The Radio Phonics Laboratory

Description

The Radio Phonics Laboratory by Justin Patrick Moore is the story of how electronic music came to be, told through the lens of the telecommunications scientists and composers who helped give birth to the bleeps and blips that have captured the imagination of musicians and dedicated listeners around the world.

Featuring the likes of Leon Theremin, Hedy Lamarr, Max Matthews, Hal 9000, Robert Moog, Wendy Carlos, Claude Shannon, Halim El-Dabh, Pierre Schaeffer, Pierre Henry, Francois Bayle, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Vladimir Ussachevsky, Milton Babbitt, Daphne Oram, Delia Derbyshire, Edgar Varese & Laurie Spiegel.

Quotes

“From telegraphy to the airwaves, by way of Hedy Lamarr and Doctor Who, listening to Hal 9000 sing to us whilst a Clockwork Orange unravels the past and present, Moore spirits us on an expansive trip across the twentieth century of sonic discovery. The joys of electrical discovery are unravelled page by page.” Robin Rimbaud aka Scanner

“Embark on an odyssey through the harmonious realms of Justin Patrick Moore’s Radio Phonics Laboratory echoing the resonances of innovation and discovery. Witness the mesmerising fusion of telecommunications and musical evolution as it weaves a sonic tapestry, a testament to the boundless creativity within the electronic realm. A compelling pilgrimage for those attuned to the avant-garde rhythms of technological alchemy.” Nigel Ayers (Nocturnal Emissions)

“In this captivating exploration of electronic music, Justin Patrick Moore unveils its evolution as guided by telecommunication technology, spotlighting the enigmatic laboratories of early experimenters who shaped the sound of 20th century music. A must-read for electronic musicians & sound artists alike—this book will undoubtedly find a prominent place on their bookshelves.” Kim Cascone

“There are so many stories contained here of the innovations of scientists/musicians that at times it becomes impossible to appreciate fully the impact of their individual contributions to today’s music environment: Leon Theremin, Hedy Lamarr, Robert Moog, Wendy Carlos, Halim El-Dabh, Pierre Henry, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Vladimir Ussachevsky, Milton Babbit, Daphne Oram, Delia Derbyshire and Laurie Spiegel are all referenced, among many more. But the real attraction of the book is the stories of the largely unsung men and women behind the technologies driving the dominant musical genres of the 20th century and beyond.” Steve Barker (The Wire, Issue#487 September 2024)

“Justin’s incredible book takes niche as a starting point and then doubles down. It’s a fascinating look at the birth of electronic music from an angle we’ve not seen before, which is a real show-stopper. There are new names in the story to consider and established names to re-evaluate. It’s a mind-boggling journey from an author who has much more of this up his sleeve. Neil Mason (Moonbuilding)