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Who Makes Electronic Music?: Vocalists, Composers, Gender And Electronic Music Technology, Hannah Bosma

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An analysis on how electronic sound technology has altered the roles of the composer and the vocalist. By foregrounding timbre and making permanent the sound of the vocal performance, recorded sound and electronic music have the potential to impact the balance of power between the traditionally male composer and the female vocalist. The article refers to various singers and composers such as La Barbara, Diamanda Galas, and Laurie Anderson to demonstrate the potential impact of sound recordings to alter these gender dynamics. Despite this, the author forewarns against technological determinism and mentions countervailing forces which privilege the work of the …