Q: YourShadow: Can you tell us what are you up to at the moment John?Working in music, based in London for many years, I chose NOT to specialise in any particular music skill or genre but rather I wanted as broad an experience of music as possible. This resulted in me doing many different roles and eventually the suspicion this raised, in a culture which prefers the 'specialist', beat me into submission. I 'retired' (gave up) - personally and professionally things became more difficult.
I then became a student at Middlesex Polytechnic in order to qualify as a Systems Analyst. The course was a Modular Degree Scheme and by the time I got to the 3rd Year, the pathway for Systems Analysis had been stopped. I ended up with a Music Degree, which I didn't really want. Then did a Post-grad in Birmingham and started working as a peripatetic instrumental teacher. In 2000 I moved to Edinburgh and played in many musical settings including the
Infinite Trio . In 2004 I moved back to Birmingham and began lecturing on the Music Technology BSc course and other modules.
I moved to Dorset 2 years ago and now continue to lecture in
Music Technology at the Birmingham Conservatoire 1 day per week and do some instrumental teaching in local schools. Play in various bands on keyboards, saxophone, flute and clarinet and take on projects on a commission basis, also composing music and just started preparing material for the next B.E.F. project with Martyn Ware.
Q: Chris C: How did you make the Elka Rhapsody strings so rich sounding at the end of Touch And Go?I can't remember exactly how Gareth and John did that sound now. I think it was a slow flange and the chords I played were quite thick - added 9ths etc. We did have an MXR Harmoniser and the Roland Space Echo, but that question is one for Gareth really.
