{{short description|American musician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Danz CM | image = Danz CM performing at Echoplex in Los Angeles, CA in October 2025.jpg | image_size = 220 | landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank --> | alt = Danz CM (Computer Magic) | caption = Danz CM performing at Echoplex in Los Angeles, CA in October 2025. | birth_name = Danielle Johnson<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/905508013 |title=HUDSON |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=August 3, 2024}}</ref> | alias = Danz, Danzie, Danz CM, Computer Magic | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|year=1989|month=02|day=20}} | birth_place = Rock Hill, New York, United States | origin = New York City, United States | death_date = <!-- {{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date 1st) --> | death_place = | genre = Synthpop, indie rock, electronic, experimental, alternative | occupation = {{hlist|Musician|singer-songwriter|composer|record producer|founder of Synth History and Channel 9 Records}} | instrument = Vocals, synthesizer, sampler, bass synth, drum machine, guitar | years_active = 2010–present | label = Channel 9 Records, P-Vine, Tugboat, Kitsuné | associated_acts = Cody & Danz | website = {{URL|zdanz.com}} }} '''Danz CM''' (born Danielle Johnson, February 20, 1989) is an American record producer, songwriter, composer, singer, graphic designer and the founder of the indie record label Channel 9 Records and the media brand Synth History.<ref name="Channel 9 Records">{{cite web |title=About – Channel 9 Records |url=https://channel9records.com/pages/about |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201212163627/https://channel9records.com/pages/about |archive-date=2020-12-12 |website=archive.is |date=December 12, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Synth History">{{cite web |title=ABOUT {{!}} Synth History |url=https://www.synthhistory.com/about |date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212163211/https://www.synthhistory.com/about |archive-date=December 12, 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Official site">{{cite web |title=ABOUT {{!}} danz / computermagic |url=https://www.zdanz.com/about |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201212162622/https://www.zdanz.com/about |archive-date=2020-12-12 |website=archive.is |date=December 12, 2020}}</ref>
From 2010 until mid 2020, Danz used the moniker '''Computer Magic''', a name derived from a quote by Viv Savage in ''This Is Spinal Tap'': "quite exciting this computer magic!".<ref name="Philthy Mag">{{cite web |title=Computer Magic's Sugar-Coated, Sonic Science Fiction {{!}} Philthy Mag |url=http://www.philthymag.com/computer-magics-sugar-coated-sonic-science-fiction/ |date=December 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227040414/http://www.philthymag.com/computer-magics-sugar-coated-sonic-science-fiction/ |archive-date=December 27, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Adequacy">{{cite web |title=Q&A with Computer Magic: DOA |url=http://www.adequacy.net/2012/04/qa-with-computer-magic/ |date=April 21, 2012|url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421042336/http://www.adequacy.net/2012/04/qa-with-computer-magic/ |archive-date=April 21, 2012 }}</ref> In August 2020, she announced that she changed her moniker to Danz CM.<ref name="W Magazine">{{cite web |title=The Musicians Using Fashion as a Platform for Radical Self-Expression {{!}} W Magazine {{!}} Women's Fashion & Celebrity News |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/musicians-fashion-tim-walker-portfolio-music-issue-2020/ |date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831174705/https://www.wmagazine.com/story/musicians-fashion-tim-walker-portfolio-music-issue-2020/ |archive-date=August 31, 2020 }}</ref>
Danz writes, produces, records and releases her own music, which Allmusic describes as "spacy, sci-fi influenced synth pop".<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web |title=Computer Magic {{!}} Biography & History |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/computer-magic-mn0002553504/biography |website=AllMusic |language=en-us}}</ref> She has released 4 studio albums (''Davos'' in 2015, ''Danz'' in 2018, ''The Absurdity of Human Existence'' in 2021, and ''Berlin Tokyo Shopping Mall Elevator'' in 2023), 2 compilations (''Super Rare'' in 2017, ''Covers, Vol. 1'' in 2020), a string of EPs and singles, plus Japan edition albums.
