Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

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United Kingdom

Birth

:

May 6, 1964 in London, England

 

Scanner, born Robin Rimbaud on May 4, 1964, is a British composer and sound artist who has made significant contributions to the field of electronic music. He is known for his innovative use of found sounds and field recordings, which he incorporates into his compositions to create unique and immersive soundscapes. Rimbaud grew up in London and was exposed to music from an early age. His parents were both music lovers, and his father was a jazz musician who played the saxophone. Rimbaud began playing the guitar as a teenager and was heavily influenced by punk and new wave music. He later studied music at the London College of Printing, where he developed an interest in electronic music and began experimenting with synthesizers and samplers. In the early 1990s, Rimbaud began performing under the name Scanner, a reference to his interest in scanning radio frequencies and picking up snippets of conversations and music. He released his first album, "Delivery," in 1997, which featured a mix of ambient and experimental electronic music. The album received critical acclaim and established Scanner as a leading figure in the electronic music scene. Over the years, Scanner has released numerous albums and collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Bjork, Laurie Anderson, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. He has also composed music for film, television, and dance productions, including the soundtrack for the film "The Garden" and the dance piece "Strange Fruit" by the choreographer Bill T. Jones. One of Scanner's most notable works is his 1998 album "Mass Observation," which was inspired by the social research project of the same name conducted by the anthropologist Tom Harrisson in the 1930s. The album features a mix of found sounds and field recordings, including snippets of conversations, phone calls, and radio broadcasts. The result is a haunting and immersive soundscape that captures the rhythms and textures of everyday life. Another notable work by Scanner is his 2001 album "Warhol's Surfaces," which was inspired by the art of Andy Warhol. The album features a mix of electronic music and found sounds, including recordings of Warhol's voice and snippets of interviews with people who knew him. The result is a fascinating exploration of Warhol's life and work that captures the spirit of the pop art movement. In addition to his work as a composer and sound artist, Scanner is also a prolific writer and lecturer. He has written several books on electronic music and sound art, including "Sound Unbound: Sampling Digital Music and Culture" and "The Expanded Field of Sonic Art." He has also given lectures and workshops on electronic music and sound art at universities and cultural institutions around the world. Overall, Scanner's contributions to the field of electronic music have been significant and far-reaching. His innovative use of found sounds and field recordings has inspired countless artists and helped to redefine the boundaries of electronic music. His work continues to be celebrated and studied by music lovers and scholars alike, and he remains a leading figure in the world of sound art and electronic music.

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