Phantasy Sound

Phantasy Sound Interview

Highly acclaimed DJ, producer, club pioneer Erol Alkan set up his own label ‘Phantasy Sound’ in 2007, since then they have been releasing sought-after singles including Riton & Primary 1’s. As he is one of the most influential figures of the recent electro music scene, we might tend to imagine that it would focus on that side, and expect the music from his label to be dance orientated, club-friendly tunes… but in 2010 it sounds that their up-coming projects will be a little different and go beyond our expectation.
The label’s first full-length album release is Connan Mockasin’s debut ‘Please Turn Me Into The Snat’ (advance release in his native New Zealand) Prior to its UK release, Late of the Pier’s ‘Best in the Class’ has just come out on the 1st March.
UK Adapta grabbed the opportunity to ask Dan and Erol, the founders of the label about it…

- Can you tell us about the history of Phantasy Sound? What's the ethos behind the label? 

PS: We put our first release out at the end of 2007, a 12" vinyl single from LA PRIEST called Engine. It was a track we loved from a CD that Sam (LA PRIEST / Late of the Pier) had given us, and there wasn't any ethos at that stage beyond wanting people to hear that specific track. From there, it's been about putting out good music, which speaks for itself.

-What's unique about Phantasy?

PS: The artists we're lucky enough to work with. Every label is unique in someway, so we are certainly not going out to be different from other labels. We are probably just experimenting in how to put out music in this modern day.

- How would you describe the typical Phantasy audience?

PS: I'd really hope it isn't typical.

- Erol Alkan must be busy playing everywhere all the time. To what extent is he involved with the operation of the label?

PS: Erol's the driving force behind the label, without him it wouldn't exist. Besides being the best source of new music we know, he also invests a lot of time on day-to-day aspects from artwork, videos, production of vinyl, distribution, etc. Too much time probably!

- Do you work long term or short term with your artists?

PS: Whatever works best for them. 

- How do you identify acts that you want to sign?

PS: Depending on the specific release I'd say there's two ways. The club tracks are usually discovered and tested through Erol's DJing. But more recently we've signed our first two albums which have nothing to do with that world, both being artists whose music we fell in love with and want others to hear, in same way we put out our first release LA PRIEST's Engine. 

- Who did you sign last? Can you tell us a bit about them?

PS: The two album projects we're working on are very exciting -

Connan's album is one of the best debut's we've ever heard from one of the most brilliant music minds on the planet. I couldn't do it justice here so seek it out and discover yourselves.

Potter from Late of the Pier told us about Babe Terror. He doesn't sound like anyone else making music, and he's on his own. The music involves layers upon layers of vocals, sometimes it's unnerving, sometimes its’ beautiful, all eerily collected by Claudio and his computer. The album comes with a second CD of reworks from Four Tet, Memory Tapes, The Horrors and others. 

- Who are the bright hopes for the next few years?

PS: Everything we release we would hope, but especially Connan and Babe Terror. And whatever LA PRIEST and Late of the Pier do next is going to be special.

- Who do you use for most of artwork, such as sleeve design, music video etc?

PS: It depends on the release. We've been lucky enough to work with some incredibly talented artists and designers such as Susumu Mukai (Zongamin), Will Sweeney, Fergadelic and Richard Robinson. Fan Death and Late of The Pier did their own artwork and it was some of the best we've had.

- Have you released anything with a Japanese distributor/label? How are you getting on with Japanese market?

PS: It's just been imports to Japan so far, and it's worked well, but with the albums we're about to start speaking with distributors. 

- What's the plan for Phantasy in the near and distant future?

PS: After Late of The Pier's Best In Class it's the debut albums from Connan and Babe Terror albums, which are big steps for us. There will be more club release are on their way and one or two surprises which we can't mention yet. 

website:Phantasy Sound

myspace:Phantasy Sound

Written by Chika Aoki