 1:00)
4. “Electronic Melody” (1999; 1:00)
5. “Chant of the Vocoder” (1999; 4:59)
6. “Chant of the Vocoder II” (1999; 3:04)
7. “Chant of the Vocoder III” (1999; 2:50)
8. “Dark Fantasia” (2000; 2:00); Also available for Listen @ www.reverbnation.com/brianskutle
9. “Radio Noir” (2000; 2:00)
10. “Mysterious Realms” (1998; 2:59); Also available for Download @ www.sonic-cinema.com
11. “In a Lonely Place” (1999; 5:54); Also available for Download @ Brian’s Society of Composers website
In addition to being available on “Dark Experiments,” I’ve also made the Csound pieces “Ambient Noiz,” “Electronic Melody,” “Dark Fantasia,” and “Radio Noir” available via Podcast @ the Csound website here.
Brian Skutle: “Radio Noir”
“Sonic Visions of a New Old West” (2007)
1. “Introduction to a New Old West” (2005; 3:36)
2. “At Peace Under the Stars” (2004; 3:05); Also available for Listen @ www.reverbnation.com/brianskutle
3. “Ballad for the Beloved Departed” (2004; 3:48); Also available for Download @ Brian’s Society of Composers website
4. “The Unforgiving Desert” (2004; 3:02)- Used in the short film “Original Sin: The Skull Monkey Chronicles” (Director’s Cut) by Standing Water Studios
5. “Cat-and-Mouse in an Old Western Town” (2004; 2:39)
6. “Danger of the Frontier” (2005; 2:36)
7. “Heat of the Pounding Sun” (2004; 2:51); Also available for Download @ www.sonic-cinema.com
8. “Prelude to a Showdown- A Confrontation” (2004; 4:05)
9. “Walk to the Middle of Town” (2004; 4:42)
10. “Ballad for the Beloved Departed (Reprise)” (2004’ 1:20)
11. “At Peace Under the Stars (Guitar Reprise)” (2004; 2:37)
12. “A New Old West” (2005; 7:49)
13. “Cat-and-Mouse in an Old Western Town (Skull Monkey Mix)” (2004; 2:39); Remixed for the short film “Original Sin: The Skull Monkey Chronicles” Standing Water Studios
“Beyond the Infinite: A Musical Odyssey” ()
1. “Overture” (2008; Not Recorded Yet- Written for Cello & Violin)
2. “The Planets Align” (2008; Not Recorded Yet- Written for Brass Quintet)
3. “Dawn of Man” (2000; Not Recorded Yet- Written for Flute, Cello & Marimba)
4. “A Frightening Awakening” (2008; Not Recorded Yet- Written for Piano)
5. “The Dawn of Intelligence” (2008; Not Recorded Yet- Written for Piano)
6. “Weightless Waltz in F” (2006; 5:39); Available for Listen @ www.reverbnation.com/brianskutle
7. “Weightless Waltz in D” (2006; 7:24)
8. “A Mysterious Lunar Discovery” (2008; 6:59); Available for Download @ www.sonic-cinema.com
9. “The Minutiae of Space” (2008; 7:14)
10. “Entr’Acte” (2008; 2:45); Available for Listen @ www.reverbnation.com/brianskutle
11. “Searching for the Mysteries” (2009; 17:28); Excerpts available right now on www.sonic-cinema.com & Brian’s Csound podcast
12. “A Place Among the Stars” (2008; 1:39)
13. “Angels Watching (Finale to ‘Beyond the Infinite’)” (3:58)
14. “Dawn of Man: The Extended Version” (2000; Not Recorded Yet- Written for Flute, Cello & Marimba)
“Storytelling Through Sound” ()
1. “Gothic Twilight” (2005; 8:55);
2. “Darkness for Voices, String Quartet and Tubular Bells” (2006; 5:50); Available for Download @ www.sonic-cinema.com
3. “The Hour of the Wolf” (2009; 4:10); Available for Download @ www.sonic-cinema.com
4. “Otherworldly March” (2004; 6:00); Available for Download @ www.sonic-cinema.com
“Passionate Illusions: A Cycle of Sensual Soundscapes”
2. “Passionate Illusions I” (2005; 7:05)
3. “Passionate Illusions II” (2005; 3:05)
4. “Passionate Illusions III” (2005; 2:51)
5. “Passionate Illusions IV” (2005; 1:33)
6. “Passionate Illusions V” (2005; 5:40)
“Calling of a Warrior”
10. “Movement I- A Destiny Changes” (Not Written Yet)
11. “Movement II- The Call to Arms/The Only One, But Not Alone” (Not Written Yet)
Brian Skutle: “Ethereal Atmospheres”
The Scores
As you’ve no doubt read on my About page, I’m interested in writing film music. In 2005, I finally began to do that with some short films some friends of mine and I have made to gain experience in a field we love. It’s a short list, and the films are far from Oscar material yet, but it’s a start.
1. “The Case: Chapter One- Running Deadman” (2005); Includes the cues ”’Running Deadman’ Main Title/Chapter,” “Dead Man Running,” “Double-Cross,” “We Have a Problem.,” “To Be Continued…/’The Case’ End Credits,” and “Standing Water Logo (‘We Have a Problem.’ Alternate Version).”
2. “The Case: Chapter Two- The Snap” (2005); Includes the cues ”’The Snap’ Main Title/Chapter,” “Locked Out/Violent Twist,” “Taunted,” and “To Be Continued…/’The Case’ End Credits (‘Snap’ Version).”
3. “The Case: Chapter Three- The Gamble on Tomorrow” (2005); Includes the cues “Laying Out the Deal,” ”’The Gamble on Tomorrow’ Main Title/Chapter,” “No Choice,” “Long Walk/The Easiest Way to Kill a Lemur,” “The Entrance/The Game/The Shootout,” “The Full Story of the Running Deadman,” “To Be Continued…/’The Case’ End Credits (‘Gamble’ Version),” “Theme for The Grand Lemur,” and “Lament for the Running Deadman.”
4. “Unwinnable Hand: A Thriller in Two Movements” (2008); Includes the track “Edge Runner” (Film Version) and cue “Wasted Hand.”
5. “Word Invaders” (2009); Includes the tracks “Dropping the F-Bomb,” “Words Can’t Be Trusted” and “Words Can’t Be Trusted 2.” Written for the Flash video game by David Miles.
6. “Walpurgis Night” (2009); Includes the tracks “Walpurgisnacht.” Written for the silent short film by Mathew Timms.
Watch “Unwinnable Hand: A Thriller in Two Movements” (Movement I- Agitato) below, and please visit www.myspace.com/cinemanouveau for more content about Brian Skutle’s first short film.
The Live Performances
A handful of my pieces have been performed live over the years. They are:
1. “Peaceful Meditation” (via Electronic CD at the 2001 New Music Festival at Georgia State University on Saturday, February 17, 2001)
2. “Peaceful Meditation: An Ambient Fantasy for Piano” (performed by pianist Dawn Echols at the 2001 New Music Festival at Georgia State University on Saturday, February 17, 2001)
3. “Mysterious Realms” (performed by trombonist David Fairchild and via Electronic CD at the 2001 New Music Festival at Georgia State University on Saturday, February 17, 2001)
4. “In a Lonely Place (for Trombone Quartet)” (performed by trombonists David Fairchild, Sam Griswold, Cliff Jones, and Hollie Lawing at the Brass Ensemble Concert at Georgia State University on Thursday, March 22, 2001)
5. “In a Lonely Place” (via Electronic CD at Turned On: Electronic Music by Atlanta Composers, a concert of music by Atlanta electronic composers held on Monday, February 19, 2007. Click here to read Atlanta Journal-Constitution critic Pierre Ruhe’s review of the concert.)
6. “Synthphonic Poignancy” (via Electronic CD at Unseen Forces: Electronic Music by Atlanta Composers, a concert of music by Atlanta electronic composers held on Monday, January 28, 2008 & “Unseen Forces 2: Electronic Music by Atlanta Composers on Thursday, April 17, 2008)
Click here to download the written program notes for the 2001 performances.
Click here to download the E-postcard for the 2007 “Turned On: Electronic Music by Atlanta Composers” concert.
Click here to download the Press Release for the 2007 “Turned On” concert.
Click here to download the E-postcard for the 2007 “Unseen Forces: Electronic Music by Atlanta Composers” concert.
The Performers
I couldn’t have gotten these pieces recorded without the following musicians (many thanks to all of them):
-Dawn Echols, piano (who performed “Peaceful Meditation: An Ambient Fantasy for Piano,” “Ballad for the Beloved Departed,” “Ballad for the Beloved Departed (Reprise),” and the piano parts for “The Case: Chapter Three/The Gamble on Tomorrow” & my unreleased “Five Stages” Suite, which is in the middle of being recorded with real musicians)
-David Fairchild, trombone (who performed “Mysterious Realms,” “In a Lonely Place (for Trombone Quartet)” and the trombone parts on my unreleased “Five Stages” Suite and “The Case: Chapter Three/The Gamble on Tomorrow”)
-Vicki Skutle, vocalist (who performed the female vocals for “Danger of the Frontier”)
-Fred Norton, alto saxophone (who performed the alto sax part for “The Case: Chapter Three/The Gamble on Tomorrow”)
-Michael Caudle, bass guitar (who performed the bass guitar part for my unreleased “Five Stages” Suite)
-Carlos Martinez-Trabal, percussion (who performed the tubular bells part for my unreleased “Five Stages” Suite)
-Cliff Jones, trombone (who performed “In a Lonely Place (for Trombone Quartet)”)
-Michael Carver, trombone (who performed “In a Lonely Place (for Trombone Quartet)”)
Brian Skutle as Fan
Favorite Genres:
Film Music, Classical, Rock n’ Roll
Favorite Artists:
