Eskimo (artist)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Eskimo (DJ Junya)


Background = group_or_band
Birth_name = John Ford
Born = birth date and age|1985|07|24
Died =
Origin = England, UK
Genre = Psychedelic Trance
Goa Trance
Hard House
Occupation = DJ
Musician
Producer
Years_active = 2003 – present
Label = Phantasm
Notable_instruments = Nord Lead Synth

Eskimo (DJ Junya) is an English Psychedelic Trance DJ and producer, son of John Ford (also known as John Phantasm and owner of Phantasm Records).

Early career

Inspired by his father John Phantasm (and consequently the music he heard playing at home when he was young), Eskimo started producing his own music in the studio from the age of 9 but did not begin DJing worldwide until he was 13. Wrapped up in the life of DJing, Eskimo did not return to the studio until he was 15, which was when he 'wanted to get back into the producing part of it since the music was getting more technical'. Not until then did he start producing under the name of Eskimo. The name was chosen because it bears no connection 'to the product'. [cite news |accessdate=2008-05-28 |url=http://www.trackitdown.net/genre/psy_trance/featured_artist/100017.html |title=Phantasm's Prodigal Son] At aged 17 he released his first debut album “Can You Pick Me Up”, immediately Eskimo was catapulted amongst the trance elite.

His unique production skills and ability to put together a class-A belter saw Eskimo’s tunes begin to show up in the sets of psy trance DJs across the globe. By the time he performed his first live set 6 months after the album dropped his repertoire had trebled and so had his ability. Landmark remixes, many still unreleased due to copyright wrangles, from this time included some of the scenes biggest players such as Infected Mushroom and Skazi, but it was his unofficial remix of The Prodigy "Voodoo People" that sealed his reputation on the global dance floor. When this struck everyone knew who Eskimo was.

By the summer of 2004 Eskimo dropped his second artist album “Take A Look Out There” a mind-altering collection of tunes let loose on an unsuspecting world including the near legendary “Party Pooper” a track sampling the police shutting down a free party. In November 2005 the release of Balloonatic Part One, a genre busting masterpiece redefined the standard of studio trickery yet retained a firm grip on the dance floor.

With the release of Balloonatic Part Two in September 2006, Eskimo looks set to seal his already unassailable position as the most original and one of the most popular artists working in dance music today.

Influences

Alongside his father, Eskimo has been inspired by a number of well-known artists: [cite news |accessdate=2008-05-28 |url=http://www.4clubbers.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=653 |title=Eskimo - 4clubbers Interview]
* Infected Mushroom
* The Prodigy
* Aphex Twin
* GMS

Current projects

Eskimo is currently working on a project entitled 'Megaband', which involves a collaboration with the psy-trance group Void (Oren Emanuel & Tamir Regev). They have already released 'MTV' (Hello Moto) and it has become a worldwide dancefloor hit (released in Void's Music With More Muscle compilation album). The full album is due to be released in 2009/late 2008. Current known Megaband tracks: MTV, The Fans, Rockstar, Elvis, Guitar Disco, Saltillo Gundown, It's Too Late (Remix), Love Is Gone (Remix).

This year Eskimo is working in the studio to complete Balloonatic Part 3, the final part of his Balloonatic series. He has informed fans that 'Part 3 will be Eskimo vs. all the best acts that Israel has to offer' and it will bear 'absolutely no connection to the 1st or second part'. [cite news |accessdate=2008-05-27 |url=http://www.trackitdown.net/genre/psy_trance/featured_artist/100080.html |title=Eskimo - Featured Interview]

Discography

tudio albums

* 2003: "Can you pick me up?" (Phantasm Records)
* 2004: "Take a look out there" (Phantasm Records, Arcadia Music)
* 2005: "Balloonatic Part One" (Phantasm Records)
* 2006: "Balloonatic Part Two" (Phantasm Records)
* 2008: "Balloonatic Part Three" (upcoming)

Collaborations

* 2005: "Dynamo - Acid Daze" (Eskimo vs Dynamic, Phantasm Records)
* 2007: "Void - Music With More Muscle" (Chemical Crew)
* 2009: "Megaband - The Album" (Eskimo vs Void, upcoming)

External links

* [http://www.phantasmrecords.co.uk/eskimo.html Official Eskimo Page]
* [http://www.myspace.com/eskimodance Official Eskimo Myspace]

References