Electronic Artist

Gary Numan, impacted the electronic music scene in enormous ways because of the how he kept evolving over time.  His vision and concepts of how he heard music was ahead of its’ generation and remains relevant even to date.  While the ordinary and popular sound of guitars held the attention of artists and fans of the time, Numan insisted on using the synthesizer and electronics instead in order to portray his creative ideas.  On ATP’s web page found at the following link:

http://www.atpfestival.com/artist/garynuman.php, the author states,

“Numan was virtually alone in seeing the possibility of a 'synthesizer star' and much to the critics' initial anguish, he achieved success almost overnight.”

This was the beginning of Gary’s career when he incorporated the sound of the electronic keyboard to his bands music.

Gary Numans’ influence spread to other bands of the time that also decided to use keyboards in their bands instead of guitars.  It is interesting that his idea even though rejected at first, ended up changing the popular music industry and actually created what would be know as the “New Wave” genre.   The repetitive rhythm sounds of the drums along with its’ feel and mood added to the distinctive quality of this new sound.   In essence the term “New Wave” holds an electronic reference to it as in an electronic sound wave.

As the other bands trendy electronic style started to decline Numan, was connecting to the next phase that would immerge and he continued to set the mood of the music style that would follow.  His cold, dark, and futurist approach to music and sound opened the doors to many other artists such as, Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson.    It is important to note that as stated in the same article mentioned above, the author also declares the following:

"His mixture of atmospheric textures and power-chorded synthesizers inspired dance artists such as the Prodigy and the Orb and a whole new wave of mavericks began to talk about him as a source of inspiration with many of them also covering his songs - they included Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Marilyn Manson. Jarvis Cocker (Pulp), Damon Albarn (Blur), Tricky, Weezer, Moloko, The Magnetic Fields, The Foo Fighters (Kurt Cobain was also a fan of the Replicas album, especially the track 'It Must Have Been Years'), Smashing Pumpkins and Beck."

It is fascinating to me that during the early origins of electronic music and how many bands that were on the top of the pops during the time Gary Numan, surfaced and unlike other groups who may have fizzled out, he himself is the main reason for the evolution of the style deemed “electronic music”.  I am impressed with his motivation, progress, and contribution to this particular and growing style.  It is also interesting how he outlasted his peers and is still releasing albums and continues to influence others in the industry and continues to grow within the industry.   Gary Numan, leaves me as an industry professional with great incentive toward advancements in sound and composing music, and the urgency to stay abreast of all new technological changes within the music production field.