The Madison-based musician prepares three releases from his ambient project, John Praw.
John Kruse played a very active role in Madison’s music community during the late oughts and early 2000s, playing in bands including Pushmi-Pullyu, Fambly Fun, and Nude Human. On top of that, he ran an ambitious web label called Mine All Mine Records, booked a regular show series at the now-defunct Dragonfly Lounge in downtown Madison, and organized a festival called the Lost City Music Festival in 2012 and 2013.
But for the last few years, Kruse has largely pulled back from those activities, focusing on the ambient music he makes by himself under the name John Praw and helping to put out a few releases from other musicians on the Other Obscura label. He also founded The Discard, a website that covers Magic: The Gathering.
He’s now getting ready to put out his first new music in several years, a trio of John Praw releases—the EP Necromancy and the full-length albums Scions Of Light And Darkness and JP2—that will also serve as a benefit for a friend who’s been going through a series of medical emergencies. Kruse sat down with me recently to talk about his recent work and where he’s been the past few years.
Give the conversation a listen here, or subscribe to the Tone Madison podcast on Apple Podcasts. If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and consider supporting us financially with a one-time or recurring donation.
