Whitney Johnson

Whitney Johnson, known for her hauntingly beautiful experimental projects under the moniker Matchess, is a Chicago-based musician, composer, and sound artist who blends drone, minimal synth, and analog electronics with her signature viola work. A key figure in the city’s avant-garde scene, she weaves together themes of mysticism, ritual, and the occult into immersive soundscapes, as heard in recent releases like *Hav* and *Dafni* (from her 2023 album *Sonescent*). Her work often incorporates tape loops, organ tones, and spectral vocals, creating a hypnotic tension between organic and electronic textures. With a background in philosophy and religious studies, Johnson’s music feels like a cerebral séance—equal parts scholarly and surreal. When she’s not crafting solo work, she collaborates with experimental bands like Verma and E+, cementing her reputation as a versatile force in DIY and underground circles.

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