Spotlight

Spotlight - Jonny Trengrove

Meet Jonny Trengrove, the composer behind World of Goo 2's soundtrack, who blends classical piano training with electronic experimentation to create genre-defying music. Discover how Boolean logic inspired his latest album and why he lets his music speak for itself.

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Please introduce yourself and share a bit about your background.

I'm Jonny Trengrove, a composer and music producer. I started playing piano at age seven and also play guitar and sing. Based in the Lake District, England, I release music under my own name and was co-composer on the World of Goo 2 soundtrack.

What's your musical origin story?

I started with piano lessons at seven after hearing a song on the radio that made me want to create music. Later, I got into technology, and the two interests came together naturally.

What were the driving forces or pivotal moments that inspired you to pursue music?

The diversity of music in the '90s and computer & video game soundtracks had a big impact on me. They showed me how music could create a mood and tell a story.

How would you describe your style of music?

I'm open to all genres. I make everything from ambient to jazz, rock, and electronic. I like to see where the music takes me.

How is your personality reflected in your work?

I'm always experimenting and challenging myself. Each project is about trying something different.

Describe your creative process when you write new music.

It starts with an idea. As I work, I figure out both what the project is and what it isn't, which helps guide its direction. Setting limits keeps things focused.

Tell us about your latest release.

"False" was released on August 2nd, 2024. The inspiration came from Boolean logic, with 'False' representing something technocratically definite. I wanted it to feel electronic and distorted, but with some mystery, hope, and humanity in there too.

What challenges did you encounter during the writing/recording process?

Fitting acoustic guitars into parts of the album without losing its electronic feel proved to be the main challenge.

How do you approach music promotion and fan engagement?

I take a minimalist approach to promotion - I don't use social media and prefer to let the music speak for itself. I connect with people primarily through my music.

What's next for you?

I'm currently working on a new album scheduled for release at the end of summer 2025.

Where can people find your music?

You can find me at www.jonnytrengrove.com. I also release music on Bandcamp under two names:

  • As Trengazoid, I composed the soundtrack for the game "Totally Shmup" (available free on Bandcamp & Steam)
  • As Root Wheel, I release experimental musical projects

Jonny Trengrove is an enigmatic and innovative musician whose work consistently pushes the boundaries of alternative and electronic music. Known for his deeply introspective lyrics, beautiful melodies, and experimental soundscapes, Jonny blends a haunting sense of melancholy with complex, layered compositions. His music often explores themes of alienation, technology, and the human condition. He co-composed the soundtrack for the hit game World of Goo 2 alongside Kyle Gabler.

Jonny Trengrove
Life Into Machine

alternative

"Life Into Machine channels the fight for love, freedom and self-identity within powerful, introspective alternative rock songs."

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Semicolon Kid

alternative

"Semicolon Kid captures the search for meaning and belonging in a fractured world through introspective alternative rock tracks."

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Little Baby Eli

alternative

"Little Baby Eli celebrates new life and happiness, capturing the joy and love surrounding a beautiful christening day."

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Night & Day

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"Night & Day explores the rhythms of dawn to twilight, blending melodic electronic music with reflections on life’s cycles."

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Smartphones & Dumbpeople

alternative

"Smartphones & Dumbpeople explores digital addiction and isolation, capturing the tension and emptiness of living through screens."

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Piano Songs

singer-songwriter

"Piano Songs blends warm, vocoded vocals with a crackling fire to evoke themes of connection, introspection, and life’s fleeting beauty."

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Human Horror

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"Human Horror is an EP examining environmental destruction, societal decay, and humanity's self-inflicted horrors."

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Cosmic Order

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"Cosmic Order is an experimental album exploring the cosmos, existence, and the search for purpose through transcendent soundscapes."

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Jukebox

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"Jukebox is a nostalgic album reflecting on self-identity, love, and the complexities of modern life."

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Reason To Fan The Flames

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"Reason To Fan The Flames is an alternative EP exploring disillusionment, rebellion, and the search for truth in a world of manipulation."

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Dreamcatcher

alternative

"Dreamcatcher is an alternative indie pop rock EP exploring love, self-discovery, and resilience through the tension of hope and struggle."

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Realms Apart

singer-songwriter

"Realms Apart is a heartfelt piano-driven single exploring the stark divide between corporate control and nature's untamed freedom."

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Reframed

alternative

"Reframed is a four-track alternative-rock EP about the impact of technology on modern life."

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Log Cabin

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"Log Cabin is a four-track alternative rock EP that explores themes of escape, resilience, and love in the tranquility of a remote wilderness haven."

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Mountaineer

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"Mountaineer is an alternative rock single that delves into perseverance, self-discovery, and personal growth through the metaphor of climbing life’s peaks and valleys."

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Clocks Keep Ticking Away

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"Clocks Keep Ticking Away is a reflective electronic alternative track that contemplates time, personal agency, and the need to seize control of one's destiny."

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Towers

singer-songwriter

"Towers explores solitude and lost love, capturing emptiness and lingering memories in melancholic ballads."

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Mystic Nights

alternative

"Mystic Nights is a vibrant new wave and alternative rock EP that explores fate, chance, and life's cyclical nature through dynamic, introspective songs."

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False

alternative

"False is an electronic and alternative rock record exploring deception, disillusionment, and the quest for truth, with each track delving into the pervasive falsehoods in personal and societal realms, yet underscored by hope and resilience."

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