Today, the Spotlight shines On experimental music producers and label owners Taylor Deupree and Joseph Branciforte.
Back in 2002, Taylor Deupree released an electronic album called Stil. That release captivated listeners with its quiet, repeating patterns and stark digital sound. Twenty years later, Taylor and producer Joseph Branciforte linked up to reimagine the album as Sti.ll, rebuilding the entire work using only non-electronic instruments.
The new version takes all of the computer-generated sounds from the original and puts them in the hands of live musicians playing clarinets, strings, and percussion. It is an ambitious and adventurous project from two collaborators enmeshed in experimental music—Taylor runs 12k Music and has spent years blending electronic and natural sounds, while Joe’s built greyfade into a label that keeps finding creative ways to present creative music.
They’re here to walk us through this one-of-a-kind project while covering several other topics related to creativity and the modern music business.
(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from the albums Stil. and Stil.ll, played side-by-side.)
Dig Deeper
• Visit Joseph Branciforte and greyfade at greyfade.com
• Purchase Stil. from 12k, Qobuz, or Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choice
• Purchase Sti.ll from greyfade, 12k, Qobuz, Bandcamp, and listen on your streaming platform of choice
• Follow Taylor Deupree on Instagram and Facebook
• Follow Joseph Branciforte on Instagram, Threads, and YouTube
• Taylor Deupree interviewed by Joseph Branciforte for Tiny Mix Tapes
• Taylor Deupree interviewed by Joseph Branciforte for Tape Op
• A Degree of Randomness: A Conversation With Joseph Branciforte
• A Voyage of Seeing: On Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Seascapes
• Hiroshi Sugimoto Opens a Stunning Art Museum in Coastal Japan
• On Minimalism: Kerry O’Brien and William Robin in conversation