Levon Louis

Levon Louis
Levon Louis
Birth name	Levon Louis Schwartz
Also known as	Absynthesis, Mushroom Lounge
Born	1974 (age 49–50)
Genres	Electronic
Occupation(s)	sound designer, DJ, producer-composer
Years active	1990s - present
Labels	Next-Gen Records, Mushroom Lounge Recordings
Website	[1]

Levon Louis is an american music producer, sound designer, composer, and writer. Most of his work is in the action, sci-fi, and horror genres for media including video games like Silent Hill, Mortal Kombat, and Assassin’s Creed. As an Audio producer/director working with Ubisoft, Disney, Activision and others Levon has created the sound effects, music, and voices for numerous big brand video games since 2001, when Microsoft selected his music for some of the first XBOX titles. He has since collaborated with the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra and members of popular bands to create original music for games. As an international producer/DJ he performs regularly at large events. His music appears on media soundtracks alongside Aphex Twin, Bassnectar, Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, and Tiesto.

Press & Awards

Hailed “a driving force” by the Austin Chronicle, in his hometown, Houston, he was nominated for public music awards, "Best DJ”, “Best Electronica”, and “Keyboardist of the Year” for his early music and pioneering "live p.a." performances at Texas raves. he shares a BAFTA Award with Microsoft for "Best Use of Audio" in 2007 for Crackdown, several G.A.N.G. Award nominations for projects in 2008 including "Best Handled Audio" for Transformers alongside "Best Instrumental", and "Music of the Year" for The Golden Compass and In 2011, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood received an Academy Award nomination (AIAS) for "Outstanding Achievement in Audio".

Biography

Levon Louis slept in an open guitar case as a baby and appeared in Newsweek Magazine for break-dancing at the tender age of 10. That same year Levon watched his father's new-wave band play for stadium crowds while on-tour with Duran Duran and decide that music would always be a part of his life. He became a DJ in the 6th grade when the school's hired DJ was a no-show and Levon quickly pulled everything needed together from home to save the dance. Ever-experimental with the instruments and recording gear in place at home, Levon began making electronic music in his teens influenced by the emerging sounds of hip-hop plus electronic artists like Laurie Anderson, Kraftwerk, Art of Noise, and Jean-Michelle Jarre.

While attending university studies at S.F.A.S.U. in East Texas Levon played in different types of bands and on different instruments. Sometimes he was a front-man, sometimes not, often blending sung lyrics with MC-style rap vocals. He threw rave-parties in his reggae band's rehearsal space and collaborated with party crews in Houston and Dallas on larger events, all the while honing his mixing skills and musicianship in tandem. His first releases on vinyl were a blend of house, electro, and techno appearing on City Boy Records (Detroit)

Music

Games

Discography

Albums (as Lunatex, Absynthesis, Mushroom Lounge, or Levon Louis)

Abducted (Ewax, 2000)
Absynthesis (Next-Gen, 2007)
Live Technical Mix (Next-Gen, 2007)
Mushroom Lounge (Mushroom Lounge Recordings, 2008)

Various singles also appear on 12" vinyl and CD compilations. (Chemical Minded Records, For Those Who Know, City Boy Records-Detroit, Rebel Crew Records, Dark Horizons)

Releases (as member of Dead P.A.)

The Dead Will Rise (Goinka Records, 2007)
DEAD P.A. vs Devine & Emily Play 12" (2nd Movement/Goinka Records, 2008) vinyl release

References

"Scarface Joins Line-Up For Tsunami Victims Relief!". SixShot.com. Posted: 1/6/2005 1:34:50 PM. Archived from the original on February 6, 2005. Retrieved 2008-06-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
"Countdown to Ecstasy, A New Drug for a New Millennium". AustinChronicle.com. Posted: 6/9/2000 1:34:50 PM. Retrieved 2008-06-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
"Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fashion". HoustonPress.com. Posted: 9/2/1999 1:34:50 PM. Retrieved 2008-06-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
"Paperless Record Deals". HoustonPress.com. Posted: 12/9/2009 12:00:00 PM. Retrieved 2009-03-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

External links