| Profile: Orbital Decay | |
 
Since 1979, Terry Furber (synths) and Scott Watkins (guitar) have been creating electronic music out of their studio in Quakertown, PA. Known as Orbital Decay, the duo chose their name as homage to Skylab's fiery return to earth. In addition to the space program, Furber and Watkins have been influenced profoundly by Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Pink Floyd and the multitude of music and artists emerging out of this experimental school. While referencing the spacemusic of the '70s, Orbital Decay charts unexplored territory in both mood and in sound. One reviewer cites Orbital Decay's efforts as, "producing astral music that evokes deep space with atmospheric approaches and a majestic flair".
Recent concerts include the WXPN/STAR'S END 30th Anniversary Celebration Concerts in Philadelphia on 16 June 2007 and live on the 11.02.08 broadcast of STAR'S END. Their current studio release is called Solar Maxima and available as a self-produced CDr.
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Orbital Decay live on STAR'S END 08.19.01 In August of 2001, Orbital Decay ventured out of the confines of their studio and performed live on the 08.19.01 broadcast of STAR'S END. The duo reprised their on-air performance on the 08.18.02 broadcast of STAR'S END
Orbital Decay live on STAR'S END 08.18.02 -
Orbital Decay live on STAR'S END 11.16.03 Following their 15 November 2003 performance at The Gatherings Concert Series, Orbital Decay moved themselves and their music-making gear up to STAR'S END for a live on-air in-studio radio concert of all new original spacemusic on the 11.16.03 broadcast. -
Orbital Decay live on STAR'S END 10.31.04 Orbital Decay returned to STAR'S END with a live on-air in-studio radio concert on the 10.31.04 broadcast. The duo turned in a two hour "Back In Time" concert (reprised in 2005 and 2006) to mark the return to Standard Daylight Time and the turning back of all clocks one hour. The duo also played live on 19 March 2005 at WXPN studios (with The Ministry of Inside Things) at the STAR'S END Fundraiser Premium Concert, a private donor concert.
An excerpt of Orbital Decay's 10.30.06 "Back in Time" on-air concert appears on the Above Photos by Chuck van Zyl -
Orbital Decay live on STAR'S END 10.30.05 Above Photos by soma611 -
Orbital Decay live on STAR'S END 10.29.06 Above Photos by Jeff Towne -
Orbital Decay live (Back in Time concert) on STAR'S END 11.02.08 Above Photos by Jeff Towne -
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Orbital Decay performed live on Saturday 16 June 2007 at The STAR'S END 30th Anniversary Spacemusic Festival which was presented by member-supported WXPN FM in Philadelphia. This event saw the worldwide debut of Robert Rich + Ian Boddy together in concert. Also appearing was Jeff Pearce and The Ministry of Inside Things.
For details and photos please access the Festival Announcement
To mark 30 years of continuous broadcast of STAR'S END, WXPN has released the STAR'S END 30th Anniversary Anthology CD. This double CD contains over 120 minutes of live music from 12 renowned artists. The unique performances were culled from on-air in-studio radio concerts by some of our community's greatest talents. Included on the disc are previously unreleased live selections donated by: The Ministry of Inside Things, Orbital Decay, Ian Boddy, AirSculpture, Radio Massacre International, Robert Rich, Rudy Adrian, Jonn Serrie, Jeff Pearce, Saul Stokes and Steve Roach. | |
Terry Furber Leads Synthesizer Workshop at The Gatherings
On 12 June 2004 The Gatherings Concert Series presented a Synthesizer Workshop at St. Mary's Hamilton Village. The workshop was headed by veteran synthesist Terry Furber, a leading talent in the field of home synthesizer design as well as in music performance with his Spacemusic duo Orbital Decay. Demonstrating on his hand-built MOTM modular synthesizer, Furber discussed the history, technology, equipment and basic concepts involved in making sounds and producing electronic music. Attendees had an opportunity to observe close-up the workings of a synthesizer, hear how tones are created, modified and turned into music and learn how these means might be used in their own creative endeavors. Beginners, music fans as well as those with advanced knowledge, came away from this workshop with a better understanding of the synthesizer, the people who use them and deeper insight into and better appreciation of the many genres of music inspired by the synthesizer.
For complete details, access: http://www.thegatherings.org | |
Orbital Decay has produced several self-released CDs of music realized out of their lengthy home studio jams. Soon after these discs found their way onto broadcasts of STAR'S END, the duo were invited to present their talents live on the air as part of this program's ongoing efforts to bring live spacemusic performances to the intimate listening environment of the late night radio audience. Subsequently, Orbital Decay has performed live at the Soundscapes, Gate to Moonbase Alpha, Feedback, Electro-Music and 
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 | Orbital Decay performed live on the 08.19.01 broadcast of STAR'S END (see photos above). The concert lasted for one hour and was the duo's first live gig outside of their studio. The music led listeners through several areas of interstellar space. Furber's dense synth pads and resonant sequencer patterns provided the foundation upon which Watkins would build his melodic structures of electric guitar leads. Listen to the excerpt by clicking the link below:
Many thanks to Art Cohen and NothinBut Net for their key efforts in making this music available from this website. |
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 | Terry Furber, synthesist for Orbital Decay, took part in an in-studio interview on the 02.06.05 broadcast of STAR'S END. Along with several other points, Furber gave insight into his approach to playing live and how this activity has been influenced by the STAR'S END radio program. Listen to the 10 minute excerpt by clicking on the link below:
Many thanks to Art Cohen and Cyberworkx for their key efforts in making this interview available from this website. |
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