"An upcoming, official bio-doc on electronic music pioneer, Morton Subotnick. Fundraising NOW on IndieGoGo (from May 23 - June 21, 2017): http://igg.me/at/subotnickfilm
Waveshaper Media, the makers of 2014's acclaimed modular synthesizer documentary 'I Dream Of Wires,' is excited to announce that production is now underway for a new, official bio-documentary about revered avant-garde music composer, and electronic music pioneer, Morton Subotnick. Through a series of candid interviews and illuminating conversations with key figures from his past and present, "Subotnick" will provide an overview of this fascinating composer’s rich life and uncompromising career."
"2017 is a milestone year for revered avant-garde music composer, and electronic music pioneer, Morton Subotnick. It not only marks the 50th anniversary of his iconic 1967 album “Silver Apples of the Moon,” but also sees the premiere of “Crowds and Power,” a new multi-media tone poem for voice, electronic sound, and live imagery, commissioned by NYC’s Lincoln Center, and premiering there in July.
Electronic Voyages: Early Moog recordings 1964-1969
(Waveshaper Media - WSM-03 vinyl LP)
A1. Robert Arthur Moog - The Abominatron (1964)
A2. Herbert Deutsch - Jazz Images, A Worksong And Blues (1967)
A3. Joel Chadabe - Blues Mix (1966)
B1. Lothar and the Hand People - Milkweed Love (1968)
B2. Intersystems - Changing Colours (1968)
B3. Ruth White - The Clock (1969)
B4. Max Brand - Triptych (1969)
B5. Paul Earls - Monday Music (1968)
In support of their forthcoming Bob Moog documentary Electronic Voyager, Waveshaper Media have produced a compilation LP of Moog recordings from the 1960s. The first compilation of its kind, Electronic Voyages: Early Moog recordings 1964-1969 contains tracks by Robert Arthur Moog, Herbert Deutsch, Joel Chadabe, Lothar and the Hand People, Intersystems, Ruth White, Max Brand, and Paul Earls. All of these tracks, released here on vinyl in an edition of 1000 copies, have been scarcely heard and difficult to track down, with all but three of them previously unreleased on vinyl.
Bypassing the Moog synthesizer’s backseat appearance on key pop recordings by the likes of the Beatles, the Doors, and the Beach Boys, Electronic Voyages aims to highlight the diverse approach of 1960s musicians and composers who adopted the Moog as their primary instrument; these recordings all feature the Moog synthesizer front and centre. Beginning with an “audio letter” (The Abominatron) from Bob Moog to his musician-muse Herbert Deutsch, demonstrating some of the first Moog synthesizer prototype’s capabilities, Electronic Voyages veers from avant-garde and electronic soundscapes, to psychedelic madness and summer-of-love pop. In the 1960s, the Moog synthesizer was a new, groundbreaking instrument, and its use was completely uncharted territory. The pioneering use of the Moog on all of these recordings sounds fresh today - you can sense the wide-eyed exploratory delight unfolding, and the disparate results range from endearingly naive (Lothar and the Hand People, Paul Earls) to downright eerie (Ruth White, Intersystems).
The musicians and composers behind these Electronic Voyages may have been among the first to adopt Moog synthesizers, but the fact that they so readily found within them expressivity, heart, and a means to translate their wondrous sense of discovery, speaks far more to Bob Moog’s visionary invention and enduring legacy."
Update: Playlist of releases in different order:
Robert Arthur Moog - The Abominatron (1964) - from "Electronic Voyages" LP
Ruth White - The Clock (1969) - from "Electronic Voyages: Early Moog recordings 1964-1969" LP
Intersystems - Changing Colours (1968) - from "Electronic Voyages" LP
Lothar and the Hand People - Milkweed Love (1968) - from "Electronic Voyages" LP
Joel Chadabe - Blues Mix (1968) - from "Electronic Voyages: Early Moog recordings 1964-1969" LP
Paul Earls - Monday Music (1968) - from "Electronic Voyages" LP
Max Brand - Triptych (1969) - from "Electronic Voyages: Early Moog recordings 1964-1969" LP
"In anticipation of our next episode of WAVESHAPER TV, a previously unseen/unheard interview with synthpop maestro Vince Clarke - from the I Dream Of Wires archive - we've decided to make this I Dream Of Wires DVD/iTunes bonus feature available online!
In July 2012, the I Dream Of Wires team visited the Brooklyn studio of one of the most influential and revered electronic musicians of all-time: Depeche Mode/Yazoo/Erasure founder/songwriter/synthesist, Vince Clarke. Join Vince Clarke mega-fan Jason Amm, aka Waveshaper Media producer and recording artist Solvent, on a nerdy studio tour with his hero... Enjoy!"
From Waveshaper Media, the Toronto-based production company behind the pivotal electronic music documentary I Dream Of Wires, seen widely on Netflix, comes Electronic Voyager. Electronic Voyager is a new feature-length documentary on electronic music pioneer Bob Moog – his story recounted through the eyes of his daughter, Michelle Moog-Koussa. In Electronic Voyager, we follow Michelle on an emotional road trip journey across North America and Europe, retracing her father’s groundbreaking footsteps. Michelle’s voyage is an effort to reconcile the father she knew, with the world-famous icon. Michelle’s father is the late Dr. Robert Arthur Moog (1934 - 2005), inventor of the iconic Moog synthesizer. Moog’s archetypal synthesizers defined electronic music in popular culture, and revolutionized the sound of music across genres. The “Moog” brand became, and remains, the “Kleenex” of synthesizers, and a key part of that branding is Bob Moog himself; iconic photos of a young Bob, looking confident, determined, and surrounded by his own inventions, loom large in contemporary Moog Music marketing materials, and at Moogfest, one of North America’s biggest music festivals, dedicated to Bob’s legacy.
Growing up, Michelle had an inkling of her father’s fame, and of the importance of his innovative work, but had no idea of the depth and magnitude of his influence; he was, first and foremost, dad. When Bob passed away in 2005 after a brief fight with cancer, the curtains were pulled back on Michelle’s dad, and at the age of 37, Michelle was introduced to Bob Moog. Thousands of people came forward at that time with testimonies about how Bob’s instruments had inspired them, leaving their lives transformed. Discovering the monumental significance of her father’s life and accomplishments was the turning point for Michelle, and she’s gone on to dedicate her life’s work to preserving and celebrating Bob Moog’s legacy, as founder and Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation.
Electronic Voyager takes the shape of a road-trip journey, where the viewer is looking over Michelle’s shoulder as she travels to the places where Moog history happened, and meets the people whose lives were changed by Bob and his inventions, including legendary musicians like Rick Wakeman, Gary Numan, and Jean-Michel Jarre. Michelle hopes to uncover clues about who her father really was, and how his work not only impacted the world, but had consequences for her and her family. Every person that Michelle meets, who knew Bob, offers another piece of the puzzle that Michelle is driven to complete. For herself, and for the world, Michelle wants to reveal a full picture of who Bob Moog really was, the man behind the iconic Moog brand.
Electronic Voyager not only recounts the fascinating story of the most pivotal figure in electronic music’s history, but also sheds light on the personal and financial struggles endured by one of America’s true great innovators; it’s a universal story highlighting the difficult relationship between creativity/innovation and business/commerce."
Our forthcoming documentary that retraces synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog's sonic journey through the eyes of his daughter, and Bob Moog Foundation's Executive Director, Michelle Moog-Koussa.
All proceeds from these purchases go towards funding our forthcoming documentary about Bob Moog, "Electronic Voyager" - currently in post-production.
"Electronic Voyager" T-Shirts: Available in color or black+white styles with Bob Moog logo on front + "Electronic Voyager" text on back. Sizes avail = Small ---> 3XL + Women's sizes Small ---> XL.
Minimoog neckties by CYBEROPTIX.COM (limited stock!)
Minimoog scarves by CYBEROPTIX.COM (limited stock!)
Gary Numan SIGNED 8"x10" photo print (limited stock!)
"Excerpts from SUBOTNICK, a forthcoming documentary on avant-garde electronic music composer Morton Subotnick, now raising funds via Indiegogo: http://igg.me/at/subotnickfilm [the funding goal of $40,000 has just been met]
In 1963, Morton Subotnick and Ramon Sender, the two founders of the San Francisco Tape Music Center, commissioned Don Buchla to create one of the first modular electronic music systems.