== Life and career == === Early life and beginnings === Danz was born and raised in the Catskill Mountains area in upstate New York, in both Rock Hill and Woodridge.<ref name="Stereogum - Band to Watch">{{cite web |title=Band To Watch: Computer Magic – Stereogum |url=http://www.stereogum.com/426572/band-to-watch-computer-magic/franchises/band-to-watch/ |date=January 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123071358/http://www.stereogum.com/426572/band-to-watch-computer-magic/franchises/band-to-watch/ |archive-date=January 23, 2019 }}</ref><ref name="Stereogum - Be Fair premiere">{{cite web |title=Computer Magic – "Be Fair" (Stereogum Premiere) |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1824606/computer-magic-be-fair-stereogum-premiere/ |date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212161405/https://www.stereogum.com/1824606/computer-magic-be-fair-stereogum-premiere/ |archive-date=December 12, 2020 }}</ref> She attended Monticello Public High School. Her mother a social worker, father a handyman and stepfather a mechanic, music and the arts had an unexplained appeal for her at an early age. At 15 she started music blogging and as a teenager she would collect vinyl with money she earned as a pizza counter person.<ref name="Audio Technica JP">{{cite web |title=宅録アーティスト「Computer Magic」のベッドルームより.シティ散歩、チャイナタウンの遊び場、宇宙スポット |url=https://www.audio-technica.co.jp/always-listening/articles/computer-magic/ |website=Always Listening by Audio-Technica(オーディオテクニカ) |access-date=14 March 2021 |language=ja |date=22 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="Danz CM About">{{cite web |title= Danz CM About|url=https://www.zdanz.com/about |website= Official Site |access-date=24 April 2023|date=24 April 2023}}</ref> She maintained a music blog named ''Mewzick'' from November 2006 until January 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mewzick |url=http://youlovemymewzick.blogspot.com/ |date=February 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208122307/http://youlovemymewzick.blogspot.com/ |archive-date=February 8, 2010 }}</ref> From July 2009<ref>{{cite web |title=zDanz |url=http://zdanz.com/ |date=July 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717015546/http://zdanz.com/ |archive-date=July 17, 2009 }}</ref> until July 2016<ref>{{cite web |title=zDanz {{!}} Danz or Danzie's site about music and the like. |url=https://zdanz.com/ |date=August 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830082655/https://zdanz.com/ |archive-date=August 30, 2017 }}</ref> she blogged on her site zDanz.
At the age of 18, she moved to New York City to attend Hunter College as an affordable alternative to art school.<ref name="Danz CM About" /><ref name="Stereogum - Band to Watch" /> According to Danz, she was a "pretty terrible student", trying to afford rent and the expensive city living by working late nights at restaurants and DJing.<ref name="Vogue">{{cite web |title=Computer Magic's Danielle Johnson Breaks the Glass Ceiling for Female Producers – Vogue |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/computer-magic-danielle-johnson-glass-ceiling |date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622041213/https://www.vogue.com/article/computer-magic-danielle-johnson-glass-ceiling |archive-date=June 22, 2017 }}</ref> She was withdrawn from all her classes because of too many absences.<ref name="Danz's Message on Facebook">{{cite web |title=Computer Magic – I just wanted to take a moment to be real... {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/100045383345341/posts/218504826338961 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201206185929/https://www.facebook.com/100045383345341/posts/218504826338961 |archive-date=2020-12-06 |website=archive.is |date=December 6, 2020}}</ref>
=== Career as Computer Magic (2010–2020) === thumb|Computer Magic at TNT Backstory Lounge, Brooklyn 6/10/2017 In 2010 at the age of 21, Danz moved in with her mother who had relocated to Florida.<ref name="Danz's Message on Facebook" /> Unsure what she wanted to do career-wise, she applied for many jobs at restaurants but couldn't get one despite having experience at many New York City restaurants.<ref name="Danz's Message on Facebook" /> In her downtime, she downloaded the DAW Ableton Live. She discovered she was able to make music by ear and learned on her own how to produce music.<ref name=" Danz CM About" /><ref name="Danz's Message on Facebook" /> One of the first songs she completed was "Running", done in a closet on a laptop with a cheap microphone.<ref name="Danz's Message on Facebook" /> She reminisced about her first attempts at making music: "I remember showing my mom the music I made and she was like 'How did you do this?' I just thought everyone could write music. I didn't know anything I did was special. It was kind of hard for me to believe. It was like a lightbulb went off after that. I would just make one song after the next and put it up online. And I realized – geez, maybe this is what I was meant to do all along."<ref name="Danz's Message on Facebook" />
She picked the moniker Computer Magic, a name derived from a quote by Viv Savage in ''This Is Spinal Tap'': "quite exciting this computer magic!".<ref name="Philthy Mag" /><ref name="Adequacy" /> Talking about her moniker, Danz said: "In the beginning I didn't know what to call myself... I was so sure no one would believe it was just one person making the music, this was like ten years ago when there weren't as many bedroom pop artists, wanted to incite the idea that it was a band, so I named it Computer Magic. I wanted to detract the attention from myself."<ref name="Danz's Message on Facebook" />
In 2010, she returned to New York City and worked retail and restaurants again, but this time making music on the side.<ref name="Danz's Message on Facebook" /> She started releasing her own songs as free download on her sites ''zDanz'' and ''TheComputerMagic''<ref>{{cite web |title=Computer Magic |url=http://thecomputermagic.com/ |date=July 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727143717/http://thecomputermagic.com/ |archive-date=July 27, 2010 }}</ref> and compiled those songs on various EPs: ''Hiding From Our Time'' (2010), ''Hiding From More of Our Time'' (2010), ''Electronic Fences'' (2011), ''Get a Job'' (2011), ''Spectronic'' (2011), ''Orion'' (2012, released through Kitsune), ''A Million Years / Another Science'' (2013), ''Extra Stuff'' (2014), ''Dreams of Better Days'' (2015).
