Stephen Emmer
{{Short description|Dutch musician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Stephen Emmer
| image = Stephen_Emmer.jpg
| caption =
| landscape = yes
| birth_name =
| alias =
| birth_place = Amsterdam, Netherlands
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|1|28|df=y}}
| death_date =
| origin =
| instrument = Guitar, piano, keyboard, bass
| genre = {{hlist|Experimental pop|soul neoclassical| |film score|spoken word}}
| years_active = 1972–present
| label = WEA/Idiot, Allegro, Supertracks, Electric Fairytale
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Minny Pops|Associates|The Lotus Eaters|Act}}
| website = {{URL|stephenemmer.com/}}
}}
Stephen Emmer (/ˈstɛfən/ STEF-ən; born 28 January 1958 in Amsterdam) is a Dutch composer, arranger, producer, sound designer and musician.{{cite news|last1=van Brummelen|first1=Peter|title=Stephen Emmer: man van zeven minuten|url=https://www.parool.nl/kunst-en-media/stephen-emmer-man-van-zeven-minuten~a266650/|accessdate=15 March 2018|work=Het Parool|date=6 November 2009}} Best known as a composer for Dutch television {{cite news |title=NOS in het nieuw |url=http://www.radio.nl/2003/home/medianieuws/010.archief/2005/09/99136.html |work=Radio.nl |date=26 September 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106145258/http://www.radio.nl/2003/home/medianieuws/010.archief/2005/09/99136.html |url-status=live |archive-date=6 January 2007 |language=nl}} and film, Emmer has released four albums as a solo artist, each with a different theme or concept. Vogue Estate {{Cite news|url=https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/13041/stephen-emmer-glenn-gregory-untouchable|title=Stephen Emmer & Glenn Gregory – Untouchable|last=Harrison|first=Ian|date=26 March 2014|work=Mojo|access-date=10 September 2018}} released in 1982, is the soundtrack for an imaginary film; 2007's Recitement {{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/recitement-mw0000800120|last=Jurek|first=Tom|title=Recitement, Stephen Emmer|website=AllMusic|access-date=2018-03-15}} is a spoken word album of poetry and prose; International Blue,{{Cite news|url=https://www.qthemusic.com/articles/playlists/playlist-stephen-emmers-pop-crooners|title=Playlist - Stephen Emmer's "pop crooners"|work=Q Magazine|access-date=2018-03-18|language=en-GB}} released in 2014, is a tribute to pop crooners. In 2017 Emmer released Home Ground,{{Cite news|url=http://www.musicrepublicmagazine.com/2017/05/stephen-emmer-home-ground-electric-fairytale-recordings-9th-june-2017/|title=Stephen Emmer: Home Ground (Electric Fairytale Recordings) 9th June 2017 - Music Republic Magazine|date=2017-05-20|work=Music Republic Magazine|access-date=2018-03-20|language=en-US}} a neo-soul album that addresses social issues related to origin.
