David Rosenthal: Always in a New York State of Mind For David Rosenthal, Billy Joel’s keyboardist and Musical Director, NYC is home. Learn how he helped arrange an all-star tribute to the city. by Ari Rosenschein 11 mins read
A Few Minutes with Molchat Doma From '80s synthwave to '90s synth rock, Belarusian post-punk trio Molchat Doma reveals the gear that makes the group tick. by Danny Turner 12 mins read
Track Talk: “A Hard Working Man” by Avila Brothers (w/ Billy Ray Cyrus and Snoop Dogg) Hip-hop country crossover “A Hard Working Man” drips with vibe, melody, and love for the classics. Find out how the Avila Brothers made it. by Ari Rosenschein 10 mins read
Careers in Music: Jeff Rona on Composing for Film, TV, and Video Games The legendary composer reflects on lessons he’s learned in scoring, seminal moments in musical technology, and what makes a powerful cinematic theme. by Ari Rosenschein 11 mins read
A Few Minutes with Xiu Xiu Jamie Stewart, the confessional frontperson of experimental rock band Xiu Xiu, explains their love for Roland drum machines. by Danny Turner 14 mins read
Sound Behind the Song: “606” by 808 State Jason Heffler 808 State’s ode to the Roland TR-606 has stood the test of time as one of the quirkiest yet most trailblazing tunes in their discography.
The Tech House Story Harold Heath It’s been a long journey for the tech house genre. We trace its history and development from the earliest days to the present.
Sound Behind the Song: “Hunter” by Bjork Mike Sparks The spiraling of the TR-909 on “Hunter” weaves a web of percussion. Immediately, the track draws the listener into a world of intrigue.
Dave Ogilvie on Skinny Puppy and the TR-909 Ari Rosenschein Dave “Rave” Ogilvie shares his memories of recording Skinny Puppy’s landmark Remission, one of the earliest recorded uses of the TR-909.
Sound Behind the Song: “Big Fun” by Inner City Alexander Dias The cultural ramifications of “Big Fun” are difficult to measure. Inner City drafted the sonic palette for a movement.
5 Ways Musicians Can Take a Screen Break 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. by Ari Rosenschein 4 mins read
How to Get the Most Out of Bandcamp Bandcamp is a resource for artists and labels of all sizes. Learn how to maximize this essential, fan-favorite platform. by Ted Davis 10 mins read
On the Move: Dolly Spectra and Gestural Performance Technology Musical mad scientist Dolly Spectra discusses using her body as a MIDI controller in performance, community, and the future of electronic pop. by Carolyn Shlensky 17 mins read
5G and the Cloud Move Gaming Online The video game industry is moving ever closer to cloud storage, digital distribution, and other online possibilities. by Jordan Blum 7 mins read
The Business of Music: Simple Ways to Polish Your Brand Through social media, our personal and artistic lives bleed into each other. What does this mean for musicians developing their branding? by Arielle Silver 5 mins read