In 2011, she contributed with a cover of the song "Take It or Leave It" by The Strokes for the Stereogum-curated cover album ''Stereogum Presents... Stroked: A Tribute to Is This It''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stereogum Presents... STROKED: A Tribute To Is This It |url=https://www.stereogum.com/767531/stroked-tribute-to-is-this-it/original-albums/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=25 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814203701/https://www.stereogum.com/767531/stroked-tribute-to-is-this-it/original-albums/ |archive-date=14 August 2020 |language=en |date=26 July 2011}}</ref> In the same year she was featured on ''New Band of the Week'' on The Guardian<ref name="The Guardian">{{cite web |title=No 1,040: Computer Magic {{!}} Electronic music {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/09/new-band-computer-magic |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201206173447/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/09/new-band-computer-magic |archive-date=2020-12-06 |website=archive.is |date=December 6, 2020}}</ref> and on the ''Radar Tip of the Day'' column on NME.<ref name="NME">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213204921/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/radar-tip-of-the-day-26-computer-magic-774894 |archive-date=2020-12-13 |title=Radar Tip Of The Day 26: Computer Magic |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/radar-tip-of-the-day-26-computer-magic-774894 |website=NME |access-date=13 December 2020 |date=4 April 2011}}</ref>
Her debut studio album, ''Davos'', was released on October 16, 2015 via her own record label, Channel 9 Records, founded with profits from music licensing. About founding the label Danz said, "Instead of waiting around for the perfect deal, I self-released my music. I designed my own album artwork, booked my own shows until I found a booking agent, took my own promo photos, etc. Eventually I thought to myself, 'Hey, why can't I just start my own label?' I was doing a lot of stuff a label would be doing anyway."<ref name="Channel 9 Records"/> She wrote all songs off this album, except "All Day" credited to her, Brian Robertson and Brian Hancock III.<ref name="Davos credits">{{cite web |title=Davos |url=https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0105/4542/products/computermagic-davos2.jpg |date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212170356/https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0105/4542/products/computermagic-davos2.jpg |archive-date=December 12, 2020 }}</ref><ref name="i-D Magazine">{{cite web |title=computer magic's sci-fi synth pop is already big in japan – i-D |url=https://i-d.co/article/computer-magics-sci-fi-synth-pop-is-already-big-in-japan/ |date=January 23, 2019|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123010615/https://i-d.vice.com/en_us/article/d3v5mx/computer-magics-sci-fi-synth-pop-is-already-big-in-japan |archive-date=January 23, 2019 }}</ref> Most of the production, engineering and mixing was done by Atomic Heart Studios in New York, NY by Claudius Mittendorfer.<ref name="Davos credits" /> The title ''Davos'' is a homage to a now-decrepit ski resort where she grew up in upstate New York, where her father worked, although the ski resort closed when she was 3 years old.<ref name="i-D Magazine" /><ref name="Milk">{{cite web |title=Premiere: Blast Into Space W/ Computer Magic's New Vid {{!}} Milk |work=Milk |url=https://mi.lk/feature/4342-premiere-blast-into-space-w-computer-magic-s-new-vid/ |date=September 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920011704/https://mi.lk/feature/4342-premiere-blast-into-space-w-computer-magic-s-new-vid/ |archive-date=September 20, 2015 }}</ref> Three music videos were released to promote this album: "Be Fair" (filmed in Trona Pinnacles<ref name="Milk" />), "Hudson", and "Fuzz".
On October 7, 2016, she released the ''Obscure but Visible EP'' on Channel 9 Records. About the EP she has said, "I think the general feeling for the EP was an open one. In a way, I wanted it to feel lighthearted. I tried to showcase a few different songwriting styles of what I do, too."<ref>{{cite web |title=Stream Computer Magic Obscure But Visible EP |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1903411/stream-computer-magic-obscure-but-visible-ep/premiere/ |website=Stereogum |language=en |date=October 5, 2016}}</ref> She made music videos for 4 songs from this EP: "Dimensions", "Gone for the Weekend", "Lonely Like We Are", and "Been Waiting".
In 2017, Danz and the musician Cody Crump collaborated on a side project called Cody & Danz. They released the EP ''Only the Hits'' on July 14, 2017, on Channel 9 Records digitally and on a limited edition cassette.<ref>{{cite web |title=Computer Magic and Cody Crump stream collab EP Only The Hits [405 Premiere] |url=https://www.thefourohfive.com/music/article/computer-magic-and-cody-crump-stream-collab-ep-only-the-hits-405-premiere-149 |date=July 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729225958/https://www.thefourohfive.com/music/article/computer-magic-and-cody-crump-stream-collab-ep-only-the-hits-405-premiere-149 |archive-date=July 29, 2017 }}</ref> They made music videos for the songs "Make It in America" and "So Small".
