Podcast 241: Curtis Roads

If you are into electronic/computer music, you already know the name of this week’s guest. From the Computer Music Tutorial, through Microsound and his latest book (Composing Electronic Music: A New Aesthetic), he has been pushing the envelope for all of us, bringing spacialization, granular synthesis and complex timing systems from the realm of the theoretical into everyday studio use. But he is far more than a technological cool-hunter; he’s an active composer, and is just about to release a new DVD in collaboration with Brian O’Reilly. In this chat, we get to hear how Curtis went from band-kid to music researcher, and we also talk about how he goes about making the music that he produces. Since he works with such intricate sound elements, you can imagine that it is painstaking work.  Well, his description doesn’t disappoint, but his use of tools - and perspectives on what makes a great composition - might surprise you. This was, as hoped, an eye-opening experience for me