Emmer is closely associated with the Dutch Ultra movement of late 1970s and early 1980s.{{Cite web|url=http://www.furious.com/perfect/dutchpostpunk.htmlDu|title=Dutch Post Punk|last=Vorvelt|first=Martin|date=15 January 2004|quote=Musicians like Emmer were also involved in founding Vinyl magazine, instrumental in disseminating knowledge of experimental post-punk bands, and coining the "Ultra" movement (for "extreme" electronic music).}} He was a member of Minny Pops and the Lotus Eaters, co-founded the music magazine Vinyl and hosted and produced RadioNome for Dutch broadcasting organization VPRO.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ad.nl/muziek/stephen-emmer-komt-met-ambitieus-album~a80b63d5/|title=Stephen Emmer komt met ambitieus album|website=www.ad.nl|language=nl|access-date=2018-03-15}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/1366935/amerikaanse-muziekprijs-voor-stephen-emmer|title=Amerikaanse muziekprijs voor Stephen Emmer|work=De Telegraaf|language=nl|access-date=2018-03-08}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/recensies/stephen-emmer-vond-bijzonzer-stel-soulvocalisten~a4506209/|title=Stephen Emmer vond bijzonzer stel soulvocalisten|last=Kamer|first=Gijsbert|work=De Volkskrant|language=nl-NL|access-date=2018-03-15}}
Early life and education
Emmer was born in Amsterdam. His parents are mother Roekie Aronds, actress and ballet dancer and father Fred Emmer, an anchorman for NOS Journaal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/vrij/1027133/van-ambtenaar-tot-kunstenaar|title=Van ambtenaar tot kunstenaar {{!}} Vrij {{!}} Telegraaf.nl|website=www.telegraaf.nl|language=nl|access-date=2018-06-04}} In the late 70s he played in a free jazz group and a symphonic rock group with Mathilde Santing and Dennis Duchart.{{Cite web|url=http://www.muziekencyclopedie.nl/action/entry/Stephen+Emmer|title=Muziekencyclopedie - Stephen Emmer|website=www.muziekencyclopedie.nl|language=nl|access-date=2018-09-10}}
Music
=1979-1984: Minny Pops, ''Radionome'', ''Vinyl'', Vogue Estate=
In 1979, Emmer joined Minny Pops, an avant-garde post-punk band central to the Dutch Ultra{{Cite news|url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/mensen/-ik-kreeg-er-een-louis-van-gaal-gevoel-van-enorm-serieus-zwaar-op-de-hand-zijn-over-iets-ondergeschikts-~b75316bf/|title=Ik kreeg er een Louis-van-Gaal-gevoel van: enorm serieus zwaar op de hand zijn over iets ondergeschikts|work=de Volkskrant|access-date=2018-09-03|language=nl-NL}} movement, and co-founded Vinyl,{{Cite news|url=http://luifabriek.com/2014/03/digging-dutch-undergrounds-interview-oscar-smit-marcel-harlaar-vinyl-magazine/|title=Digging Up Dutch Undergrounds - an interview with Oscar Smit and Marcel Harlaar of Vinyl Magazine - Luifabriek|date=2014-03-07|work=Luifabriek|access-date=2018-09-03|language=en-US}} a music magazine launched in 1981.{{Cite journal|last=Foster|first=Richard|date=2017-03-01|title='Moderne Muziek': Vinyl magazine and the Dutch post-punk movement|journal=Punk & Post Punk|language=en|volume=6|issue=1|pages=14|doi=10.1386/punk.6.1.7_1|issn=2044-1983}} In January 1980, Minny Pops opened for Joy Division and were subsequently signed by Factory Records.{{cite news |last1=Krahmer |first1=Daan |title=Joy Division kwam live écht binnen |url=https://3voor12.vpro.nl/lokaal/eindhoven/artikelen/overzicht/2016/april/joy-division-in-de-effenaar-1980.html |accessdate=23 September 2018 |work=3voor12 |date=14 April 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Simpson |first1=Dave |title=A Factory Night review – 'Section 25: the best new/old band in Britain?' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/apr/21/factory-night-review-section-25-crispy-ambulance-minny-pops |accessdate=23 September 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=21 April 2014}} In 1981, they recorded their first single for Factory, Dolphin's Spurt, with Joy Division producer Martin Hannett.