Electronic music Books

Book SynopsisDaphne Oram (1925–2003) was one of the central figures in the development of British experimental electronic music. Having declined a place at the Royal College of Music to become a music balancer at the BBC, she went on to become the co-founder and first director of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Oram left the BBC in 1959 to pursue commercial work in television, advertising, film and theatre, to make her own music for recording and performance, and to continue her personal research into sound technology – a passion she had had since her childhood in rural Wiltshire. Her home, a former oasthouse in Kent, became an unorthodox studio and workshop in which, mostly on a shoestring budget, she developed her pioneering equipment, sounds and ideas. A significant part of her personal research was the invention of a machine that offered a new form of sound synthesis – the Oramics machine.Oram’s contribution to electronic music is receiving considerable attention from new generations of composers, sound engineers, musicians, musicologists and music lovers around the world. Following her death, the Daphne Oram Trust was established to preserve and promote her work, life and legacy, and an archive created in the Special Collections Library at Goldsmiths, University of London. One of the Trust’s ambitions has been to publish a new edition of Oram’s one and only book, An Individual Note of Music, Sound and Electronics, which was originally published in 1972. With support from the Daphne Oram Archive, the Trust has now been able to realize this ambition.An Individual Note is both curious and remarkable. When commissioned to write a book, she was keen to avoid it becoming a manual or how-to guide, preferring instead to use the opportunity to muse on the subjects of music, sound and electronics, and the relationships between them. At a time when the world was just starting to engage with electronic music and the technology was still primarily in the hands of music studios, universities, and corporations, her approach was both innovative and inspiring, encouraging anyone with an interest in music to think about the nature, capabilities and possibilities that the new sounds could bring. And her thinking was not limited to just the future of the orchestra, synthesizer, computer and home studio, but ventured, with great spirit and wit, into other realms of science, technology, culture and thought. An Individual Note is a playful yet compelling manifesto for the dawn of electronic music and for our individual capacity to use, experience and enjoy it.This new edition of An Individual Note features a specially commissioned introduction from the British composer, performer, roboticist and sound historian Sarah Angliss.

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Book SynopsisThe Pet Shop Boys are one of the most successful and unusual bands of the last five decades. They are the pop duo that proves pop music can be modern, ecstatic and playful as well as serious and intelligent, winning them legions of devoted fans throughout the world.In 1989, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe invited journalist Chris Heath and photographer Lawrence Watson to shadow them around Hong Kong, Japan and the UK as they embarked on their first-ever tour. This book is the result: an immersive portrait giving access into the duo’s inner sanctum, showing them in brilliantly observed detail as they work, relax, gossip, argue and occasionally try to make sense of what they do.‘As clear a picture as could be wished for of the seething mass of elegant contradictions that is the Pet Shop Boys’ on-the-road experience.’ Independent on Sunday‘This superbly reported book transcends tired rock journalism cliché. It’s about what it means to be a pop star, what it means to be a Pet Shop Boy… how to love pop, hold it to a higher standard and subvert its expectations.’ Laura SnapesTrade ReviewOne of the best biographies in pop history. A phenomenal piece of observational journalism. Heath's books offers unprecedented access. -- Mark Savage * BBC News *Candid, hilarious and revealing...gloriously gossipy. [They set] a benchmark for music biographies. Engrossing stuff. * Classic Pop Magazine *Candid, insightful and frequently hilarious dispatches from the front line of pop stardom. An astonishingly intimate and honest portrait of the maverick duo. Page turners of the highest order, saying more about their subjects than any “straight” biographies could ever hope to achieve. * Record Collector Magazine *

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Book SynopsisIn November 2020, Depeche Mode were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Dave Gahan, accepting the honour, said: “I’d like to thank Anton Corbijn who thank God came in at the right time and actually made us look cool.” Also in the fall of 2020, TASCHEN released the limited edition Depeche Mode by Anton Corbijn (81–18) signed by Depeche Mode and Anton Corbijn, and it became one of the fastest selling collector’s editions in the publishing company’s history. This pocket-sized and wallet-friendly edition is a testament to Corbijn’s unique vision, and indeed “cool” as Gahan acknowledged so movingly in his speech; an illustrated history of how Corbijn, who became in 1986 the band’s de facto creative director, and helped cement Depeche Mode’s reputation as the biggest cult band in the world.Featuring over 150 photographs from Corbijn’s extensive archives, including formal and informal portraits from places such as Madrid, Hamburg, the California desert, Prague and Marrakech; a multitude of off-the-cuff, candid images; and stunning live shots from all their tours since 1988 right up to 2023. Created with the full collaboration of the band, who share some insights on working with Corbijn, Depeche Mode by Anton Corbijn trumpets how one man’s original aesthetic, that has encompassed all of their photography, most of their music videos, album graphics and set designs, helped shape the band’s enduring popularity. Reflecting on his role in Depeche Mode, Corbijn recalls in the book’s introduction: “A lot of it came down to me, and I wanted it to be right for them. I wanted to think for them. To be great for them.” This book is a tribute to the depth and breadth of that greatness, a celebration of one of the most creative and enduring collaborations in rock history.Trade Review“Anton was able to give the DM sound, that we were beginning to create, a visual identity.” * Dave Gahan *

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Book SynopsisPaused in Cosmic Reflection is the definitive story of The Chemical Brothers. Told in the voices of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons, with contributions from friends and collaborators, it is fully illustrated with 30 years of mind-bending visuals.Trade ReviewA ROUGH TRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023Rich in anecdotes, the book chronicles their evolution from DJing in basements to shaping modern electronic music. Complemented by archival photos and unseen visuals, it's a visual feast for fans, an intimate journey into the pulsating heart of The Chemical Brothers' world * Clash *An abundance of yarns... the visual presentation is exceptional, as-photoshoot outtakes, video stills, ecstatic snapshots and assorted ephemera sumptuously encapsulate the Chemicals' mind-altering universe * MOJO *Sumptuous new graphic autobiography * Daily Telegraph *A block-rockin' coffee-table tome... the definitive story of this groundbreaking duo * Electronic Sound *Excellent * Creative Boom *

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Book SynopsisFrom the acclaimed author of Art Sex Music comes a vital meditation on womanhood, creativity and self-expression, and a revelatory exploration into the lives of three visionary artists.''A fascinating tale of the interlinking lives of three legendary trailblazers.''SALENA GODDEN''Re-sisters emanates an enthralling power.''JUDE ROGERS, MOJO''Cosey Fanni Tutti has lived the life and has the stories to tell: not just hers, but those of two other still unheralded female pioneers.''JON SAVAGEMyself , Delia and Margery a trinity of the sacred and profane , sinners and saints of a kind. Three defiant women with our individual, unconventional attitude to life. Untameable spirits, progressive thinkers living within the inherent societal constraints of our times.In 2018, boundary-breaking visual and sonic artist Cosey Fanni Tutti received a commission to write the soundtrack to a film about Delia Derbyshire, the pioneering electronic composer who influenced the likes of Aphex Twin and the Chemical Brothers. While researching Delia's life, Cosey became immersed in Derbyshire's story and uncovered some fascinating parallels with her own life. At the same time Cosey began reading about Margery Kempe, the 15th century mystic visionary who wrote the first English language autobiography.Re-sisters is the story of three women consumed by their passion for life, a passion they expressed through music, art and lifestyle; they were undaunted by the consequences they faced in pursuit of enriching their lives, and fiercely challenged the societal and cultural norms of their time.''An impeccably researched meditation on womanhood as viewed through the lives of three firebrands.''FIONA STURGES, GUARDIAN''Awe-inspiring. Read these revelatory portraits: this book is for anybody who wants to discover the work of three women who, without fanfare, have enriched our world.''ROBERT WYATT''Passionate, original and fiercely defiant.''RUPERT THOMSON

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Book SynopsisWhen Tim Bergling, better known as Avicii, struck an iconic pose with his arm in the air, he did more than get the crowd to dance - he redefined electronic music. This official photo book pays tribute to Tim Bergling's musical career and traces his life in almost 200 images from his childhood to some of his biggest gigs, including rare personal moments behind the scenes.During his short life, Avicii became one of the biggest stars of his time. He began his career at the age of 16 by posting remixes on internet forums, which eventually led him to sign with a record label. His breakthrough came in 2011 with the song Levels, which became an international super hit. He staged more than 800 concerts all over the world and worked with stars including Madonna, Coldplay, Lenny Kravitz and Robbie Williams. When he died in 2018 at the age of 28, he had forever changed the musical landscape.The book also includes an essay written by Måns Mosesson, the official biographer of Tim Bergling.