On December 15, 2017, Danz released the compilation ''Super Rare'' on Channel 9 Records, which included early tracks, Japan exclusives and rarities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Computer Magic – Super Rare |url=https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/97371-computer-magic-super-rare.php |website=Album of The Year}}</ref>
On February 23, 2018, Computer Magic released her second album, ''Danz'', titled after her nickname, on Channel 9 Records. According to her, this album is her most personal out of any other record she made. She drew inspiration from her life and characters from films or books. ''Danz'' was supported by four music videos, "Amnesia", "Ordinary Life (Message from an A.I. Girlfriend)" (with a concept by Danz and the director Anise Mariko),<ref name="The Electricity Club">{{cite web |title=A Short Conversation with COMPUTER MAGIC – THE ELECTRICITY CLUB |url=http://www.electricityclub.co.uk/a-short-conversation-with-computer-magic/ |date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212194405/http://www.electricityclub.co.uk/a-short-conversation-with-computer-magic/ |archive-date=December 12, 2020 }}</ref> "Perfect Game", and "Clouds".
On March 20, 2020, she released the compilation ''COVERS 2010–20'', later renamed ''Covers, Vol. 1'' which consists of 6 cover versions of songs by No Doubt, Mac DeMarco, Sun Ra, Mark James (famously performed by Elvis Presley), Julee Cruise, and Raf (famously covered by Laura Branigan).<ref>{{cite web |title=COVERS 2010–20, by Computer Magic |url=https://computermagic.bandcamp.com/album/covers-2010-20 |website=Computer Magic |access-date=December 6, 2020 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206100638/https://computermagic.bandcamp.com/album/covers-2010-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== Career as Danz CM (2020–present) === In August 2020, Danz announced on W Magazine that she had changed her alias from Computer Magic to Danz CM.<ref name="W Magazine" /> Discussing on her official Facebook page the reasons of the moniker change, she mentioned: "I wanted to change it because I outgrew Computer Magic. I outgrew the shy bedroom pop girl a long time ago. Computer Magic might mean something different to you, but to me it represents a skin that I need to shed. So if Charmander is like Computer Magic, Charizard is Danz CM. I kept the CM in there. I hope that makes the change easier. It's not a rebranding it is just me growing."<ref name="Danz's Message on Facebook" />
Her third studio album, ''The Absurdity of Human Existence'', was released on March 12, 2021 on Channel 9 Records. Danz wrote, produced and recorded the album, Claudius Mittendorfer mixed it and Joe LaPorta mastered it.<ref name="Alt Citizen">{{cite web |title=Death Valley has become the stage to Danz CM's new lease of life {{!}} Alt Citizen |url=http://altcitizen.com/death-valley-has-become-the-stage-to-danz-cms-new-lease-of-life/ |date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212152719/http://altcitizen.com/death-valley-has-become-the-stage-to-danz-cms-new-lease-of-life/ |archive-date=December 12, 2020 }}</ref> Speaking about the album, Danz said that she went through an existential crisis: she experienced feelings of self-doubt, went through an extreme low, was about to break and contemplated the human existence. All that inspired her to write "songs of sadness, songs about falling in love, songs about death, songs about wanting something more out of life." According to her, "it was diving both the deepest I could go emotionally meanwhile perfecting every sound – listening repeatedly to every second, making sure it was perfect and pushing myself."<ref name="Alt Citizen" />
The first single and music video (filmed in Death Valley<ref name="Alt Citizen" />) from ''Absurdity'', "Idea of You", premiered on YouTube on December 11, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Danz CM – Idea of You (Official Video) |website = YouTube| date=December 10, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kO01dl2ow8}}</ref> The next single, "Domino", was released on January 22, 2021,<ref>{{cite web |title=Domino |url=https://soundcloud.com/danzcm/domino |access-date=27 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref> followed by "Something More" on February 12, and "I Don't Need a Hero" on March 5.
Her fourth studio album, ''Berlin Tokyo Shopping Mall Elevator'', was released on March 31, 2023 on Channel 9 Records. Danz wrote, produced, recorded, mixed and mastered the album, which contains some music she composed specifically for her Synth History podcast. According to the album liner notes, it is "a mainly experimental and instrumental LP, inspired by the universe, the electromagnetic spectrum, sound, space, time, frozen pizza and driving on the autobahn." The album includes the song "Fast Cars" in both English and German as "Schnelle Autos".<ref>{{cite web |title=Berlin Tokyo Shopping Mall Elevator Liner Notes |url=https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0516/0026/1301/products/BACK_MOCK_NEW_1024x1024@2x.jpg?v=1680268316 |access-date=25 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Scoring Work ===
In 2020, Danz composed and produced the score for ''The Map'', a documentary short about a major redesign of the New York City subway map directed by Gary Hustwit. The soundtrack was released digitally via Channel 9 Records in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Map |url=https://www.the-modernist.org/news/2020/10/21/the-map |website=the modernist |access-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202011612/https://www.the-modernist.org/news/2020/10/21/the-map |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2022, Danz composed and produced the score for the cosmic horror short film ''While Mortals Sleep'' directed by Alex Fofonoff. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web |title=IMDB While Mortals Sleep |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16390818/ |website=IMDB}}</ref> In comparison to her previous works, the score for While Mortals Sleep moves away into less tangible, more atmospheric territory.<ref>{{cite web |title=5 Against 4 While Mortals Sleep Score Review |url=https://5against4.com/2023/01/16/danz-cm-while-mortals-sleep-original-score/ |website=5against4|date=January 16, 2023 }}</ref> The soundtrack was released on limited edition cassette tape via Channel 9 Records.<ref>{{cite web |title=WMS Cassette |url=https://channel9records.com/products/while-mortals-sleep-original-soundtrack-danz-cm-cassette-pre-order |website=Channel 9 Records}}</ref>
== Other projects == thumb|Computer Magic at TNT Backstory Lounge, Brooklyn 6/10/2017
=== Channel 9 Records === In 2015, she started her own New York based record label, Channel 9 Records, to release merchandise and her own music on limited edition vinyls and cassettes. She originally funded the label with money she made from licensing her songs to commercials. As of 2021, Channel 9 Records is based in Los Angeles.
