The Grammy Award-winning producer behind scores of massive hits traces his signature sound to his Roland beginnings.
Submerge yourself in this starting point for an experimental genre of rock music that floats, swirls, and unfolds.
9 mins read
The prolific percussionist shares how an insatiable curiosity for rhythm fueled his journey from Helsinki to Hollywood.
Meet the man on the throne for the Josh Homme supergroup and learn how he uses V-Drums with traditional percussion to create sonic landscapes.
FEATURES
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Explore the enduring influence of the R-8 Human Rhythm Composer on a host of musical styles in Mexico, a land of deep tradition.
6 mins read
The outfit's latest rekindles its bond with the Metropole Orkest, as Bill Laurance’s harmonic style enters new orchestral and jazz frontiers.
An intimate quest for connection, the latest release from TEED is a shimmering, memory-soaked blend of tender synths and emotional clarity.
DEEP DIVES
Roland was a key part of the sampling movement—redefining what music could be. Take a guided tour of Roland samplers from past to present
With the world hit by a pandemic, live events were postponed or canceled. In the Coronavirus Era, virtual concerts have taken their place.
Nashville has seen changes over the years, mirroring the growth of its entertainment industry. These musicians contribute to the fabric of Music City.
METZ discusses the band’s history, helping small venues survive, and playing their new album live at the Toronto Opera House.
The TR-606 endures for its crisp, punchy sound, as well as trigger capabilities and extensive mods. Find out why it remains a classic.
SOUND BEHIND THE SONG
At the heart of Tangerine Dream’s hypnotic “White Eagle” lies a secret—one kept between the band and a pair of JUPITER-8s.
Leftfield came from the same primordial soup as the greatest British dance acts. Explore this iconic track and the TB-303's role in it.
Detroit’s enigmatic duo Drexciya submerged themselves in Afrofuturist myth. "Rublicks Cube" is a transcendent TR-606 classic.
Here's how the artist's omnipresent '90s hit "Praise You" harnessed the Roland TB-303 to become a radio and dancefloor sensation.
SPOTLIGHT
Find out how the Los Angeles nonprofit organization has played a key role in helping participants secure both housing and employment.
10 mins read
Our Contributors
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Darren is Percussion Product Manager for Roland Canada. He loves motorcycles, loud drums, and the great outdoors.
Eric is a freelance pop culture blogger with bylines in Rolling Stone, Vice, Pitchfork, and Nylon. He is also a DJ, producer, and pro-wrestling critic.
Jessica Roemischer is an award-winning pianist and storyteller, and a beloved teacher. In unique performance events, podcasts, and writings, Jessica uplifts the human spirit through the evocative power of word and music. New York-born and raised, she lives in Sydney, Australia. Find out more at www.pianobeautiful.com.
Hannah Lockwood is an audio engineer/electronic music producer from Sydney. Her live sets are a collision of noise and harmony centered on modular synthesis. Hannah co-founded the Deep Seeded collective, showcasing the local live electronic artists and DJs actively breaking the boundaries of contemporary music.
TECH AND TREND
We’re spending more time than ever in front of computers and need a screen break. It can feel like we’re bouncing between platforms all day.
K-pop groups increasingly claim the spotlight on the world stage. Industry insiders give us insights into what makes the style so popular.
When I launched my first crowdfunding campaign, I had only seven Spotify followers. The project raised over $26,000 for my project.
Run a search for “Octapad” or “Octapadist,” and you'll find a vast musical community. Learn how the instrument became a household word.
The video game industry is moving ever closer to cloud storage, digital distribution, and other online possibilities.