STEVE RODEN, 1964- 2023

I’m saddened by the recent passing of Steve Roden. His work has been a lodestar for a lot of us working in the liminal space between music and sound art, especially in the quieter and more low-key sonic multiverse emergent around the late 90s/ early 2000s. I recall him as a positive presence online, always up for a discussion, always polite, always insightful.

I once sent him a CD of my own work, and he wrote back in response fairly quickly. I honestly don’t remember if it was an email or a postcard— I think it was an email— but I recall that his feedback was kind and encouraging. I was gobsmacked that he responded at all, since he must have been deluged by people sending him stuff all the time. But by all accounts, that’s how engaged he was.

His ideas and spirit are worth carrying forward, and I’m honored to do so. Thanks for your work, Mr. Roden.

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