Many artists and releases played a pivotal role in shaping the L.A. Beat Scene. Here's a variety of key sounds from a unique musical moment.
EXPLORE HISTORY
Roland’s global headquarters sits in Hamamatsu, Japan. Take a tour of this charming seaside town and learn how Roland fits into its history.
German DJ/producer Alex Ridha is best known as Boys Noize. His stomping 2010 tech-house track “1010” was built around a modified TR-707.
Talk about '80s music, and a-ha's era-defining hit single “Take On Me” comes to mind. Get the story of this classic and the JUNO-60's role.
Jim Keltner has been a go-to session drummer since the '70s. From ex-Beatles to Bob Dylan to Steely Dan, here’s a taste of the legendary player.
John Grant: Facets of the Boy from Michigan
Jamie Franklin and Ari Rosenschein
On the eve of Meltdown Festival, John Grant discusses his adopted home, the Grace Jones-curated event, and the Roland Facet grand piano.
Curtis Byrd: A Life of Rhythm
Ari Rosenschein
Curtis Byrd discusses the twists and turns along his musical journey and how the beat has always been there to guide him.
Label Spotlight: Dais Records
Ari Rosenschein
Dais sits at the intersection of post-punk, industrial, ambient, and other genres. Explore the label and its collab with Roland Lifestyle.
A Few Minutes with Ron Trent
Ari Rosenschein
House music icon Ron Trent opens up about his formative years, distinguished collaborators, and how a trio of cities shaped him.
A Few Minutes with Com Truise
SIRMA
One of his generation’s most significant synthwave artists, Com Truise looks back at the beginning of his journey and shares what lies ahead.
Track Talk: “A Hard Working Man” by Avila Brothers (w/ Billy Ray Cyrus and Snoop Dogg)
Ari Rosenschein
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.
A Few Minutes with Roger Sanchez
Alexander Dias
Few names are more synonymous with New York house than Roger Sanchez. The legendary DJ talks about process, philosophy, and Roland Cloud.
A Few Minutes with Lionclad
Kat Bein
Where some people see a sampler, Lionclad sees a world of possibilities. She shares about mixtapes, puppet shows, analog synths, and more.
A Few Minutes with Philip Woo
Jake Uitti
Philip Woo opens up about his influences, the artistic hub of Seattle’s Garfield High School, and what keeps him dedicated to music.
Lifetime Achievement: DJ Pierre and Phuture
Gino Sorcinelli
In this exclusive interview, the legend shares about creating “Acid Tracks,” birthing a genre, and the early days of the Chicago house scene.
EXPLORE TECH AND TREND
The Roland Lifestyle brand builds on the company's legacy while looking to the future. See how it's introducing Roland to new generations.
Collab is a new iOS app from New Product Experimentation (NPE) at Facebook that helps people make music together. Learn how to utilize it.
NFTs are intersecting with the music industry in dramatic ways. Find out the many ways non-fungible tokens can help boost your career.
If music has no boundaries, why does its genesis usually occur within four walls? Biomusic is rooted in non-human sounds.
Artificial Intelligence is making its way into music. Investigate the wild new world of AI and how it's reshaping the creative landscape.