Wandering Curator

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Growing up, Stephen Emmer spent most of his time with his mother and they traveled the world. Roeki Aronds was a ballet dancer, an actress and a teacher. She took young Stephen to India where he learned how to play a local wind instrument at an ashram. In Aruba, he was taught voodoo infused percussion and in Suriname, he finally picked up the guitar. Emmer’s early journey in music set the stage for a career that would remain as diverse and adventurous as his childhood.

In the late 1970s he found himself at the forefront of the post-punk movement. As a key player in the Dutch scene and a member of bands like Minny Pops, the Associates and the Lotus Eaters he was among the first wave of artists signed to the legendary Factory Records.

Not one to stay in a single lane, Stephen began composing for screen, media, and radio, becoming one of the most recognized voices in Dutch broadcast music. After years as a revolutionary rocker and then reining it in a bit to pay the bills, Emmer’s personal output would become the pinnacle of his career. He’s built a reputation as a master collaborator, creating concept-driven albums that bridge genres—working alongside icons like Lou Reed, Chaka Khan, and Patti Austin.

From the lush, cinematic crooner textures of International Blue to the humanitarian soul-funk of Home Ground, Stephen’s work has always explored the deep connection between sound, narrative, and human emotion. These albums were collaborations with legendary producers Tony Visconti and the late Bob Power respectively.

Emmer took a pivot toward a more classical style in later albums like Maison Melody and Mt. Mundane.

This year, Stephen Emmer returned with Asymmetrical Dot—a deeply personal, wordless 'global chamber' album written during a profound period of life transition, loss, and renewal. The album is autobiographical as he honors his mother who passed away in 2025, celebrates the new life of his grandson and pays homage to his own grandparents who traveled from Indonesia to the Netherlands to start a new life. The album features an extraordinary ensemble of international musicians, blending Western classical traditions, Indonesian folk heritage, and immersive soundscapes.

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Sound Departure Radio founder and host Wandering Curator interview film and television composer Jeff Beal about his new album of solo piano music called "New York Etudes: Volume 2."