Emeralds

Emeralds are an ambient, drone and electronic group from Westlake, United States. The trio consists of John Elliott, Steve Hauschildt and Mark McGuire. They begin as Fancelions in 2005 in the western suburbs of Cleveland, then re-form as Emeralds with a focus on live improvisation. Their first show under the Emeralds name takes place in June 2006.

Style and significance

The group works across ambient, drone, noise, Berlin school and progressive electronic music. Their material also draws on kosmische music and minimalist approaches, and they are associated with the modernisation of Berlin school electronic music.

Recording history

Emeralds release more than forty recordings during their active period. Their best-known album is Does It Look Like I’m Here?, which appears on Editions Mego in 2010. Editions Mego also releases Just To Feel Anything, the group’s final album, in 2012.

Later activity

Mark McGuire and Steve Hauschildt continue to perform and record under their own names after Emeralds. John Elliott also records under aliases including Outer Space, Imaginary Softwoods and Colored Mushroom and the Medicine Rocks, alongside other collaborative work. McGuire leaves the group in January 2013, and Hauschildt then states that Emeralds will continue as a duo before also departing, which ends the project.