Johnny M

Johnny M is a musician and DJ associated with dance-pop, ambient techno and club-oriented electronic music. He is classically trained on piano and begins writing and performing music in childhood. His first song, Mystery, is written at 16, and he later develops a working method based on list-making, loops, samples and detailed arrangement planning.

ASAGIRI and early collaborations

In 1995, Johnny M forms ASAGIRI with Hyperkitty, DJ Sakura and Rory Urban. The group name is Japanese for “morning mist”. In ASAGIRI, he mainly handles primary keys and additional drums, and the project spends its time collaborating in the studio. During this period he first works with Dark World and appears on a rare five-song demo CD, including a special version of Fear sung by Kylyra. He also continues to collaborate on occasional mixes with DJ Sakura after ASAGIRI splits in 2001.

DJ and performance work

Johnny M also works as DJ Johnny Sugar. He works as a dancer and back-up vocalist for Minneapolis dance-pop performer Lolly Pop. His most active performance role is with Dr. Farrago’s Burlesque Theatre, which he also manages and DJs for, and where he occasionally appears as a striptease performer.

Recordings and solo work

Working directly on his computer with loop-based software, Johnny M uses the MTV Music Generator for the free downloadable ASAGIRI tracks on Dark World. He later turns to Acid Pro to make Riddle, his first iTunes release through Dark World International. The release includes tracks such as Fixed Thoughts, With Joanna Lumley as Jessica, Delicate Hausfrau, Challenging Stage, Throne of Music Model 904 (Original Mix), Shiva (Original Mix), Consequence, Throne of Music Model 904 (Future Mix) and Shiva (Diamond Dust Remix). It also includes earlier ASAGIRI recordings: Sunrise, Fear with Kylyra on vocals, and The Mirror.

Musical style

His music combines ambient and techno elements with darker moods, meditative passages, organic sounds and dance-floor rhythm. Classical references also appear in his work, alongside his interest in film-inspired ideas and experimentation with loops, samples and electronic textures.