This is her first collection to be publicly distributed.
Pioneering electronic music producer Janet Beat has released her first album ever entitled ‘Pioneering Knob Twiddler’. Up until now, the synthesist and composer’s recordings, who is now aged 83, were only available through the British Music Collection’s archives.
‘Pioneering Knob Twiddler’ features seven compositions recorded across the 1970s and 80s, meshing together synthesizers, tape machines, and other acoustic instruments. This is her first collection to ever be distributed publicly, with only 500 physical copies available.
Initially interested in music concrète (1940) movement principles, Beat then gravitated towards electro-acoustic sounds. Unfortunately, Beat faced criticism related to her gender from peers, including her own father, who also disregarded her early tape recordings.
Non the less, Beat found success and recognition as a musician, setting up studios at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire and lecturing on multisound diffusion at Glasgow University. Beat was granted a Lifetime Achievement Award by Scottish Women Inventing Music due to her work in advancing electronic music in 2019.
Listen and purchase your copy of Janet Beat’s ‘Pioneering Knob Twiddler’ here.
