Phantasy (record label)

Erol Alkan (born 30 May 1974) is an English DJ and producer of Turkish Cypriot descent. He grew up in Archway in North London.

Career

DJ and club promoter

In 1993, Erol Alkan started DJing in various indie nightclubs in London. His first ever public DJ set was at The Gass Club in Leicester Square.

In 1995, he was a resident DJ of club night 'Going Underground'

In 1997, Erol re-launched the club under a new name: Trash. Over the next few years, Trash became one of the most influential clubs of its time. Until its closure in 2007, Trash saw performances by Peaches, LCD Soundsystem, Klaxons, Bloc Party, 2manydjs, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Scissor Sisters, Phoenix, Metronomy, Electric Six and many more up and coming bands.

From 2001 onwards, Erol Alkan became one of the most in demand Djs of the time, playing regular DJ sets outside Trash, focusing primarily on dance music influenced by his sets at Bugged Out. Bugged Out are credited as launching Erol's dance music career after offering him a residency halfway through his debut set for them at Fabric, when Erol filled in for David Holmes who had missed a flight into London. His profile increased considerably during 2003 when he was voted 'Best Breakthrough DJ' by Muzik magazine, and in 2006, when he earned the Mixmag 2006 "DJ of the Year" award.

Remixer

Erol Alkan released a series of mash-ups using the alias ''Kurtis Rush'' in the early 2000s, including a mix of Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head" and New Order's " Blue Monday", which was performed by Minogue at the Brit Awards. Erol also used the alias ''Mustapha 3000'', and is half of the psychedelic dance-rock act ''Beyond the Wizard's Sleeve'', along with Richard Norris. In 2016, Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve released the album ''The Soft Bounce'', featuring collaborations with artists such as Hannah Peel, Jane Weaver, Euros Childs and writer Jon Savage. In 2016, London record store Rough Trade featured ''The Soft Bounce'' as one of their top ten records of 2016 in their annual end of year list.

Producer

Erol Alkan began producing bands in 2006. Originally cutting his teeth recording B-sides for The Long Blondes and Mystery Jets, he was asked back to work on their respective second albums. His first production credit is the entire Mystery Jets' much loved second album, '' Twenty One'', which contained the 2 top 40 hit singles " Young Love" and " Two Doors Down", Late of the Pier's debut record, '' Fantasy Black Channel'', and The Long Blondes' second album '' Couples.''

In 2007 Alkan founded his own label, named Phantasy.

Alkan also worked as additional producer on The Killers' hit single " The Man", providing additional instrumentation.

Discography

Original releases

Mix and compilation albums

Remixes as Erol Alkan

Remixes as Beyond the Wizards Sleeve

Producer / mixer

Personal life

Alkan is married, lives in London, and has been teetotal since 2012.

References

External links

Phantasy Sounds official websiteErol Alkan on Spotify

Erol Alkan on Resident Advisor

Audio links

Erol Alkan on Souncloud

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alkan, Erol
1974 births
Living people
English people of Turkish Cypriot descent
British club DJs
English electronic musicians
English record producers
Electro house musicians
Musicians from London
English alternative rock musicians