Danz is an avid collector of vinyl and states, "As a person who truly values the tangibility of music, it's important for me to have my songs available in some kind of physical form.<ref name="Channel 9 Records"/>
=== Synth History === In 2020, Danz founded the media brand '''Synth History''' after the success of her Instagram page of the same name.<ref name="Synth History on Instagram">{{cite web |title=Synth History on Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/synth_history/ |website=www.instagram.com |access-date=20 December 2020}}</ref> The brand encompasses a website, independently published magazine, podcast, and curated playlists.
The magazine contains curated interviews conducted by Danz, with various pioneering and contemporary figures in the music world. Past interview features have included John Carpenter,<ref name="John Carpenter on Modern Software Synths">{{cite web |title=John Carpenter on Modern Software Synths |url=https://musictech.com/news/gear/john-carpenter-reveals-love-of-software-synths-forbidden-planet/ |website=www.musictech.com |access-date=12 October 2022}}</ref> Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Fatboy Slim,<ref name="Fatboy Slim claims Modern Music Tech Lacks Limitations">{{cite web |title=Fatboy Slim claims Modern Music Tech Lacks Limitations |url=https://mixmag.net/read/fatboy-slim-reveals-he-cant-use-the-latest-music-tech-i-just-sit-and-go-pfft-where-do-you-start-tech |website=www.mixmag.net |access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref> Oneohtrix Point Never, James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, Vince Clarke of Depeche Mode and Yazoo, Mark Mothersbaugh of DEVO,<ref name="Interview With Mark Mothersbaugh">{{cite web |title=Interview With Mark Mothersbaugh|url=https://www.synthhistory.com/post/interview-with-mark-mothersbaugh |website=www.synthhistory.com |date=September 27, 2023 |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref> Rick Wakeman of Yes, Suzanne Ciani, Pete Townshend of The Who, Chromeo, Gary Numan and others.<ref name="Synth History: Issue 1">{{cite web |title=Synth History: Issue 1 on Antenne Books|url=https://www.antennebooks.com/product/synth-history-zine/ |website=www.antennebooks.com |access-date=15 October 2022}}</ref>
Danz narratives, writes, edits, produces and composes the score for the Synth History limited narrative podcast series. The first episode was released in August 2020 on musician and composer Wendy Carlos, the second was released in March 2022 on Roland founder Ikutaro Kakehashi, and the third episode was released in March 2023 on Oscillators. It was the first to contain any recorded interviews, these included astrophysicist Joel Green of the Space Telescope Science Institute, physicist Max Katz, and vice president of product development at Moog Music, Steve Dunnington. The guests talk about various oscillations that occur in the universe, accompanied by Danz's sound design and musical score. Throughout eight chapters, the episode references topics like mechanical waves, the electromagnetic spectrum, frequency, sine waves, harmonics, black holes, wolf-rayet stars, gravitational waves, piezoelectricity, crystal oscillators, vacuum tubes, Voltage-Controlled Oscillators, Fourier analysis, simple harmonic motion, neural oscillations, neutrino oscillation, and Harmony of the Spheres. The last chapter is titled ''One Big Harmonic Oscillator'' in reference to the cyclic model.<ref name="Synth History: Oscillators">{{cite web |title=Synth History: Oscillators Transcript|url=https://8c9e81c3-fe41-40c1-817e-b9e06a589d94.usrfiles.com/ugd/8c9e81_45fb64e0666b4b438d62e0cb0f5b868c.pdf |website=www.synthhistory.com |access-date=25 April 2023}}</ref>
The episodes are released intermittently. About this, Danz has stated: "It turned into a lot of research and work... It's pretty much just me doing everything. With the podcast, there are some people that have reviewed it saying, 'These podcasts take too long [to come out].' And I'm thinking, oh my god, it's just me writing, recording, composing all the music to it. It's a lot to do..."<ref name="The Alternative" />
The brand also encompasses Spotify playlists that she compiles with different themes related to synthesizers.<ref name="Synth History" />
In June 2024, Danz announced a collaboration with The Criterion Channel, the ''Synth Soundtracks'' program, consisting of films that have relevant scores featuring the synthesizer, including Michael Mann's Thief with a score by Tangerine Dream, Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange with a score by Wendy Carlos, Dario Argento's Tenebre with a score by Goblin members Claudio Simonetti, Fabio Pignatelli, and Massimo Morante, Andrei Tarkovsky's Solaris with a score by Eduard Artemyev, etc.<ref name="Synth Soundtracks on Criterion">{{cite web |date=25 June 2024 |title=The Evolution of Synth Soundtracks |url=https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/8515-the-evolution-of-synth-soundtracks |access-date=29 July 2024 |website=Criterion}}</ref>
