Bernard Szajner
Often described as the “French Brian Eno”, and like his British counterpart he has a parallel career as a successful visual artist. Before he started recording music he established himself as the mastermind behind innovative lighting effects for Gong, Magma, Pierre Henry, Oliver Messiasen, Stomu Yamashta and The Who. Later he became a pioneer in laser technology and robotics, inspired in 1980 by Samuel Delany’s novel Nova to create a laser harp which he used live on stage. He also collaborated with Howard Devoto of Magazine, and with Karel Beer in iconoclastic new wave outfit The (Hypothetical) Prophets. He has recently returned to making music after a long absence, inspired by the praise of musicians he has inspired such as Detroit techno icon Carl Craig, who cites Szajner’s music as being in his “all time top ten”.