Watch Sonic Futures: How Technology is Guiding Electronic Music

Sonic Futures: How Technology is Guiding Electronic Music is our new short documentary, made in collaboration with FACT magazine, which explores the past, present and future of British electronic music. The film tells the story of how artists and musicians have always been at the forefront of driving advancements in technology and now find themselves facing ethical and creative questions around how to harness Artificial Intelligence.

FACT speak to key figures within the UK’s electronic music scene: Vicky Clarke, Venus Ex Machina, Digital Selves (aka Lizzie Wilson), Lee Gamble and Maksymilian Fus-Mickiewicz reflect on their personal experiences, their own relationships with electronic music and give their thoughts on the future of the genre and the electronic music community. “In terms of the British history of electronic music we’re a nation of hobbyists and tinkerers and we like to build and make things,” says Vicky Clarke.

The documentary also traces digital technology and electronic music’s heritage back to pioneers including Delia Derbyshire – a sound specialist in 1960s who defied society’s entrenched sexism and became renowned for her innovative soundscapes – and Daphne Oram, a composer and electronic musician who was the first woman to design and build an entirely new sound recording medium called Oramics. Their methods and sounds was hugely influential, at times recognisable in more popular music of the 60s and 70s, and continues to influence artists to this day.

So what does the future of electronic music look like? Maybe it will merge its anaologue-only origins with digitally-focused progression or maybe new AI technology will offer infinite possibilities, beyond our current comprehension?

About FACT

FACT has been at the forefront of music and culture since its launch as a print magazine in 2003. It was developed into a digital platform in 2009 and has remained a vital voice in a crowded conversation by prioritizing unique artists in its original video content and visual storytelling.

With staff in the UK, the US, and Europe, FACT has a collective mentality and heralds music from across the underground. With a team of writers, videographers, and other collaborators from around the world, FACT takes the cultural temperature from the front lines through video, features, playlists, curated news, in-depth coverage of music technology and our venerated FACT mix franchisFACT’s video output boasts more than 50 million views and includes flagship series Against The Clock, where a producer or DJ is challenged to create a beat in under 10 minutes and the exclusive Access All Areas, where FACT’s favorite artists give an intimate behind the scenes look at their live shows. Our digital covers seamlessly integrate in-depth editorial with video content for deep-dives into global music scenes, whether it’s UK drill or Mexican reggaeton.
FACT is part of VF Publishing, alongside sister sites The Vinyl Factory, The Spaces, The Store X and Phonica.