John Fleming is one of the few artistes who have kept pure trance alive without adulterating it for commercial success. In a career spanning 20 years, he has had releases with record labels such as Ministry of Sound, Deconstruction Records, Logic Records and 3 Beat Music. A passionate advocate of original music, he has set up his own record label ‘Joof recordings'. Submerge brought him to Delhi for the first time as a part of the ‘Joof Editions India Tour'.
“If I could change one thing about the current EDM scene I would split it in two — the underground and the commercial electronic,” says John. He is very disappointed with the current hullabaloo of commercialization that has significantly changed people's perception of trance. “Trance is something that totally isolates you from the outside world and teleports you to a different sense of being where you have no idea how time flies by. But what most of the DJs play today isn't trance. They should call it something else. Underground is the place to go for good music and we will soon witness a resurrection,” he speculates.
Having started his musical journey with Goa trance before moving to progressive and psychedelic, he has attended ‘Sunburn' (India's famed electronic music festival held in Goa) every single year since its inception in 2007. He calls upon upcoming artistes to play what they love and not be afraid of the consequences. “If you make original music without being influenced, people will pay attention and remember you for your music.”
Fleming travels extensively to give people a taste of true trance. He is looking forward to the release of his debut album as a solo artiste on August 16 this year.
“I love it, I really do! I am not just saying this because I am sitting here. I have been coming here for five years and now I come as often as four times a year. I really love the excitement and energy in the people. They appreciate underground music,” exclaims John on being asked about his India experience.. Fleming loves Indian food and swears by dal makhani. “I have to have it whenever I am here,” he says with a twinkling smile.
