Updated 2 years ago
meets John Phantasm
2004
by Machinelf with question help from Ari D
John Phantasm has been running his trance label for over 10 years now, since the very birth of psy trance… perhaps even before! Their first compilation was subtitled “Hard Trance / Psychedelic Techno” as the words “Goa ” and “Psy” didn’t exist back then. Since then they have released countless CDs on both Phantasm and Psychic Deli (a sub-label).
John regularly travels the globe to play – from America to Japan , Mexico Taiwan and back again. His sets are hard, danceable and above all fun! Mindfield, John Phantasm’s live outfit, is one of the longest running trance acts of the UK.
New on Phantasm Records is the debut album by John’s son Eskimo. Eskimo is DJ Junya, the son of John Phantasm (also a member of Mindfield.)
Junya is only 17 years old, but has already been making music for several years. He has shown great production skills, and has played all over the world already.
Hello John. Where are you from? Where are you based now?
I’m from London originally, now based in Epsom, Surrey just outside the city to the southwest.
What’s happening recently with Phantasm records?
Just finished compiling our next comp “Machine Head” with new trax from Mindfield, Eskimo, Jumanji, Dynamic and Gundam among others
What’s up with Mindfield? How could you define its style?
melodic, rhythmic trance, hopefully the right side of cheesy
Who are your favorite influences?
Led Zeppelin, Leftfield, Eskimo & Dado
Who have you collaborated with?
Cosmosis, Dick Trevor, Eskimo, Tim Healy
How is Junya doing?
Really well, madly busy stompin’ around the known universe
Didn’t he sample Bill Hicks? You know Bill was from my hometown in Houston
well, I’ll be dipped in dogshit!!
Did he really sample my voice? I heard it was from that crazy upstate party. What’s the track called?
Not sure about that, I’ll have to ask him but hes in Mexico at the moment
Have you seen Goa Gil around since you two last played in upstate New York
in the late 90s?
No, but we’ve chatted a couple of times. We missed each other by a couple of hours last year in Switzerland.
Where was the most beautiful setting for a trance party you’ve played at?
either on the beach in Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand, up in the Swiss alps or in the woods outside L.A.
Are you affiliated with the goa trance eastern mysticism mafia born from ashrams in the UK?
errr… NO!
What’s the craziest psychedelic you’ve ever done?
Dont Mind Telling
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Jimmy Page
Where do you see psychedelic trance in 10-20 years?
On welfare
March 19 Phantasm Records Presents
COSMOSIS-LIVE SPACE CAT-LIVE JOHN PHANTASM-DJ SET AVI ALGRANATI-DJ SET one more artist will be posted soon. An all night of fresh new music from the up coming new albums from COSMOSIS & SPACE CAT that out very soon.John also coming with a new compilation for Phantasm. Club Roxy NYC Full info and flyers will be out soon!!! For any organizer in the USA
that would like to book any of these artists you can call 917-721-3883 @ anytime
See also: Interview with his son, Junya
