Editorials

Favorite Steve O “First Take” and “Front Page” editorials.

Steve O

Episode IV: A New Hope (January 1998)
In my first editorial column, I reflected on the history of Electronic Musician magazine and the rebellion against the belief that only the few who can afford to record in commercial studios can produce professional-quality music.
Eyes on the Prize (October 2000)
Setting goals, establishing reasonable rules, and being flexible and patient helps keep people positive and productive.
Giving Back (March 2001)
The best way to thank your benefactors is by helping others.
Keepers of the Flame (March 2000)
We in the music industry are the keepers of the flame of musical knowledge. Do your part to keep the flame burning.steveo_2002
Alone at Home (July 2001)
Get feedback before your project is too far into production, especially if you are trying something new or unusual.
witch
Pro Choice (December 2000)
There is no right way or wrong way to record as long as you are willing to take risks.steveo_2001a
A Clear Message (December 2001)
Media consolidation presents a danger to freedom of speech.
In Search of Cibola (May 1999)
If you fail to find public acclaim, you can still accomplish something important and lasting.
Liberation Theology (October 1998)
If it feels wrong, don’t do it!
Contemplating a Rat’s Rear (May 2002)
Periodically, you have to step back from whatever you are doing and ask yourself, “Who gives a rat’s ass?”
Lessons Dogs Have Taught Me (August 2006)
Dogs have taught me many lessons that I have found useful when dealing with musicians in a studio environment.
attila_steve_0606
Giving It All Away (September 2000)
If musicians won’t fight for the right to determine what we charge for and what we voluntarily give away, we might as well resign ourselves to sharecropping.
All In A Day’s Work (March 2003)
The secret is to keep things in perspective.
The Land of Opportunity (May 2003)
If you want music programs in the schools to prosper, let your local and state officials hear about it loud and clear.
Organization, Man (August 2001)
Being well organized doesn’t guarantee success, but your chances are far better if you apply these simple tips.
Spring Cleaning (May 2000)
Spring is a great time to take mental and emotional stock of your studio, your band, and your music.steveo_100402
When Times Get Tough (September 2003)
The bottom line includes doing business in a sensible, ethical, and just way. tyler_031101

The complete collection of Steve O.’s Electronic Musician “Front Page” and “First Take” editorials.

January 1998 Episode IV: A New Hope January 2003 Coming Into Site (2003)
February 1998 Something Old, Something New February 2003 Celebrating a Revolution
March 1998 Solving the Plug-in Dilemma March 2003 All In A Day’s Work
April 1998 I’ll Take One of Each April 2003 One More Thing to Sing the Blues About
May 1998 A Blast from the Past May 2003 The Land of Opportunity
June 1998 A Knave Judges A King June 2003 We Play Requests
July 1998 The Studio of Dreams July 2003 Life is Change
August 1998 What’s the Plan? August 2003 Share and Share Alike
September 1998 A Bit Much September 2003 When Times Get Tough
October 1998 Liberation Theology October 2003 Plugging In
November 1998 Baked, Not Fried November 2003 Listening to You
December 1998 The X Files December 2003 Picture This
January 1999 A Modest Proposal January 2004 Value at Any Cost
February 1999 To Sir with Live February 2004 Starting Over
March 1999 Multiple Personality Disorder March 2004 Guiding the Blind
April 1999 More Than Meets the Eye April 2004 Technical Nonsupport
May 1999 In Search of Cibola May 2004 Spring Cleaning (2004)
June 1999 Walk the Plank! June 2004 Producing Good Music for Bad Singers
July 1999 Celebrating Independence Day July 2004 Get It While You Can
August 1999 The Chairman of the Boards August 2004 Creating a Multiheaded Computer Beast
September 1999 What’s in a Name? September 2004 Can We Still Count on the Big Five?
October 1999 How Sweet it Is October 2004 Buying In
November 1999 The Price We Pay November 2004 Spreading Your Web
December 1999 Future Shock December 2004 A Reviews Extravaganza
January 2000 High Anxiety January 2005 Dangling Dongles
February 2000 Hear Ye! February 2005 It’s Getting Better All the Time
March 2000 Keepers of the Flame March 2005 Emulating Sliding Piatti
April 2000 It’s No Joke April 2005 Coming Into Site (2005)
May 2000 Spring Cleaning (2000) May 2005 You Better Mess Around
June 2000 May We Quote You? June 2005 Smoked Out
July 2000 Simple Pleasures July 2005 Little Things That Matter
August 2000 From the Exotic to the Mundane August 2005 Fearless Production
September 2000 Giving It All Away September 2005 Seq and Ye Shall Find
October 2000 Eyes on the Prize October 2005 A Legend Passes Into History
November 2000 Back to Basics November 2005 The Client
December 2000 Pro Choice December 2005 That Was the Year That Was
January 2001 Fifteen Candles January 2006 It Was 20 Years Ago Today
February 2001 You Better? You Bet! February 2006 Reviewing the Reviews
March 2001 Giving Back March 2006 Blog Is a Four-Letter Word
April 2001 ‘Tis Magic April 2006 The Expedition
May 2001 Studio Integration May 2006 Meals and Media
June 2001 A Midyear Review June 2006 The Analog Revival
July 2001 Alone at Home July 2006 The Man Behind the Curtain
August 2001 Organization, Man August 2006 Lessons Dogs Have Taught Me
September 2001 Weaving Home September 2006 Doing It Because You Can
October 2001 What? A Card? October 2006 A Site for Sore Eyes
November 2001 Lessons Learned November 2006 The Final Mix
December 2001 A Clear Message December 2006 AES Online
January 2002 Trivial Pursuits January 2007 Get On the Bus, Gus!
February 2002 No Explanation Necessary February 2007 The Rest of the Story
March 2002 Still Alive and Well March 2007 Podcasting Bread on the Waters
April 2002 A Time for Us April 2007 Why Bad Things Happen to Good Plug-Ins
May 2002 Contemplating a Rat’s Rear May 2007 Get the Picture
June 2002 The Tortoise and the Hare June 2007 Of Death, Taxes, and Roundups
July 2002 Wrongs or Rights? July 2007 Be Prepared
August 2002 Says Who? August 2007 Happy Trails
September 2002 Big Mac Attack! These articles are reprinted from the pages of Electronic Musician magazine, a property of NewBay Media, and are used with the permission of its publisher. Many are only available in digital form on this site. For more EM content and information about the magazine, please visit www.emusician.com.
October 2002 Take Me Out to the Ballgame