The first Buchla 100 series system was completed in 1965, eventually moving to Mills College in 1966, where it remains today.
In April 2017, Subotnick and Sender returned to Mills College to meet with Prof. Maggi Payne, co-director of the Center of Contemporary Music, revisiting the original Buchla 100."
Here's an interview with the one and only Serge synthesizer designer, Serge Tcherepnin! Interviews with Serge are few and far between - in fact we're only aware of one print interview, from the early '80s. As far as we know, this is the only filmed interview with Serge in existence. Serge was a friend and colleague of Morton Subotnick's; Mort is the one who hired Serge onto the staff at CalArts, where he developed his synthesizer system for students to build and use. We met Serge in Paris to film with Mort for our upcoming Subotnick documentary, and after much convincing, Serge finally agreed to also give us a solo interview for Waveshaper TV!"
This is a treat. The influence of Buchla and Moog are covered by Serge Tcherepnin.
"We go back to the I Dream Of Wires archives for our next episode of Waveshaper TV - a 2011 interview with "Muffwiggler" Mike McGrath, founder of the quintessential modular synthesizer forum/community Muff Wiggler, who passed away on April 23 2019. We put this video together on short notice as a tribute to Mike, the day after his passing. R.I.P. (1976-2019)."
"Waveshaper TV interviewed Suzanne Ciani outside of San Francisco, just days ahead of her performance at the Don Buchla Memorial Concerts in April 2017. The interview. is supplemented with live footage filmed in Toronto at the Revue Cinema, following a screening of the Suzanne Ciani documentary, A Life In Waves."
"A documentary about the synthwave scene, 80s nostalgia, retromania & memories. Inspired in Carpenter, Moroder & Tangerine Dream legacy.
Feature documentary (90-120 min.) about the synthwave scene, 80s nostalgia, audiovisual collective memories and electronic music.
The natural way of the cultural wave: we generally experience that musical and cultural trends shift from an outstanding position within public opinion to near utter rejection, refusal and ridicule, through an ever-shortening period of time. However, if that period of time is extended, to often several decades, we can witness a renovation, a new heightened recognition – the rebirth of the wave. Through today’s global reach, powered by the internet, cultural waves and fascinations can resurface and manifest themselves, with an even much bigger fan impact than the original source.
The film is a travel in time towards the roots of a worldwide grass-root music scene known as Synthwave, an irresistible blend of modern electronic composition with 80s pop culture’s nostalgia, that over the last two years has transformed from a whisper on selected internet hubs, to an ever-growing scene, expanding rapidly as we speak. Accounting millions of plays on social media, devoted fans are legion, but nobody in the mass media knows about them.
Thousands of synthwave composers around the world are living out double-lives. Away from their normal everyday life they spend another half-life behind a faceless musical avatar, creating and uploading their own renditions of 80’s-styled film scores, sharing them with the world – surging the wave. They belong to an endless army of watchers for the master’s legacy: the sound that Edgar Froese, Giorgio Moroder and John Carpenter created in the late 70s.
A time travel into the universe of creating sounds. A love letter to human fascination and the collective memories of an universe that never existed."
The Rise of the Synths on the radio show "Synthaves"
Published on May 10, 2016 The Rise of the Synths
"Our director talks about the project on the radio show "Synthaves" hosted by Noah Kaufmann on "KFAI" Radio. CROWDFUNDING NOW RUNNING ON KICKSTARTER: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
The Rise of the Synths is a documentary about the Synthwave scene, nostalgia and the universe of creating sounds.
'The old soundtrack of a new generation'
The film is a time travel towards the roots of a worldwide grass-root music scene known as Synthwave, an irresistible blending of modern electronic composition with 80s pop culture’s nostalgia, that over the last two years has transformed from a whisper on selected internet hubs, to a ever-growing scene expanding rapidly as we speak. Accounting millions of plays on social media, devoted fans are legion, but nobody in the mass media knows about them.
A time travel into the universe of creating sounds. A love letter to human fascination and the collective memories of an universe that never existed.
Featuring: Electric Youth, College, Miami Nights 1984, Com Truise, Nightcrawler, Dynatron, Dance with the Dead, Maethelvin, Stellar Dreams, Vincenzo Salvia, Jordan F, Futurecop!, The Midnight, Power Glove, 80s Stallone, Betamaxx, Kristine, Darkest, Lazerhawk, Mitch Murder, Carpenter Bru, Timecop 1983, OGRE, Waveshaper, MPM Soundtracks.
