Hypnomancer

cinematic songwriter

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. These vivid narratives include a wide range of characters and accounts 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 stories 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 from folk, rock, country, jazz, and global fusion to widely divergent electronic styles, abstract soundscapes, 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 a professor and celebrated performance director leading diverse interdisciplinary production 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 and emerging media.

    Learn more at davidstout.net

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

Forecasting Emptiness

It all begins with an idea.

Forecasting Emptiness

The poignancy of loss couched in an aura of shame is amplified by the anxiety and inability to hide from the oppressive judgement from 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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Ballad, Poignant, Melancholy, Protest, Folk, Cinematic, Introspective, Acoustic Guitar, Singer-Songwriter, Political David Stout Ballad, Poignant, Melancholy, Protest, Folk, Cinematic, Introspective, Acoustic Guitar, Singer-Songwriter, Political David Stout

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

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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