July 7, 2016

Roland and 101 Pianists in Philadelphia

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Artists, Industry classical music, concert, Lang Lang, Lang Lang Foundation, music education, orchestra, Piano, student

Roland Partners with Lang Lang International Music Foundation for Piano Education on a Grand Scale

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On May 10, Temple University hosted the first 101 Pianists concert and masterclass event of 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. Using 50 Roland pianos, 100 piano students from the local community performed together as a “piano orchestra” with acclaimed concert pianist Lang Lang. The Lang Lang International Music Foundation, together with the Philadelphia Orchestra, organized the educational event as part of the orchestra’s PlayIN series of programs, designed to encourage people of all ages to experience classical music as listeners or performers.

June 21, 2016

New Robben Ford Blues Cube Tone Capsule

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Artists, Product News 6L6, Bonnie Raitt, distortion, Dumble, guitar, John Mayer, Larry Carlton, Miles Davis, OverDrive, overdrive special, recording, speaker, tube, Tube Logic, tweed

Bring Robben Ford’s Famous Tones to Your Blues Cube Amplifier

Robben Ford with his signature Tone Capsule for the Blues Cube amp series.

The new Robben Ford Blues Cube Tone Capsule is the latest addition to the expanding Tone Capsule lineup, bringing the signature tone of the noted blues and jazz fusion guitarist to the Blues Cube amplifier series. Robben directly collaborated with Roland engineers on this Tone Capsule, fine-tuning the sound over a span of many months. Easy to install, the device plugs into the Tone Capsule slot on a supported Blues Cube amp, instantly changing the voicing to the guitarist’s personal preferences for sound and response.

May 23, 2016

Roland Sessions: The Neighbourhood

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Artists boss, DM-2W, drums, ES-8, guitar, I Love You, indie, NBHD, RV-6, SPD-SX, Sweater Weather, The Neighborhood, TU-3, Wiped Out

In-Studio Performance and Exclusive Interview Streamed Live Online

The Neighbourhood

On January 28, 2016, Roland and BOSS artists The Neighbourhood performed live at Roland Sessions. Streamed live on the web from the video studios at Roland headquarters in Los Angeles, the chart–topping alternative band performed a set of songs from their first two albums. After the performance, Roland and BOSS Product and Artist Relations Manager Gary Lenaire sat down with the entire band for an exclusive interview, where they talked about their recording process, influences, favorite Roland and BOSS gear, and more. Read on to see the performance and interview videos, plus an interview transcript and photos.

April 28, 2016

Roland at the 4th Annual ACM Party for a Cause Festival

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Artists, Industry ACM, amplifier, boss, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, drums, guitar, Jana Kramer, Kenny Chesney, keyboards, Luke Bryan, Organ, Piano, recording, Sam Hunt, Stompbox, Swon Brothers, Synthesizer, V-Piano, vocals

A Fun Time for All at Roland’s Backstage Artist Lounge

ACM_Marquee1 Roland and BOSS had a blast at our backstage artist lounge and gear “petting zoo” at the Academy of Country Music’s 4th Annual ACM Party for a Cause Festival. The three-day, two-stage charitable event in Las Vegas attracted nearly 50,000 music fans who enjoyed more than 30 acts from country music’s top names. This year, the festival took place April 1-3 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, and featured many top-tier acts plus full headline sets from Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, and Kenny Chesney. The weekend led up to the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards, which included Sam Hunt singing his hit “Make You Miss Me” while playing a custom-prepared white Roland V-Piano Grand.

April 15, 2016

Behind the Song with Elle Rae’s “Into The Fire”

Rebecca Eaddy [Roland US] Artists Elle Rae, JD-Xi, Joshua Bartholomew, keyboards, Lisa Harriton, Songwriting, Synth, Transformers, vocals

Songwriting with Elle Rae and Her JD-Xi Synth

Elle Rae’s new song “Into The Fire” was released on Hasbro’s Transformers compilation CD today (on iTunes)! We caught up with Elle Rae front woman (and longtime Roland friend Lisa Harriton) to get under the hood of her new song and to find out what inspires her creative process. And Lisa’s JD-Xi makes a cameo in the new “Into The Fire” music video below. You can catch a quick glimpse of her FA-08 Music Workstation and JUNO-Gi rig in the video, too.