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Book SynopsisAll Things Remembered is the story of the man born Clifford J. Price - jungle's most streetwise ambassador who went on to collect an MBE from Buckingham Palace. As one of Britain's most influential DJs, producers and record-label owners, Goldie's contribution to the UK rave scene in the 1990s with Metalheadz provided the blueprint for dubstep and grime. Here is the memoir of an extraordinary life, an explosive story of abuse, revenge, graffiti, breakdancing, gold teeth, sawn-off shotguns, car crashes, hot yoga, absent fatherhood and redemption through reality TV all told in Goldie's unmistakeable, charismatic voice.

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Book Synopsis''The best non-fiction book I''ve ever read. It''s magical. Stunning'' Dan Schreiber, No Such Thing As a Fish''A pop biography for people who don''t read pop biographies'' Dorian Lynskey, Guardian''Brilliant, discursive and wise'' Ben Goldacre''Utterly irresistible and totally brilliant'' The Quietus''A thing of endlessly fascinating, utterly demented genius'' Alexis PetridisThey were the bestselling singles band in the world. They had awards, credibility, commercial success and creative freedom. Then they deleted their records, erased themselves from musical history and burnt their last million pounds in a boathouse on the Isle of Jura. And they couldn''t say why.This is not just the story of The KLF. It is a book about Carl Jung, Alan Moore, Robert Anton Wilson, Ken Campbell, Dada, Situationism, Discordianism, magic, chaos, punk, rave, the alchemical symbolism of Doctor Who and the special poweTrade ReviewThe best non-fiction book I've ever read. It's magical. Stunning -- Dan Schreiber * NO SUCH THING AS A FISH *The best non-fiction book I've ever read. It's magical. Stunning * NO SUCH THING AS A FISH *A pop biography for people who don't read pop biographies. Higgs approaches the short career of the early 90s top 10 provocateurs like Adam Curtis brainstorming with Thomas Pynchon, exploring all manner of magical thinking and conspiracy theories. Touching on Dada, Doctor Who and Discordianism, it's as playful and sui generis as the KLF themselves, which is saying something * GUARDIAN *A pop biography for people who don't read pop biographies. Higgs approaches the short career of the early 90s top 10 provocateurs like Adam Curtis brainstorming with Thomas Pynchon, exploring all manner of magical thinking and conspiracy theories. Touching on Dada, Doctor Who and Discordianism, it's as playful and sui generis as the KLF themselves, which is saying something * GUARDIAN *Might well be the best music book of the 2010s . . . eccentric, bizarre, confusing, hilarious and more than a little pretentious but utterly irresistible and totally brilliant -- Cay McDermott * THE QUIETUS *Might well be the best music book of the 2010s . . . eccentric, bizarre, confusing, hilarious and more than a little pretentious but utterly irresistible and totally brilliant * THE QUIETUS *The book brilliantly captures the anti-establishment attitude of Drummond and Cauty, and makes you wish the pop charts were full of such madness these days * THE BIG ISSUE *The book brilliantly captures the anti-establishment attitude of Drummond and Cauty, and makes you wish the pop charts were full of such madness these days * THE BIG ISSUE *This wildly entertaining thesis speculates on how the KLF arrived at a crowning act of transgression even they did not understand, drawing together threads including practical magic, strange patterns of coincidence and punk * MOJO *This wildly entertaining thesis speculates on how the KLF arrived at a crowning act of transgression even they did not understand, drawing together threads including practical magic, strange patterns of coincidence and punk * MOJO *Succeeds by ignoring music for much of the story, in favour of the group's philosophical and psycho-geographical underpinnings in Discordianism, situationism, art and magic. Sometimes, the music is just a means to an end - in their case, a million-quid bonfire that Higgs suggests may be "a magical act that forged the 21st century". Well, maybe . . . * INDEPENDENT *Succeeds by ignoring music for much of the story, in favour of the group's philosophical and psycho-geographical underpinnings in Discordianism, situationism, art and magic. Sometimes, the music is just a means to an end - in their case, a million-quid bonfire that Higgs suggests may be "a magical act that forged the 21st century". Well, maybe . . . -- Andy Gill * INDEPENDENT *Book of the Century. Most pop biographies are a dull patchwork of clippings - this is something elseBook of the Century. Most pop biographies are a dull patchwork of clippings - this is something elseBy far the best book this year, brilliant, discursive and wiseBy far the best book this year, brilliant, discursive and wiseI am going to bang on about THE KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band who Burned a Million Pounds rather a lot. Fascinating . . . Enthralling'I am going to bang on about THE KLF: Chaos, Magic and the Band who Burned a Million Pounds rather a lot. Fascinating . . . Enthralling'John Higgs's book about the KLF is - like its subject - a thing of endlessly fascinating, utterly demented geniusJohn Higgs's book about the KLF is - like its subject - a thing of endlessly fascinating, utterly demented genius