=== Commercial work === Danz has composed and produced numerous songs for commercials in Japan for companies such as Panasonic, Body Mainte, and two separate commercials for Kewpie Mayo and Sesame Dressing.<ref>[http://publicrhythm.com/18517 "Public Rhythm – Computer MagicがPanasonicのCMソングを書き下ろし"] August 8, 2015. Retrieved December 26, 2015.<br />- [http://thecomputermagic.com/post/82915717707/qp-commercial-in-japan "Official Site – QP Commercial in Japan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091501/http://thecomputermagic.com/post/82915717707/qp-commercial-in-japan |date=March 4, 2016 }} December 8, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2015.</ref>
One of the first songs she ever wrote, "Running (Hiding Version)", was used in two separate television commercials for Aria Resort and Casino and Lexus.<ref>[http://www.adbreakanthems.com/sync-of-the-month/july-15-lexus-international-strobe/ "Lexus International Strobe – Ad Break Anthems"] July 15, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.[http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7ffl/aria-hotel-and-casino-flowers-song-by-computer-magic "Aria Hotel and Casino 'Flowers'"] May 25, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.</ref>
Her music has been featured in the TV shows Never Have I Ever on Netflix, The Sex Lives of College Girls on HBOMax, Charmed and The Flash on The CW and others.<ref>[https://www.tunefind.com/artist/danz-cm "Danz CM Sync Placements"] Retrieved April 25th, 2023></ref>
She has modeled clothes for Sofia Coppola's Japanese clothing company Milkfed,<ref>[http://p-vine.jp/news/20131028-115518 "Computer MagicがアパレルブランドMILKFED.の2013 HOLIDAYアンバサダーに就任!!"] October 28, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2013.</ref> and in 2017 was in the fall catalog for the skate clothing brand X-Girl, founded by Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon in the 1990s.<ref>[https://snobette.com/2017/08/x-girl-features-computer-girl-lookbook-fall-2017/ "X-Girl Features Computer Magic 2017 Fall Lookbook"] September 11, 2017</ref>
== Style and influences == Danz sings, writes, produces, and records her own music,<ref name="Official site" /><ref name="Biography">{{cite web |title=ABOUT {{!}} computermagic |url=https://www.thecomputermagic.com/about |date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031092713/https://www.thecomputermagic.com/about |archive-date=October 31, 2020 }}</ref> described as "spacy, sci-fi-influenced synth pop" by Allmusic<ref name="Allmusic" /> and "as otherworldly cosmic pop" by The Fader.<ref name="The FADER">{{cite web |title=Computer Magic Shares Tone Setting Second Single, "Fuzz" {{!}} The FADER |url=http://www.thefader.com/2015/09/18/computer-magic-fuzz-premiere |date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212154931/http://www.thefader.com/2015/09/18/computer-magic-fuzz-premiere |archive-date=December 12, 2020 }}</ref> She has maintained success in Japan and has gained a cult following in the United States.<ref name="i-D Magazine" /><ref name="Wonderland Magazine">{{cite web |title=Audio Premiere: Stone Cold Fox – "Change My Mind (Computer Magic Remix)" – Wonderland Magazine – Wonderland Magazine |url=http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2016/03/audio-premiere-stone-cold-fox-change-mind-computer-magic-remix/ |date=March 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311094022/http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2016/03/audio-premiere-stone-cold-fox-change-mind-computer-magic-remix/ |archive-date=March 11, 2016 }}</ref> Attracting science fiction enthusiasts, she often performs or takes press photos in space suits with backdrops reminiscent of NASA base camps.<ref name="Vogue" /> thumb|Danz CM performing at Echoplex in Los Angeles, CA in October 2025. Danz is a self-described synthesizer nerd.<ref name="Synth History" /> Her first synthesizer was a MicroKORG.<ref name="The Alternative">{{cite web |title=The Alternative |url=https://www.getalternative.com/interview-danz-cm-synths/ |date=April 18, 2023}}</ref> In 2018, she was featured in the artist spotlight by Dave Smith and Sequential for using the Prophet 6 analog desktop synthesizer module.<ref name="Sequential">{{cite web |title=Sequential |url=https://www.sequential.com/computer-magic/ |date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212155552/https://www.sequential.com/computer-magic/ |archive-date=December 12, 2020 }}</ref> In 2020, she featured on the Moog site for using a Moog Subsequent 25 analog synthesizer to craft an instrumental piece.<ref>{{cite web |title=Crafting a Track with Danz CM – Subsequent 25 – Moog |url=https://www.moogmusic.com/media/crafting-track-danz-cm-subsequent-25 |website=Moog}}</ref> In 2024, she visited the Moog Factory in Asheville to build her own Minimoog.<ref>{{cite web |title=Inside the Moog Factory with Synth History's Danz CM|url=https://www.moogmusic.com/media/inside-moog-factory-synth-historys-danz-cm |website=Moog}}</ref>