{{Cite news|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/10706-minny-pops-interview|title=The Quietus {{!}} Features {{!}} A Quietus Interview {{!}} Not So Polite: Wally Van Middendorp Of Minny Pops Interviewed|work=The Quietus|access-date=2018-06-04}}{{cite web |last1=Kellman |first1=Andy |title=Minny Pops |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/minny-pops-mn0000422700/biography |website=allmusic.com |accessdate=23 September 2018}} The first Dutch band to do a Peel Session,{{cite news |last1=Griggs |first1=Eleanor |title=Minny Pops New Album And Tour |url=http://thequietus.com/articles/07706-minny-pops-new-album-and-tour |accessdate=23 September 2018 |work=The Quietus |date=11 January 2012}} Minny Pops toured the UK several times; Emmer, who had joined the band as a guitarist, performed and recorded on both guitar and bass guitar on the album "Drastic Measures, Drastic Movement".{{Cite news|url=https://pastdaily.com/2017/11/16/minny-pops-session-1980-past-daily/|title=Minny Pops In Session – 1980 – Past Daily Soundbooth|last=Skene|first=Gordon|date=2017-11-16|work=Past Daily|access-date=2018-03-17|language=en-US}} He also hosted and produced radio programs for the Dutch broadcasting organization VPRO, including Radionome, which aired experimental music and live in-studio performances.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bndestem.nl/overig/stephen-emmer-komt-met-ambitieus-album~aa895098/|title=Stephen Emmer komt met ambitieus album {{!}} bndestem.nl|website=www.bndestem.nl|language=nl|access-date=2018-03-17}} Emmer's music was included on Radionome compilation albums issued by VPRO.{{Cite web|url=https://www.popsike.com/RADIONOME-RARE-MINIMAL-SYNTH-WAVE-COLD-WAVE-VPRO-NWW/230488544849.html|title=RARE MINIMAL SYNTH WAVE COLD WAVE VPRO NWW|website=www.popsike.com|access-date=2018-03-19}} In 1982, Emmer recorded Vogue Estate, a soundtrack for an imaginary film.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/13041/stephen-emmer-glenn-gregory-untouchable|title=Stephen Emmer & Glenn Gregory – Untouchable|last=Harrison|first=Ian|date=26 March 2014|work=Mojo|access-date=3 September 2018|quote=DUTCH MUSICIAN STEPHEN EMMER worked with the unique voice of Associates’ Billy Mackenzie on his 1982 imaginary soundtrack Vogue Estate.}} Although mainly an instrumental, it included two songs with vocals: "Wish On" with Billy MacKenzie (of The Associates) and "Never Share" with Martha Ladley (from Martha and the Muffins).{{Cite news|url=https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/13041/stephen-emmer-glenn-gregory-untouchable|title=Stephen Emmer & Glenn Gregory – Untouchable|work=Mojo|access-date=2018-06-04|language=en-GB}} Michael Dempsey, formerly of The Cure, played bass on Vogue Estate,{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Stephen-Emmer-Vogue-Estate/release/1377957|title=Vogue Estate, track listings and credits|website=Discogs|access-date=3 June 2018}} which was produced by Emmer with Flood.{{Cite web|url=http://www.muziekencyclopedie.nl/action/entry/Stephen+Emmer|title=Muziekencyclopedie - Stephen Emmer|website=www.muziekencyclopedie.nl|language=nl|access-date=2018-09-03}} Emmer also performed with the Associates in 1982. In 1984 Dempsey and Emmer joined The Lotus Eaters.{{Cite news|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/music/lotus-eaters-relish-return-home-3453302|title=Lotus Eaters relish return to home stage at Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall|last=Wright|first=Jade|date=2009-06-26|work=The Liverpool Echo|access-date=2018-03-18}}
=2006 – present: ''Recitement,'' ''International Blue,'' ''Home Ground''=