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Book Synopsis The intimate biography of the iconic DJ who was lost too soon. Tim Bergling was a musical visionary who, through his sense for melodies, came to define the era when Swedish and European house music took over the world. But Tim Bergling was also an introverted and fragile young man who was forced to grow up at an inhumanly fast pace. After a series of emergencies resulting in hospital stays, he stopped touring in the summer of 2016. Barely two years later, he took his own life.Tim - The Biography of Avicii is written by the award-winning journalist Måns Mosesson, who through interviews with Tim's family, friends and colleagues in the music business, has intimately gotten to know the star producer. The book paints an honest picture of Tim and his search in life, not shying from the difficulties that he struggled with.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing a foreword from Annie MacIn Welcome to the club, Manchester legend DJ Paulette shares the highs, lows and lessons of a thirty-year music career, with help from some famous friends.One of the Haçienda’s first female DJs, Paulette has scaled the heights of the music industry, playing to crowds of thousands all around the world, and descended to the lows of being unceremoniously benched by COVID-19, with no chance of furlough and little support from the government. Here she tells her story, offering a remarkable view of the music industry from a Black woman’s perspective. Behind the core values of peace, love, unity and respect, dance music is a world of exclusion, misogyny, racism and classism. But, as Paulette reveals, it is also a space bursting at the seams with powerful women.Part personal account, part call to arms, Welcome to the club exposes the exclusivity of the music industry while seeking to do justice to the often invisible women who keep the beat going.Trade Review‘Imagine the DJ is taking notes while everyone in the club is dancing. Welcome to the club is exactly that, notes of a DJ – the irrepressible sunlight of DJ Paulette. A fascinating insight into the music business by a northern Black woman.’Lemn Sissay, author of My Name Is Why'Icon. Trailblazer. Activist. Warrior. DJ Paulette has led the way for Black women and women everywhere in a global music industry riddled with racism and misogyny. She has blown apart the myths. This is a magnificent book. A manifesto for our times and a rallying call for the future.'Maxine Peake, actress and activist'Paulette continues to light the way for others, building in relevance and significance, wowing crowds, annihilating dancefloors. I would recommend Welcome to the club as an essential read for anyone and everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed it.'Craig Charles, actor, comedian, DJ, television and radio presenter ‘Paulette is someone I’ve always respected, admired and been inspired by. This book is beautifully written, incisive, dry, witty and real – true Mancunian honesty. What an adventure and a truly fascinating life.’Rowetta, member of the Happy Mondays'Paulette is a pioneer, a ground-breaker, a trailblazer and never afraid to hold a mirror up to the world to show that there is still so much more to do. A self-assured shimmy of a book that instantly transports you to the dancefloor and beyond. I love it!'Arielle Free, BBC Radio 1 presenter‘DJ Paulette's Welcome to the club is a testament to her ability to witness the dancefloor while blending memorable anecdotes that bring new life to the UK underground music scene. More than her fabulous landing in Paris, where she built a new world of listeners around her name and sound, it's the fact that Paulette turns notable moments in her thirty-year career into a close listening experience. There's a musical quality to this book that sounds like what Black women DJs have tried to tell the world – our unique experiences turn any party into a lively classroom. Paulette leaves curious students waiting for the next chapter so they can hear it like a song.’Lynnée Denise, DJ, writer and interdisciplinary artist‘When I first met Paulette, back in that pivotal space of early 1990s Manchester, I don’t think any of us really understood what we were getting out of nightlife beyond raw enjoyment. Now we've had a chance to re-evaluate those codes, to understand how much they meant in forming us as people. This book explains why nightlife matters, beamed in directly from a vanguard position behind the DJ booth. Paulette understands the philosophy of the nightclub because she was there when it was at its very best.’Paul Flynn, author of Good As You: 30 Years of Gay Britain ‘I arrived in 1990s Manchester, found a place to live and a job then got dragged up, went clubbing and there was DJ Paulette on the decks. She made being an outsider look hot, and I wanted in. Her energy and music were the soundtrack to my queer gender-bending dance floor years. Decades on I still want to be in her club. If music and clubbing played an important part in your life, then so will this book.’Kate O'Donnell, Artistic Director of Trans Creative'I now realise the weight of the obstacles and challenges Paulette overcame, her fortitude to compete in male-dominated arenas, the racism she undoubtedly encountered. Her mettle and contribution have clearly opened doors for the diversity and equality we strive for today.'Simon Dunmore, DJ and Founder of Defected Records & Glitterbox'With fierce resilience and passion, DJ Paulette’s travels through clubland reveal her personal triumphs over life’s adversities. A book filled with music and love, positivity and enthusiasm. 'Princess Julia, DJ, model and music writer‘Any list of the pioneers of the Manchester club scene, and the international scene it so heavily influenced, is not complete without the name of DJ Paulette. Ours is a city that celebrates those who challenge elites, break down barriers and open doors for others to walk through. Paulette has done all of those things and more and that is why we are so proud of her.’Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester‘A thrilling ride around the world through the lens of a Black female DJ. Covering the good, the bad and the ugly, DJ Paulette tells it like it is. There are few visible Black female role models in the music industry and DJ Paulette is a passionate advocate for racial, gender and LGBTQ+ equality, but most of all she’s a legendary DJ. If you want a fresh, original voice on electronic dance music, culture, politics and more, this is the book for you!’John Shortell, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, The Musicians’ Union‘A refreshingly honest and positive queer voice. DJ Paulette’s memoirs are everything that club culture needs at the moment: Written with warmth and passion, this book continues the trend of female professionals telling their stories – the good and the bad ones – so that we learn how clubs can once again become the places of Peace, Love, Unity and Respect.’Dr Beate Peter, The Lapsed Clubber Project'A true original of the UK club scene, Paulette has experienced the highs and lows of dance music culture, and this heartfelt and insightful book tells the story of what she saw and learned with her distinctive style, warmth and wicked wit.'Matthew Collin, author of Rave On and Altered State'DJ Paulette has written a story that needed to be told, and as only she could tell it. Rich with experience and careful research, Welcome to the club is a must-read for anyone interested in house music, DJing and the power of life narrative.'Audrey Golden, author of I Thought I Heard You Speak'Welcome to the club is joyful, funny and furious. DJ Paulette’s essential read doubles up as an alternative history of dance music, told from the middle of the dancefloor. It’s a sparkling and generous ride through international high times and low moments, documenting music industry racism, sexism and homophobia with fabulous clarity. This pioneering DJ and musical instigator has written a full-bodied celebration of the myriad ways music can save your life – and can also make your life. 'Emma Warren, author of Dance Your Way Home'This book made me dizzy in a good way! Paulette is a great story teller who brings her musical journey to life in a way which entertains and inspires, much like her DJ sets and radio shows.'Mr. Scruff, record producer and DJ'This is one of those books whose absence from the canon of musical history goes largely unnoticed until it is written.'Louis Cammell, The Skinny‘This book is a timely reminder that history or herstory is not written yet and never over. It gives a valuable and personal account of the development of DJing as a professional music career and its beginnings in the LGBTQ community in Manchester at the start of the 1990s. At moments it is a disturbing and hard read, but read it one must. This is a much needed and powerful account for anybody interested in the music business and the development of dance music internationally.’Sally Anne Gross, music industry practitioner and academic'Paulette’s rollicking memoir takes you through unmarked doors vibrating with bass to celebrate a life lived to the full in dance music.'Frank Broughton, DJ History -- .Table of ContentsForeword by Annie MacIntroduction: welcome to the club (Belleville or bust)1 Finders keepers: in the beginning2 London to Paris: Eurostar3 Bad behaviour: shit shags and crap hotels4 FAQs (female asked questions)5 How to kill a DJ6 Sane as it ever was7 Lifetime VIP: a manifestoIndex

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Book SynopsisThe Arduino platform provides a virtually limitless range of creative opportunities to musicians who are interested to explore new technologies. In Arduino for Musicians, Brent Edstrom provides a comprehensive guide to the underlying technologies enabling the creation of custom instruments that respond to light, touch, breath, and other forms of control.Trade Review"I heartily recommend this book as a way to get started with Arduino or electronics even for non-musicians. But if you ever wanted to make your own Moog synth or Theremin (and who hasn't) then you will love this book."--Dr. Simon Monk, author and maker "A comprehensive and easy to use guide for everything you may need to know about how to use the Arduino for musical applications. The book is well-organized, allowing both technical novices and experienced music technologists to find the information and guidance they may be looking for."--Gil Weinberg, Professor and Director, Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology "Edstrom has developed a very useful resource for musicians interested in using microcomputer controllers and software tools in Arduino for Musicians. This publication, organized in three sections, serves not only as an introduction for those just learning the world of the Arduino, but also for those learning to use the open-source electronics platform to apply creative applications of the core concepts for the more advanced projects. The intermediate and advanced sections are written in a casual narrative style with well-organized sequencing. The book is a welcome addition as a resource or required text for undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in music technology or related courses in multimedia performance."--G. David Peters, Professor and Head of Graduate Studies, Music and Arts Technology, Indiana University - IUPUITable of ContentsTable of Contents Forward Chapter 1 Getting Started Chapter 2 Introduction To Programming Chapter 3 Introduction To Electronics Chapter 4 Interfacing With Arduino Chapter 5 Music Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) I/O Chapter 6 Real-Time Input: Musical Expression Chapter 7 Music-Making Shields Chapter 8 Programming Part II Chapter 9 Audio Output and Sound Synthesis Chapter 10 Audio Input Chapter 11 Finalizing Projects Chapter 12 Standalone Arduino Chapter 13 MIDI Hand Drum Project Chapter 14 Stella Synthesizer Project Chapter 15 Step Sequencer Project Chapter 16 Emöte MIDI Controller Notes Bibliography Appendix A: MIDI Control Changes Appendix B: MMC Commands Appendix C: Introduction to Bit Twiddling Index

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Book SynopsisNOW A MAJOR BBC DRAMA, AVAILABLE TO WATCH ON BBC THREE NOW''An essential read for anyone with the slightest interest in the birth of Grime'' The Wire''Sharp and nostalgic'' The ObserverA group of kids in the 90s had a dream to make their voice heard - and this book documents their seminal impact on today''s pop culture. DJ Target grew up in Bow under the shadow of Canary Wharf, with money looming close on the skyline. The ''Godfather of Grime'' Wiley and Dizzee Rascal first met each other in his bedroom. They were all just grime kids on the block back then, and didn''t realise they were to become pioneers of an international music revolution. A movement that permeates deep into British culture and beyond. Household names were borne out of those housing estates, and the music industry now jumps to the beat of their gritty reality rather than the tune of glossy aspiration. Grime has shaken the world and Target is reveaTrade ReviewAn essential read for anyone with the slightest interest in the birth of Grime * THE WIRE *Sharp and nostalgic * OBSERVER *

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Book SynopsisWilliam L. Weir lives in Connecticut and writes regularly about music and the history of music technology. His work has appeared in The Atlantic, Slate, The Boston Globe, Hartford Courant, and other publications.Trade ReviewThis book is a concise history of the Radiophonic Workshop and to some extent a history of electronic music -- David Harris * Practical Wireless *Table of ContentsIntroduction: An Improbable Stew 1. Before the Workshop: Beeps, Bloops, and a Battle for the Nation’s Identity 2. “Vive Le Workshop!” 3. “Time Beat” and the Soul of a Machine 4. Way Out and Catchy! Doctor Who, and a New Era for the Workshop 5. Fragile Ribbons of Iron: A Chapter about Tape 6. Around the Office 7. The Art of Making Something from Nothing 8. Goons, Singing Dogs, and Chirping Percolators 9. The World as Their Instrument 10. The Impact of the Radiophonic Workshop 11. Team Tape versus Team Synth 12. The End, and a New Appreciation Acknowledgments Notes

