Getting to Know… Dr Space | Interview

In the 423^rd Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from improvisatory keyboardist, Dr Space (Scott Heller), and his band, Doctors of Space. 

“My solo material, released under the name ‘Dr Space,’ is all improvised synthesizer music.” Rad, Dr Space (Scott Heller)! Dr Space provides the inside scoop on his band’s (Doctors of Space) genesis, goals, musical influences, and current, and future musical endeavors. He also discusses his solo work.  So, without further ado, let’s jump right into Getting to Know… Dr. Space: Interview No. 423!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Dr Space distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

Dr Space: My band in Portugal, Doctors of Space, used to play intense space rock but now have evolved into a more electronic outfit. Our most powerful gig was for Roadburn Festival and Sonic Blast. Like Doctors of Space, my solo material, released under the name ‘Dr Space,’ is all improvised synthesizer music.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Dr Space form, and what were some of your goals or visions early?

Dr Space: Doctors of Space evolved out of my solo album series called Dr Space´s Alien Planet Trip. Vol 4, I recruited Dr Martin Weaver (Wicked Lady, Dark) to play guitar on numerous tracks. This led to us making a lot of records and CDs over the last 7 years. Our goal was just to make music that we liked and hoped others would as well. For my solo music, it is just an outlet for testing new ideas and learning more about modular and other synthesizers and occasionally I make some cool tracks that I let the rest of the world hear or have guitar or bass players add to.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Dr Space: My biggest goal today is to help others make music in my studio in Portugal and also to collaborate with like-minded musicians to make interesting music.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

Dr Space: Doug Walker (Alien Planetscapes), Klaus Schultze, Tangerine Dream, Hawkind, Pink Floyd….. These groups all create music to relax and really listen to, absorb, and have a trip and forget the crazy world…. I would like to think I can do the same thing, if I am lucky….

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

Dr Space: Doctors of Space’s 3rd gig was at the Sonic Blast Festival, Portugal for the warm-up night and this super intense punk rock band played just before us. The energy in the room was insane and people were getting blasted. We had to follow that! Damn. First off, the main monitor was blown by the band before so now we had to share one. It has started to rain like hell outside and the place had 100 too many people inside. We started off and just played a super intense concert and people were falling on the stage, crowd surfing, and crawling along the ceiling. It was crazy. The people love our insane set. Wow… Crazy night…

To this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Dr Space: Doctors of Space, we released a CD earlier this year that is one 60-minute track called “Adventures in the Deep Dark Seas of Sound” and that is for sure our best work. It is a massive sound collage and we worked hard on the mix and adding instruments to the 3 main improvised pieces. I am very proud of this one. Check it out on Bandcamp. As for my solo music, my last album, Suite for Orchestra of Marine Mammals, was a big step in a new direction for me. I was highly inspired by Klaus Schultze for this album and it shows.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center we should know about Dr Space? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Dr Space: I love to cook and use a lot of different chiles in my food.

What is Dr Space currently working on or promoting that you can share? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

Dr Space: Doctors of Space have a new double CD, more space rock oriented called Wisdom of Clowns out in November. I released two new CDs in September 2024: Music to Disappear to, which features 4 long tracks and lasts about an hour, and Alien Planet Trip Vol 8, Space with Bass IV. I also have several other collaborations coming out next year with 3rd ear Experience and UMMA from Peru.

Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

Dr Space: Thank you for this opportunity.

https://drspace1.bandcamp.com

https://doctorsofspace.bandcamp.com

https://www.spacerockproductions.com

https://auralhallucinations.bandcamp.com

https://oresundspacecollective.com

https://oresundspacecollective.bandcamp.com

https://estudioparaisonasn.wixsite.com/my-site

Getting to Know… Dr Space: Interview No. 423 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Dr Space; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]