John Robert Olson
Also known asInzane Johnny, Spykes
GenresNoise, Experimental rock, avant-garde
Years active1992-present
LabelsAmerican Tapes, Hanson Records

John Olson is an American experimental musician, visual artist and writer from Detroit, Michigan. Olson is mostly known for his involvement with the noise rock band Wolf Eyes. His music is often made with handmade woodwind and brass instruments, various electronics, usually processed using effect units.[1][2][3]

Biography

In an interview with City Pulse, Olson said he was inspired to begin playing music after being invited to a punk gig in their hometown of Lansing, Michigan.[4] In 1991, John Olson started the label American Tapes.[5] Olson was a founding member of the band Universal Indians in 1993.[6]

In 2000 he joined Wolf Eyes, after his bandmate from Universal Indians, Aaron Dilloway, invited him for a studio session.[3][7]

In 2003, he started the duo Dead Machines along with his wife Tovah Olson (née O'Rourke). This went on to become Olson's most successful project after Wolf Eyes.[8]

In 2016, he published Life Is a Ripoff, a book of 365 record reviews, on Third Man Books. The reviews included range from extreme metal to obscure Christian records.[9]

Olson's Instagram account Inzanejohnny has gained popularity for its "chaotic shitposting",[10] the leading alternative weekly newspaper Now to call Olson "some sort of bizarro influencer."[11]

American Tapes

Olson started the American Tapes label in 1991, which publishes Olson's own music and the music of other experimental artists. As of 2007, the label had over 700 releases.[5] The label is known for the unique design of the tape cases, made of various media collages and abstract shapes and also their elaborate packaging in early days.[12] Due to their limited runs of releases, the label became a target for collectors.

References

  1. ↑ Pursley, Mike. ""Cats Need to Lighten Up": An Interview with Wolf Eyes, PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Universal Eyes/Wolf Eyes – Two Civilized Centers (Lower Floor, 2018) ***½". The Free Jazz Collective. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Cimarusti, Luca (September 12, 2019). "Wolf Eyes are experimental music's most prolific act—and most prolific meme makers". Chicago Reader. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  4. ↑ Ashley, Skyler. "Favorite Things: John Olson of Wolf Eyes and his original Jesus Figs demo". City Pulse. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Freak Scene #19: American Tapes". The FADER. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Universal Indians | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  7. ↑ Haddad, Natalie (September 8, 2018). "Pioneers of Michigan's Noise Scene Return to Their Land". Hyperallergic. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Dead Machines: Futures". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Wolf Eyes on Detroit: 'You can walk a block from our studio and see a war zone'". the Guardian. April 3, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Wolf Eyes' John Olson Tells Exclaim! How He Became the King of Instagram Memes | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  11. ↑ Flanagan, Nick (February 22, 2019). "Wolf Eyes find bizarre fame on Instagram and it feels weirdly right". NOW Magazine. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  12. ↑ Raymer, Miles (November 9, 2007). "John Olson: American weirdo". Chicago Reader. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
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