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Book Synopsis'Love this book! It triggers so many memories of the rave era. Thoroughly recommended.' - FATBOY SLIM 'Captures the hedonism and humour of the nineties with a laugh-out-loud honesty. The perfect Ibiza holiday read...if you can get it through customs!' - JUDGE JULES As a humble barman at the M25 Orbital raves, Kirk Field witnessed the moment acid house exploded. Inspired by media lies to start writing the truth about what he saw unfolding, Kirk became a 'raving' reporter for the clubbers' bible Mixmag, covering the historic parties from the inside and sending sweat-soaked dispatches from distant dancefloors as the scene expanded across Europe and beyond.With a cast of characters including Diego Maradona, Timothy Leary, the KLF, Michael Eavis, Genesis P-Orridge, Brigitte Nielsen, Boris Yeltsin, Boy George, Saddam Hussein's wife, the president of Tunisia, the CIA, the KGB, Dave Courtney, Norman Lamont's dominatrix and even Her Majesty the Queen, Kirk's whirlwind account of the golden age of clubbing tells the story of what really happened in the 'naughty '90s', exposing the seedy underbelly of rave culture while also capturing the nostalgic spirit of the era.Told through a mixture of vivid first-person narrative, surreal insider anecdotes and incisive social commentary, this honest, hilarious and uncensored postcard of hedonism will appeal to anyone who's ever put their hands in the air like they just don't care.Trade Review'Funny, intelligent and never sensationalised. Whether you're into the rave scene or not, this is an irrepressible read...starry-eyed and laughing rather than glazed and crazed. 4/5.' -- Record Collector'Never a dull moment.... packed to the eyeballs with vivid anecdotes and a five-star cast list.' -- Electronic Sound'(A) Fantastic account of the dance revolution...documented in exhilarating fashion. Rave New World is an intoxicating love letter to one of music's most misunderstood eras. 4/5.' -- Classic Pop'Love this book! It triggers so many memories of the rave era. Thoroughly recommended.' -- Fatboy Slim'Captures the hedonism and humour of the nineties with a laugh-out-loud honesty. The perfect Ibiza holiday read...if you can get it through customs!' -- Judge Jules'Like myself, Kirk was there right from the start of the 'rave new world', reporting and recording our revolution as it happened. This book is full of great tales and laughs - the perfect balance of history, hedonism and humour.' -- Slipmatt'There are quite a few books covering our culture, but THIS is the one.' -- DJ Fergie'Kirk Field took a fathoms deep dive in to the chaotic, curious, and sometimes highly ridiculous world of DJ's and nightclubbing and lived to tell the tale. And what a tale it is.' -- Richard Norris, The Grid'The rave era was a time of exploration and new possibilities and here Kirk Field documents his discoveries and experiences with skill, humour, and warmth. Whether you were there too, or just interested to learn more, this is a great read.' -- Nick Halkes, XL, Positiva Records'A wonderful first-hand account, direct from the front-line Kirk Field was right there in the eye of the storm of those early, incredible, halcyon days of Rave. His wide-eyed enthusiasm lights up every page as he blazes through anecdote after anecdote from a truly pivotal time in the UK's cultural history.' -- Dave Seaman, Mixmag editor, DJ, producer'Such an enjoyable book. I loved Kirk's playful style of writing and finding out about all his lively antics in clubland. Kirk is one of the most interesting people I've met in clubland, so it was a joy reading all the mischief he's got up to over the years.' -- Lisa Pin-Up, producer'An excellent insight to what it was like to eat, sleep and breathe the vibes of the original raves. I feel like I've been transported back in time and reliving the journey!' -- Aston Harvey, The Freestylers"Lively and relentless...Like a Forest Gump of clubland. A funny, insightful, exciting read that comes highly recommended.' -- Mixmag'Fascinating. A refreshing reminder that the scene was built on creativity, passion and a love of music and unity on the dance floor. A must read.' -- John Digweed'This book proves that time travel is possible. Every page will transport you back to the bass line that was the heartbeat of a revolution.' -- Gok Wan MBE'The book is honestly ace, proper laugh out loud stories.' -- James Atkin, EMF

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Book Synopsis'The definitive look at dance music and club culture - a must read' - Paul Oakenfold'Brilliantly woven collection of aural histories ... a damn fine read' - DJ MAGIn 1987, four friends from London, Paul Oakenfold, Danny Rampling, Nicky Holloway and Johnny Walker, took a week-long holiday to Ibiza. What they saw there, and brought back home, would give rise to a new global music and counterculture movement. As the eighties drew to their close, with Thatcherism holding the nation tight in its grip, something funny was happening right across the jungle of Britain's nightlife scene. People were dressing down, not up, to go to clubs. And they were dancing right through the night armed seemingly with only bottles of water. Ecstasy and acid house music had arrived on British shores, and a tribal battle between for the moral future of the nation, between the youth and the establishment, had begun. In The Second Summer of Love, author and dance music promoter Alon Shulman uses exclusive contributions from the world's biggest DJs, including Paul Oakenfold, Carl Cox, Fatboy Slim, Moby, Faithless, Mr C, Farley & Heller, Danny Rampling and many others to faithfully recreate the story of the summers of 1988 and 1989, and chart the birth and rise of Acid House, dance music and club culture right through to the modern day where dance music has become a culturally dominant global industry.Complete with stunning unseen photographs, this is the first authentic account of what really happened in that glorious period - from the politics and the people to the music, the drugs, the fashion and the culture - told by people who were there, as they bring to life the creation of an underground scene which inadvertently altered the course of modern global youth culture forever.'It's as if house music and rave culture tapped into this ancient predilection of humans to stay up all night dancing and staring into the fire, and just supercharged it with electricity and MDMA' - Moby'What I was experiencing was right in front of my eyes, it was happening right now and I loved it' -Carl Cox'It opened my eyes and ears to a different spirit in music' - Fatboy Slim

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Book SynopsisTrip-hop described some of the 1990s' best music, and it was one of the decade's most revealing bad ideas. This book chronicles the music and its leading artists, packed with recommended listening, essential tracks, great remixes, and under-recognized albums. Your playlists will soon be overflowing. - Spectrum CultureThe music itself was an intoxication of beats, bass, and voice. It emerged amid the social tensions of the late 1980s, and as part of hip-hop's rise to global dominance. It carried the innovations of Jamaican soundsystem culture, the sweet refuge of Lovers Rock, the bliss of club jazz dancefloors and post-rave chill-out rooms. It went mainstream with Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky, DJ Shadow, Kruder & Dorfmeister, and Björk; and with record labels like Ninja Tune and Mo' Wax. To the artists' despair, the music was tagged with a silly label and packaged as music for the boutique and the lounge; made respectable with awards and acclaim. But the music at its best stilTrade ReviewA detailed, authoritative, knowledgeable unpacking of a notoriously conflicting genre written by a diamond-keen cultural critic who's not afraid to tackle nuanced, difficult topics while still singing the praises of music he loves to the high heavens. . . . Your playlists will soon be overflowing. * Spectrum Culture *Table of ContentsPrologue: Beat Bop 1. Trip-Hop 2. Dub-Hop 3. Lovers Hip-Hop 4. Chill Out 5. Cut-Up 6. Contemplating Jazz 7. Abstract Hip-Hop 8. Lo-Fi 9. Blunted Beats 10. Subterranean Abstract Blues 11. Black-Hearted Soul 12. Exotica 13. Hip-Hop Blues 14. Canceled Futures 10 Essential Tracks Acknowledgments Notes

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Book Synopsis** CONTAINS NEW MATERIAL ** THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTELLER & WINNER OF THE ATTITUDE BOOK AWARD 'Refreshing, inspiring and candid.' ATTITUDE 'I love this man so much. He was, and always will be, my knight in shining Westwood.' DAVINA MCCALL'This is a story that should never have been told' KATE MOSS'The perfect beach read' THE SUNDAY TIMES'If you want to change your life but can't.. I strongly advise you read this book' TRACEY EMINAs one of club culture's most notorious - and best loved - figures, Tony is a complete force of nature. Here he tells the most extraordinary stories of depravity and hedonism, of week-long benders and extreme self-destruction - and of recovery, redemption, friendship and the joy of a good tune.___________________________________________________________________________'Anyone can get a party started, but no one keeps it going like Fat Tony, the energy never dips andwhat a life he's lived.. He's a tosser but we still love him.' ELTON JOHN & DAVID FURNISH___________________________________________________________________________Harrowing, honest and funny, this is the candid and outrageous memoir of a life of extremes. It's a story of getting it all and losing it all. Addiction, recovery, and starting again. Drawing a vivid portrait of Britain's street culture from the 1980s to the noughties, DJ Fat Tony describes his childhood on a London estate where he honed his petty criminality, was abused by an older man and became best friends with Boy George. He spent his teenage years parading the Kings Road in his latest (mostly stolen) clobber, worked as a receptionist at a brothel, hung out with Leigh Bowery and Andy Warhol, and created his drag persona, before becoming DJ to the stars (including Prince and Madonna) and spiralling into a life-threatening drug addiction.This is a story of loss and redemption and living to tell all the tales in glorious, funny and often heart-breaking detail, from one of social media's best-loved meme-thieves and the world-renowned DJ.___________________________________________________________________________'There is nobody in London, let alone the world who has lived a more extraordinary life... his journey from villain to real life hero is one of the most beautiful examples of humanity I have ever witnessed. I wouldn't be without this c*nt.' KELLY OSBOURNE'Hearing Tony's story is brutal and shocking. He is nothing short of a miracle and his willingness to be of service to others seeking sobriety is testament to how far he has come from the days of pulling his own teeth out.' MARC JACOBS

