Artist description John plays electronic synthesizer, guitar, and sings, multi-tracking for a full ensemble sound. 8

Music Style electronic-ambient / art-rock / singer-songwriter

Artist History John has taken part in the progressive pop music scene since the 1980's, working in the art-trance rock genre pioneered by Talking Heads, Eno, Bowie, Anderson, etc. Based in New York City, he released several LP's on his indie label, 22 Records, which did well on national college radio. He was the owner of a budget 16-track recording studio on 22nd Street, Crossfire Recording, where a multitude of indie projects were realized in the vibrant artistic environment of the time. After the decline of the art-rock genre in the mid-eighties, John phased out of full-time involvement with music. Turning to another life-long avocation, east-west psychology and consciousness work, he wrote a book called Emotional Clearing, first self-published in 1993, which became a best-seller in consciousness book stores and was re-released by Random House as a hardcover in 2001. John is now active in furthering this work, (www.emclear.com) but still finds much time for art and music. A few years ago, the artist in John was re-a wakened by the trip-hop revolution, which has built on the foundations laid in the early years of art-rock of which he was a part. Such innovations as the minimal, repeating groove bass line (borrowed from reggae), the narrowing of chord movement often t o only one chord, the emphasis of all musical parts playing rhythm with equal importance instead of thinking of the arrangement as a lead voice or instrument backed by a band, the shift from sentimental lyrics to conceptual lyrics, the shift of focus fro m the artist to the art, the emphasis on steady, repetitive, understatement and away from flashy playing, the ambient concept including drones and textures, all began at that time, establishing the basics of trance which merged with hip-hop, and is even n o w yielding post trip-hop work. These are the elements that characterize John's music. The album IN represents John's full return to his most basic identity as an artist. Performing all parts with synthesizer, guitar, and vocals, John offers this song-based, introspective, post trip-hop album as his contribution to our contemporary art milieu.

Group Members John Ruskan, with occasional guests. €

Albums IN, I Am A Model, Desert Dawn, Fever, Just In Style

Location Los Angeles, Ca - USA

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