Dorian Concept: The Doric Scale in Motion
Dorian Concept has built a career spanning over the last 20 years, blending modal and free jazz, funk, hip-hop, ambient, and soundscape music into a distinctive sonic language that is entirely his own. His music is celebrated for its intelligence, playfulness, and unexpected turns, attracting collaborators and audiences alike.
Known for his eclectic approach and relentless curiosity, Dorian Concept, born Oliver Johnson in 1984, has shared the stage with the Cinematic Orchestra, Flying Lotus, and the musicians of the Jazzwerkstatt Wien, among others. His work extends beyond albums, encompassing film, gaming soundtracks, and commissioned compositions, making him a sought-after producer and composer for sync projects worldwide.
Over two decades, the producer has released music across labels including Ninja Tune, Brainfeeder, Affine Records. In late 2023, he launched his label Play Instinct, inaugurating it with the release of the acclaimed track ‘Hide (CS01 Version)’, which has since amassed over 21 million streams on Spotify and 3 million views on YouTube, marking an important new chapter in his career.
What sets Dorian Concept apart is not only his technical skill but his unique sense of storytelling in music. From performing on electric bass at his first concert at Planetarium Vienna in 2005, to uploading a MicroKorg session on YouTube over 18 years ago, back when the idea of ‘going viral’ barely existed, his career has been defined by experimentation, an interest for rarities, and a subtle insistence on autonomy. Early performances featured unconventional instruments like the MiniDisc, while his signature tours involved instruments (Microkorg) with missing keys, creating challenges that became opportunities for improvisation and invention. His compositions are infused with deep knowledge, from the influence of John Coltrane to the choice of his artist alias, inspired by the Dorian scale, reflecting a thoughtful and playful approach to his craft.
Despite two decades in the public eye, Dorian Concept has maintained a grounded perspective. His studio practice mirrors his stage philosophy: every patch, modulation, and rhythmic sequence is deliberate yet playful. His career is peppered with anecdotal brilliance: completing the rave anthem Trilingual Dance Sexperience in just two hours, playing in front of hip-hop legend Q-Tip in London early in his career, and turning down business offers to finish his studies, all of which paint a picture of an artist committed to his own path rather than external validation.
Dorian Concept’s music is both cerebral and physical, capable of captivating listeners with delicate textures as easily as he can spark dancefloor chaos. From ambient soundscapes to intricate polyrhythmic compositions, he creates spaces where genres dissolve and new narratives emerge. This synthesis of virtuosity and emotional resonance has earned him a dedicated following and continues to influence a new generation of electronic and jazz musicians worldwide.
Partnership with IDOL
With this partnership, IDOL and Dorian Concept join forces to further amplify independent, boundary-pushing music. Leveraging IDOL’s expertise, the collaboration will also strengthen his already highly strategic approach to YouTube, opening new opportunities for visibility and fan engagement. Through this collaboration, Dorian Concept’s work will reach new audiences across the globe, connecting fans to the artist’s ever-evolving vision. Dorian Concept remains an artist committed to exploration, and this partnership ensures that his music, playful, intelligent, and endlessly inventive, will continue to inspire, challenge, and delight listeners for years to come.
Oliver Johnson, AKA Dorian Concept, commented: “I’m excited to be working with IDOL in the future! They are among the few distributors that really care about what they put out — and about building a relationship with the people behind the music. This kind of philosophy is rare these days, especially since releasing music has gotten so easy, which sadly often leads to a lack of support and service for both artists and labels. That’s why I feel like I’m in good hands with IDOL, as they don’t seem to be all too tempted to put quantity over quality!”
New album
Miniatures, Dorian Concept’s upcoming album, will be out November 14.