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Book SynopsisNo other pop group in recent history has faced fame with such intelligence, humour and shrewdness as the Pet Shop Boys. In 1991, the band toured North America for the first time shadowed by journalist Chris Heath and legendary rock photographer Pennie Smith. They visited fourteen cities in one month, confronting the American music industry and colliding with the likes of Liza Minnelli, Steven Spielberg and Axl Rose. This is more than a documentary of a tour; it is an unusually intimate portrait of two maverick British musicians always reluctant to compromise.‘There was a time when the Pet Shop Boys seemed to exist entirely on radio, television and in magazines. This is the other world of the Pet Shop Boys in concert, travel and backstage, as they bring their art and glamour to America. It’s funny too.’ Johnny Marr‘A brilliant book, to be read over and over again. How could anyone not love these men?’ NMETrade ReviewOne of the best biographies in pop history. A phenomenal piece of observational journalism. Heath's books offers unprecedented access. -- Mark Savage * BBC News *Candid, hilarious and revealing...gloriously gossipy. [They set] a benchmark for music biographies. Engrossing stuff. * Classic Pop Magazine *Candid, insightful and frequently hilarious dispatches from the front line of pop stardom. An astonishingly intimate and honest portrait of the maverick duo. Page turners of the highest order, saying more about their subjects than any “straight” biographies could ever hope to achieve.- * Record Collector Magazine *

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Book SynopsisWe live in an electronic world. Electronic sounds and electronic music have long permeated our sonic landscape. What began as the otherworldly sounds of the film score for the 1956 film Forbidden Planet and the rarefied, new timbres of Stockhausen’s Kontakte a few years later, is now a common soundscape in technology, media and an array of musical genres and subgenres. More people than ever before can produce and listen to electronic music, from isolated experimenters, classical and jazz musicians, to rock musicians, sound recordists and the newer generations of electronic musicians making hip-hop, house, techno and ambient music. Increasingly we are listening to electronic sounds, finding new meanings in them, experimenting with them and rehearing them as listeners and makers. Live Wires explores how the five key electronic technologies – the tape recorder, circuit, computer, microphone and turntable – revolutionized musical thought. Featuring the work of major figures from Schaeffer, Varèse, Xenakis, Babbitt and Oliveros to Eno, Keith Emerson, Grandmaster Flash, Juan Atkins and Holly Herndon, Live Wires presents many of the powerful musical ideas that are being recycled, rethought and remixed by some of the most electrifying composers and musicians today.Trade Review'The writing is easy to read, knowledgeable without being painfully esoteric . . . This is a wonderful guide through a still-evolving phenomenon and one that now, more than ever, deserves our attention.'-Spectrum Culture; 'A good introduction to the artistic aims and means of an ever-expanding sound world, and – from Varèse to Blondie to Squarepusher to DJ Shadow – makes for an invigorating and nostalgic playlist.'-BBC Music Magazine; 'A sonic adventure well worth reading.'-Leonardo; 'Definitely best consumed whilst imbibing his excellent chapter of recommended listening.'-Shindig; 'If we dare mention Christmas, this book would make a perfect stocking filler for Electronica fans… oh, right. Yes, that’s you. Self-gift?'-Electrowow; 'There can’t really be two ways to say this: Dan Warner’s Live Wires is a good book. Dan Warner’s intimately experiential/technical descriptions of his favorite instances of every kind and genre of electronic music in the experimental culture – a culture that almost obliterated the boundaries between “classical” and “pop” – will get you right inside of his sensitively perceptive ear and his deep knowledge and understanding of the sense and implication of what he has, and you will, come to hear.'-Benjamin Boretz, composer

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Book SynopsisOne of the true musical geniuses of the late 20th and early 21st century, Richard D. James has continued to be a pioneer in the electronic music landscape throughout his prolific, multi-faceted career. James, under his myriad of aliases, laid the foundation for ambient techno, drill 'n' bass and dark ambient across the span of six phenomenal studio albums and a multitude of EPs and side projects. Alongside this, he crafted a unique visual identity, expressed through his iconic logo and video collaborations with Chris Cunningham. If that wasn't enough, he has become a figurehead for artists as diverse as Thom Yorke and Pharrell Williams. Year by year, the mythos surrounding him continues to grow, ensuring he remains as culturally prevalent as ever. With no new, officially released music since 2020, this book marks the perfect opportunity to track the course of James' sizeable catalogue. From the well-known to the obscure, the rapid bursts of activity in the 1990s to the so-called 'hiatus' in the 2000s, every corner of this formidable discography is examined in vivid detail, providing insight and an impetus to discover to new listeners and hardcore fans in equal measure.

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Book SynopsisBig Beat was once one of the biggest, but ironically, perhaps most misunderstood musical movements of the Mid-Late 1990's, lead by some of the biggest artists the Electronic Dance Music scene has ever seen, such as Fatboy Slim (AKA Norman Cook), The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy. It's loud, eclectic sound with it's syncopated beats was a smash around the world, leading to nights of boozy (but good natured) hedonism, and it was the soundtrack to the advertising world of the late 1990's and early 2000's. But, somewhere along the way, the genre got a massive backlash from critics, leading to a very quick and painful death, and became the very victim of it's own success. Where did it go wrong and is there a chance for the scene to experience a revival? With new and exclusive interviews with Rory Hoy from 120 of those who were in the thick of it (including Fatboy Slim and Liam Howlett and Keith Flint from The Prodigy) - this is a celebratory (and sometimes humorous) look at a music scene that was short lived . . but had a very big impact.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThis is a music autobiography to remember. This is the story of Martyn Ware. The Human League and Heaven 17 were among some of the most pioneering bands of the 1980s, with Ware having played an integral role in each of their numerous successes. A young lad from the heart of post-war Sheffield, Ware formed The Human League a few years out of school in his early twenties. Described by David Bowie as ''the future of music'', it wasn''t long before the band become known for their innovative and infectiously catchy singles such as ''Being Boiled'', touring with the likes of Siouxsie and the Banshees and Iggy Pop before Ware''s departure. Heaven 17 followed suit, with their soon-to-be classic albums, Penthouse & Pavement and The Luxury Gap, featuring several colossal hits. Ground-breaking icons in new wave and synth pop, both groups remain some of the biggest-selling bands across the UK and worldwide. In Electronically Yours, Martyn takes us through his incredible route to stardom; from his austere upbringing in various council houses and close teenage friendship with former-bandmate Phil Oakey, to the white-hot experimentation in the ''Synth Britannia'' era and his production career, which allowed him to work with some of the world''s greatest singers, including Tina Turner. But it''s not just his life inside the industry which is compelling; a proud socialist, Martyn writes poignantly about politics - how it can be a soulful, personal, moral duty - and its role in his music creation and Britain today. With charming meditations on culture, humour, travel and sport, Martyn also shares his love of 60s films, explains why Venice is the most beautiful city in the world, and reveals how Sheffield Wednesday has forever been his first and eternal passion. A huge page-turner and always warmly told, Electronically Yours sees Martyn talk candidly for the very first time about his extraordinary journey. Discover amusing anecdotes, raw confessions, and moving reflections of a life well and truly lived at the height of the music industry.Trade ReviewMartyn's memoir is at times hilarious, insightful, and bittersweet. He's a man who is owed much more credit for his contribution to the British electronic music legacy. -- Thomas DolbyWonderful, down to earth . . . a great story. From Heaven 17, to all of the miracles and magic that my life has seen. -- Sananda MaitreyaMartyn is trusty, encouraging, charming, helpful, musically skilled . . . [This is a] great book. -- Peter HookA man with a synthesizer trailblazing his way to some of the most innovative moments in music in a generation. -- Martin FryThis is a 100 per cent authentic Sheffield story. From the city's humble streets and football terraces to the very limit of the possibilities where the fearless creation of wonderful ground-breaking music can take you. F*ckin' brilliant story, brilliant book, brilliant Sheffield man! -- Richard HawleyEnthralling . . . An emotionally intelligent, honest book * Record Collector *

