Hypnomancer

cinematic song writer

As a wordsmith my curiosity and passion for blending diverse musical genres provides an ideal way to explore songwriting as a vehicle for cinematic storytelling. I approach each song as its own world, uniquely set in time, locale and emotional tone. From the wired anxiety of an unfolding political intrigue to the fumbled lines of a chance romantic tryst, a moment of prayer, a rant, or an alien encounter on a back country road.  The creative scope of these sonic dramas has been greatly expanded by the advent of generative AI, which enables my poetic story telling gifts to quite literally drive musical expression. Generative AI sound-making tools allow for quicker production timelines, lower recording costs and a greater choice of musical setting. More importantly, this emergent technology liberates the songwriter to imagine far beyond the confines of a singular iconic voice to become the multitude we are!

Find many more songs here, from blistering rock to adventurous forays across foreign lands and desolate sci-fi soundscapes. soundcloud.com/iotronik

  • Hypnomancer, (aka David Stout) is a musical shape shifter exploring the world of hybrid sound cultures blending a wide array of genres including folk, ambient, noise, world fusion, country, jazz, trip-hop, IDM, future-bass, shoegaze, glam, abstract electronics, minimalism and contemporary classical music. His compositions, songs, and scores are produced with a variety of instrumental approaches including, modular synthesizers, custom soft synths, field recordings, folk instruments, generative AI and session instrumentalists. David received his MFA in Film-Video & Music from the California Institute of the Arts followed by an active professional career as both a professor and celebrated performance director specializing in leading diverse creative teams and teaching effective skills for collaboration across the arts. He is among a growing number of multi-disciplinary artists exploring the power and potential of new media.

    Learn more at davidstout.net


Forecasting Emptiness

It all begins with an idea.

Forecasting Emptiness

The poignancy of loss and the inability to hide from the shame and omnipresent judgement of others.

Poignant, Wistful, Literate, Melancholy, Introspective, Relationships, Ballad, Folk, Cinematic, Choral, Acoustic Guitar, Dramatic, Singer-Songwriter

  • She slipped in this way
    Footprints at the door
    Some others will say
    Some others will say

    No callers today
    No cars on the streets
    Some others will say
    Some others will say

    Cold nights ahead
    Forecasting EMPTINESS
    Alone in this bed
    Forecasts of EMPTINESS
    Heading this way

    She slipped out again
    No key for the door
    Some others will say
    Some others will say

    No silver is set
    No blankets or sheets
    Some others will say
    and others will say

    Cold nights ahead
    Forecasting EMPTINESS
    Alone in this bed
    Forecasts of EMPTINESS

    Heading this way
    Forecasts of emptiness

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The Lucky Ones

It all begins with an idea.

The Lucky Ones

A drum and bass ballad chronicles the confessions of a duplicitous political operative caught in the turmoil of an unfolding coup. We are not quite certain of the magnitude of their crimes or just what side this partisan was on.

EDM, Drum and Bass, Thriller, Political Intrigue, Electronic, Storytelling, Betrayal, Spycore

  • Oh, you lucky ones, arrived today
    To play this forward, back, replay
    Our lucky ones, arrived, today
    The leaning forward guards in grey

    I have counseled and misled them
    I have cheated and I’ve lied
    Everything for love of country
    I am here and I survived

    and, those shouting ones, who ran away
    YOU play this forward, back, replay
    without the guns, or teeth to stay
    and meet the forward guards in grey

    I have courted and betrayed them
    I deleted and denied
    Everything, for myth of country
    We are here, and he survived

    Oh, you lucky ones, arrived today
    Let’s play this forward, back, replay
    To chart a path and hide the way
    for leading forward guards in grey

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Never

It all begins with an idea.

Never

Pensive cinematic trip hop fuels this interior dialogue of betrayal and abandonment. Rumors of an illicit affair, a clandestine meeting, an incidence of espionage, or maybe it is all an invention of her heightened imagination?

Soundtrack, Betrayal, Romantic, Relationships, Psycho-Drama, Strings, Distress, Cinematic, Atmospheric

  • is that you?
    I know we said, let’s take this somewhere else, instead,
    is that you?
    I thought I heard but can’t remember,
    maybe missing, maybe later
    is that you?

    I know we said, let’s take this somewhere else, instead,
    is that you?
    I thought I heard but can’t remember,
    maybe missing, maybe later
    is that you?

    ta ta ta ta ta ta
    talk to me, say you never
    ta ta ta ta ta ta
    talk to me, say we never, never …

    is that you?
    where is the key, I left another in my sweater,
    is that you?
    I thought I knew your name, I called
    you didn’t, ever answer
    is that you?

    I know we said, let’s make this one time even better,
    is that you?
    I heard this sound but that’s real long that I can’t remember,
    is that you?
    maybe lost it, losing us together
    is that you?

    ta ta ta ta ta ta
    talk to me, say you never
    ta ta ta ta ta ta
    talk to me, say we never, never …

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Wild Skies

It all begins with an idea.

Wild Skies

A gothic country ballad with a hint of techno recounts the inability to save someone who cannot see their own plight or admit surrender to the well-meaning care from others.

Ballad, Poetic, Cinematic, Soundtrack, Songwriter, Country, Gothic-Country, Country-Rock, Electronic, Ambient, Shoegaze

  • There was that awkward pause in her parting phrase,
    going down this road before the world was paved.
    That silent ah--awards an early grave,
    is our bridge too far for those we want to, save

    When all the time was just another shifting load,
    on the shoulders of three brothers down the road.
    All hesitating and unevenness displayed,
    on the bridge too far for those we want to, save away

    Ohh, the wild skies are not safe shelter in the storm
    But their beauty is a fury we all know
    Down from heaven, into heaven we all go,
    from these fields of dust and clay where we were grown.

    When your sister, or some mother sits alone
    In a cell made out of cardboard for a home
    In a nest of all the troubles she can claim
    the bridge too far for those who won’t be saved

    Ohh, the wild skies are not safe shelter in the storm
    But their beauty is a fury we all know
    Down from heaven, into heaven we all go,
    from these fields of dust and clay where we were grown.

    Ohh, the wild skies are not safe shelter in the storm
    But their beauty is a fury we all know
    Down from heaven, into heaven we all go,
    from these fields of dust and clay where we were grown


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A Crossing

It all begins with an idea.

A Crossing

An acoustic folk song unfolds as journal entries made by those fleeing a dangerous life-threatening conflict, invasion or industrial disaster. The chorus is a damning lament against those who would choose chaos over peace.

Ballad, Poignant, Melancholy, Protest, Folk, Cinematic, Introspective, Acoustic Guitar, Singer-Songwriter, Political

  • we turned face
    at the crossing
    tumbled back
    toward a town
    we fled
    before that morning
    when the metal rains
    fell to the ground

    we strayed through
    brush and brambles
    off the roads
    away from crowds
    we slept
    by day in ditches
    inching and uncertain
    following the sound

    when you’re summoned by a savior
    who disdains all those we love
    will you follow blind and willing
    will you kiss the empty glove
    will you bellow, bleed and kill then
    will you shoot the white wing dove?

    we chanced there
    at the river
    a shivering child
    in tear-stained gown
    we fed
    her full at morning
    and repaired
    her golden crown

    we turned to face
    the current
    no falling back
    no standing down
    we braved
    despite the warning,
    drones were swarming
    gathering in clouds

    when you’re summoned by a savior
    who disdains all those we love
    will you follow blind and willing
    will you kiss the empty glove
    will you bellow, bleed and kill then
    will you shoot the white wing dove?

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Beyond the Size of Me

It all begins with an idea.

Beyond the Size of Me

Set within a fusion of contemporary electronic styles, a nomadic cyborg woman searches through her synthetic memories to discover herself as an indigenous girl looking toward a resplendent future. A time where her ancestor’s world will be gloriously revived to thrive again.

Trip-Hop, IDM, Ambient, Singer-Songwriter, Avantgarde, Experimental, Glitch-Hop, Future Bass, Folktronica, Cloud-Trap, Pop

  • all the seasons lost
    deer people calling all
    toward the shining peak
    we see, we see, I see
    beyond the size of me
    our destiny – unsealed

    light was stolen

    Sweet smoke leans in
    Leans in to our eyes
    Sweet tears
    Are the tears of our fathers
    All those fathers
    Who climbed this way,
    Way, way back
    climbed this way before us

    way, way, way back
    before the sun
    that bore us, before the moon
    illumined
    she wept
    into this song

    their sweet smoke sways and circles
    my ember heart.
    Our trilling tears are iridescent
    When remembered
    Lives recalled

    When remembered
    Lives recalled
    all the seasons lost
    toward the shining peak
    we see, we see, I see
    beyond the size of me
    our destiny – unsealed

    be yours, doesn’t fall

    we see, I see

    beyond
    beyond the size of me
    our destiny

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Voltage in the Wire

It all begins with an idea.

Voltage in the Wire

Jazz inflected groove with a nod to music of the Middle East gives a dark and unflinching look at human frailty and the consequence of our choices.