Danz grew up listening to Radiohead, Belle & Sebastian, and Ladytron.<ref name="Vapor95">{{cite web |title=ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: DanZ CM |url=https://vapor95.com/blogs/darknet/artist-spotlight-danz-cm |website=Vapor95 |date=January 16, 2020 |access-date=15 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808150030/https://vapor95.com/blogs/darknet/artist-spotlight-danz-cm |archive-date=8 August 2020}}</ref> She considers Paul McCartney, Trent Reznor, David Bowie, and Thom Yorke as the main songwriters she looks up to.<ref name="Vapor95" /> Her musical influences also include Gary Numan, Broadcast, New Order, Giorgio Moroder, Stereolab, Can, Herbie Hancock, and music genres such as New Wave, Italo Disco, Krautrock.<ref name="Vapor95" /> She also lists the science fiction author Philip K. Dick, and the science fiction films ''Barbarella'', ''Logan's Run'' and ''2001: A Space Odyssey'' as further influences.<ref name="Official site" /><ref name="Biography" /><ref name="CinemaSpartan">{{cite web |title=Interview w/ Computer Magic - CinemaSpartan.com |url=http://www.cinemaspartan.com/computermagic/ |date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419065718/http://www.cinemaspartan.com/computermagic/ |archive-date=April 19, 2019 }}</ref><ref name="The Seventh Hex">{{cite web |title=Computer Magic Interview — The Seventh Hex |url=http://theseventhhex.com/post/98304172540/computer-magic-interview |date=October 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026001758/http://theseventhhex.com/post/98304172540/computer-magic-interview |archive-date=October 26, 2017 }}</ref>
Having learned how to produce, mix and master her music, found a record label, found a media brand, and more on her own, Danz often champions the DIY approach. In a 2023 interview she stated: "I didn't go to school for music. I never had any kind of music lesson in my life. When I was first producing in Ableton, I didn't even know that's what it was called — that what I was doing was called "producing." When I first started making music, I'd wonder why my voice sounded too quiet, or why my song didn't sound as loud as other people's songs, then I learned about mastering, EQing, and compression just by using the internet and watching YouTube videos. Anything is possible if you just take the time to research how to do it and try."<ref name="The Alternative" />
== Popularity in Japan == Danz has a devoted and avid following in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |title=TOUR DIARY: From Osaka to Tokyo, Take a Trip Through Japan With Computer Magic – Ones To Watch |url=https://www.onestowatch.com/blog/tour-diary-from-osaka-to-tokyo-take-a-trip |date=December 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202003833/https://www.onestowatch.com/blog/tour-diary-from-osaka-to-tokyo-take-a-trip |archive-date=December 2, 2020 }}</ref> The music video for "Lonely Like We Are", which presents images from one of her tours in Japan, was dedicated to her Japanese fans and labels.<ref>{{cite web |title=Computer Magic – Lonely Like We Are (Japan Tour Video) |website = YouTube| date=May 3, 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2zg9q3iweE}}</ref> She released 6 albums in Japan with Tugboat Records and P-Vine Records. Many of the Japanese versions include bonus tracks specifically for that territory. Her first Japanese release, ''Scientific Experience'', debuted at #5 on the iTunes Japanese Electronic Music Chart.<ref>{{cite web |title=Computer Magic – Scientific Experience Debut at number 5 in Japan! – Scientific Experience Debut at number 5 in Japan! |work=COMPUTER MAGIC |url=http://thecomputermagic.com/post/37271791180/scientific-experience-debut-at-number-5-in-japan |date=December 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227212146/http://thecomputermagic.com/post/37271791180/scientific-experience-debut-at-number-5-in-japan |archive-date=December 27, 2013 }}</ref> Her 2015 release ''Mindstate'' debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Japanese Electronic Music Chart.<ref>{{cite web |title=Computer Magic – "Mindstate" Japanese Release – "Mindstate" Japanese Release |work=COMPUTER MAGIC |url=http://thecomputermagic.com/post/108775593178/mindstate-japanese-release |date=February 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205054608/http://thecomputermagic.com/post/108775593178/mindstate-japanese-release |archive-date=February 5, 2015 }}</ref>
