Hello, and welcome to our first real episode! Still not ranking anyone, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun talking shop! In this episode, we explore the most fundamental question of all: What is Music? Join us as we trace the evolutionary roots of human musicality from its origins in the animal kingdom through to its emergence with the dawn of self-aware upright bipeds. Finally, we'll resolve such time-honored questions as which came first; music or language, does that tree falling in the forest really make a sound, and which fast food joint is the best place to copyright your song! DIG IT! MASSIVE CAVEAT: This episode could not have existed without the tremendous research of the YouTuber Diacoustics. This episode borrows heavily from him, including several block quotations that are entirely his own. I make no claim to them, as it is his brilliant presentation that is at the heart of this episode, serving as its framework and intertwining with our own presentation. MODERATE CAVEAT: Yeah, we know. The audio’s a bit rough. Please pardon the occasional echo/overlap and obvious edit points. We’re new, so please don’t count us a disgrace to classical music podcasting just yet. And don’t blame our mastering guy. This is all Ronnie’s fault. :) MINOR CAVEAT: Yes, I know we use the term “melody” in a rather cavalier fashion. Here we use the term in its widest possible context as a series of pitches occurring in succession to one another. We will define the term more properly when we arrive at Gregorian chant in episode 0d. MORE CAVEAR THAN CAVEAT: This episode is neither intended as an authoritative resource for either the mating behavior of Cambrian roundworms, nor as tax advice when dealing with Paleozoic apex predators. We waive all liability with respect to you messing with Anomalocaris. That's on you, bruh.