Deep Dive into Beat Gems: The New Drum Machine History Book by Oli Freke
An exclusive interview discussing Oli Freke, a synthesizer historian dedicated to writing an in-depth drum machine book, while revealing life perspectives and technology viewpoints
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Oli Freke is shining with his new book, Beat Gems, recounting the history of drum machines
- Reflecting on work perspectives through Ableton Live software and childhood memories with an Atari ST computer
- Revealing teachings from his father as a key guiding principle for life and work
- Reiterating the importance of rhythm and drum machines that have influenced music culture over the past 60 years
Oli Freke, a musician and tech journalist whose work has been published in renowned media outlets such as Sound on Sound, The Quietus, and Mixmag, is moving forward with a stunning new coffee-table photo book titled Beat Gems under the Bjooks publishing house. This valuable book compiles the history of drum machines alongside beautiful photography, historical anecdotes, and usage guides for various models of music equipment.
Previously, Freke authored a book exploring the evolution of synthesizers from 1963 to 1995, showcasing the transition from the analog era to the digital age. In the Beat Gems project, he has dedicated extensive research to realizing the vital importance of rhythm to the human musical experience and how drum machines have transformed music culture over the past sixty years.
Coffee-table books, which are large format photography books focused on aesthetics, are typically designed to be displayed on a living room table while offering engaging in-depth content. The collaboration between Bjooks and electronic musical instrument history expert Oli Freke elevates this type of book into a valuable musical history record for both music producers and collectors.
In an exclusive interview with The Verge, Freke opened up about various aspects of his life—from the first software he installs on any new computer, Ableton Live, which feels like a massive leap forward compared to when he started making music on an Atari ST 520 computer in the past, to his appreciation for the video platform YouTube in exploring general knowledge across science, mathematics, chess, and electronic music.
Beyond music and technology, he also shared personal life stories, such as the gadget that disappointed him the most—a vegetable chopper that didn't actually work—alongside fond childhood memories of playing the game Elite on the Atari ST, and the best life advice he ever received from his own father.
"Say yes to any opportunity that comes your way — worry about whether you can do it or not later!"
Oli Freke's Father
When facing writer's block, Freke revealed that he often turns on drum and bass music from the Rinse.fm channel to regain his focus, constantly reminding himself of the endless possibilities of combining different ideas. This underscores his enduring passion for music and limitless creativity.
Source: The Verge
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment