A largely overlooked artist, the minimalist, electronic artist John the Silent is back with a twenty plus minute EP called War Variations. Set solidly in the tradition of art as protest, John the Silent reflects sonically on the horrors of war, and current events in our current global crises.

“War Variations” was recorded live, in one take, in studio rehearsal for a one time live performance on April 2, 2022 at Healer in Indianapolis, IN. “War Variations” was invoked by the unlawful, immoral, and illegal invasion by Russia into the sovereign nation of Ukraine. Reflecting on the effect of all war on the physical, emotional, and spiritual lives of so many people, most of whom have no say in the waging, funding, or support of war, yet who bear the brunt of the suffering, not to mention the environmental and generational damage, John the Silent took elements of field recordings, drone textures, melodies, and traditional religious tonal themes from Ukraine to create a landscape that evokes feelings of pre-war normalcy, the moment of crisis and fleeing, and the hope of peace. John the Silent used obsolete ipads through an analog mixer to create these sounds and assemble the piece as a live performance captured on this recording.

John the Silent: War Variations is the fifth release on Somewherecold Records and was released on May 26, 2023. 20 physical copies on CD will be available through bandcamp as well as all digital formats.