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Electronic & Synth-Pop Music artist from Pittsburgh, PA. New songs free to stream. Add to your playlist now.

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Digital Buddha

Digital Buddha began as an experimental electronic rock duo fronted by Richard Reifenstein and David Rullo 1n 1999. Originally, the project combined Rullos cut up poetry with Reifensteins music. By early 2000 the pair had morphed into a full fledged electronic rock act with both writing and performing. Buddha uploaded their songs on several websites when MP3s were first coming of age and had several hits on websites that included MP3.com, Soundclick.com and AcidPlanet.com. Their first break came when NOW TV, an internet/satellite provider with over 20 million viewers across the gold selected on of their songs, Time to feature on their channel MP3TV. E-Magine Records, home to David Bowies guitarist, Reeves Gabrels, Danzig and Operatica among others liked what they heard so much they signed the band to their Talent Pool, a development deal for internet based artists. This feat is even more amazing when you consider the fact that only 4 electronic bands were chosen nationwide as part of the Talent Pool. Digital Buddha played throughout Pittsburgh and Cleveland earning a regional fan base. The duo graced the stage of some of Pittsburghs biggest clubs including Nicks Fat City and The Club Café. Two albums were released on MP3 before the band signed a deal with the English record label Synthetic Records, where they released two more albums. In 2001 the band signed a disastrous management deal with a local agency that misdirected the bands energy, gigs dried up, contacts and leads were ignored by the management company and by late 2001 the duo decided to cease creating music under the banner Digital Buddha. Adding members, creating a more aggressive sound and switching focus Digital Buddha morphed into the industrial outfit Evolving Mekanix. King Crimson founder and guitarist Robert Fripp has a saying, King Crimson exists when theres King Crimson music to be played so, it seems, does Digital Buddha. The duo have refocused their energy on the electronic space rock they played in the beginning and are releasing their music through Nameless Generation Records. The duo are currently working on new material and plan to begin playin out and release a CD later this year. For interviews, questions or bookings e-mail the band at digitalbuddha2004@hotmail.com. Music can be purchased through Nameless Generation Records.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Richard Reifenstein has been writng electronic, progressive rock music for 12 years. Some of the music is experimental while other pieces are more traditional. David Rullo has always been using his talents in writing and visual arts for several projects through out the last decade, including the electronic goth group I/O. In the fall of 1999 Richard approached David with the idea of producing a spoken word CD for internet release. The disc would also include ambient music written by Richard. During the recording of the material for the CD, it was evident that there was perhaps a new avenue to take this project. Create a group that was visual as well as musical. Digital Buddha wants to define a philosophy that truly is "digital" and "cyber".
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Yes, utilizing an array of equipment, including computers, samplers, guitars, keyboards, synths and bass the band recreates and interpets their electronic masterpieces.
Your musical influences
King Crimson, David Bowie, Brian Eno, Nine Inch Nails, Kraftwerk
What equipment do you use?
Software Acid Pro 4.0 Cakewalk Home Studio 2004 Sound Forge Wavelab 4.0 Hardware Korg Microkorg E-MU Vintage Keys Roland Juno 106 Yamaha DJX Yamaha DJX II Midiman Oxygen 8 Roland GR-1 Roland controller keyboard Moog Prodigy E-MU Proteus Zoom 505 II Roland Guitar FX Processor Danelectro Phaser, Octave Splitter, 60's Distortion and Dano Tape Echo Ibanez Satriani Custom Gibson Epiphone SG Gibson Epiphone Les Paul Jr. Peavy Predator with GK-2 Hexaphonic pickup for synth. Viva -7 Seven string Marshal GFX 100 watt head Crate 4 x 10 Cabinet
Anything else?
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