Museum, artist incubator, distro, and record store—Submerge and Underground Resistance represents the interconnected Detroit music community.
These inspiring female producers have left their marks on the music industry and continue to carve space for newcomers.
A group of eclectic Icelandic artists offer unique perspectives on electronic music performance, their home country, and more.
FEATURES
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“Axel F” is the inescapable theme song of the classic '80s romp Beverly Hills Cop. Learn about the oddball hit and its pioneering creator.
Jane Weaver's latest album is a self-contained universe. The artist discusses shaking up her studio process, cinema, and the groove.
Social media can reinvigorate vintage hits and help them reach broad new audiences. Here are some classic songs that got a second spin.
The prolific player shares her thoughts on touring with RAYE, finding success in the music industry, and her Roland gear.
The brainchild of housemates recording late-night jams onto cassette, Night Tapes explains the process behind their atmospheric dream pop.
LISTENING GUIDE
Here's a place to start exploring the massive catalog of Madlib, one of the finest producers to ever touch a beat pad.
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.
Before hip-hop was the world's most dominant musical genre, several groundbreaking women blazed a fiery trail for others to follow.
A string of artists and labels shaped trance across the '90s and early aughts. Here's a selection of tracks from the genre’s golden age.
For the uninitiated, we provide a roadmap to the formidable discography of rap’s foremost supervillain: MF DOOM.
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The “Purple Rain” drum parts by Bobby Z. provide a classic example of how to play a power ballad for maximum emotional impact.
The JD-800 dominated the '90s with massive textures and a front panel that pushed limits. Learn to create immense layers with the instrument.
The drumming on the eternally funky “Let’s Groove” demonstrates how powerful disco rhythms can make listeners get up and move.
Josh Manuel discusses hybrid drumming and how he uses Roland electronic gear to enhance his performances with Kane Brown.
Explore the history and sound of the Roots' beloved track, “Mellow My Man," and learn to play some of drummer Questlove's iconic patterns.
SOUND BEHIND THE SONG
Returning from an infamous hiatus, James Murphy leads LCD Soundsystem through a dark labyrinth of dance-punk rhythms.
Using the TR-808, vocoder, and modular synthesis, the enigmatic duo created a modern dance classic.
Sometimes, a song’s intro transports us back to a specific time. Learn how the CR-78 formed the playful rhythmic bed for "Heart of Glass."
Mr. Oizo’s “Flat Beat” was an infectious song written for a Levi's® ad starring an orange puppet named Flat Eric. At its heart was the TR-606.
GAIA 2
SPOTLIGHT
Live electronic music performance creates a unique interaction between performer and listener. Discover how it is both exciting and transformative.
DRUMS
With so many electronic drum kits to choose from, what’s the best intermediate choice? Roland’s TD-27 series provides the solution.
Simon Ash helps aspiring drummers of all ages on their percussion paths. Electronic drums are at the core of his instructional style.
Hybrid drumming blends acoustic and electronic elements. Will Hunt of Evanescence explains his approach to the style.
Prepping for a big gig or woodshedding to improve your chops—these V-Drums exercises will help build precision, timing, and more.
Chris Wood does more behind the kit than just playing drums. Learn how his hybrid kit informs Bastille’s uplifting, layered sound.
Our Contributors
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Gino Sorcinelli is the writer, creator, and editor of Micro-Chop, a Substack newsletter that dissects beatmaking, DJing, music production, rapping, and sampling. His articles have appeared on Ableton, HipHopDX, Okayplayer, Passion of the Weiss, Red Bull Music Academy, and Reverb.
Greg Phillips is the editor of Australia’s longest-running musician magazine, Australian Musician. Greg has also worked as a freelance music writer for publications such as Guitar and Bass and Bass Player .
Kat is a music and culture journalist with a decade of digital and print experience and a career emphasis in electronic dance. Bylines include Billboard Dance, Spin, MTV News, Discogs, Mixmag, Miami New Times and more.
Kristin Michael Robinson is a freelance music journalist, musician, entrepreneur, publicist, and graduate of USC's Thornton School of Music. Her work appears in Variety, Ones to Watch, Lady Gunn, and The Noise.
A FEW MINUTES WITH
Kamaal Williams’ music is a genre-defying feast for ears. He speaks about his percussive approach to piano and his love of Roland gear.
Salim Merchant has an awe-inspiring career creating music for film. He took the time to talk about his new album Bhoomi 2020 and more.
As a founder of 1500 Sound Academy, multi-instrumentalist/producer/writer Rance Dopson uses his experience to help young musicians grow.
Rarelyalways opens up about his eclectic influences, the unpredictable ways inspiration strikes, and how he sometimes denies his identity.
Robin "Scanner" Rimbaud explores many genres—from avant-garde to accessible. Find out how he's gone from tape recorders to art institutions.