skinnerdesign

The Day I Realized

Thought for the day... The Day I Realized. 

Although written and originally recorded almost 20 years ago, the 2009 remix of this composition still holds weight on this inauguration day. There are certain songs that one writes in rage that serve as a form of release and healing for the author. Deep down I think there lies a hope that you'll never need it again, but when that time comes that you just might, it's always there.

-mike

A Midsummer Night's Dream LD Episode #5

This episode of the Listen Down series explores my recent compositions for Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, which performed outdoors for 3 weeks in late summer 2016. Enjoy... fight music... adventures into the WOOD... Oberon and Titania's feud...the mischief of Puck... a lullaby from Peaseblossom and the Fairies...Hear Oberon connive... the collapse of a Fairy Kingdom... A King and Queen reconciling... and don't forget The Mechanicals get to do a complex dance. Have fun and enjoy your own dream all year long. Thanks for tuning in and we'll see ya next time on the Listen Down Podcast Series.

-Mike

LD Episode #4 The Shakespeare Episode

The Listen Down Podcast Series returns with a journey through some worlds of Shakespeare. Visit A Winter's Tale with the Bohemian Autolycus; Brave the storm with King Lear; Hear the soldiers sing and dance, laugh and cry, and love and hate in Much Ado; Rock out and then drift off to sleep with a few musical sonnets; and tune in next time for another exciting and aurally stimulating episode of. . . Listen Down!

Listen Down Episode #2

In Episode #2 the compositions begin with a viola piece, then we travel to a burlesque club inside of Kelly Tsai's play, "Say You Heard My Echo". Other plays visited on this journey include a transition scene from "Red Noses" by Peter Barnes, Theseus' contemplative costume change in Racine's "Phedre", an underscore and clips used in "Evil Dead The Musical", a harp piece written for the character Flaco in "Den Of Thieves" by Stephen Adly Guirgis, and the fun "Chicklet's Theme Song" used in Charles Busch's "Psycho Beach Party". 

But wait...there's more!    

Other songs like, "Pewter", "Lament #32", "Test 1-2", "Papaya Sauce", and of course an educational song for the kids.

Thanks for coming along. Until next time...-Mike

Listen Down Episode #1

Here is a pilot episode of my new podcast series entitled "Listen Down".  This series is a mashed-up collection of episodes encompassing various original sound and music compositions and tracks for theatre, concert, and performance art gathered from over 20 years of my recording career. This Episode features: sound design excerpts from the play, "Far Away"; songs, "But She's Nice", "Look Out World"; museum installation, "The Time Before Me"; and random tracks of music and soundscape storytelling. Please leave comments so I may consider them for future episodes. Thank you for listening, and please come again soon. -mike

Zombie Versus Vampire Demo

Here lies a rough mix of Zombie Versus Vampire, a Rockperetta. Written by Randy Laist, this adventure follows three high school students on a field trip to nowhere. Listen carefully to discover what happens when the supernatural seduction of the Undead proves that we all should adhere to the basic rules of the Buddy System. This epic battle is currently workshopping live performances in the Northeast region of the United States, so beware not to get caught in the crossfire of this tumultuous love triangle of doom.

Winter Surf

Just to make those cold winter months feel a bit warmer, this is a '60s style surf tune written and recorded as an idea for a production of Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch. Although never used in the show, it still makes me feel like I'm in a Californian beach movie. Stay warm and enjoy.

Trey Attempt #6

I was asked to play "The Inlaw Josie Wales" by Trey Anastasio as my friend walked down the aisle on her Wedding Day. My simple response was, "I am no Trey, but I will play the best interpretation I possibly can." Here is my own rendition, much simplified, yet the perfect underscore for a Bride's entrance.

Prelude To Trey

I recently was asked to play acoustic guitar for a good friends wedding, and this is what I played as the bridal party sauntered down the aisle. It has an alternate D tuning, for the song immediately following required this. Simple, but pretty.

Groovy Faces

This piece had lyrics...however when the time came to record them, I couldn't find the paper wherein they were written. So, it became an instrumental that has been used on numerous occasions for "On Hold" music, "We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please Stand By." music, as well as simple transition music in a radio show or two. All instruments played by me. Comment away if you can find out where I made mistakes. Enjoy.

Brave Winds And Crack Your Cheeks

Inspired by Shakespeare's Lear, this piece travels through a storm consuming the mind as well as nature. Composed by me and rendered with the magic of sample libraries. Someday I'd love to conduct this song with humans playing it.

On My Mind

This song, "On My Mind" (a.k.a. 'The Cat Song') was written for my future wife, Andrea. I workshopped it around the acoustic circuit for about a year and this is the latest studio version. Enjoy!!!!

Lucy's Bassoon Adventure

This is a composition for bassoon that is an excerpt from a ballet in progress. This piece begins Lucy's first journey on a train. Have fun. Composition by Mike Skinner.

Intermission Lament

This is an intermission song used in the new play "The Things Are Against Us". An absurdist traditional sung by an imaginary bar crowd. Play and lyrics by Susan Stanton. Composition and vocals by Mike Skinner.

Mindlets

In this piece, I prepared a piano before pressing 'record'. Clips from this piece have been used in museum installations, theatre designs, and radio dramas. Composition, Preparation Design, recording and mixing by Mike Skinner, assisted by Katie Buechner. Recorded in New Haven, CT.

Flight of The Flarpiola

This is a composition and recording exercise for the Flute, Harp, and the Viola. (Hence...Flarpiola). Composition by Mike Skinner, Performed by The Janus Trio in the studio at Yale School of Drama, and mixed by Samba Liz Atkinson.

The Musicality Radio Hour

The Musicality Radio Hour was performed live at the Yale Cabaret Theatre from March 31st-April 2nd, 2011.