Microtonal Prog - The Mercury Tree

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

Summarized, Microtonal music is an umbrella term for non-traditional tuning, most often encountered in Indian or Arabian music. It can be pretty heady and complicated stuff, but while there are several modern "classical" composers who have messed with it (Harry Partch, Wyschnegradsky) as well as some pop composers (Sevish, Brendan Byrnes, Sygzygys), very few prog artists use microtones intentionally. 
The Mercury Tree have evolved into a legitimate microtonal prog band, and a darn good one too. Their last two albums have microtones peppered around, best exemplified in this track:

As if that is not gnarly enough for you all, their new album "Spidermilk" (supposed to drop today) is completely composed with 17 EDO guitars (instead of the standard 12 EDO) in mind. I am very excited to see how this experiment plays out. I think they're one of the few prog bands really pushing boundaries. 

https://themercurytree.bandcamp.com/

Feel free to recommend any similar microtonal prog bands or artists.

Edited by Friday13th - April 02 2019 at 14:06

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Friday13th Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: April 30 2013 Status: Offline Points: 284	Post Options Post Reply Quote Friday13th Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Topic: Microtonal Prog - The Mercury Tree Posted: April 02 2019 at 14:05
	Summarized, Microtonal music is an umbrella term for non-traditional tuning, most often encountered in Indian or Arabian music. It can be pretty heady and complicated stuff, but while there are several modern "classical" composers who have messed with it (Harry Partch, Wyschnegradsky) as well as some pop composers (Sevish, Brendan Byrnes, Sygzygys), very few prog artists use microtones intentionally. The Mercury Tree have evolved into a legitimate microtonal prog band, and a darn good one too. Their last two albums have microtones peppered around, best exemplified in this track: As if that is not gnarly enough for you all, their new album "Spidermilk" (supposed to drop today) is completely composed with 17 EDO guitars (instead of the standard 12 EDO) in mind. I am very excited to see how this experiment plays out. I think they're one of the few prog bands really pushing boundaries. https://themercurytree.bandcamp.com/ Feel free to recommend any similar microtonal prog bands or artists. Edited by Friday13th - April 02 2019 at 14:06

Mascodagama Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: December 30 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5111	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mascodagama Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 02 2019 at 16:23
	I don't know if it constitutes prog, but experimental black metal artist Jute Gyte can be quite microtonal. It's pretty sick.
	Soldato of the Pan Head Mafia. We'll make you an offer you can't listen to. Bandcamp Profile

Friday13th Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: April 30 2013 Status: Offline Points: 284	Post Options Post Reply Quote Friday13th Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 02 2019 at 18:37
	I've heard Jute Gyte! Yeah, pretty good. Idk about prog but definitely some experimental black metal.

Prog-jester Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: June 05 2005 Location: Love Beach Status: Offline Points: 5772	Post Options Post Reply Quote Prog-jester Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: April 02 2019 at 19:33
	obviously you heard of this:

Friday13th Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: April 30 2013 Status: Offline Points: 284	Post Options Post Reply Quote Friday13th Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 02 2019 at 19:58
	Yeah man, Gizzard is one of the first I heard a couple years back. I like the Krautrock feel to some songs!

Frenetic Zetetic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: December 09 2017 Location: Now Status: Offline Points: 9233	Post Options Post Reply Quote Frenetic Zetetic Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: July 13 2019 at 02:43
	Microtonal music is nuts. To the "average ear", it just sounds like out of tune (sharp and flat) notes. I remember seeing a video of an explanation (despite being an educated musician myself), and the concept still blows my mind. It goes to show you how limiting a factor pre-set beliefs...especially about art...can hinder said art!
	*"I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021*