Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"Liem works small miracles in the studio, arranging tiny slivers of sound into glistening electropop constructions that blend harmonic balance and stasis with restless change and constant motion. Sounding bolder, and with punchier sequencing on tracks like 'The Mood You're In' and 'Mexico City', the only thing missing is the right videogame to play along with it." - The Wire
"A beautiful collection of intricate aural tapestries, bolstered by deep bass and pulsing rhythms. From the deliciously slow grind of “Winter at Night” to the elegant glockenspiel odyssey of “Learn From Mistakes,” Liem dazzles the listener as much as he soothes. The perfect soundtrack for counting stars, hot baths, or falling in love with your computer." - Exclaim
"Shaw-Han Liem proves that he's a real master at assembling complex and sweetly melodic structures from the most rudimentary of sonic material. His moniker does not deceive, as most of the sounds employed are cutely robotic, warm analog noises neatly layered and instantly catchy, but equally agile and quickly modified. No two songs sound alike, though all bear the mark of an unabashed and irreducable, if not quite unique, melodic sensibility. I am still discovering new moods and hidden treasures in Grace Days; at just under 40 minutes, it is a surprisingly effective therapeutic tool, sure to be spun frequently as long as the gray skies loom." - Brainwashed
Discography
'the catch' - 2001 catmobile records
'spring summer autumn winter' - 2002 mira records
'you make me this happy' - 2002 piehead
'grace days' - 2003 catmobile records
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Based in Toronto, Canada, I Am Robot And Proud (real name Shaw-Han Liem) creates electronic music many people have tried to describe but few can pinpoint.
An accomplished ear for melody helps to bring together tones and rhythms so fundamentally balanced and rational, they almost appear to have had no human input at all. The only element that disputes this theory is the actual, inherent humanity of the music.
What strikes the listener first is how warm and inviting his music is. While keeping the proactive digital elements very much to the fore, Shaw-han's music also glistens with a beautifully organic ambience. His music can be chilled and relaxing one moment, upbeat and motorik the next.
It's a perfectly matched combination that's made it possible for him to play with an array of artists like Mum, Hrvatski, Empress, B. Fleischmann, Hood and Manitoba. He's an artist with a huge wealth of ideas, and his star can only be described as in the ascent.
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