In the internet age, it’s a whole new world where artists, musicians and public figures are just an instant message away.
I mainly keep to myself but in the internet 2.0 days, I did share some conversation with Glen Johnson of Piano Magic.
Now, I was probably a bit of a prick then, and I am likely still one now. So whether it was me or just circumstances, I lost touch, but for awhile- we bonded over a mutual love of bands like the Durutti Column and my curious inquiries into his music journo career.
The band while nearly unGoogable now remain a bit of cult figures, and broke up in 2017
It’s a shame as I was not familiar with them (when we first exchanged messages in the mid to late oughts) prior as an American (the band never toured the States) but they seemed to be gathering momentum here (starting with 2009s Ovations) when they called it quits.
I have always described them (and the press usually goes) with the “4AD band” label which is very evocative to a certain age group, and the band actually was signed to the label for two albums circa 2001 and 2002. They also draw some comparisons to My Bloody Valentine and bands that now are looped together as shoegaze.
Or having thought about it for the first time in years, I actually think the band would have fit quite well in that late 90s Chicago scene I associate with Jim O Rourke and others. Often focusing on the atmosphere and ambient vibes, echoes and unusual sounds. Johnson is a great vocalist and writer, but he doesn’t always feature that prominently. (When he does, it results in my favorite moments like Ovations).
When I do see them mentioned, they have a cult following and sort of exist in the same space as their hero Vini Reilly. Among others things that they accomplished, they brought English singer songwriter Vashti Bunyan out of retirement to record on 2002s Writers Without Homes.
Early in their career, the band recorded a single partnering with the Minnesota band Low. For Ovations, Brendan Perry of Dead Can Dance provided some guest vocals and on Closure, the great Audrey Riley (Smiths, Nick Cave, Muse and countless others) provides cello.
Although Piano Magic is no more, Johnson (the only constant member) has entered JG Thirlwell territory in his work- meaning prolific under various guises, often very esoteric.
There’s the electro pop of Future Conditional. There is Johnson creating artistic soundscapes in a duo with Kristina Pulejkova (2016s My Heart is Running Out of Breath.) For more experimental electronic sounds, there’s Textile Ranch. For something close to Piano Magic, Johnson has recorded solo (2009s Details Not Recorded) and with latter era Piano Magic member Cedric Pin (2018s The Burning Skull)
Johnson’s most recent work is a trio called Theory of Ghosts. This band takes their name from a Piano Magic song and features another ex- Piano Magic member Franck Alba.
Theory of Ghosts has released two EPs this year- 7 songs, 34 minutes- now available either together or separately.
For me, this is the side of Glen’s music I love and think it is definitely among his best moments. The atmospheric sound is here but so are the lyrics. The best song’s unsurprisingly are the two lead off songs on each EP but the “b-sides” are quite good as well (the latter A side “Porcelain” - an atypical upbeat New Order/Smiths-ish number, the former “When the Rain Comes” more of the ethereal goth- tinged classic Piano Magic sound)
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