Behind the Song with Elle Rae’s “Into The Fire.”

March 31, 2016

Roland and BOSS at Southwest Invasion

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Artists AIRA, Austin, BOSS effects, drums, EC-10, EL Cajon, Gingger Shankar, guitar, Jamie Kent, keyboards, MSTRKRFT, pedals, Piano, South by Southwest, Stompbox, SXSW, Talib Kweli, The Heirs, TR-808, TR-909, vocals

VIP Green Room and Jam Space at SXSW in Austin

SXSW-Marquee

Roland and BOSS had a fantastic time at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, where we partnered with Quantum Collective to host a VIP green room tent and jam space for performers during the 5th Annual Southwest Invasion live music event. Taking place over three days, the event featured performances by great artists like Talib Kweli, Gingger Shankar, Jamie Kent, Third Eye Blind, and many others. Before and after their sets, all the performers hung out at the private Roland/BOSS VIP lounge, talking about music and checking out our latest gear, including new BOSS effects, Roland AIRA instruments, and the ELCajon EC-10.

January 7, 2016

Dan Silver and MOON

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Artists AIRA, independent music, JD-Xi, MOON, MX-1, SXSW, SYSTEM-1

Six Questions with a Successful Indie Artist and Music Entrepreneur

Dan Silver on stage with the AIRA SYSTEM-1 and Roland JD-Xi.

Dan Silver on stage with the Roland SYSTEM-1 and JD-Xi synths.

Authors: Igor Len and Jim Bybee

Today’s music creators often diversify their talents among several creative endeavors and business opportunities at once, and Dan Silver is a shining example of the modern-day musician/entrepreneur. In addition to leading his band MOON, he oversees creative operations and marketing as Vice President of Creative for Riptide Music Group, a music licensing company. But he doesn’t stop there—Dan is also the co-founder, executive producer, and talent curator for Quantum Collective and their Southwest Invasion during SXSW in Austin, and somehow finds enough time left over to produce records and remixes for various artists and bands.

October 21, 2015

Piano Star Lang Lang and Roland Support “101 Pianists”

Rebecca Eaddy [Roland US] Artists, Industry 101 Pianists, Brahms' Hungarian Dance, digital piano, Lang Lang, Marche Militaire, Piano, Piano Student, RP401R, Schubert's Marche Militaire

Lang Lang Takes Stage with 50 Roland Pianos and 100 Young Musicians

Students rehearse on Roland pianos for “101 Pianists” concert.

One hundred piano students from California’s Bay Area took to the stage at Sonoma State University’s Weill Hall in October to perform a program entitled, “101 Pianists.” Each student was paired with another student on one of 50 Roland RP401R digital pianos onstage, and together, while accompanied by world-renowned classical pianist Lang Lang, they performed two-handed arrangements of Schubert’s Marche Militaire, No. 1 in D major and Brahms’ Hungarian Dance, No 5. in F-sharp minor. More

July 28, 2015

Roland Hosts VIP Showcase in Nashville

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Artists, Industry AIRA, Blues Cube, DD-500, JC-40, JD-XA, JD-Xi, RD-800, RV-6, Soundcheck, Summer NAMM

Exclusive Pre-NAMM Gear Preview for Industry Pros

Roland VIP Showcase at Soundcheck studios in Nashville.

One day before the kickoff of the recent 2015 Summer NAMM Show, Roland treated the local Nashville music community to a special preview of our latest products. Held at the Soundcheck rehearsal studio complex, this premier VIP event was attended by hundreds in the pro music scene, who were all eager to get up-close looks at the cool new gear from Roland and BOSS.

June 30, 2015

Lil Wayne and Charlie Puth Release Song from 808 The Movie

Rebecca Eaddy [Roland US] Artists, Industry 808, 808 the movie, AIRA, beats, charlie puth, lil wayne

“Nothing But Trouble” Now Available from 808 Movie Soundtrack

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Check out what might be the biggest track coming from the soon to be released 808 documentary. Lil Wayne and Chalie Puth got together for the track “Nothing But Trouble,” and Ryan Middleton of Music Times says, “The pair may have a new hit on their hands with a very topical theme. The softness of Puth’s voice blends very well with Weezy’s nasally flow, and the beat brings everything together nicely. ” Stream the new tune below, and if you love it, head to iTunes or Spotify to purchase. It’s available today!