Who are Piano Magic?
Piano Magic is a group, based in London. There are 5 full-time members : Glen Johnson, Jerome Tcherneyan, Alasdair Steer, Franck Alba and Cedric Pin. Glen and Alasdair are English. Everyone else is French.

How/when did the group start up?
This is pretty much covered in the BIOGRAPHY section but basically, Glen Johnson sent a demo of home recordings to i/Che Records in 1996, which resulted in the release of the group’s first record, “Wrong French.” Since then, the line-up of the group has metamorphosised frantically and they’ve released many records on many different labels, played many concerts in many different countries, recorded a film soundtrack, grown a series of beards.

Why don’t they just stick with one label?
They’ve never really been able to find a label that will let them do exactly what they want to do whenever they want to do it and this is the core of what they’re about. So, they flit around from label to label, working with anyone that’s a) interested in working with them and b) will give them complete artistic freedom. The group have released records on i/Che, Wurlitzer Jukebox, Piao!, Acetone, Debut, Liquefaction Empire, Bad Jazz, Rocket Girl, Darla, Acuarela, Morr Music, 4AD, Green Ufos, Dora Dorovitch and Talitres.

I’ve never heard Piano Magic. Which record should I start with?
That would depend on what kind of music you like. Piano Magic are a restless bunch and tend to leap, stylistically, from record to record. If you like electronic music, you should probably try the “Opencast Heart EP” or their debut album, “Popular Mechanics.” If you prefer more guitar-based music, you should try the albums, “The Troubled Sleep Of Piano Magic” or “Artists’ Rifles.” The band’s more “experimental” fare can be found on the albums, “Low Birth Weight” and “Writers Without Homes.”

Weren’t the band once signed to 4AD?
Yes. The band recorded two records for 4AD – the soundtrack to Spanish director, Bigas Luna’s “Son De Mar” and the aforementioned “Writers Without Homes” album. The group and label parted ways in mutual agreement in 2003.

Why do Piano Magic collaborate so much?
For variation and experience. In the past, Piano Magic have collaborated with, amongst others : ISAN, The Wisdom Of Harry, State River Widening, Ellis Island Sound, The Bitter Springs, Hefner, Vashti Bunyan, Low, Cornershop, Le Volume Courbe, The Czars, Life Without Buildings, Klima.

Who is Angèle David-Guillou?
Angèle regularly sings both on record and live with Piano Magic though has her own solo project, Klima ,as well as being part of the group, Ginger Ale. The debut Klima album is out in 2006 on Peacefrog (UK) : www.peacefrog.com. The second Ginger Ale is out in late 2005 on Discograph (France) : www.discograph.com

Where do the band record?
The more recent Piano Magic records have been recorded between the Fortress Studios in London (close to Old Street station) (www.fortressstudios.co.uk) and the group’s own Murder Mile studio (also close to Old Street). Gareth Parton generally engineers the group’s Fortress recordings (www.garethparton.co.uk)

Do Piano Magic play live?
Yes, though concerts are invariably consigned to short European tours or special one off performances. You can find out exactly where and when the group have played in the CONCERTS section. Future concerts are regularly added to the NEWS section.

Where can I write to Piano Magic? How do I book Piano Magic? Can my group support Piano Magic? Can I play with Piano Magic? Can I send my demo/record/film to Piano Magic? Who manages Piano Magic?
Piano Magic are unmanageable. You should email the group directly at : rushthelights@yahoo.co.uk about any group-related enquiry.

Where can I buy Piano Magic records?
You can find the more recent Piano Magic titles in all good record stores. Otherwise, try a reputable mail order outlet like www.darla.com in the USA or the Rough Trade Shops service in London at www.roughtrade.com

What’s the rarest Piano Magic record?
That would be a limited edition 7” on the French label, Acetone (www.acetone-records.com). The regular version of the label’s singles club release, “Amongst The Books, An Angel,” is not so hard to come by but a mere 20 special edition copies were released at the same time. These copies feature a hand drawn depiction of Tours Cathedral. See the DISCOGRAPHY section for visual.

Do members of Piano Magic play in other bands? Were they in other bands before Piano Magic?
Yes. Glen Johnson has a solo project called Textile Ranch and has released 3 singles and an album, “Bird Heart In Wool” (Very Friendly, 2004). Find out more at www.textileranch.com
Johnson and Cedric Pin have an electropop project called Future Conditional and are working on their debut album (July 2005).
Alasdair Steer moonlights in the rock band, Firebird.
Jerome Tcherneyan has a solo project, Risky Music.
Franck Alba is working on solo material.

What music do Piano Magic listen to?
The PLAYLIST section should give you a good idea, though there’s a lot they’d be fools to admit to.