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John Dyson Biography

john-dyson
  • Born:
  • Years Active: 1980s-1990s
  • Genre: Dance & Electronic

A member of early techno duo, Wavestar, John Dyson has continued to craft atmospheric soundscapes as a soloist. In addition to overseeing reissues of Wavestar's recordings, Dyson has continued to release imaginative albums of his own. He performed selections from his 1998 solo album, Silverbird, with bassist Damien Rider and drummer/percussionist Mark Dale, at the E-Live Festival in the Netherlands. Initially inspired by the instrumental rock of British band, the Shadows, John Dyson honed his early skills as guitarist for the Renegades. Acquiring a large array of electronic instruments, including drum machines, synthesizers and a four-track tape recorder, he increasingly veered towards electronic music. An ad placed in a local music newspaper, seeking similar minded musicians, brought Dyson together with David Ward-Hunt in the mid-1980s. A cassette, recorded under the Wavestar name, Mind Journey, led to an invitation to perform at UK Electronica in 1985. Three years later, they had released a second cassette, Zenith, and had risen to headliner status at UK Electronica. Signed by Jem Records, Wavestar released its debut CD, Moonwind, in 1987. When it failed to provide the hoped-for commercial breakthrough, Jem declared bankruptcy and Wavestar disbanded. Dyson went on to launch his own label, Surreal To Real, with UK Electronica co-organizer Anthony Trasher, releasing impressive solo albums, Evolution in 1990, Aquarelle in 1991, Different Values in 1994 and Beyond The Gates in 1996. Dyson returned to the recordings of Wavestar in the late-1990s, releasing an album, Out Of Time, with tracks recorded by the duo between 1986 and 1988, on the Soddett Hall label. While Ward-Hunt died on July 7, 1999, Dyson continues to explore his musical vision. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi

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