Piano Magic Essentials

A self-styled musical collective formed by Glen Johnson, Piano Magic's lineup and stylistic direction have changed through the years. Where 1997's Popular Mechanics was an electro pop experiment, 2000's Artists' Rifles saw the group take a more conventional form, channelling shoegaze and dream pop bands like the Cocteau Twins (whose Robin Guthrie became a collaborator) to construct atmospheric soundscapes. With Johnson as the only remaining original member, Piano Magic have now clocked up enough material to warrant a pair of retrospective compilation LPs.