Eclectic Method

Eclectic Method (aka Jonny Wilson) started out as a digital outlaw who spliced together music, TV and film and set it to high-energy dance beats. Jonny worked frequently with Brian Eno and others growing up between London and post-war Bosnia, and when he started Eclectic Method, he created a project so progressive that the simple tag of VJ would never do. Wilson constantly pushes the technology to improve video remixing and create compositions that perk ears, move feet and capture moments in time. The video mixtapes and performances are wildly entertaining, but the unique format also allows Eclectic Method to be a digital curator of trending pop culture.

“Pop culture is reflected in the music of the moment, and EM can do what other DJs and visual artists cannot, which is bring it all together in real time,” explains Wilson, now based in Brooklyn. “I can take films and zeitgeist moments, like President Obama singing or a crazy new Charlie Sheen interview, and put it out there right away in music form.”

Eclectic Method accomplishes this vision on a global level. Wilson’s remixes have appeared on The Colbert Report and CNN, and EM joined Chuck D, Questlove and the funky drummer Clyde Stubblefield for a live performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. U2, Fatboy Slim and Phish all sought out the Method to create official video remixes, and the press has called EM “geniuses” (Campbell Brown), “remix king” (DJ Magazine) and the “future” (Wired). A decade ago, corporate lawyers chased Eclectic Method for his digital piracy, but these same companies now chase EM for his unique skill set.

“It used to be a punk aesthetic, but the laws changed because the internet changed them,” says Wilson, whose work landed Eclectic Method in the Copyright Criminals documentary. “This used to be super contentious 10 years ago when we started, but now the Weinstein company, Jay-Z and everyone else see it as good publicity.”

Of course, this only emboldens Eclectic Method. Popular video remixes include the Harold Camping “Apocamix” tribute with original music set to Mars Attacks!, Dr. Strangelove, 2012 and Armageddon clips. The “Tarantino Mixtape” sets the director’s excellent musical taste to clips of his films’ stylized violence, twisted dialogue and John and Uma dance moves. And the all-star robotic medley of R2-D2, Twiki, Johnny 5, WALL-E and friends makes sci-fi geeks go crazy for “Robots.” Wilson even provides an up-close look at live video mixing on an iPad with “Eclectic Method Takes It in the App.” The result has been millions of YouTube and Vimeo views.

“I am not some band releasing tracks,” says Wilson. “I release internet projects, collaborations, viral hits and cool little abstract concepts, and I can do it all live on stage at concerts.”

If the online videos hit the brain like a jolt of Adderall, the concerts allow time for builds, breakdowns and larger narratives that led a Paper Magazine writer to declare: “It’s the best of both worlds: girls get to dance, and guys get to watch TV!” Indeed, Eclectic Method is music,media and pop culture all rolled together into one a giant party.
“DJ Jazzy Jerk-off” - Stephen Colbert
“The best in video remix. Must be seen to be believed”- Newsweek
“The future” - Wired
“Internet geniuses” - Campbell Brown, CNN
“This was bound to happen sooner or later” - Brian Eno
“The coolest video dance party you’ve ever been to” - The Star Toronto
“Video remix king” - DJ Magazine
“So Downright impressive it slightly boggles the mind” - The Guardian UK
“Mesmerizing” - LA Weekly
“nothing is safe from being remixed.” - Huffington Post