Computer Magic

Computer Magic

Danz of Computer Magic

Danz of Computer Magic performing at WWW club in Tokyo, Japan in February 2016.
Background information
Birth name Danielle Johnson
Also known as Danz
Born Rock Hill, New York[1]
Genres Electronic, Indie rock, Synthpop
Occupation(s) Composer, Singer-songwriter, Producer
Instruments Vocals, Keyboard
Years active 2010-present
Labels Kitsuné, White Iris, P-Vine Records, Tugboat Records
Website http://thecomputermagic.com
Notable instruments
Moog, Novation, Dave Smith Instruments

Computer Magic is the electronic music solo-project of American producer Danielle "Danz" Johnson from Brooklyn, NY.[2] She is the singer, writer, composer, and often the producer for Computer Magic. Her influences include Radiohead, Barbarella, and Philip K. Dick.[1][3] She has maintained success in Japan and has gained a cult following in the United States.[4][5]

Beginnings

Johnson was born and raised in the Catskills in both Woodridge, New York and Rock Hill, New York. She moved to Chinatown in New York, NY to attend Hunter College.[2]

Johnson started her own music blog at the age of 15.[2][6] She became a DJ in New York City at the age of 18 at places such as the Tribeca Grand Hotel and The Annex.[7]

She began producing music at her Mother's house whilst on hiatus from New York in Tampa, FL.[3] There, she taught herself how to make music. She has stated that she writes music entirely by ear.[8][9]

The name Computer Magic is derived from a quote in This Is Spinal Tap from Viv Savage, "Quite exciting this computer magic!".[10]

Music

Since 2011, Computer Magic has released seven self-produced EPs and one studio EP with White Iris [11] A number of Computer Magic's songs are released for free at first, giving fans a chance to download them before they go up for digital sale on iTunes. About this, Danz has said that "The more people that have your music and enjoy it the better.".[10]

In 2014, her self-produced song Running (Hiding Version) was featured on two separate television commercials for Aria Resort and Casino and Lexus.[12][13]

Davos

Computer Magic released her first LP entitled Davos on October 16, 2015 with her own record label in the US, Channel 9 Records with Kobalt Label Services, and in Japan with Tugboat and P-Vine Records.

She recorded the songs with Claudius Mittendorfer over the course of 2 years in New York, New York.[4] The title Davos is a homage to a now-'decrepit' ski resort where Johnson grew up in upstate New York, where her dad worked and still resides although the ski resort closed when Johnson was 3 years old.[4][14]

Danz in the Fuzz music video.

The video for the first single off the album, Be Fair, features Danz in a space crash that was filmed in Trona Pinnacles.[14] The video for the second single Fuzz features Danz in dramatic futuristic wardrobe, through which Danz splits her time between light and dark roles.[15]

Japan

Computer Magic has released four full-length records in Japan with Tugboat Records and P-Vine Records.[16] The first record entitled Scientific Experience, debuted at #5 on the iTunes Japanese Electronic Music Chart.[17] Her January 2015 release "Mindstate" debuted at #1 on the iTunes Japanese Electronic Music Chart.[18]

She has composed numerous songs for commercials in Japan for companies such as Panasonic and QP.[19][20]

In late 2013, Johnson became the face of Sofia Coppola's Japanese clothing company Milkfed.[21]

Discography

Albums

EPs

Japan-Only Releases

Music videos

References

  1. 1 2 Stereogum "Band to Watch" July 1st, 2012 retrieved Dec 26th 2013
  2. 1 2 3 De Los Angeles, Kim "Biography - Official Site" March 3rd, 2015
  3. 1 2 Cihak, Izzy "Interview: Computer Magic's Sugar-Coated, Sonic Science Fiction" April 6th, 2013 retrieved Dec 26th 2013
  4. 1 2 3 i-D Magazine "I-D Magazine Computer Magic’s Sci-fi Synth Pop is Already Big in Japan" November 5th 2015 retrieved December 28th 2015
  5. ↑ Stratosphere, Jen "Audio Premiere: "Change My Mind (Computer Magic Remix) - Stone Cold Fox" March 10th, 2016 retrieved March 10th, 2016
  6. ↑ Johnson, Andy "Interview: Computer Magic" January 18th, 2013 retrieved December 26th 2013
  7. ↑ Last.FM "Bio"
  8. ↑ Stratosphere, Jen "Q&A with Computer Magic" April 12, 2012 retrieved Dec 26th 2013
  9. ↑ " Retrieved August 8th 2013
  10. 1 2 Raven + Crow Studio " February 18th 2014 retrieved February 18th 2014
  11. ↑ White Iris "White Iris Records" retrieved Dec 26th 2013
  12. ↑ "Lexus International Strobe - Ad Break Anthems" July 15th 2014, retrieved August 8th 2014
  13. ↑ "Aria Hotel and Casino 'Flowers' " May 25th 2014, retrieved August 8th 2014
  14. 1 2 Made Music "Milk PREMIERE: BLAST INTO SPACE W/ COMPUTER MAGIC'S NEW VID" August 8th 2015 retrieved December 28th 2015
  15. ↑ Made Music "Stereogum PREMIERE: Computer Magic - Fuzz" February 23rd, 2016 retrieved March 10th 2016
  16. ↑ P-Vine "P-Vine Artist Bio" November 23rd 2012 retrieved December 26th 2013
  17. ↑ "Scientific Experience debut at #5" December 20th, 2012 retrieved December 26th 2013
  18. ↑ "Mindstate Japanese Release" January 22nd 2015 retrieved January 29th 2015
  19. ↑ "Public Rhythm - Computer MagicがPanasonicのCMソングを書き下ろし" August 8th 2015, retrieved December 26th, 2015
  20. ↑ "Official Site - QP Commercial in Japan" December 8th 2014, retrieved December 26th, 2015
  21. ↑ "Computer MagicがアパレルブランドMILKFED.の2013 HOLIDAYアンバサダーに就任！！" October 28th, 2013 retrieved December 26th 2013
  22. ↑ http://vimeo.com/98186342
  23. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcCjTDc3xlo
  24. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeJBpY7ccQk
  25. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95qY4soCElE
  26. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJJUVvSI-kM
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