John Dyson

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 releases imaginative albums of his own, and 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, Dyson furthered his informal music education by traveling with and attending gigs by the Renegades, a Whitby, North Yorkshire-based group managed by Dyson's cousin. Acquiring a large array of electronic instruments, including drum machines, synthesizers, and a four-track tape recorder, Dyson increasingly veered toward electronic music. An ad placed in a local music newspaper, seeking similar minded musicians, brought Dyson together with David Ward-Hunt in the mid-'80s. Recorded under the Wavestar name, a cassette entitled Mind Journey led to an invitation to perform at U.K. Electronica in 1985. They released a second cassette, Zenith, late the following year, and soon rose to headliner status at U.K. Electronica. Signed by Jem Records, Wavestar released their 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 U.K. Electronica co-organizer Anthony Trasher, releasing the 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 '90s, 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