Introducing: Phantom

02 October 2009, 10:30 | Written by Rich Thane

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Photo credit: Bryn Evans

Having just released their haunting debut single ‘Great Pretender’ and seemingly turning heads wherever they go – we thought it about time to catch up with London based three piece Phantom. Here, front woman who has been described as the female Morrissey in some quarters – Elsie Martins tells us a little more about her music. Plus, as an added extra – we have the video premier of ‘Great Pretender’ at the bottom of the post!

For people out there that have never heard of you. Give us three reasons why they should…
1. If you’re a fan of something dark and enticing then be intrigued and give us a go
2. Phantom is a musical project that isn’t solely based on a nice recorded sound alone; there’s the artwork, photos, live performance incorporating ambient background sounds and projections…
3. We oppose the norm… although what is the norm anyway!

Can you recall the moment when you first decided you wanted to become a musician?
I was working as a music journalist when I first came over to London, but things didn’t pan out as well as I had hoped. Working in music I was always surrounded by musicians; I was going on tour with bands, making TV programs about them, following them in the studio etc… but if I’m completely honest it just felt like something was missing for me. When I stopped working in music I realised that it wasn’t the work that I missed but it was being close to the music. It was only a matter of time, I suppose, until someone threw a guitar in my hands and pushed me to play – that’s when I realised how much I wanted to play but never had.

Where do your songs come from? What’s your inspiration?
Inspiration demands passion. The best artists create with this passion, I am envious. I have a drive that fuels my desire to make music. I work in a way that may not be technically correct to all – I am self-taught after all – but using my strengths and skills I explore and discover what I am capable of and beyond. I am pushing myself against all odds, if you like, and continually rediscovering my passions that lie with my voice and guitar, with my lyrics, with my songs. I am learning in my own way, working with my obsessions rather than against and discovering music again and again each time from a new perspective. It’s liberating.

In terms of where the content comes from, I like to observe the world around me, but never really felt a complete part of it, hence the Phantom alter ego. My songs are vignettes of things I see, stories I hear, people who try to hurt me or who touch me. It’s completely self indulgent because it’s the view of the world through my eyes. Maybe one day I’ll write from a third person point of view but right now it feels right to be introspective.

Name your Top 5 records.
Script of the Bridge – The Chameleons
Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
Echo & The Bunnymen – Ocean Rain
Nick cave & The Bad Seeds – Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus
Billie Holliday – Lady sings the blues

What was the first gig you ever played and was it a success?
The first time I played a gig, was on Canadian MTV. It was absolutely terrifying! I had been writing songs acoustically, and was recruiting a full band to take those further. But while I was visiting my family in Canada, the TV network approached me to do an interview and performance. Since the band was in the UK I decided to do it acoustically. These were the very early Phantom days…

You can watch it here….see the fear in my eyes!

What one piece of criticism has stuck in your mind and was it justified?
“You’re a girl, you can’t play guitar, why bother”

This offered me a strike and excuse of a reason to think “hey, sod this, I’m going to make some noise”, so I did. It’s all about being in control of yourself but never aiming too low. I continue to discover and amaze myself with what I am up to musically; it’s just a matter of keeping those eyes open! Yes I am female, yes, I sing and play guitar, “woo” I can do more than one thing at once, but so what? This ain’t just a pretty face!

What one thing has caused you to waste your free time in the past 6 months?
Murder Mysteries on TV! I love them… When I watch Agatha Christie on TV I get completely lost in it. There’s something about them I really love, stylistically they look great, but the plots, the characters and the theatrical scenes are gorgeous. TV rots your brain though so I try and keep it to a bare minimum, I can quite easily walk away from the TV set expect if I am lulled into a murder mystery drama…

If you weren’t making music, what do you think you’d be doing?
Ask any of my friends they would tell you that I would be the mad lady with a cat rescue home / sanctuary!

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have decent jobs that “pay the bill”. However, being chained to a corporate office chair is pretty frustrating at times, but then again it also fuels a sense of urgency, a need to get home and do something for yourself, be creative and pick up an instrument!

We’d like you to make us a mix-tape. Pick five tracks with a theme of your choice.
I love mixed tapes, for a two reasons: the first is that there are two sides, hence the opportunity for two distinct themes, the next is that you can’t skip songs like with a CD mix, so you have to listen to each song. I’ve given and received mixed tapes, and they are still my favourite present by far!

Theme: My latest repeats on my ipod!
Twilight Sad – And She Would Darken The Memory
Teeth of The Sea – Dreadnought
Explosions In The Sky – The Catastrophe and The Cure
Mogwai – Batcat
I love you but I’ve chosen darkness – The Ghost

http://vimeo.com/6847764

Phantom on MySpace