Zero Ohms & Brannan Lane

Richard Roberts is a writer, painter, musician, teacher, and producer. He follows a philosophy that he calls "the Tao of Zero Ohms." That translates literally to "way of no resistance." From that philosophy, he also adopted his pseudonym: Zero Ohms. He began his musical endeavors at the age of 11 when he began taking clarinet lessons. Four years later, he learned the guitar and got into singing and playing pop and antiwar folk songs. He lists Phil Ochs, Donovan, Richie Havens, the Beatles, the Moody Blues, Leonard Cohen, and Jethro Tull as his main influences of that era. After seeing and hearing a concert in which Paul Horn accompanied Donovan on the flute, Roberts took up the flute as his main instrument. Horn, Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, and Ray Thomas of the Moody Blues had great influence on Roberts. Over the years, Roberts has also learned technique from classical flutists Jean-Pierre Rampal and Bettine Clemen. But Roberts has become quite an accomplished synthesist. He adds his flutes and woodwinds to his electronic soundscapes and gets a very unique and very tranquil sound. Much of his early work was on his private label but he has used MP3.com's D.A.M. technology for releases. Later, he released CDs on SpaceForMusic. Unafraid of the Impending Silence, Sweven, and Soundfall to the Infinite, a collaboration with Brannan Lane, are on that label. © Jim Brenholts /TiVo