Riding the Circle of Light

November 15, 2020 9:03 AM

The Radiophonic Workshop has always broken new sonic ground, from the Doctor Who theme to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Now they’re at it again — this time using the internet as a musical instrument.

The performance of Latency will take place at a special online event on 22 November — the day before Delia Derbyshire Day. The band includes composers from the original BBC Radiophonic Workshop, which created soundtracks for most BBC shows from the 60s to the 90s and influenced generations of musicians.

Latency will be performed along with other Radiophonic Workshop compositions on their YouTube channel at 8pm on 22 November in support of Delia Derbyshire Day and The Girls’ Network.

posted by terrapin (5 comments total)

I’ve never used it before, but the technique described in the article sounds a lot like what Ninjam does.
posted by STFUDonnie at 9:20 AM on November 15, 2020 [2 favorites]

The first linked article also mentions Radiophonic Workshop pioneer Daphne Oram whom I wish I had included in the above. More on Daphne Oram can be found on her namesake trust's website. For fans of James Bond films, Daphne Oram also provided (uncredited, natch) the prominent electronic sounds for the soundtrack of Dr. No, and some of those sounds were used by the James Bond films up until Goldfinger.
posted by terrapin at 11:40 AM on November 15, 2020

This is very cool! I'll remember to check out the performance next week.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 4:41 PM on November 15, 2020

Frippertronics but now using the Internet instead of reel-to-reel tape recorders. And interactive additions and modifications to the sounds in the loop that way.
posted by Stoneshop at 12:58 AM on November 16, 2020

Just watched this - it was great.

Thanks for posting.
posted by soundguy99 at 1:02 PM on November 22, 2020