Hans Zimmer, Bruce Springsteen, Ennio Morricone, John Williams, Gyorgy Ligeti, U2, Moby, Nine Inch Nails, Kronos Quartet, Danny Elfman, Guns N’ Roses, Howard Shore, Bernard Herrmann
Favorite Albums:
“The Crow” Soundtrack & Score (Various Artists, Graeme Revell), “Born in the U.S.A.” (Bruce Springsteen), “Broken Arrow” Soundtrack (Hans Zimmer), “Achtung Baby” (U2), “Braveheart” Soundtrack (James Horner), “The Downward Spiral” (Nine Inch Nails), “Vertigo” Soundtrack (Bernard Herrmann), “2001: A Space Odyssey” Soundtrack (Various Artists) & “Alex North’s 2001” (Alex North), “Kronos Quartet Performs Philip Glass” (Kronos Quartet), “Use Your Illusion I” & “Use Your Illusion II” (Guns N’ Roses), “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” Soundtrack (Ennio Morricone), “The Fountain” Soundtrack (Clint Mansell)
Favorite Songs/Tracks (Just a few of the pieces that I’ve enjoyed the most over the years):
“No Surrender” by Bruce Springsteen (from “Born in the U.S.A.” & “Live 1975-85”); “The Art of Living” by Hans Zimmer (from “Millennium” Soundtrack); “The Unexpressed Expressed” by Carter Burwell (from “Adaptation” Soundtrack); “Many Meetings” by Howard Shore (from “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” Soundtrack); “Lament for a Lost Son” by Graeme Revell (from “The Crow: City of Angels” Score Soundtrack); “Jupiter and Beyond,” featuring “Requiem for Sorprano, Mezzo Soprano, Two Mixed Choirs & Orchestra,” “Atmospheres,” and “Adventures (Altered for Film)” by Gyorgy Ligeti (from “2001: A Space Odyssey” Soundtrack); “Will I” by Jonathan Larson (from “Rent” Movie Soundtrack); “Flugufrelsarinn” by Sigur Rós, Performed by Kronos Quartet (from “Plays Sigur Rós” & “Agaetis Byrjun”); ”’Freedom’/The Execution/Bannockburn” by James Horner (from “Braveheart” Soundtrack); “Rescue From Cloud City/Hyperspace” by John Williams (from “Star Wars: Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back” Soundtrack); “Hammerhead” by Hans Zimmer (from “Broken Arrow” Soundtrack); “It Can’t Rain All the Time” by Jane Siberry (from “The Crow” Soundtrack); “Magic Snow Music” by Christophe Beck (from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Amends” Episode); “Don’t Cry”, “November Rain”, and “Estranged” by Guns N’ Roses (from “Use Your Illusion I” and “Use Your Illusion II”) “Masked Ball” by Jocelyn Pook (from “Eyes Wide Shut” Soundtrack); “Seraphim” by Wendy Carlos (from “Tales of Heaven and Hell”); “Duduk of the North” by Hans Zimmer (from “More Music from ‘Gladiator’” Soundtrack); “I Wish I Were Blind” by Bruce Springsteen (from “Human Touch”); “Scottie Trails Madeline” by Bernard Herrmann (from “Vertigo” Soundtrack); “Yearning of the Sword” by Tan Dun (from “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” Soundtrack); “Pitseleh” by Elliot Smith (from “Keeping the Faith” Soundtrack); “Togetherness” by Ennio Morricone (from “Lolita” Soundtrack); “Finale” by Danny Elfman (from “Big Fish”); “So Cruel” by U2 (from “Achtung Baby”); “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails (from “The Downward Spiral”); “The Trio” by Ennio Morricone (from “The Good, the Bad & the Ugly” Soundtrack); “Xibalba” by Clint Mansell (from “The Fountain”)
I could list many more, but here are the pieces that have inspired me the most as a composer:
“Overture: Atmospheres” by Gyorgy Ligeti (from “2001: A Space Odyssey” Soundtrack); “Falls” by Ennio Morricone (from “The Mission” Soundtrack); “Wallace Courts Murron” by James Horner (from “Braveheart” Soundtrack); “Once Upon a Time in the West” by Ennio Morricone (from “Once Upon a Time in the West” Soundtrack); “Atrus’ Theme” by Robyn Miller (from “Riven” Soundtrack); “Light” by Hans Zimmer (from “The Thin Red Line” Soundtrack); “The Sundown” by Ennio Morricone (from “The Good, the Bad & the Ugly” Soundtrack); “Masked Ball” by Jocelyn Pook (from “Eyes Wide Shut” Soundtrack); “The Art of Living” by Hans Zimmer (from “Millennium” Soundtrack); “Lament for a Lost Son” by Graeme Revell (from “The Crow: City of Angels” Soundtrack); “Gabriel’s Oboe” by Ennio Morricone (from “The Mission” Soundtrack); “Let My Home Be My Gallows” by Hans Zimmer (from “Hannibal” Soundtrack); “Stealth” by Hans Zimmer (from “Broken Arrow” Soundtrack); “Seraphim” by Wendy Carlos (from “Tales of Heaven and Hell”); “Goodbye, Colonel” by Ennio Morricone (from “For a Few Dollars More” Soundtrack); “All is Well” by Brian Tyler (from “Bubba ho-Tep” Soundtrack)
