Composer Spotlight : Jóhann Jóhannsson

Johann Jóhannsson was an Icelandic composer, musician, and producer born on September 19, 1969, in Reykjavik, Iceland, and began his career as a musician and composer in the 1990s. He was known for his work in electronic and contemporary classical music, and for his scores for films such as "Arrival" and "The Theory of Everything", which earned him an Academy Award nomination.

Jóhannsson's early solo albums were heavily influenced by minimalism and contemporary classical music. He later developed a unique style that combined electronic music, orchestral arrangements, and found sounds. He released several solo albums and collaborated on other projects such as member of the band Apparat Organ Quartet.

Jóhannsson was also a member of the Kitchen Motors music and art collective in Reykjavik, Iceland. The collective was formed in 2000 and aimed to bring together a diverse group of musicians and artists to collaborate on various projects.

Johann Jóhannsson was known for his unique and innovative approach to recording and production. He often utilized a combination of electronic and acoustic instruments, and used found sound and field recordings as source material for his music. He also employed various processing techniques, such as time-stretching, pitch-shifting, and granular synthesis, to manipulate and transform the sounds he recorded.

One of his most recognizable technique was to use the sounds of vintage technology like IBM 1401 computer as main source material for his music. He released an album called "IBM 1401, A User's Manual" which was a concept album that uses field recordings of the IBM 1401 mainframe computer, which was in use in the 1960s and 1970s, as the primary source material for the music. He used the sounds of the computer, such as its fans and tape drives, and processed them through various effects to create an evocative and atmospheric work that reflects on the themes of technology and progress.

Johann Jóhannsson was known to use a variety of hardware in his recording and production process. Some of the specific equipment he used include:

Field recorders, to capture sounds from various sources such as the IBM 1401 computer, which was one of his major sources of inspiration. Tape machines, to manipulate sounds by using various tape-based effects such as tape delays and tape saturation. Synthesizers, both vintage and modern, to create electronic sounds and textures. Samplers, to manipulate and process sounds in real-time. Effects processors, such as reverb, delay, and distortion, to add depth and dimension to the sounds he recorded. Signal processing tools such as granular synthesizers and frequency shifters. Computer-based software tools, such as digital audio workstations (DAWs) and various plugins, to record, edit, and process sounds.

In addition to his solo work, Jóhannsson often collaborated with other musicians and artists, and was known for his willingness to experiment and try new approaches in the studio. He was interested in the intersection of music and technology, and was always looking for new ways to push the boundaries of what was possible in terms of sound design and production.

Jóhannsson sadly passed away on February 9, 2018, at the age of 48. He left behind a legacy of unique and innovative music that continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by fans around the world.