If it makes a fairly beautiful sound, chances are Johnathon Venable already knows how to play it. The eclectic musician and songwriter's love of experimentation knows no boundaries as he weaves any instruments that tickle his fancy with his unique voice and heartfelt lyrics to produce beautiful, emotionally charged music that brings to mind artists like Kate Bush and Bjork. In this exclusive interview, he opens up about what drives him to make music, and more...

What are your musical influences? Your songwriting influences? Well, my original compositional influences were classical, but as for more modern artists, Bjork, Tori Amos, Kate Bush and the Smiths... they have probably had the biggest effect on my music. Although I learned to play guitar listening to Hole and Sonic Youth, which is probably where the "violent" side of my music comes from. [As for my songwriting influences], I love the way Chan Marshall [of Cat Power] will write a song with only two chords without [it] becoming dull. In your songs, you use a variety of instruments. Which instruments do you know how to play? I was originally trained on saxophone, and from there I learned clarinet, oboe, and flute, [all while] learning to play the guitar. I had tried piano but was kind of intimidated. But I recently invested in a keyboard, and I'm slowly getting more proficient. Are there any instruments in particular that you feel closest to? Definitely organs. I love them. Harpsichords, too. I can't really deny other instruments I've learned but I just can't relate to a flute anymore, although saxophone and oboe are very dear to me- it's just that right now, I'm very into key instruments. What made you want to write and play music? I was angry and I wanted to show it. How would you describe your songs? Sad, cathartic, maybe even dreamy. Fag and a piano. If you could collaborate with any artist in the world, living or dead, who would it be? I'm intimidated by most everyone I admire, but I'd love for Bjork to mix some beats for me. You recorded a song version of the e.e. cummings poem, "All In Green Went My Love Riding." What inspired you to do this? I love e.e. He is the most amazing poet I've ever read, and he evokes feelings in me others can't. This poem has spoken to me for years- it's so lyrical already, and I thought that "All in green went my love riding" was the perfect first line for a song.[So] I sat down at my guitar and produced a song, lately arranging it for the organ. Your music feels very personal. Do you write in the manner of PJ Harvey (translating emotions into abstract situations) or are your lyrics completely autobiographical? I'd definitely say that I do write quite a bit of autobiographical songs, but in them, there are lots of abstract objects and references, so while parts may be very confessional, some come out rather cryptic. Something like "Ice Machine" [a song that you can listen to on his myspace] uses intense imagery and emotions to convey a completely different situation. What have you been listening to lately? Lots of Kate Bush. One can never get enough. Also, the Giant Drag album [Hearts and Unicorns], Tori Amos bootlegs, and [Russian singer] Nastya. Would you ever sign to a major music label? Oh, definitely. They just have to find me first. I'm very much not against major labels as long as I have control. Are you currently working on any musical projects? Yes, as always. [I'm working on] some new piano songs with drum machine beats and also...on fleshing out the arrangements of already existing songs. Thank you very much! Check out Johnathon's music on his myspace.