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Book SynopsisFlea, the iconic bassist and co-founder, alongside Anthony Kiedis, of the immortal Red Hot Chili Peppers finally tells his fascinating origin story, complete with all the dizzying highs and the gutter lows you''d expect from an LA street rat turned world-famous rock star.Michael Peter Balzary was born in Melbourne, Australia, on October 16, 1962. His more famous stage name, Flea, and his wild ride as the renowned bass player for the Red Hot Chili Peppers was in a far and distant future. Little Michael from Oz moved with his very conservative, very normal family to Westchester, New York, where life as he knew it was soon turned upside down. His parents split up and he and his sister moved into the home of his mother''s free-wheeling, jazz musician boyfriend - trading in rules, stability, and barbecues for bohemian values, wildness, and Sunday afternoon jazz parties where booze, weed, and music flowed in equal measure. There began Michael''s life-long jourTrade Review[Flea creates] a rhythm for his prose as curt and distinct as his bass playing. -- Jim Farber * The Guardian *Acid for the Children is not an as-told-to, nor is it written "with" someone. These are Flea's words-excitable, jazzy, regretful, disarming, popping and writhing away in his biological bass zone. Insecurities to the fore: He worries that he may be producing "a thorny jumble of trash." But he's actually a lovely writer, with a particular gift for the free-floating and reverberant. He writes in Beat Generation bursts and epiphanies, lifting toward the kind of virtuosic vulnerability and self-exposure associated with the great jazz players....Flea-elegant nutcase, funk-at-high-pressure bassist, wildly cultured and culturedly wild man-has written a fine memoir. You'll put down Acid for the Children with your human sympathies expanded; you'll feel less alone. * The Atlantic *Acid For the Children's closest analog is, somewhat surprisingly, Patti Smith's Just Kids...The prose frequently mimics [Flea's] playing: occasionally beautiful, occasionally outrageous, in conversation with a small group of predecessors but unwilling to follow anyone else's rules. This is what gives Acid for the Children its considerable charm... * AV Club *[An] electric, surprisingly moving memoir...Flea is an enlightened narrator, and this passionate, smart memoir will resonate with readers whether they're fans of the band or not. * Publisher's Weekly *A wild ride through the coming-of-age wilderness of the famed rock bassist...Relentlessly honest, untamed, and often revelatory. * Kirkus *He's the iconic bassist and co-founder of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. The one you couldn't take your eyes off, despite Anthony Kiedis' enormous stage presence. Flea finally reveals his fascinating story, complete with everything you'd expect - the "highs" and the gutter lows from an "LA street rat turned world-famous rock star". A must for all music fans everywhere. * Creative Boom *Its hard not to warm to his openhearted embrace of jazz, funk and his eventual bromance with bandmates. * Best Music Books of the Year, Daily Telegraph *A frenzied, beat-ish telling of his pre-RCHP existence * Strong Words *

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Book SynopsisIn the mid- to late 1980s, rave culture developed. It influenced music, design, art, drugs, fashion, language and even the law. Originally emerging in the USA, it was refined in the UK by people who wanted to dance, party and express themselves in terms of art and music. It started in in small, sweaty clubs but such was the popularity that soon enormous Raves, with tens of thousands of people, were common. 'House' music and illegal drug ecstasy were the driving forces behind what turned into a global phenomenon. Events that started as secretive nights in underground clubs, with word-of-mouth advertising grew from one-off take-overs of unusual venues into huge open land-based events. Pager and telephonic communication became the medium of message-passing, and flyers were key to it all: informing the right people about the right place at the right time. Chelsea Berlin was there from the beginning, attending many of the now legendary events, from Club Shoom to Energy and beyond. In Rave Art, the whole exciting movement is documented through the flyers that were handed out freely (often privately) to inform partygoers of the next venue. Flyer design became an artform, and this book contains hundreds of the most significant and rare examples from Chelsea's huge collection. Together with personal reminiscences and quotes from famous, infamous and not-so-famous attendees, Rave Art paints a vivid picture of what is probably the last significant youth culture movement of modern times. Table of ContentsForeword by Mark Moore. Introduction: A look back at the roots of dance music and how rave culture emerged. The musical, political and cultural heritage of the movement. Flyers, Invites and Membership Cards: Hundreds of the most interesting, colourful and significant pieces of art from a ten-year period. Chelsea provides a commentary, drawing the reader's attention to particular events and places where necessary. Chronology: The key moments including the 'freedom to party movement', the music of the times and people documented (prominent DJs, organisers and others involved).

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Born in Moscow, Wladimir Kaminer emigrated to Berlin in the early ''90s when he was 22. Russian Disco is a series of short and comic autobiographical vignettes about life among the émigrés in the explosive and extraordinary multi-cultural atmosphere of ''90s Berlin. It''s an exotic, vodka-fuelled millennial Goodbye to Berlin. The stories show a wonderful, innocent, deadpan economy of style reminiscent of the great humorists. [Several of his European editors make a comparison with current bestseller David Sedaris.] Kaminer manages to say a great deal without seeming to say much at all. He speaks about the offbeat personal events of his own life but captures something universal about our disjointed times.

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Book SynopsisElectronic music evokes new sensations, feelings, and thoughts in both composers and listeners. Composing Electronic Music outlines a new theory based on the powerful toolkit of electronic music techniques.Trade Reviewa worthwhile addition to electronic music literature. * Richard Barrett, Journal of Sonic Studies *What a pleasure to read a book which explains to us all the foundations of electronic music ... [which] has been opening a new full area on the history of music, and putting a clear separation between the area of "acoustic" music, and the area of "electronic" music. * Jean-Claude Eloy *Clearly formulated starting points engage the reader in more challenging concepts and interesting lines of enquiry, contextualising the many perspectives surrounding each topic. This well researched treasure chest of quotes, references, and examples illustrates an insightful text which the author, himself with decades of experience as a transcontinental practitioner, has enriched with personal reflections that in turn allow the reader to do the same. * Natasha Barrett *Curtis Roads' book is a kind of prism that reevaluates the field of music composition in the light of the new technologies of the 21st century. He builds a thousand bridges between different approaches to attributes like pitch, rhythm, time scales, and even sonic narratives in order to help us to understand present music practices. * Horacio Vaggione, composer, Professor Emeritus, the University of Paris VIII *A rich and enjoyable survey for the computer musician, ranging from the objects of compositional manipulation to the performative aspects of the shaping of sensory experience. This book will be of interest not only to the electronic music composer, but also to the performing musician, and the general reader interested in the process and principles of musical design. * Elaine Chew, Professor of Digital Media, Queen Mary University of London *Table of Contents00 Preface ; 01 The electronic medium ; 02 Aesthetic foundations ; 03 The nature of sound ; 04 Creating sound materials ; 05 Sound transformation ; 06 Processes of rhythm ; 07 Pitch in electronic music ; 08 Articulating space ; 09 Multiscale organization ; 10 Sonic narrative ; 11 Generative strategies ; 12 The art of mixing ; 13 References ; Appendix A List of sound examples ; Index

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Book SynopsisSuperCollider, an open-source, cross-platform software program for real-time sound synthesis and algorithmic composition, was created by James McCartney in 1996 and has evolved to become a powerful tool for music composition and research. Written by composer and sound artist Eli Fieldsteel, who has almost two decades'' experience of using SuperCollider for a variety of creative audio projects, SuperCollider for the Creative Musician is a comprehensive tutorial and reference guide for students, composers, and practitioners seeking a structured educational tour through this unique and flexible software.The book begins with platform-specific fundamentals, explores a large family of creative techniques, and then guides the reader through the nuances of assembling, navigating, and performing large-scale projects. Key topics include synthesis, sampling, sequencing, signal processing, external control, and graphical user interface design. Written with both beginners and intermediate practitio

