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
With a JUNO-60 and an army of Roland samplers, Animal Collective created an unforgettable melodic kaleidoscope: “My Girls."
Before the legendary producer was a household name, Steve Albini used the TR-606 to achieve the punishing drum sounds of "I'm a Mess."
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."
Often credited as the first deep house cut, “Mystery of Love” is a blueprint for the genre. Its pattern continues to captivate dancefloors.
GAIA 2
SPOTLIGHT
Live electronic music performance creates a unique interaction between performer and listener. Discover how it is both exciting and transformative.
DRUMS
Led Zeppelin reinvented the 1927 blues classic as a head-bobbing riff fest. Recreate the John Bonham beat that continues to inspire drummers.
With a wide world of drum gear to explore, get clarity on the type of drum set that will help any new drummer thrive.
Hybrid drumming blends acoustic and electronic elements. Abe Cunningham of Deftones and tech Ed Davis explain their approach to the style.
Hybrid drumming blends acoustic and electronic elements. Anika Nilles explains her approach to the style on tour with Jeff Beck and beyond.
Prepping for a big gig or woodshedding to improve your chops—these V-Drums exercises will help build precision, timing, and more.
Our Contributors
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Brian Lamb AKA Unit:E is a Roland Cloud Academy instructor and admin of the MC-707 and MC-101 Facebook user group. As a DJ, he's participated in countless events across Hawaii and the West Coast.
Jordan Blum resides in Philadelphia and holds an MFA in Fiction. He’s Editor-in-Chief of The Bookends Review, author of Jethro Tull: Every Album, Every Song and Dream Theater: Every Album, Every Song, Associate Editor at PopMatters and a contributor to CoS, Kerrang!, Metal Injection, and PROG.
Lisa is a Roland Artist Relations representative. She's also a lifelong musician with an extensive touring history and discography.
Mark is Roland Keys & Production Product Manager at Roland Corporation Australia. He has written and produced music for Universal Music recording artists, TV, theater, live shows, and theme parks, as well as being a successful recording artist himself.
A FEW MINUTES WITH
Where some people see a sampler, Lionclad sees a world of possibilities. She shares about mixtapes, puppet shows, analog synths, and more.
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.
Japanese-born Hinako Omori visited Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios to blend locally sourced field recordings with binaural technologies.
Daktyl is turning heads with his distinctive beats. The self-proclaimed gearhead discusses his influences, sample arsenal, and collabs.
The British duo shed light on their rural youth, work process, and how an intergalactic voyage informs its latest release, Feorm Falorx.