Stephen Hamm - Press Kit

“Hamm brings the Theremin to life.”

Stephen Hamm, a legendary figure in Vancouver’s music and arts scene for over thirty years, is best known today as Theremin Man—a fearless explorer of sound whose performances center on the theremin, the rare electronic instrument played without touch.

Having cut his teeth in iconic Canadian bands like Slow, Canned Hamm, and Nardwuar and the Evaporators, Hamm has since carved out a singular path as a solo artist. His shows fuse theremin, synthesizer, and growling vocals into a genre-defying mix of electropop, space rock, and experimental soundscapes.

Hamm’s latest work, Songs of the Future, captures his vision, but it’s onstage where his artistry truly shines. Part concert, part performance art, his live avant garde shows take audiences on a psychedelic journey into new abstract dimensions—equal parts joyful, cosmic, and unforgettable.

With decades of innovation behind him and a relentless drive to push music forward, Stephen Hamm: Theremin Man invites listeners to step into the future of sound.

stephen hamm has played:

Khatsahlano Arts Festival (Vancouver, B.C.), Lunafest (Revelstoke) Massif Music Festival (Nelson, B.C.), Forest Fest Sound Symposium (Gabriola Island), Ignite the Arts (Penticton, B.C.), Woodstove Festival (Cumberland, B.C.), Rogue Fest (Wilson Creek, B.C.), Backyard Fest (Nanaimo, B.C.), Khatsahlano Arts Festival (Vancouver, B.C.).

He's performed with: Pink Mountaintops, The Space Lady, JOHN OTWAY, Pointed Sticks, Eugene Chadborn, wax Mannequin, The world provider and many more!

RECENT FEATURE BY GRANT LAWRENCE ON CBC TV

Stephen Hamm's new album 'songs for the future' out now!

Redefining Rock: Stephen Hamm's Futuristic Theremin Album 'Songs for the Future' Unleashes Electrifying Sounds

Stephen Hamm Theremin Man Songs for the Future Releases May 6th, 2024

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Stream Album Songs of the Future

PRESS ONLY: Download Single / Art / Press Photos

Watch the Video for “Planet Earth”

Watch the Video for “Are You Receiving Me”

Genre Tags: Electronic, Psychedelic, Alternative Rock, Space Rock, Psychedelic Electronic

RIYL: Kraftwerk, Hawkwind, Arthur Brown, Tangerine Dream, Suicide, Father Yod, Clara Rockmore

Focus Tracks: 1,3, 5 (MAPL/ FCC Clean)

Vancouver’s Stephen Hamm Theremin Man has just released his sophomore album Songs for the Future with the accompanying video “Planet Earth”. Following the critical acclaim of his debut album, Theremin Man, this latest offering promises a thrilling journey into the realms of electro-rock. Songs for the Future explores themes ranging from isolation and hope to science fiction and fantasy. Each track invites listeners on a cosmic voyage through sound and emotion, with a nod to interdimensional and intergalactic entities. Building on the sonic landscapes established in the first album Theremin Man, Hamm's new album expands his artistic vision. From ethereal melodies to pulsating rhythms, each composition is meticulously crafted to transport audiences to new dimensions. "I’m excited to share Songs for the Future with everyone," says Hamm. "This album represents a new chapter in my creative journey. Unlike the first Theremin Man album, which was a solo effort, I also had some great help with this new album from Shawn Mrazek (Flash Bastard, The Evaporators) on drums and Felix Fung (Pointed Sticks, Colleen Rennison, Mode Modern) on guitar and production.”

Stephen Hamm has been a pivotal member of the Vancouver Music and Arts scene for over 25 years. He’s played bass, keyboards and sang in bands like Slow, Tankhog, Canned Hamm and Nardwuar And The Evaporators. Today, Stephen is Theremin Man, a space traveler and storyteller who sends waves of good vibes and dance beats out to his followers, affectionately known as “The Space Family”. Since stalking the Pacific Northwest with his legendary rock bands, Stephen has shifted his focus to mastering the Theremin, an early electronic instrument that one does not touch but plays by interacting with magnetic fields around two antennae. In recent years Stephen has studied under the tutelage of German Theremin virtuoso Carolina Eyck and New York based Thereminist Dorit Chrysler. Stephen’s solo show, based around Theremin and Synthesizer is a psychedelic electro musical journey into new abstract dimensions of sound.

Theremin Man is not just a solo act, it is an experience. A robed Stephen Hamm is an imposing presence, but his kind eyes and friendly face make everyone comfortable and ready to take in the overall space travel vibes and thought-provoking lyrics as he demonstrates his mastery over his esoteric instrument. Dancing usually follows shortly thereafter. With Songs for the Future, Hamm continues to push the boundaries of contemporary music, blending elements of electronica, ambient, and experimental genres integrated into catchy rock n roll songs you’ll want to listen to again and again. Stephen plans to continue thrilling audiences at clubs,and festivals with his wildly creative solo show, based around Theremin and Synthesizer. His goal is to take his audiences on “an electro musical journey into new abstract dimensions of sound!” Songs for the Future is now available on all major streaming platforms as well as on vinyl. Songs for the Future is a testament to Stephen Hamm's enduring passion for music and his commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. As anticipation builds for the release of Songs for the Future on May 6th, audiences can expect an electrifying musical experience that transcends genres.

D I S C O V E R

Website:https://stephenhamm.ca/home

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereminman

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.hamm.7

Bandcamp: https://thereminman.bandcamp.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTILaNOR-MdEeyXOs_uWj7A

LISTEN TO ARE YOU RECEIVING ME HERE!

CHECK OUT THE NEW VIDEO ‘SAGITTARIUS A-STAR’ BY R.D. CANE

Stephen Hamm press assets

Stephen Hamm Bio This is Stephen's current bio both short and long form 89.8 KB

THIS IS WHAT ELDER GOD PRODUCTIONS BLOG HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE RECENT SHOW AT THE RICKSHAW THEATRE IN VANCOUVER:

Taking the stage first on Friday night at the Rickshaw Theatre was a solo act that used pre-recorded tracks, Stephen Hamm: Theremin Man. Normally a solo act where it's just one person doing their thing does nothing to spark my interest especially not at a venue like Rickshaw.

Of course normally said solo act doesn't rock a theremin, so such preconceived notions are out the door. Getting to witness an expert using a notoriously difficult-to-master instrument was fantastic, a journey into the farthest reaches of space where that unique sound takes you.

Looking like Vincent D’Onofrio if he lived in a hippie commune, they stood center stage with the theremin and a laptop that played pre-recorded tracks in the new wave/electro-rock vein. When the main draw is the theremin, it makes sense to minimize the rest of the “band”. Can bust out a theremin concert just about anywhere.

For those that don't know, a theremin is an instrument you play without touching. It reacts to how close the person is to it, playing with the magnetic fields surrounding it. It was the product of early Soviet government-sponsored research into proximity sensors, so you know, commie shit.

While watching this master manipulate those magnetic fields they made it look easy. The weaving of their hands, each finger moved, the slightest nuance manipulating the sound just so. The theremin emits such a spacey, otherworldly sound the songs sort of pick you up drifting you along with them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this set and have been digging into their music on Bandcamp, of which there is a good selection. They got me moving, which is essential for Him, and entertained the hell out of me with a rarely-seen instrument.

“Stephen Hamm: Theremin Man discusses his journey from playing in legendary Vancouver bands such as Slow and The Evaporators to communing with the universe as a theremin-wielding one-man band.”

— Click on image below for video