25 Musicians Reflect On Steve Jobs' Influence

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ultramark
Stepdad

It’s very difficult to imagine where modern music would be without Steve Jobs’ contributions. He seemed very dedicated to the idea that his devices and software always provide powerful tools for artists; it’s a rare thing for the CEO of such a prominent company to be so genuinely considerate and supportive of the idea that everyone should have access to everything necessary to create. His immense impact will absolutely be felt for years to come and his humble attitude regarding his contributions will continue to be an inspiration long after his passing.

Eliot Lipp

Apple and Steve Job’s incredible innovation inspires us all to embrace technology in what we do. As electronic musicians, we try to constantly move forward & work smarter to build something bigger. Technology, and Apple technology in particular, is a huge part of that push.

Vanessa Carlton

One of the biggest impacts Apple has had is on album artwork. I released a new album a couple months ago and Jo Ratcliffe, the designer, and I asked ourselves, not only what type of cover will reflect the music of Rabbits on therRun but what sort of image is going to pierce thru a line of thumbnail size images. It was a great challenge and in the end has improved the visual art that I’ve been doing for my music. Also I also love making mix tapes and trading mix tapes. I stopped doing that in the cd era but playlist have resurrected my ‘mix tapes’ again.

Dave Yang
Extra Arms

When I got my first Powerbook, it changed everything.  I’ve now recorded hundreds of songs on Apple computers and GarageBand taught me basic recording engineering that got me started. I’d sound like an idiot in a recording studio talking to producers and engineers, and not able to get the sounds I have in my head out, if I did not have access to Apple programs like GarageBand and Logic. The intuitive nature of how Apple designs its products and computers took away that barrier to making recordings that was once limited to kids who were born into wealth or good luck. Steve Jobs leveled the playing field for who could make music or art and allowed me to get my voice out.

Ryan Spencer
PRUSSIA

I bought an Apple five years ago. I then realized they were immune to computer viruses. This led to fearless and free downloading of any and all music I could have ever imagined. This music probably influenced my writing in some way. Therefore, no Job=no prusssssia.

Thanks buddy.

Spencer Petersen
Eyes Lips Eyes

I remember thinking that with the advent of iMovie, Apple had made movie makers out of a number of folks that would probably never have considered it before.  What a thought.  Must have been terrifying/exciting for existing film makers at the time.  I never would have thought that they would have the same (or greater) impact on the music industry.  I got a Mac in the fall of 2005 (still have the same G5) and within a month of owning it, I had already recorded and album for some friends on this new “Garage Band” program.  Apple had made it easy/fun to produce music.  At this same time, ou drummer, Thomas, was in high school working on his second techno album using the same system.  It seemed anyone could make music now.  I was studying music at a university, but on the side I was watching formerly non musical friends produce tracks on their own.  Terrifying/exciting. 

Since then we’ve recorded three albums using Logic.  

It’s hard to remember just how everything worked before iTunes, iPods, etc…