Working with producer Tony Visconti, Emmer composed music to accompany poetry and prose voiced by authors and performers for the album Recitement, released on the Dutch Supertracks label in 2007.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12625-recitement/|title=Stephen Emmer: Recitement Album Review {{!}} Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-10}} Some were new recordings, made specifically for Recitement, and others were previously recorded. Its 17 tracks included texts by Yoko Ono, Allen Ginsberg, Paul Theroux, Thomas Hardy, Jorge Luis Borges, Ken Nordine, Charles Baudelaire and Samuel Beckett, voiced by Lou Reed, Richard Burton, Sylvia Kristel, Michael Parkinson and Hugo Claus among others.{{Cite news|url=http://magnetmagazine.com/2008/07/22/various-artists-chamber-music-fire-stephen-emmer-recitement-supertracks/|title=VARIOUS ARTISTS: Chamber Music [Fire] / STEPHEN EMMER: Recitement [Supertracks] - Magnet Magazine|date=2008-07-22|work=Magnet Magazine|access-date=2018-03-08|language=en-US}}
{{Cite news|url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2008-10-21/global-hit|title=Global hit|last=Peavy|first=April|date=2008-10-21|work=Public Radio International|access-date=2018-03-18|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2007/10/31/subtiel-tegen-het-ritme-stotteren-11420103-a732335|title=Subtiel tegen het ritme stotteren|work=NRC|access-date=2018-03-19|language=nl}}
In 2014, again working with Visconti, Emmer released International Blue, tribute to pop crooning. A collection of "lushly orchestrated tales of heartbreak", it featured vocalists Midge Ure from Ultravox, Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17, Liam McKahey of Cousteau and Neil Crossley.{{Cite news|url=https://www.chaoscontrol.com/stephen-emmer-international-blue/|title=Interview - Stephen Emmer pays tribute to lost art of pop crooning|date=2014-09-07|work=Chaos Control Digizine|access-date=2018-03-20|language=en-US}} Gregory collaborated on four of the album's ten songs, including "Untouchable", a "darkly sumptuous" tribute to Billy MacKenzie. For the Christmas holiday, Julian Lennon recorded a seasonal version of the album's "Sleep for England".{{Cite news|url=http://www.classicpopmag.com/2014/12/stephen-emmer-julian-lennon-sleep-england/|title=Stephen Emmer & Julian Lennon 'Sleep For England' - Classic Pop Magazine|date=2014-12-02|work=Classic Pop Magazine|access-date=2018-03-20|language=en-US}} De Telegraaf wrote that International Blue was "the most beautifully orchestrated, arranged and composed album of the year".{{cite news |last1=Wijlaars |first1=Bart |title=Telegraaf Top 2014: Beste Nederlandse albums |url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/872838/telegraaf-top-2014-beste-nederlandse-albums |accessdate=23 September 2018 |work=Telegraaf |date=19 December 2014}}
In 2017, Emmer released Home Ground, a retro-soul album inspired by the "music-with-a-message movement of the 1970s", such as Marvin Gaye's What's Going On.{{Cite news|url=http://thestrangebrew.co.uk/articles/stephen-emmer-interview/|title=Stephen Emmer – Interview|date=2017-03-17|work=The Strange Brew|access-date=2018-08-10|language=en-US}} The album addresses social issues related to "homeground". Commenting on Homeground in a 2017 interview Emmer said: "Where your own home ground is; is it in your own country, your city or village, your house or is it close to your loved ones or is it in your own heart or head?"{{Cite web|url=https://sonicscoop.com/2017/10/25/soul-classical-meet-global-colab-recording-stephen-emmers-home-ground/|title=Soul and Classical Meet in A Global Collab|work=Sonic Scoop|access-date=2018-03-20}} A benefit album for the charity War Child featured vocalists including Chaka Khan, Leon Ware, Patti Austin, Frank McComb and Andy Bey.{{Cite news|url=https://www.jazzism.nl/nieuws/stephen-emmer-s-home-ground-bekijk-de-trailer|title=Stephen Emmers Home Ground: bekijk de trailer|last=Bruger|first=Tina|access-date=2018-03-15|language=nl-nl}}
