User:Mapfluger/sandbox

Jessica Rylan (born 1974) is a sound artist, electronic musician and synthesizer builder. She has been an influential figure in designing and constructing modular synthesizers which use analog circuits. Most of her work is in installations at galleries or in her musical performances.

Ryland’s sound style is very diverse in the area of sound and she uses electronics and vocals in combination with a basis of folk songs and nursery rhymes. She has taken her materials to various extremes with her high-energy and her range of emotion. In addition, Rylan designs and builds easy to use and play instruments with a wide range of musical possibilities so others can have the experience. Her techniques and skills are evident in all she does.

Origins and musical beginnings
Rylan grew up in Boston, Massachusetts and was based in Boston for the beginning of her career. She has played music for most of her life and began with classical training. Ryan also sang, read music, and played musical instruments in her early years. Her grandfather was an electrical engineer and was her first influence in the area of electronics. He helped her understanding of electronics as well as helping with her first buildings of machines. The magazine, Popular Electronics, was also an inspiration which she just happened upon.

Artist
Rylan has performed in the United States as well as national touring in Europe, Russia, and Norway. Currently planned in 2014 is a Noise Tourism Tour with shows in Moscow and Belgium. Rylan has performed on live radio and television. Her noise band, Can’t, has also performed and published music. In addition, some of her current music includes: Flight of the Ivory Tower, Wiped Away, Listening Post, You Don’t get to live, Something you enter into, Dirty Dynamite Gang, and Interior Designs. These and others are recorded with Important Records, Ecstatic Peace, and RRRecords Additionally,she orchestrates an online course in creative electronics(http://web.mit.edu/iapl)

Her projects include:

Business
Rylan started a business in 2006 where she produces editions of her instruments for purchase. These include: Little Boy Blue, Personal Synth, Natural Synth, Battery Powered Noise Generator, Modular Synthesizer, Controller, White FAce, Blue Box, Arvin Radio, Bogen Intercom, Intermodulator #1.

Education
Rylan has a MFA in electronic music from Bard College, New York (2003) She also was a research affiliate at MIT’s Center for Advanced Visual Studies(2006-2010). In addition, Ryland has a BS degree in electrical engineering from UMass/Lowell (2010). She has received grants from Penny McCall Foundation and the LEF Foundation, and is currently a graduate student at Stanford University.

Family Life
Rylan is currently a phD candidate in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, California. She enjoys designing circuits the most, professionally, and also has an interest in riding horses personally.