Explorations 13 by Payton MacDonald's Explorations

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.)

Payton MacDonald exploring every possible avenue of sonic expression, mostly centered around marimba, rooted in the American Experimental tradition, with electronics, collaborations and solo recordings. Good headphones are recommended.