#1689685 - 08/17/05 11:15 PM
A Worthy Story
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Hollan Holmes
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Hey eds,
Way back in the late eighties, while reading an issue of Keyboard, I stumbled upon a review of the album, Western Spaces, an early collaboration between Steve Roach and several others. It sounded interesting, so I nabbed it the following week. I've been a Steve Roach fan ever since. This prolific artist and, indeed, a pioneer in ambient electronic music, has produced well over fifty works, dominating his genre. In this age of computers and software synths, it is notable that his most recent release, Possible Planet, was created entirely with the use of analog synths. No keyboards, no software, and not even any MIDI. The work is outstanding.
I can think of no other individual more overlooked, unsung and worthy of a story/interview in your magazine than Roach. I openly and wholeheartedly encourage you to pursue an article on a man whom many consider to be one of the world's foremost electronic music creators and surely the dominant king of ambient electronica.
Thanks for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from some of you. 
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#1689686 - 08/25/05 10:44 PM
Re: A Worthy Story
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Hollan Holmes
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Wow, over a week goes by with no response? Helloooo? Anyone home? Trust me, Steve Roach is worthy of a story/interview. His last CD was completed entirely with analog goodness. Of course, I would expect him to come behind a story about Bob Moog, God rest his soul, but as long as you guys at least give it some thought. Stay safe and thanks once again for a great magazine. =)
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#1689687 - 08/26/05 12:58 PM
Re: A Worthy Story
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Ernie Rideout
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Posts: 191
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Hey Hollan!
Sorry, I've been lurking over on the Keyboard Corner, and I totally forgot to check this forum. My apologies!
Great idea, do you have a URL for Steve Roach or his record label? I'll Google him myself, but if you've got a line on him, please let me know.
Thanks!
_________________________
Ernie Rideout, Editor in Chief
Keyboard Magazine
More people pay for Keyboard magazine than any other music-tech magazine. Period.
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#1689688 - 08/26/05 06:45 PM
Re: A Worthy Story
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Hollan Holmes
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Loc: Texas
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Shweet! Absolutely, his URL is http://www.steveroach.com
I did the artwork for "Places Beyond - The Lost Pieces Vol. 4", as well as much of what he'll be releasing next year, so I've gotten to know him a bit. He's a great guy and extremely passionate about his musical endeavors and I think that passion shines in his work. He's got an interesting rig with a mix of both old and new and he weilds it all quite masterfully. There's a long interview with him in the book, "Electronic Music Pioneers", by Ben Kittlewell (ISBN 1-931140-17-0), which reveals a plethora of information about Steve, but the book is rather obscure and I think he deserves some mainstream exposure that Keyboard would surely provide.
Thanks so much for responding and I appreciate your considering him for an article. His work is by no means mainstream, but it is nonetheless an important endeavor, commanding a small, but extremely loyal following. Thanks again, Ernie, and thanks for a consistantly great publication. Stay safe and stay busy. =)
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#1689689 - 08/27/05 10:28 AM
Re: A Worthy Story
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M Peasley
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Registered: 09/02/02
Posts: 503
Loc: Austin, TX
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Steve Roach fan here, too. 'Tho IMHO he puts out so much material, it can take a while to sort the best from the less than best - not all his output is of equal quality.
My favs FWIW are:
The Magnificent Void
On This Planet (live and EXCELLENT)
Suspended Memories Forgotten Gods
He does a lot of collaboration, too, notably with Robert Rich and Vidna Obmana and many others.
He really nails the "science meets anthropology meets planeterium meets boundless space" vibe if you catch my drift.....
M Peasley
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#1689690 - 08/27/05 02:35 PM
Re: A Worthy Story
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Hollan Holmes
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Peasley wrote "...not all his output is of equal quality"
I think the quality of all of Roach's output is excellent, but given the diversity of his style, he does create some stuff which may not appeal to everyone. I have some 99% of everything he's done and I love nearly all of it. There are some that I like better than others though, for sure.
I think most Keyboard readers would, nonetheless, appreciate Roach's journey, whether they like his work or not. The fact that he has eschewed the use of soft synths completely...well, that alone commands attention. I know several of the synths he uses are definitely of the classic variety, for example, the Oberheim Matrix 12 and the Korg Wavestation, among others.
And the favs that you mention, I couldn't agree more, they're excellent works, fer sure. =) And if you ever get the opportunity to see him live, you should. Its unique from any other concert.
And, Peasley, if you've not checked out any of his pure electronica, please do, its pretty much all fantastic. Take care, dude. =)
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#1689691 - 09/17/05 09:14 PM
Re: A Worthy Story
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Hollan Holmes
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Registered: 08/17/05
Posts: 13
Loc: Texas
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Ernie,
I discovered an interesting tidbit of information regarding my suggestion that you do a story on Steve Roach...
Steve Roach: Living Inside the Electronic Dream
by Bob Doerschuk, Keyboard, vol 14 no 2 (issue 142) February 1988
Your magazine has, in fact, done a story on Steve before, so I owe you an apology for having made any statement to the contrary. I do feel, however, that Steve is still (and possibly more than ever!) worthy of a fresh perspective and so I continue to urge you to consider my plea. As a token of my appreciation, I've subscribed to Keyboard Magazine now. Thanks and looking forward to any new information on this.
You can see the actual article at Steve Roach's web site...
http://www.steveroach.com/Press/ProfileKeyboard.html
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#1689692 - 09/27/05 09:10 AM
Re: A Worthy Story
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Ernie Rideout
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Posts: 191
Loc: SF Bay Area
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Thanks Hollan!
_________________________
Ernie Rideout, Editor in Chief
Keyboard Magazine
More people pay for Keyboard magazine than any other music-tech magazine. Period.
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#1689693 - 01/01/06 03:12 PM
Re: A Worthy Story
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Hollan Holmes
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Registered: 08/17/05
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Loc: Texas
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Hi Ernie,
Hope your holidays went well and Santa brought you everything you wanted. ;-)
Its a new year today and life is good. Keyboard Magazine continues to grab my attention with engaging articles related to my interests and artists that inspire me, so a big thanks for keeping up the high standards. I especially am enjoying the new, updated graphic design and layout. Kudos there, as well.
Now, on to my topic related request. As I stated in the previous post, yes Keyboard published an interview with Steve Roach, back in 1988, but much has changed both in the ambient/electronic music scene, as well as with Roach's career. Roach is one of the few to have not only endured all these changes, but is one who has embraced the technology and tools about as fast as they are developed (at least with regard to those technologies that pertain to his motives). With that, I must emplore once more for either a cover story on Roach or, at the very least, an in-depth article, highlighting an astounding career of a very unique artist. I look forward to the replies.
Respectfully,
Hollan Holmes
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