#project39

Matthew Evan Taylor embarked on a personal challenge for his 39th birthday, marking an inflection point and the beginning of a period of creative exploration and new possibilities. He committed to record and share at least 39 seconds of improvisation daily on Instagram until his 40th. This initial exercise quickly expanded, with improvisations stretching to five to fifteen minutes.

Originally intended as a year-long project, the onset of the pandemic altered its trajectory, Project 39 amassed approximately 400 improvisations through October 2021. Taylor regularly recorded numerous improvisations, releasing them individually. While some explored vocalizations and the definition of improvisation itself, the majority focused on instrumental performance, often incorporating loop pedals.

Starting in March 2020, his work with loop pedals became more central and increasingly complex. This period also saw the creation of "Follow To The End," which spurred the realization that these improvisations could be compiled into an album.

Taylor revisited his extensive archive of recordings, organizing them into the various mixtapes. These mixtapes were lightly produced and mastered to refine the sound while maintaining the raw essence and DIY aesthetic of the original recordings.

This led to the creation of the "Say Their Names,” “The Unheard Mixtapes,” and "Big Trouble / Necessary Trouble.” The video series, "Postcards to The Met" also evolved from Project 39 as a sustained practice of regular performances and releases emphasizing community during a time of isolation.