Having built years of music industry experience collaborating with a wide range of artists,
Rowan Oliver’s ‘Quickbeam’ LP represents the first solo release by this versatile multi-
instrumentalist/composer/producer. Developed organically over several years, the entirely
instrumental album distils a kaleidoscope of stylistic influences into a unique musical identity.
The resulting sonic patchwork includes acoustic folk textures colliding with dubby electronics,
soaring string sections that hint at David Axelrod and Charles Stepney, swampy Meters-style
funk, Nuyorican horn arrangements and a spectrum of global percussion, all underpinned by
groove-driven beats. Wistful melodies weave through the tracks, evoking a sense of both
optimism and melancholy that will appeal to fans of Sven Wunder, Quantic or Fabiano do
Nascimento.
Rowan was Goldfrapp’s drummer for seven years, performing on their early platinum albums
and tours, and has worked as a session musician and producer with an extensive list of artists
including Plaid, Mara Carlyle, Paul Oakenfold, Marilyn Manson, Spacer, Add N To (X) and Max
de Wardener. His playing can be heard across releases on labels such as Soul Jazz, Mute,
Warp, Interscope, 679, Perfecto, Pussyfoot and Freerange, and his global gigging experience
ranges from tiny anarchist squat venues to enormodome stadiums, and from Glastonbury
Festival (UK) to Fuji Rock (Japan). As a producer, Rowan’s remix of Goldfrapp’s ‘Strict
Machine’ reached #1 in the US Billboard Dance chart in 2004.