A documentary about the universe of sounds created by: Giorgio Moroder, John Carpenter, Claudio Simonetti (Goblin), Tangerine Dream, Brad Fiedel, Stu Phillips, Vangelis, Harold Faltermeyer and Jan Hammer (to name a few). "
"A tour of some of Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project (EMEAPP)'s mind-blowing collection of vintage synthesizers and electronic music instruments, with EMEAPP Founder and President Vince Pupillo, and Associate Director Vince Pupillo Jr."
"Jeff Lee of eurorack modular company upstart System80 discusses his career switch from molecular cell biologist to synthesizer designer, what he learned from Dave Smith's design work, and his line of eurorack modules, including the 880, a clone of the infamous 808 drum machine."
"From our Bob Moog documentary - Electronic Voyager Archive Series: Michelle Moog-Koussa pays a visit to electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre in his studio outside of Paris, giving us an extensive tour of his collection of Moog instruments, and discussing Bob Moog's impact on electronic music history."
"In 2014, we had the privelege of interviewing legendary synthesizer designer Dave Smith of Sequential Circuits, who passed away on Sunday May 29 2020. This interview has never been released. We present it in its unedited form, the day after the public announcement his passing. R.I.P. (1950-2022)."
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"Up for auction is a Salamander Modular Synthesizer single analogue voltage controlled oscillator and waveshaper. It is in museum quality condition and functions and tunes perfectly. Everything electronically and physically is in perfect condition. It is one of few made in San Francisco, California in the late 70's/early 1980's.
This module includes one voltage controlled analogue oscillator that is generated from an E-MU Modular VCO Sub-block and discrete components. The surrounding circuitry has been greatly expanded and the best possible parts were used in constructing the VCO and Waveshaper module by SMS. All of the knobs and switches are military grade (as in literally).
This module comes from the full SMS system that can be seen in the video below. I overtook the modular when I became the sound designer and producer for Asphodel Records/Recombinant Media Labs from Naut Humon. Nothing, and I mean nothing, sounds remotely close to what this module can do.
The bandwidth is so high that I used the SMS to modulate and generate video signals for several installations. From a tuning and musicality standpoint, there is nothing that rivals the absurdly over built quality of the system.
The buyer will have to design their own power supply to run this module. Don't miss a once in a life time opportunity to add one of the rarest synthesizer modules ever made to your modular. All the connectors are standard 1/8" which will interface directly with all Eurorack modulars and similar gear."
"A bit about the studio from which this comes from ... Asphodel Records/Studios and Recombinant Media Labs was San Francisco's cutting edge and award winning production, recording, and performance/research facility. We worked both with artists internal and external to the record label. Some of the clientele has included Academy and Grammy Award nominated M.I.A., members of Nine Inch Nails, Lou Reed, Kode 9, Speedy J, Blixa Bargeld, and many many others. The facility was home to many talented professionals who were the users of the equipment we are selling."
A special 2-night event in Toronto:
North American premiere documentary screening, and LIVE A/V performance by Morton Subotnick.
After our international preimere screening of Subotnick: Portrait of an Electronic Music Pioneer nearly 1 year ago in Berlin, we had a few setback in terms of music licensing clearance delays... but we're finally ready to proceed with new screenings, and it all starts in October...
Announcing our North American premiere screening + live performance event in Toronto, please see details below. We are actively looking to book screenings, so if you have any interest/leads, please get in touch: info@waveshapermedia.com (or REPLY to this email).. More screenings booked and TBA soon include screenings in San Francisco, Barcelona, Malta, and Limerick Ireland.
Friday October 27th.
Morton Subotnick + Lillevan — LIVE.
A special A/V performance of Subotnick's newest work "As I Live and Breathe" — a multi-media, surround sound experience.
Subotnick’s final composition, and final live performance in Canada.
With an additional performance by Heidi Chan (modular synthesizer) & Kristine White (shadow projections).
Al Green Theatre, Miles Nadal JCC — 750 Spadina Ave
RESERVE YOUR TICKET NOW (General Admission seating): https://SUBOTNICK.eventbrite.ca
Saturday October 28th.