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Book SynopsisTells a new story about the history of the music business and the ten technological advances that disrupted it over the last century.In recent years, narratives about the music industry tend to hew to a common theme: it was humming along for decades until the Internet and Napster came along and disrupted it. Key Changes shows that this view is incorrect: the industry was actually shaken up not once in the 1990s, but ten times over more than 100 years. These ten disruptions came with the introduction of new formats for enjoying recorded music: starting with the cylinders and discs played on early phonographs; then moving through radio, LPs, tapes, CDs, television, digital downloads, streaming, and streaming video; and then into Artificial Intelligence (AI), which enables a wide range of new capabilities with profound impacts upon the business. This book devotes a chapter to each of these formats, illustrating how such innovations beget shifts in creativity, consumer behavior, economics, and law.Each of the technological innovations covered in this book not only disrupted the music business, but also fundamentally altered the industry''s character. And while the technologies themselves have evolved in unique and varied ways over the decades, the changes within the business follow a clear pattern. Veteran music industry professionals and music technology experts Howie Singer and Bill Rosenblatt illuminate this pattern through a framework they term the 6 Cs: cutting edge technology, channels of distribution, creators, consumers, cash, copyright. This framework provides insight into how such disparate innovations similarly disrupted and transformed the music business in each era. Extensively researched and supplemented by interviews with Grammy-winning artists, producers and executives, the book provides an insightful perspective on the ways technology has fundamentally altered the music industry, throughout history and into the present era.Trade ReviewThey've actually done it. Singer and Rosenblatt have written an indispensable new resource for anyone teaching, learning or just curious how the music industry evolved. Utterly comprehensive, meticulously researched and completely accessible, this is a book for fans, budding executives and experienced practitioners as well as historians, educators and policy experts. * Larry Miller, Clinical Professor and Director of NYU Music Business Program *The music industry has been and will forever be on the forefront of technological change. Key Changes gives a comprehensive, thoughtful and engaging account of the technologies that have been fundamental in defining music and sets the foundations for what comes next. * Oana Ruxandra, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, Warner Music Group *Music matters because it got there first. It was the first to suffer, first to recover from disruption. In this rhythmically engaging book, Rosenblatt and Singer hold your hand and dance you through where each 'key change' took us along the way. * Will Page, Author of Tarzan Economics, fellow of London School of Economics and Former Chief Economist of Spotify and PRS for Music *This book is essential reading for those looking to thrive in the ever-evolving music industry. Here we have a clear and concise roadmap for understanding how artists, technology and business are shaping the next reinvention of music. * Frances Moore, CEO, International Federation of the Phonographic Industry *A great read. What a pleasure to have the history of recorded music laid out so clearly and succinctly. * Albhy Galuten, Technology executive, Grammy Award-winning record producer, composer, musician, orchestrator, and conductor. *Key Changes is particularly valuable in tracking recent economic developments, where the authors undoubtedly do have expertise. * Andy Hamilton, The Wire *Table of Contents1. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (Jerry Lee Lewis) -- Introduction 2. You Spin Me Round [Like a Record] (Dead or Alive) -- Phonograph 3. I Can't Live Without My Radio (LLCool J) -- Radio 4. Spin the Black Circle (Pearl Jam) -- Vinyl LPs and 45s 5. Rhymin' and Stealin' (The Beastie Boys) -- 8-Track & Cassette Tapes 6. Television Rules the Nation (Daft Punk) -- Television & Music 7. Zero-Sum (Nine Inch Nails) -- The Compact Disc 8. Don't Download This Song ("Weird Al" Yankovic) -- Downloads 9. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel) -- Streaming 10. Throw Away Your Television (Red Hot Chili Peppers) -- Streaming Video 11. You Took the Words Right Out of my Mouth (Meatloaf) -- Voice Interfaces & Artificial Intelligence 12. Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper) DL Coda 13. Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers) -- Afterword: Blockchain Technologies Index

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Book SynopsisComposer, performer, instrument builder, teacher, and writer Gordon Mumma has left an indelible mark on the American contemporary music scene. A prolific composer and innovative French horn player, Mumma is recognized for integrating advanced electronic processes into musical structures, an approach he has termed ''Cybersonics.'' Musicologist Michelle Fillion curates a collection of Mumma''s writings, presenting revised versions of his classic pieces as well as many unpublished works from every stage of his storied career. Here, through words and astonishing photos, is Mumma''s chronicle of seminal events in the musical world of the twentieth century: his cofounding the Cooperative Studio for Electronic Music; his role in organizing the historic ONCE Festivals of Contemporary Music; performances with the Sonic Arts Union; and working alongside John Cage and David Tudor as a composer-musician with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. In addition, Mumma describes his collaborations witTrade Review"What counts here is the spirit of it, the inventiveness springing from an independence of imagination as well as the willingness and financial necessity to work outside the given conditions of the time. Mumma shows us how that spirit is in fact crucial and, always, of essential value."--Christian Wolff, from the foreword"An excellent and engaging book that can take its readers to a dizzying array of places, real and metaphoric. It is an admirable introduction to the mind and spirit of Gordon Mumma as well as a vivid and loving remembrance of an amazing time in the history of music."--ARSC Journal"The firsthand histories flowing from this book are precious, provided by one of the unsung heroes of the American electronic music scene, Gordon Mumma... A valuable resource."--Neural"Mumma's energetic perspectives on so many topics--as a scholar, inventor, technician, performer, composer, photographer, historian, and documentarian--richly enhance our perspective on this period of rapid change and fruitful innovation. A beautiful and much-anticipated achievement."--Amy C. Beal, author of Johanna Beyer and Carla Bley"Widely known as a multi-talented composer/performer and inventor of handmade circuits and various forms of electronic wizardry that revolutionized live electronic music, Mumma is far more than the prototypical American 'maverick.' His fierce dedication to his own artistic vision has always been coupled to a voracious interest in the work of the pathbreaking composers, performers, dancers, architects, and visual artists who inhabit his music world and with whom he has often collaborated. This elegantly edited and annotated book is thus not only an invaluable overview of Mumma's extraordinary creative output and ideas, but also an intimate insider’s telling of the history of experimental music during the last half century."--David W. Bernstein, editor of The San Francisco Tape Music Center: 1960s Counterculture and the Avant-Garde"A treasure trove of primary source material on American, and to a lesser extent Latin-American, music, especially of the experimental kind. The reader is repeatedly struck by the genuineness of Mumma's writing; whether in passages from his diary or accounts of now-significant events, he writes with the authority of one who was actually there."--Bob Gilmore, editor of Ben Johnston's "Maximum Clarity" and Other Writings on Music"A very wonderful collection of essays, with its first-person witnessing of a scene that was critical for the development of the music technology we have today, and I highly recommend it."--Soundbytes"A wonderful resource for music and the arts, the book can be read as narrative or used as reference. Highly recommended."--Choice "As all great books about music lead you to do, I couldn't help but reach up to my CD shelves, where various Mumma discs releases on lables like New World and Tzadik are housed."--Gramophone "Part memoir of a remarkable life at the center of 20th and 21st century American experimental music, and partly a collection of Mumma's thoughtful, provocative, and influential essays, the book introduces this pioneer to a new generation of sonic explorers"--Electronic Musician "A contemporary history of a particularly fertile and disruptive time in the advanced arts. . . . Mumma's book bears articulate witness to how this flexible discipline played itself out in concrete situations over the decades."--Avant Music News

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Book SynopsisIn 1987, Wayne Anthony and two friends established the legendary Genesis raves that were attended by the wide-eyed, loved-up youth of the late Eighties and early Nineties. Wayne and the Genesis team took Acid House to the masses and changed the face of British rave culture. Wayne then promoted a series of events around Europe, released a series of infamous compilation albums under the banner Havin' It'. Since then Wayne has been involved in Internet start-ups and tech companies. He spent the last ten years at the helm of LSD Magazine, one of Europe's biggest street art graffiti networks. He is currently in the process of launching the world's first dedicated street art graffiti channel from Los Angeles.

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Book Synopsis''The rainbow reaches right across the sky, for miles and miles, and has landed right in the middle of our field. My mother, Alison, is standing at the beginning. I''m sure it''s a beginning, rather than the end, as there''s no pot of gold in sight. The point where everything forms or, perhaps, is not quite formed as yet. That''s my favourite place. A place alive with possibility.''Strange Things Are Happening begins with the wonder of that rainbow, and continues with many escapades down the rabbit hole. From punk and the beginnings of the DIY scene, through Acid House, psychedelia, the rise of electronic dance music and much more, Richard Norris has been involved in countless countercultural revolutions. From misadventures in Amsterdam with Timothy Leary, with Sun Ra at customs, and Shaun Ryder in Joe Strummer''s beaten up Cadillac in Tijuana, to his extraordinarily influential output in The Grid and Beyond The Wizards Sleeve, Richard Norris'' story is one of

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Book SynopsisBefore she became Smokin Jo - the most famous and visible of the first generation of ''superstar DJs'' - Joanne Joseph was a young girl growing up in a children''s home with her sister. Until her mother returned and whisked the siblings away just before secondary school to a flat on the Portobello Road, her life was devoid of music: the home didn''t allow it, apart from hymns and carols at Christmas.As she entered the turbulent years of adolescence, Jo found herself pulled towards Soho and the burgeoning underground acid house scene, instantly finding herself at home amongst other artists, musicians and misfits who breathed and survived on dance music and ecstasy. Within a couple of years, in a lightning-fast ascent, Jo claimed her permanent place as one of England''s most exciting and revered DJs of the British rave scene. In 1992, Jo was awarded DJ of the Year in DJ Magazine''s list of Top 100 DJ''s. To this day she is still the only woman to achieve this accolade.<

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Book SynopsisWhen a small group of enthusiasts rebelled against the increasing commercialisation of the rave scene, converting a derelict meat store in London into a venue seemed the only option to stay authentic. The meat store became and remains a cathedral for undiluted dance music with a global following.    This book celebrates Fabric's phenomenal impact on club culture over the past quarter of a century. Using oral history, photography, archival ephemera and club night artwork, 25 Years of Fabric tells the story of the misfits and visionaries who made it happen, the curators and resident DJs who kept the pure beats pulsing, and the devotees who filled the floor week after week, year after year. Through highs, lows and a campaign against enforced closure, Factory stands tall as an independent, resilient international cultural icon.

