Parsongs represents the music compositions of Tom Parsons. A foundation in the analog school of electronic music propels his instrumental works. The music reflects a 40 year amalgam of classical piano study, sound sculpture, synthesis, and improvisation.
Special attention is given to sound creation, texture, movement, and emotion, resulting in a music that can be calming yet stimulating...
After visiting a studio in the early 1970's with a large ARP system and noodling with a 2600, I decided synthesizers were for me. After acquiring an ARP Axxe and a 4-track tape recorder, I decided to compose a collection of songs which reflected my spirit of experimentation. "Aesthetics" (1986) was the result. "Pink Sounds From The Purple Plain" followed in 1988, a further exploration into sound collage with the emphasis on synthesis and a nod to the minimalist ambient school. "Child Of The Moon" (1992) was my version of a "New-Age" album, and combined all of my previous styles. I've just completed "Azure" my first CD release, available at CDBaby dot com
I performed at New Music Chicago's Spring Festival in 1985 & 1986. I'm not too adept at carrying 50-100 lb. keyboards and amps around these days, but with computers and virtual instruments, a performance is not out of the question.
Wendy Carlos, Klaus Schulze, Vangelis, Philip Glass, Kitaro, Brian Eno, Bill Nelson, Laurie Anderson, ELP, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Steve Roach, Kraftwerk, Devo, Can, Yello, Air, Jean-Michel Jarre, Severed Heads, Miles Davis. I also draw from classical composers I've studied and love 70's synthesizer funk, fusion, and progressive music.
Main Studio: Kurzweil MIDIBoard Controller & 1000 series modules; ARP, Moog, Casio, Yamaha synthesizers, Roland Vocoder Plus, Roland XV-88, iMac computer running Cubase VST 5 sequencer, Roland SDE-330 Digital Delay & SRV-330 Reverb
Virtual Room: Roland A-30 Controller, Mac running Cubase VST 5, Dynamo, PPG Wave, Reaktor, FM7, Pro-53, Kik Axxe; various VST plug-ins and effects.
I appeared in the Discoveries column of May 1988 Keyboard magazine. Received airplay of 3 songs from "Pink Sounds..." on Belgium radio station BRT2. Met Robert Moog at a John Eaton concert at the University of Chicago in 1992. I've seen the birth of the synthesizer, MIDI, and digital recording in my lifetime. Yet electronic music is still in its infancy, with much more to explore and create...Ars Longa Vita Brevis