"Subotnick: Portrait of an Electronic Music Pioneer"
Documentary screening — North American premiere.
Post-screening Q&A with Morton Subotnick and director Robert Fantinatto.
From Waveshaper Media, producers of the acclaimed modular synth documentary, "I Dream Of Wires".
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema — 506 Bloor St W.
RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW:
https://hotdocs.ca/whats-on/films/subotnick
"Synth East is a festival of synths and modular in Norwich from Friday the 23rd of February to Sunday the 25th. Brought to you by the Norwich Arts Centre, Electronic Sound Magazine and Molten Modular.
Tickets are available for each event separately. There's a discount if you order the Saturday Expo and evening gig at the same time.
Friday: Subotnick documentary [trailer here], Adam Buxton interviews Steve Davis and music from Luke Sanger.
Saturday daytime: Synth Expo with performances
Saturday evening: Blancmange, Ultramarine and Molten Modular
"Pouring from the heart of Norfolk, hosted by the Norwich Arts Centre, curated by Electronic Sound Magazine and run by Molten Modular, Synth East is back. After a devastatingly successful 2023 show the sold-out Norfolk-based festival of synthesizers returns in 2024 but this time it's been widened into a full weekend experience.
The all new Friday evening Synth East event is curated by Electronic Sound Magazine and kicks off with (possibly) the UK premiere of a documentary on electronic musician Morton Subotnick, who at 90 years old, is known affectionately as the Father of Techno. It’s called Subotnick, Portrait of an Electronic Music Pioneer by Waveshaper Media who brought us the intoxicating 2014 documentary, I Dream of Wires.
Following the film we have writer, broadcaster, comedian and musician Adam Buxton chatting with Synth East alumni Steve Davis about music, life and modular synths. Finishing off the evening we have an ambient set from modular musician Luke Sanger as we relax into some beers in preparation for what’s to come for the rest of the weekend.
Saturday’s Synth East Expo is a carnival of control voltage, a festival of synth sounds and a party of epic performances. Dozens of manufacturers will be filling the Arts Centre with synths and modulars to give you an opportunity check out their marvellous machines and bask in the glow of synthesiser technology. You’ll be able to chat with the makers about the gear and even have a personal demonstration. Simply walking through the auditorium in the company of such exciting gear is completely thrilling.
Throughout the day we’ll be having some performances from local artists Hardwired and Tristan Burfield before we once again embark on the awesome modular experiment of the all-star patch off. This year, joining Robin "Molten Modular" Vincent, Steve Davis and Gaz Williams will be Mylar Melodies, Nina Richards, and Jason Jervis. These are unique, improvised performances that you’ll never see anywhere else.
Saturday night’s synthesiser explosion features the 80s synth legends Blancmange who have kindly agree to fit us in before their extensive Everything is Connected: The Best Of Blancmange tour of the UK. Supporting Blancmange we have eclectic electronic music duo Ultramarine featuring Ian Cooper and Paul Hammond. And in the warm up slot is our own Robin “Molten Modular” Vincent and a special guest.
On Sunday we are hosting some Eurorack DIY workshops presented by Befaco and Thonk. They will be held at Electronic Sound HQ at Capital House over a few hours. The idea is that you buy a ticket for the workshop and then order the kit that you hope to build directly with Befaco or Thonk.
Synth East 2024 runs from the 23rd to the 25th of February. Each event is available as a separate ticket and there's a bundle deal on buying the Saturday Expo and evening performance together.
Our intention is to revel in the world of synthesizers, modular and electronic musical boxes. We want to explore sound through performance, discussion and hands-on interaction. It's a lot of fun and open to anyone with an interest in bleeps, tones and noises."
"Electronic / New Age composer Suzanne Ciani talks about Morton Subotnick and their connection with the Buchla modular synthesizer. Excerpts from an interview for the film SUBOTNICK, now fundraising on Indiegogo: http://igg.me/at/subotnickfilm http://subotnickfilm.com"
Ever wonder where the name MOOGERFOOGER came from? Here’s the story behind the name for Moog’s line of beloved effect pedals, c/o the man responsible for the name - television composer Edd Kalehoff.
MUSIC: The Godfather of it All - by Matt Morton (Milan Records)"