Alt Rock, Soundtrack, Songwriter, Spoken Word, Dramatic, Hypnotic, Poetic, Gritty, Trip-Hop, World, Jazz, Noir

  • This small man goes bumpin' to the top
    where the sad man sits shattered and lost
    There were two men in the ring for a night
    Neither man had a stomach for the fight

    This blonde chick goes bendin’ for some cash
    where tha blue girl’s slippin’ roofies down the hatch
    both women with a leper’s luck to lose
    skippin’, flippin’ in some shiny shiny shoes

    When one turns on the other turns on the other turns
    When one takes a swing, takes a drink, takes another never learns
    When one turns on the other turns on the other turns
    When one takes a swing, takes a drink, takes another never learns

    Two kids wearing daddy’s pistol just for fun
    Swipen’ comics, Shootin’ bottles, Chewin’ gum
    One trips, loses balance, on the curb
    Nails the other, in the silence, not a word

    Two men, cutting corners, carved in steel
    Shaking hands, behind our backs, cementing deals
    Both, tongue waggers wielding armies, might and fire
    Set a scene, where no one will escape the voltage in the wire

    When one turns on the other turns on the other turns
    When one takes a swing, takes a drink, takes another never learns
    When one turns on the other turns on the other turns
    When one takes a swing, takes a shot, takes another never learns

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Twin Flame

It all begins with an idea.

Twin Flame

Soaring 70’s era British glam rock with impressionistic lyrics for time travelers. Channeling an uncanny early Bowie vibe, the singer watches from a distance as his old comrades fall in ruin, unable to keep pace with life’s challenges. A tale of alienation, loss and bittersweet illumination.

Anthem, Singer-Songwriter, Poetic, Nostalgic, Glam, Rock, Emotional, Bowiesque, Epic, Introspective

  • and those other men left wanting
    without wings they cannot fly
    though the era they were haunting
    left them standing by the side

    of the road that glowed in ruin
    never reaching far inside
    they are frozen left there standing,
    when the center starts to slide

    here we are a place apart
    so near we are to center
    here we are a place apart
    the port before we enter

    and those other men left wanting
    without wings they cannot fly
    in this era we are haunting
    wait and watching by and bye

    here we are a place apart
    so near we are to center
    here we are a place apart
    the port before we enter
    here we are a place apart
    so near we are to center
    here we are a place apart
    the port before we enter

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Lover’s Reel

It all begins with an idea.

Lover’s Reel

Blending Celtic folk with contemporary pop production, this light and festive celebration is based on drawing archetypal cards from the Tarot. In turn, the priestess, the child, the sun, the wheel, and the lovers all make an appearance in this dancing lover’s reel.

Soundtrack, Reel, Folk, Tarot, Electronic, Folktronica, Celtic, Classical, Fiddle, Mystical, Period-Drama

  • burst through the door
    all welcome smiles
    across the floor
    and in the aisles
    the circle spinning
    on the dial

    and wrap your arms
    around another
    meet his eyes now
    greet another
    the circle spinning
    on the dial

    Here comes the priestess on her drum
    Here comes the child
    Here comes the Sun
    Here comes the one who spins the wheel
    Here comes the dancing lover's reel

    now watch them soar
    all blissful smiles
    rise off the floor
    leap from the aisles
    the circle spinning
    on the dial

    and wrap your arms
    around another
    meet her eyes now
    be the other
    the circle spinning
    on the dial

    Here comes the priestess on her drum
    Here comes the child
    Here comes the Sun
    Here comes the one who spins the wheel
    Here comes the dancing lover's reel

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Breathe

It all begins with an idea.

Breathe

Expansive electronic lyricism asks the listener to fully embrace themselves to live each moment to its fullest potential, triumphant and fully embodied in one’s own skin.

Ecstatic, Sprituality, Minimalism, Singer-Songwriter, Electronic, New Age, Breathwork, Positive-Vibe

  • Bring In
    a deeper peace
    Exhale
    lay down the weight
    Breath in
    all you see
    and out again
    now deep release

    Be in
    the soaring grace
    Breath out
    the brilliant air
    Inhale
    a vital life
    now out again
    expanding peace

    We’re near and always hold you dear
    We see what pins and pains
    A breath of fire will mend and clear
    Our love surrounds your name

    Embrace
    be in your skin
    Exhale
    to your toes and down
    Breath in
    to fill the world
    and out again
    to bless the ground

    Be in
    the soaring grace
    Breath out
    the brilliant air
    Inhale
    a vital life
    now out again
    expanding peace

Read More