The Remote Viewer

The UK duo of Craig Tattersall and Andrew Johnson, both formerly of Hood and Famous Boyfriend, crafts meticulously treated melancholic pop that fuses the mood of early-90s miserablism with the precision of present-day electronica. Their understated yet absorbing work evokes dub’s treatment of the recording studio itself as an instrument, with tracks subjected to warping, glitching and subtle distortion. Although the Remote Viewer’s self-titled debut contained ten untitled pieces, the follow-up mini-album Quiet Is The New Loud—issued before Kings Of Convenience used the same name—articulated Tattersall and Johnson’s approach to music-making. Here I Go Again On My Own extended that approach, blending micro-beats, restrained melodies and, at times, quiet minimalist vocals supplied by Nicola Hodgkinson of Empress. Outside their own recordings, both musicians contributed to the production of Mogwai’s Rock Action.

Operating under their present name, the pair has issued material through Leeds-based 555 Recordings, Domino and the Anglo-Germanic imprint City Centre Offices. Despite the literate and delicate character of their output, their debut performance as the Remote Viewer took place in Paris, where Johnson and Tattersall reportedly played tracks from MiniDisc while consuming crisps and beer.