The Focus Group

{{Short description|British electronic musician and graphic designer}} {{about|the musical project|the British clothing company|The Focus Group (business)|other uses|Focus Group (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}} {{Use British English|date=May 2019}} {{Infobox musical artist |name = The Focus Group |background = non_vocal_instrumentalist |birth_name = Julian House |origin = England |genre = Electronica, library music, sampledelia, musique concrète, hauntology, psychedelia |occupation = Musician songwriter |years_active = 2004–present |label = Ghost Box |associated_acts = Broadcast |website = [http://ghostbox.co.uk/artists-page/the-focus-group/ Ghost Box Records] }}

'''The Focus Group''' is a project of experimental electronic musician and graphic designer Julian House. The Focus Group's sound is a blend of influences ranging from old library music sounds produced in the 1970s, 1960s-inspired pastiches, public information films, and soundtracks to 1970s films and programmes, as well as the sound collage of musique concrète.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thewire.co.uk/back/2006_11.php|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223035654/http://www.thewire.co.uk/back/2006_11.php|url-status=dead|title=The Wire magazine No. 273, November 2006|archivedate=23 February 2007}}</ref>

The Focus Group have released five studio albums on House's own label, Ghost Box: ''Sketches and Spells'' (2004), ''Hey Let Loose Your Love'' (2005), ''We Are All Pan's People'' (2007), ''The Elektrik Karousel'' (2013) and ''Stop-Motion Happening with the Focus Groop'' (2017).<ref name="ghostboxbio">{{Cite web|url=https://ghostbox.co.uk/artists-page/the-focus-group/|title=The Focus Group - Ghost Box|website=Ghostbox.co.uk|accessdate=4 March 2020|archive-date=17 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517082137/https://ghostbox.co.uk/artists-page/the-focus-group/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Hey Let Loose Your Love'' was featured in ''The Wire'''s top 50 albums of 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thewire.co.uk/archive/charts/2005_Rewind.html|title=The Wire magazine best of 2005|website=Thewire.co.uk|accessdate=4 March 2020|archive-date=4 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304110026/http://www.thewire.co.uk/archive/charts/2005_Rewind.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Additionally, House collaborated with indie electronic band Broadcast, resulting in the 2009 album ''Broadcast and the Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age'' (issued by Warp) and the 2010 7-inch EP ''Familiar Shapes and Noises'' (released on Ghost Box). ''Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age'' was named ''The Wire'''s top album of 2009.

==Discography== ===Studio albums=== *''Sketches and Spells'' (2004, Ghost Box) *''Hey Let Loose Your Love'' (2005, Ghost Box) *''We Are All Pan's People'' (2007, Ghost Box) *''Broadcast and the Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age'' with Broadcast (2009, Warp) *''The Elektrik Karousel'' (2013, Ghost Box) *''Stop-Motion Happening with the Focus Groop'' (2017, Ghost Box)

===Singles and EPs=== *"We Are Coming Back to Dance With You" digital single (2008, Ghost Box) *''Ghost Box Free 3 Track EP'' split digital EP with the Advisory Circle (2008, Ghost Box) *''Familiar Shapes and Noises'' 7-inch EP with Broadcast (2010, Ghost Box)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/the-focus-group-eric-zann/sketches-and-spells-ouroborindra.htm Stylus Magazine review of ''Sketches and Spells''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230204232/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/the-focus-group-eric-zann/sketches-and-spells-ouroborindra.htm |date=30 December 2006 }} *[http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/the-focus-group-belbury-poly/hey-let-loose-your-love-the-willows.htmStylus Stylus Magazine review of ''Hey Let Loose Your Love''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520024055/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/the-focus-group-belbury-poly/hey-let-loose-your-love-the-willows.htmStylus |date=20 May 2008 }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Focus Group, The}} Category:British ambient musicians Category:English experimental musicians Category:English electronic musicians Category:Ghost Box Music artists