== Discography == === Studio albums === * Computer Magic – ''Davos'' (2015, Channel 9 Records) * Computer Magic – ''Danz'' (2018, Channel 9 Records) * Danz CM – ''The Absurdity of Human Existence'' (2021, Channel 9 Records) * Danz CM – ''Berlin Tokyo Shopping Mall Elevator'' (2023, Channel 9 Records) * Danz CM - ''MYTHS'' (2026, Channel 9 Records)
=== Soundtrack albums === * Danz CM – ''While Mortals Sleep (Original Score)'' (2022) * Danz CM – ''The Map (Original Score)'' (2024)
=== EPs === * Computer Magic – ''Spectro'' (2010, Self-released) * Computer Magic – ''Hiding From Our Time'' (2010, Self-released) * Computer Magic – ''Hiding From More of Our Time'' (2010, Self-released) * Computer Magic – ''Electronic Fences'' (2011, White Iris) [vinyl + digital] * Computer Magic – ''Get a Job'' (2011, Self-released) * Computer Magic – ''Spectronic'' (2011, Self-released) * Computer Magic – ''Orion'' (2012, Kitsuné) * Computer Magic – ''A Million Years / Another Science'' (2013, Modern Records) [vinyl + digital] * Computer Magic – ''Extra Stuff'' (2014, Self-released digital, Kill/Hurt physical) [vinyl + digital] * Computer Magic – ''Dreams of Better Days'' (2015, Channel 9 Records) * Computer Magic – ''Obscure but Visible'' (2016, Channel 9 Records) [vinyl + digital + CD] * Cody & Danz – ''Only the Hits'' (2017, Channel 9 Records) * Danz CM – ''LÄRM!'' (2025, Channel 9 Records)
=== Compilations === * Computer Magic – ''Super Rare'' (2017, Channel 9 Records) * Computer Magic – ''COVERS 2010–20'' (2020, Channel 9 Records)
=== Japan edition albums === * Computer Magic – ''Scientific Experience'' (2012, Tugboat / P-Vine) * Computer Magic – ''Phonetics'' (2013, Tugboat / P-Vine) * Computer Magic – ''Mindstate'' (2015, Tugboat / P-Vine) * Computer Magic – ''Davos (Japan Edition)'' (2015, Tugboat / P-Vine) * Computer Magic – ''Danz (Japan Edition)'' (2018, 2015, Tugboat / P-Vine) * Computer Magic – ''Super Rare (Japan Edition)'' (2018, 2015, Tugboat / P-Vine) * Danz CM - ''The Absurdity of Human Existence (Japan Edition)'' (2021, Tugboat / Space Shower)
=== Collaborations === * AAAMYYY feat. Computer Magic – "Z" * Futurecop! feat. Computer Magic – "Star" * Le Matos feat. Computer Magic – "Cold Summer" * Le Matos feat. Computer Magic – "The Sounds of Nora"
=== Remixes === * BRONCHO – "Boys Got to Go" (Computer Magic Remix) * Cody Crump – "Friendzone" (Computer Magic Remix) * Ladytron – "Tower of Glass" (Danz CM Remix)
=== Music videos === * Computer Magic – "Shopping for My Robot" (2010) * Computer Magic – "The End of Time" (2011) * Computer Magic – "Running" (2011) * Computer Magic – "Trinity" (2012) * Computer Magic – "A Million Years" (2013) * Computer Magic – "Moving Forward" (2013) * Computer Magic – "Dreaming" (2014) * Computer Magic – "All I Ever Wanted" (2014) * Computer Magic – "Mindstate" (2015) * Computer Magic – "Be Fair" (2015) * Computer Magic – "Hudson" (2015) * Computer Magic – "Fuzz" (2016) * Computer Magic – "Dimensions" (2016) * Computer Magic – "Gone for the Weekend" (2016) * Computer Magic – "Lonely Like We Are" (2016) * Computer Magic – "Been Waiting" (2017) * Cody & Danz – "Make It in America" (2017) * Cody & Danz – "So Small" (2017) * Computer Magic – "Ordinary Life (Message From an A.I. Girlfriend)" (2018) * Computer Magic – "Amnesia" (2018) * Computer Magic – "Clouds" (2018) * Computer Magic – "Perfect Game" (2018) * Computer Magic – "Suspicious Minds" (2019) * Computer Magic – "Dreams of Better Days (Don't Pass Me By)" (2020) * Danz CM – "Idea of You" (2020) * Danz CM – "Domino" (2020) * Danz CM – "Something More" (2022) * Danz CM – "Painting 793 AD" (2025) * Danz CM – "Over the Ocean" (2026)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.zdanz.com Official site] * [https://www.synthhistory.com Synth History] * [https://www.channel9records.com Channel 9 Records]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:CM, Danz}} Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:American electronic musicians Category:American synth-pop musicians Category:Record producers from New York (state) Category:American women record producers Category:American women singer-songwriters Category:People from the Catskills Category:American women in electronic music Category:21st-century American women