Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tony Gerber. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tony, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Early points of inspiration on my creative artist path was at 6 years old when my grandfather gave me a Gibson acoustic guitar. My parents that same year gave me a french easel filled with oil paints and supplies that also launched my visual art career. As we were driving home from my grandparents house I asked my dad to stop at the mall in Fort Wayne, Indiana so I could goto the music store there and get the Mel Bay Number 1, blue book and taught myself to read music and play the guitar. I also created a series of portraits based on the great classic composers. Music and visuals have kind of always been together for me.
The first electronic music instrument I was able to play with in my home growing up, in 1972, was a Theremin from Southwest Technical Products hooked up to my dad’s stereo, Phase Linear 400 amplifier, Bose 901 speakers and Dynaco super charged preamp…The SWTP theremin was almost exactly like the one pictured. They left me at home while they ran errands and when I played with this early electronic instrument and heard those tones, I was hooked and knew I wanted to follow an electronic music path as well. I am still following that path 52 years later.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a multifaceted, multi-instrumentalist musician and artist whose creative journey has spanned several decades, leaving an indelible mark on the realms of electronic music, music technology, visual art, and beyond.
Born with an innate passion for sound and expression, my musical odyssey began in the Amish cornfields of northern Indiana and then to the vibrant music scene of Nashville, Tennessee, where I nurtured my art and life. Immersed in the rich cultural tapestry of the city, I found inspiration in its diverse soundscape, from classical to rock, folk and country, to the soulful melodies of blues and jazz.
In the early 1970s, I became captivated by the burgeoning electronic music movement, drawn to the boundless possibilities offered by synthesizers, sequencers, and other cutting-edge technologies. Embracing this newfound fascination, I embarked on a journey of sonic exploration, pushing the boundaries of traditional music genres and forging my own distinctive sound.
Throughout my career, I have collaborated with a diverse array of artists and musicians, blurring the lines between musical genres and cultural boundaries. My work spans a wide spectrum of styles, from ambient and experimental to tribal and world music, reflecting eclectic influences and an adventurous spirit. Well known figures in music I have recorded and performed with include Melanie Safka, Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Phil Keaggy, Douglas Dillard, Giles Reaves and Gil Trythal.
As a founding member of the pioneering live electronic music ensemble SPACECRAFT, I helped broaden the genre known as spacemusic, blending hypnotic rhythms, ethereal textures, and immersive soundscapes to create evocative sonic landscapes that transport listeners to otherworldly realms. Many of SPACECRAFT performances were in planetariums across the US, also their music can be heard in movies and the gaming industry.
In addition to my musical pursuits, I am also an accomplished visual artist, exploring the intersection of sound, light, and space through mesmerizing multimedia installations, videos and performances. My work often incorporates elements of improvisation and chance, inviting audiences to embark on a journey of discovery and transformation.
Starting in 1986 – 2022, I produced and co-produced multi-media electronic music festivals at universities, museums, theatres and music venues, coupled to visual arts through projection, dance and visual installations.
My main business identity over the years, Space for Music, was started as a festival in 1986 on a farm outside Nashville, Tennessee.
The 80s and 90s for me were business years on music row in Nashville. I was mainly dealing with music technology and my ambient space style of music. We were the first computer sound editing dealer, Apple computer advocates very early and I set up one of the first MIDI recording studios in Nashville and headed up a large user group of other MIDI users in Tennessee.
Into the 2000s, I started and ran Space for Music Records, an on demand record label with an amazing roster of top notch artists and recordings in the ambient electronic genre, critically recognized throughout the world.
The past 18 years have provided a virtual world canvas for a virtual musical empire with my avatar Cypress Rosewood who has performed for more than 5000 live one hour concert/broadcasts globally in that time. I created Gibson Island in the virtual world of Second Life back in 2008, making them the first major music manufacturer in the virtual world. I have spoken at Universities and music festivals about my musical virtual world experiences and created many one of a kind performances there. You can find “machinima” films of some of the performances by searching “Cypress Rosewood” on youtube.
Most recently, in 2024, I have launched a new concept called “Singing Poet Society™” which incorporates my original music coupled with AI vocals singing legendary poems from the public domain. There have been three albums released and a vast assortment of over 120 videos of these new songs with timeless poetic words from the public domain poems and my music at SingingPoetSociety.com
Beyond my artistic endeavors, I am also a passionate advocate for the power of music and creativity to inspire positive change in the world. Whether through my performances, sound therapy work, workshops, or community outreach initiatives, I seek to foster connections, stimulate imagination, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the beauty and wonder of the universe.
Today, I continue to push the boundaries of artistic expression, harnessing the transformative power of sound and vision to create immersive experiences that resonate on both a personal and universal level. With each new project, I invite audiences to embark on a voyage of exploration and discovery, inviting them to glimpse the infinite possibilities of human creativity.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
After the early years of learning and self-discovery, one of the biggest motivations has become knowing that my music brings positivity to people worldwide. I have heard from listeners and fans for decades a vast number of “uses” for my music in their lives. Whether listeners find relaxation, creative inspiration, sleep aid, post-operative pain relief, or focus for studies, hearing these variety of reactions deeply drives me. Another fulfilling aspect is how the sounds from the music’s physical vibrations counterbalance the discordant sounds of the world, contributing positively to our shared soundscape.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
As a creative, one of the most rewarding aspects is simply having the freedom to pursue your art form throughout life. I feel incredibly fortunate in this regard—not as a major breadwinner, but with a flexible schedule that has allowed me to experience countless moments that fuel my inspiration. This pace aligns well with my style, letting me fully enjoy the journey and creativity that comes with it.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://tonygerber.bandcamp.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/tonygerber
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/tonygerber
- Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/tonygerber
- Other: http://instagram.com/gerberhandmade
http://youtube.com/singingpoetsociety
Image Credits
Alan Messer, Hong Waltzer