Explorations 13, by Payton MacDonald's Explorations

Explorations 13

by Payton MacDonald's Explorations

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1.	Acid 04:32	buy track
2.	Acid Clown 07:15	buy track
3.	Acid Clown Enchi 07:15	buy track
4.	Acid Clown Enchi Lesser 07:15	buy track
5.	Acid Clown Enchi Lesser Fire Paradox 07:15	buy track

about

Ball Pythons (Python Regius) are the most popular pet snake in the world. Millions of people keep them, including me. (My current collection includes nine snakes. That's modest. I have friends with hundreds.) One of the reasons ball pythons are so popular is that they are docile, a good size, relatively hardy, and come in a dizzying array of colors and patterns. The genetics result in fascinating colors and patterns, they are controllable, and mind-blowingly beautiful. Selective breeding of ball pythons is indeed living art.

The different morphs have names, like "acid," "lesser," "spider," etc. Some of them are dominant, or co-dominant, or recessive genes. Breeders mix and match these genes to produce astonishingly gorgeous animals, some of which sell for upwards of $20,000 because of their beauty and how difficult they are to produce.

The tracks on this recording are based on the premise of selective ball python breeding. One of the challenges facing breeders these days is that as genes are piled on top of each other after a while the animal becomes a little of everything and not quite anything definable. These tracks pile on top of each other, much like genes. The final track is the culmination of all the previous tracks, and is completely bonkers, indeed a sonic "paradox."

(For you ball python connoisseurs, you'll notice that track three introduces the "enchi" gene, which breeders often use to "clean up" patterns. In this recording the enchi element brings rhythmic stability to the texture, in a series of repeated chords, that gradually accelerate over the course of the track.)

credits

released January 24, 2021

-Composed, performed, recorded, mixed, mastered by Payton MacDonald
-Recorded on a Malletech 5.0 MJB marimba
-A blog post about these recordings: paytonmacdonald.com/2020/12/15/52-marimba-recordings-in-52-weeks/

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about

Payton MacDonald's Explorations Wayne, New Jersey

Explorations is Payton MacDonald's series where he explores every possible avenue of sonic expression, mostly centered around marimba, with electronics, collaborations and solo recordings. Good headphones are recommended.

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