Suzanne Ciani is a true pioneer. One of the world’s first synth heroes. “The diva of the diode.” Ciani began experimenting with electronic music in 1960s California, at a time when to do so wasn’t just about a new style of music, but about creating a whole new language: a new form of music with this new technology. Like Delia Derbyshire and Cosey Fanni Tutti and many other female pioneers, it’s taken time for the world to catch up and for Ciani to be recognised for quite how significant her cultural contribution runs across how we hear what we hear.
Now in her mid seventies, she shows no signs of slowing down, she speaks with Paul about some of the key musical moments in her life: California of the 60s, New York of the 70s, the importance of putting emotion into music and her work in spatial sound.
Suzanne Ciani is touring from march to September this year, check out her tourdates here
Paul’s debut book, Coming To Berlin: Global Journeys Into An Electronic Music And Club Culture Capital is out now on Velocity Press. Click here to find out more.
Lost and Sound title music by E.S.O