John-Henry

John-Henry is a multi-instrumentalist and multimedia music producer and performer whose output ranges anywhere from laptop-based dance music, to surround-sound algorithmic music, to live African and Latin / Brazilian percussion, to multivalent West Virginian rock and electronic bluegrass experiments, to gypsyfunk house music to hip-hop, to glitched up freaktronica. It's all music in the end.
In 2007 John-Henry completed his Master's degree in Digital Compsition and Performance at the University of Edinburgh (UK). His thesis composition "SYZYGY" subsequently landed him on the UK-based Sound and Music (SAM) organization's 2008 Composer Shortlist. It's too long for the Myspace player but you can listen via Soundcloud below:
Syzygy by johnhenrydale
"Each year SAM runs an open Call for Works, from which it selects a shortlist of new works deemed worthy of professional performances. spnm then promotes the composers of these works for three years, programming the works throughout its nationwide season of events and offering further opportunities and professional development openings that are exclusive to shortlisted composers."
John Henry was also a steel-drivin' man, according to the West Virginian folktale (which most people seem to have heard sung by the late, great Johnny Cash.) In an interesting and ironic twist of fate, John-Henry was the only member of his family ever born in West Virginia, though he was not, at least intentionally, named after the legendary black folk hero, but rather for his two grandfathers.
He is currently living in Portland working out of the Zoppa Room (www.zopparoom.com) recording studio and just released his first solo album: Ghosthousework. You can purchase it by clicking on the Itunes link below: