808 Day: free Roland e-Bjook, NTS Radio jams, animation

We could all use an 808 kick in our soul about now, so let’s get straight to the 808 Day goodness. Today’s a day to browse through Roland history with Bjooks, turn up NTS Radio, and immerse ourselves in a new animation featuring Mannie Fresh.

Roland’s Tadeo Kikumoto on 808, part by part: the ukiyo-e drum machine

You think you know the 808? Listen to how Mr. Tadeo Kikumoto, Roland’s lead developer at the time, talks about what went into the machine. That walks through origins, from kick to claps, in this excerpt from the book Inspire the Music: 50 Years of Roland History, thanks to publisher Bjooks.

Peter Kirn - August 8, 2025

RIP Dax Pierson, Árni Grétar Jóhannesson aka Futuregrapher

We’re barely into the new year, but already, we’ve got two untimely passings that leave significant holes in the world of electronic music: Dax Pierson and Árni Grétar Jóhannesson.

David Abravanel - January 6, 2025

Lower your blood pressure, raise your vibration: eu-IV’s tape beats

Peter Kirn - January 22, 2024

Trace the Black roots of disco, house, and techno in videos and reading – summer school is in

Peter Kirn - June 23, 2022

Cassette turntablism is a thing, and you need to watch more tape DJ videos from Japan

Peter Kirn - August 24, 2021

Watch a hacked DJ technique made with karaoke tapes, by Ōedo Technica

Peter Kirn - January 12, 2021

Electronic virtuoso Thomas Piper’s insistent voice delivers in honest, powerful “Permission to Live”

Peter Kirn - June 6, 2020

Bionic synthesis: artists make music with a prosthetic arm, eye motion

Peter Kirn - February 17, 2020