Brian Johnstone

Multi-Genre Songwriter, Musician, Composer, Producer, Entrepreneur, Educator

Latest Release

Re-Release: The Agartha Tesseract

Available:  23 March 2023

Released on streaming platforms for the first time since being recorded in 1997.  A fantasy journey to the utopian world of Agartha. Can humanity redeem itself?

 

Zdiar Album Cover - The Agartha Tesseract

Coming Soon

New tunes: low-fi...lounge...chill...

In a slight change of direction I’m finishing mixing some instrumental compositions in the style of  chill/dub/lo-fi/lounge. Very mellow and melodic but uplifting, pleasant and entertaining.

 

New Single: Terra Nostra

Released:  1 October 2022

The second tune in a series of songs about journeys: about travel physical, spiritual and emotional.

Terra Nostra (our land) is an uplifting tune about the universality on our wee planet. We should be celebrating our commonalities, not bitching about our differences.

Read more about the inspiration behind the song.

 

 

A new album or a collection of songs?

I have written/composed a bundle of new songs/tunes. Are they singles or part of an album? I dunno.
They share a common theme about travel, journeys, aspirations, hopes and dreams, but you can listen to each independently.
It’s your choice.

 

 

Previous Single: Route 1

The first in a series of songs about journeys and horizons: about travel physical, spiritual and emotional.
It’s a new journey for me, into the world of smooth jazz and funk.
See if this takes you on any journeys, or reminds you of a past journey.

Read more about the inspiration behind the song.

 

About Me

I write music…..because music

I am a musician, songwriter/composer, producer/arranger and music fanatic.  Everything I do has music involved in it to some to some degree.

I am on a life long mission to indulge, learn , play, write, compose and absorb music of all types from all people, and cultures and backgrounds. Music is the universal language.

I have been inexorably drawn to music since I was a kid despite coming from a totally non musical family and having no early musical education. I didn’t start playing piano till I was 16 and didn’t write my first song till I was in my mid 20’s.

My Top Ten Everything

Actually sometimes it’s 10, sometimes it’s more, sometimes less, but you get the idea.
In this latest episode it’s…..

In previous episodes

Listen

Some example songs from my main bands/projects/personas

MY MUSIC

Zdiar Album Cover - Umbra

Umbra

An exploration into light and dark in the human condition.

Ianosu-The Space Between cover. Melodic, Mellow piano music for calm relaxation

The Space Between

Your life can change in an instant... the space between.

Brian Johnstone Album Cover - Consent Under Coercion

Consent Under Coercion

Is the human race self destructing? We seem to consent under coercion

Zdiar Album Cover - The Agartha Tesseract

The Agartha Tesseract

A journey to the utopian
world of Agartha

Brian Johnstone - Musician Logo

The Balance of Risk

Life, Love, Loss, Gain,
Fear, Greed, Dreams, Regrets

CONNECT

News (and OLDS)

Another journey

As part of my recent series of compositions about travel, the latest ‘single’ is an other instrumental featuring piano and acoustic guitar. It has a

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Brian in Bryce Canyon

The romance of travel

I am always fascinated by the romance of travel: the scenery, the natural beauty of the planet, the anticipation of arriving somewhere new. This wee

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Route 1 Playlist

Route 1 was added to a Spotify playlist called lofi jazzhop beats for reading and writing. Pianist Tom Merrall runs a few playlists and is

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My Projects/Bands

Different projects/bands give me a creative outlet for many types of music and satisfy my musical curiosity, exploration and eclecticism.

Brian Johnstone - Musician Logo

Brian Johnstone

Progressive Rock, Rock, Prog/Pop, Jazz Fusion, Ambient...whatever I feel like

Zdiar Band Logo: Electronic, Cinematic, Compositional Ambient

Zdiar

Electronic, Cinematic,
Compositional Ambient

Ianosu Artist Logo: Melodic, Mellow, Solo piano music

Ianosu

Solo Piano, Melodic, Mellow, Minimalist

Featured Composition

Track: No Words
Artist/Project : Ianosu
Album: The Space Between

In times of loss or grief people often feel the need to say something sympathetic. At my mothers funeral someone looked me in the eye and said. ‘No words’ That was so powerful …and somewhat ironic.

The sentiment was right on though. Sometimes emotions can be transmitted via something more powerful than words: including music. Music has a communicative and transforming power that is totally unique. In my opinion no other art form has the ability to touch and join humans in such binding positivity.

What They Say

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