Austrian post-rock/electronic trio Radian use both acoustic and electronic instruments, and the group's members often play their acoustic instruments in such a rhythmically precise manner that Radian sound more like an electronic act than a band. Bassist John Norman, drummer Martin Brandlmayr, and synth player Stefan Németh formed Radian in Vienna in 1996, although the group did not play its first show until a full year later. Soon after, the
Rhiz label released the group's self-titled EP in Austria. Their first full album, TG 11, was released jointly by
Rhiz and
Mego in 2000. In 2002, Radian traveled to Chicago to record with producer
John McEntire, and the
Thrill Jockey label released the resulting full-length, rec.extern, later that year. Rec.extern was the first Radian release to receive widespread distribution in the U.S., and in October 2002 the group toured the Northeast and Midwest to support the album. Juxtaposition saw Radian team up with
John McEntire again and was released on
Thrill Jockey in August of 2004. Chimeric, recorded in Vienna without
McEntire, appeared on
Thrill Jockey in 2009. Németh departed Radian in 2011, replaced by
Martin Siewert on guitar and electronics. Radian Verses Howe Gelb, the group's collaboration with the
Giant Sand founder, appeared in 2014, and was the first release on their own
Radian Releases imprint. Radian returned to
Thrill Jockey in 2016 with On Dark Silent Off. ~ Charlie Wilmoth, Rovi