Phil Lankester AKA Libra 9 Interview by Andi Leppard
Phil Lankester (AKA Libra 9),as most of you know, is a London (UK) based DJ / Producer / Promoter that anyone who has had a sniff into the London clubbing scene will certainly have heard play and to many of the regular faces is famous for banging out high quality technical Psychedelic Trance sets full of effects and trickery! Many DJ’s in the scene feel that Mr Lankester’s talents tower over the rest of our abilities, so with that in mind new Puzzle Project Resident Andi Leppard caught up with Phil before this coming weekends Puzzle Project @ the 414 club in Brixton to discuss all this Puzzle, Psy Trance and err hedgehogs……
So Mr Lankester, hows tricks?
Things are really good at the moment, 2010 has been a little bit of a roller coaster in my musical career and my personal life. Things are currently on track for the 2nd half of 2010 to start! Some amazing things coming up, Symmetry festival, some great Halcyon stuff.... The list goes on, but I cant tell any secrets!!!
Could you tell us a brief bit about the music you play?
I like to think of the style I play as full on energetic driving Psychedelic beats... otherwise known as full on Psy Trance, Im always on the look out for new material, I like to keep my sets mainly newer stuff fused with a few older ones in there!
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Unless you've been locked in a Turkish prison, its common knowledge these days that Libra9 / Phil Lankester DJs and performs at just about every party in the London and UK psychedelic trance scene!! How is it all going and please share with us some of the highlights?
Biggest highlights must be Halcyon @ Matter, and at the Fridge, it was great to see that venue back to its former glory. More parties like that please! I recently visited Illuminaughty up in Manchester and was amazed at the event, Its always nice going out on a night where you don’t have to play and you're seeing it from the other side of the fence... so to say!
Alongside the extensive list of bookings, you are a fundamental cog in the machine that is the successful long running London based night Puzzle Project. Tell us about your involvement and your time spent at the club 414?
Some would argue that I spend too much time there. I seem to find myself involved an a few projects at 414, Tony & Louise are great friends and great venue owners to get on with, so its hard to not be involved in some way. Puzzle Project is fastly approaching its 5th Birthday, so Im looking forward to seeing whats in store for our 6th year as Puzzle Project @ 414
As well as winning HarderFaster DJ of the year 2 years running, in recent times you have secured a residency at London's biggest psychedelic trance event, the uber successful Halcyon, as Libra9! Please enlighten us as to how you started working with Halcyon, performing at Matter and some of the highlights to date?
Well firstly, my highlight for Halcyon was playing back to back with yourself, thoroughly enjoyable set!!! Paul Jack approached me just before the first event and asked me to play as a guest, then before you know it, I was offered a residency.... Cant thank him enough for that! :o) I’m very proud to be part of the biggest Psy Trance event in London, really chuffed!
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You've performed at Halcyon, Party Proactive, Antiworld, Psy-N-Tific, Puzzle Project, Peace to name but a few! However, what bookings have you got coming up soon and are there any other events / promotions you are looking to work with in the future?
Coming soon is Symmetry festival in Norfolk. I’m playing the Psy Trance stage and on the face of it looks like an amazing event, There's some great events coming up for Halcyon too, but I cant let anyone know details yet, but very exciting times ahead!!!
Bit of a classic question now! What artists are you enjoying at the moment? And what tunes are going down well with the kids?
I don’t necessarily follow particular artists or labels, it really depends on the individual tracks. If it fits in to the set, it'll get played.
*** Now its time for the quick fire round where you get to answers to the questions that we ALL need to know the answers to! Here we go***
Name 3 things you can do with a hedgehog?
I’m not a cruel person but...
In the winter, wake him up.
Paint him blue and call him sonic
Get him to cross the road to meet his flat mate?
Marmite! Love it or hate it?
Hate it....
Favourite poison?
Just beer will suffice
You are doing a gig and have time for one final song and you have two tunes left and they are Dire Straits 'Money for Nothing' and Kate Bush 'Wuthering Heights', which tune you would you play?
Good question..... I'd say mash them both together!
All time favourite tune?
Still love Agnelli & Nelson, El Nino
Why do gorillas have large nostrils?
Coz they have large fingers?
Sexy question now! Would you rather receive an 'erotic massage' from John McCririck (Horse racing guy) OR go to bed with Cheryl Cole BUT you have to let her stick a small cactus up your ass......??
I'd choose the Cheryl Cole option here....
Top 3 tunes?
Cant possibly name 3, it changes all the time, although have always loved Prodigy!
And finally Birds Eye Peas or the Poddington Peas?
Poddington... all day long. :o)
Mr Phil Lankester / Libra9 may thanks for your time and keep up the good work. See you in a nightclub soon..........................
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