Qualifications
- PhD / DPhil (University of Hull)
Summary
Alongside his academic career, Rowan continues to record and perform internationally as a multi-instrumentalist session musician. He also produces original music and remixes, as well as composing for film.
Before joining the University's staff, he spent several years touring the world as the drummer in Goldfrapp (among various musical exploits).
Book Chapter
Bring that Beat Back: Sampling as Virtual Collaboration
Oliver, R. (2016). Bring that Beat Back: Sampling as Virtual Collaboration. In S. Whiteley, & S. Rambarran (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Music and Virtuality (65-80). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199321285.013.11
Groove as Familiarity with Time
Oliver, R. (2013). Groove as Familiarity with Time. In E. King, & H. M. Prior (Eds.), Music and Familiarity : Listening, Musicology and Performance (239 - 252). Ashgate. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315596600
Research interests
Rowan's musicological research deals with groove, sampling and the musician’s relationship with time and sound, focusing particularly on Black Atlantic popular music and breakbeats. He is an associate member of the Centre for Black Music Research (Columbia College, Chicago), and was recently awarded a CBMR ‘Travel to the Collections’ grant to support a research visit to their archives. Other interests include composing for film and the use of technology in performance.
Postgraduate supervision
Dr Oliver welcomes applications in the areas of groove, rhythm, sampling, and Black Atlantic popular music.