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Book SynopsisSo much, popular and scholarly, has been written about the synthesizer, Bob Moog and his brand-name instrument, and even Wendy Carlos, the musician who made this instrument famous. No one, however, has examined the importance of spy technology, the Cold War and Carlos''s gender to this critically important innovation. Through a postcolonial lens of feminist science and technology studies, Roshanak Kheshti engages in a reading of Carlos''s music within this gendered context. By focusing on Switched-On Bach (the highest selling classical music recording of all time), this book explores the significance of gender to the album''s--and, as a result, the Moog synthesizer''s--phenomenal success.Trade ReviewWendy Carlos’s Switched-On Bach is the type of entry that keeps me coming back to the 33 1/3 series. Khesti’s work has completely opened up my mind and understanding of what the Moog should be as a musical instrument and what Wendy Carlos hoped to accomplish by recording music as she did. * Bearded Gentleman Music *Roshanak Kheshti, the author of the new 33 1/3 book series entrant Wendy Carlos's Switched-On Bach, says Carlos was and remains a "foundational presence" to electronic music—and that the brief public acknowledgements she often garners today fall far short of the full story. * Reverb *Table of ContentsSwitched-On Prologue 1 Original Synth 2 Switching On 3 Switched-On Studio 4 Switched-On World Epilogue: Cats on Keys & Total Eclipses Acknowledgements Notes

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Book SynopsisMorton Feldman: Friendship and Mourning in the New York Avant-Garde documents the collaborations and conflicts essential to the history of the post-war avant-garde. It offers a study of composer Morton Feldman's associations and friendships with artists like John Cage, Jackson Pollock, Philip Guston, Frank O'Hara, Charlotte Moorman, and others. Arguing that friendship and mourning sustained the collective aesthetics of the New York School, Dohoney has written an emotional and intimate revision of New York modernism from the point of view of Feldman''s agonistic community.Trade ReviewThe book bears powerful testament to his proposal that in writing about friendships mediated through painting, poetry and music one can derive new insights into that painting, poetry and music. * Tempo *The book bears powerful testament to his proposal that in writing about friendships mediated through painting, poetry and music one can derive new insights into that painting, poetry and music. * Tempo *Dohoney’s graceful and affecting meditation on the plexus of Feldman’s relationships compellingly surveys Feldman’s dedication—and his dedications—to his friends, his love for poetry, painting, and for their makers, and the mourning and melancholy that ultimately tied them together. Feldman’s music becomes increasingly concerned, in Dohoney’s vivid account, with what survives, what endures, and what can still be heard, even as it ebbs. * Martin Iddon, Professor of Music and Aesthetics, University of Leeds, UK *Dohoney’s graceful and affecting meditation on the plexus of Feldman’s relationships compellingly surveys Feldman’s dedication—and his dedications—to his friends, his love for poetry, painting, and for their makers, and the mourning and melancholy that ultimately tied them together. Feldman’s music becomes increasingly concerned, in Dohoney’s vivid account, with what survives, what endures, and what can still be heard, even as it ebbs. * Martin Iddon, Professor of Music and Aesthetics, University of Leeds, UK *Ryan Dohoney's book distinctively illuminates and contextualizes Morton Feldman's modernist music. It is an account of Feldman's relationships, in particular, with the poet and art writer Frank O'Hara and the visual artist Philip Guston. Two large themes emerge, friendship and death. This is a new kind of musicology, with much detailed historical research that also finds emotional elements central to understanding the music, an affective account of what Feldman would call his life in art. It puts together the personal and what we have "out there," the music. * Christian Wolff, composer and Jacob H. Strauss 1922 Professor of Music, Emeritus, Dartmouth College, USA *Ryan Dohoney's book distinctively illuminates and contextualizes Morton Feldman's modernist music. It is an account of Feldman's relationships, in particular, with the poet and art writer Frank O'Hara and the visual artist Philip Guston. Two large themes emerge, friendship and death. This is a new kind of musicology, with much detailed historical research that also finds emotional elements central to understanding the music, an affective account of what Feldman would call his life in art. It puts together the personal and what we have "out there," the music. * Christian Wolff, composer and Jacob H. Strauss 1922 Professor of Music, Emeritus, Dartmouth College, USA *Ryan Dohoney's fantastic book on Morton Feldman points to a Copernican turn within studies of the social life of the arts: trapped for decades in the domain of theme and anecdote, friendship here emerges instead as the infrastructure or medium it in fact is. Friendship thus does not "contextualize" Feldman's music from the outside, but rather enables and structures it from within, like the charged gaps between his notes. * Lytle Shaw, Professor of English, New York University, USA *Ryan Dohoney's fantastic book on Morton Feldman points to a Copernican turn within studies of the social life of the arts: trapped for decades in the domain of theme and anecdote, friendship here emerges instead as the infrastructure or medium it in fact is. Friendship thus does not "contextualize" Feldman's music from the outside, but rather enables and structures it from within, like the charged gaps between his notes. * Lytle Shaw, Professor of English, New York University, USA *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction 1. Spontaneity, Intimacy, and Friendship in the 1950s 2. “Élan vital … and how to fake it” Intermission: The Necessary Other 3. The Elegiac Science 4. “We broke up because of style” Conclusion: Friendship’s Silence Acknowledgments Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA Guardian Guide Cultural Book of the Year 2023An Irish Times Music Book of the Year 2023'A deep, engrossing history' The Observer'A fascinating deep dive' Jeremy DellerFrom the illicit reggae blues dances and acid-rock free festivals of the 1970s, through the ecstasy-fuelled Second Summer of Love in 1988, to the increasingly corporate dance music culture of the post-Covid era, Party Lines is a groundbreaking new history of UK dance music, exploring its pivotal role in the social, political and economic shifts on which modern Britain has been built.Taking in the Victorian moralism of the Thatcher years, the far-reaching restrictions of the Criminal Justice Act in 1994, and the resurgence of illegal raves during the Covid-19 pandemic, Party Lines charts an ongoing conflict, fought in basement clubs, abandoned warehouses and sunlit fields, between the revolutionary potential of communal sound and the reactionary impulses of the British establishment. Brought to life with stunning clarity and depth, this is social and cultural history at its most immersive, vital and shocking.____'Excellent' The Sunday Times'Reminds us why the dance floor matters . . . fascinating' TelegraphTrade ReviewEd Gillett’s excellent history of UK dance culture, moves beyond the saucer-eyed clichés of the raver’s epiphany and towards a sharper sort of revelation . . . the politics of dancing expertly laid bare. * Sunday Times *A fascinating deep dive into dance music's uneasy relationship with the establishment. -- Jeremy DellerEngrossing history . . . a wide and deep undertaking -- Book of the Week * Observer *[A] well-researched, meaty account of dance music in the UK . . . an engrossing piece of modern social history. -- Books of the Month * Independent *A deeply-researched and engaging new understanding of the interwoven soundtrack to the turbulence of modern Britain. -- Luke Turner, author of Out of the Woods and Men at WarReminds us why the dance floor matters . . . fascinating. * Telegraph *A truly thrilling journey through the politics, culture and successive social revolutions of British dance music: a landmark book, and a reminder that the dancefloor is always political. -- Dan Hancox, author of Inner City PressureEssential reading. * Spectator *A passionately argued and intensively researched addition to the ever-evolving narrative of UK dance music culture. -- Matthew Collin, author of Altered StateIt has undoubtedly set a very high standard for other authors looking to write historical stories born out of the euphoria of rave and dance culture. * Louder than War *

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