Emmer is the founder of eStation, a media production studio.{{cite news |last1=Jouvenaar |first1=Co |title=Crossing Border highlights: Stephen Emmer |url=https://3voor12.vpro.nl/lokaal/den-haag/artikelen/overzicht/2006/november/crossing-border-belicht-stephen-emmer.html |accessdate=23 September 2018 |work=3voor12 |date=2 November 2006}} He is the music director for Holiday on Ice,{{Cite news|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/theatre/2016/03/13/03003-20160313ARTFIG00128-holiday-on-ice-on-the-rocks.php|title=Holiday On Ice, on the rocks|date=2016-03-13|work=FIGARO|access-date=2018-03-15|language=fr-FR}} and the Cartoon Network's {{Cite web|url=http://www.bigconcerts.co.za/events/detail/cartoon-network-live|title=Cartoon Network Live! {{!}} Big Concerts|last=Concerts|first=Big|website=www.bigconcerts.co.za|language=en|access-date=2018-05-01}} live show, which launched in 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.channel24.co.za/Music/News/heres-your-first-look-at-cartoon-network-live-in-south-africa-20180528|title=Here's your first look at Cartoon Network Live in South Africa|work=Channel|access-date=2018-08-10|language=en}}
The album Maison Melody, self-recorded by Emmer during the COVID-19 lockdown, was released for free in 2020 to emotionally support the people financially affected by self-isolations.{{Cite web |last=Pingitore |first=Silvia |date=2020-06-16 |title=From 70s post-punk to working with Yoko Ono: interview with composer Stephen Emmer |url=https://the-shortlisted.co.uk/stephen-emmer-interview/ |access-date=2021-07-25 |website=the-shortlisted.co.uk |language=en-GB}}
Awards
- Home Ground, Golden Global Music Award 2017 {{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/1366935/amerikaanse-muziekprijs-voor-stephen-emmer|title=Amerikaanse muziekprijs voor Stephen Emmer {{!}} Nieuws {{!}} Telegraaf.nl|website=www.telegraaf.nl|language=nl|access-date=2018-05-29}}
- Humanitarian Award, Global Music Awards, 2018
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year | Album | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Maison Melody | Electric Fairytale Recordings | |
| 2017 | Home Ground | Electric Fairytale Recordings | With Chaka Khan, Patti Austin, Leon Ware Kendra Foster, Frank McComb, Mary Griffin Ursula Rucker, Andy Bey and Dwight Trible |
| 2014 | International Blue | Electric Fairytale Recordings | with Midge Ure, Neil Crossley Liam McKahey, and Glenn Gregory |
| 2008 | Recitement | Supertracks | with Lou Reed, Ken Nordine Yoko Ono, Jorge Luis Borges and others |
| 1982 | Vogue Estate | WEA/Idiot Records |
=Singles=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Song !! Label | ||
| rowspan="4"|2017 | "Home Ground" ft Patti Austin | Electric Fairytale Recordings |
| "Close To Life" ft Frank McComb and Leon Ware | Electric Fairytale Recordings | |
| "A New Day To Come" ft Andy Bey | Electric Fairytale Recordings | |
| "Soil" ft Ursula Rucker | Electric Fairytale Recordings | |
| rowspan="3"|2014 | "Sleep For England" ft Julian Lennon | Electric Fairytale Recordings |
| "Let The Silence Hold You" ft Glenn Gregory | Electric Fairytale Recordings | |
| "Taking Back My Time" ft Midge Ure | Electric Fairytale Recordings | |
| "Untouchable" ft Glenn Gregory | Electric Fairytale Recordings | |
| 2007 | "Passengers" ft Lou Reed | Supertracks |
| 1985 | "End of the Affair" with Continental Cast | Epic / Sony |
| 1984 | "Endless" with Lotus Eaters | Sylvan Records |
| rowspan="2"|1982 | "Pedalenproza" ft Richard Zijlstra | Vinyl/Sonopresse |
| Never Share ft Martha Ladley | WEA/Idiot Records | |
| 1981 | "Dolphin's Spurt" with Minny Pops | Factory |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://stephenemmer.com}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Emmer, Stephane}}
Category:Dutch music arrangers
Category:Dutch record producers
Category:Musicians from Amsterdam