THE DARK WAS CALLING… AND HE ANSWERED!
“And tonight something equally epoch-making is taking place. See? They’re applauding the DJ. Not the music, not the musician, not the creator, but the medium. This is it. The birth of rave culture. The beatification of the beat. The dance age. This is the moment when even the white man starts dancing” – Tony Wilson in 24 Hour Party People
As you might already know by now, PROMO RUSH has just started a new division called DARK SANCTUARY PROMOTIONS. This is a new branch of the rapidly growing and expanding company PROMO RUSH Promotions, that is dedicated to darker styles of music like EBM, goth, alternative and industrial.
What better way to kick off this new and exciting venture, but to showcase a DJ in the dark music realm who is really making waves.
To call Jack an “overnight success” might not be totally accurate, but I think you will agree that Jack is a man on a mission. Once he sets his mind on something there is no stopping him.
Though Jack has only been actively working as a DJ for seven years, he has already spun at over 100 paid venues. Jack’s story is truly inspirational for anyone who had a dream that seemed impossible.
Jack has always loved music. From an early age he was influenced by some of the greatest artists in history like: The Who, The Beatles and John Lennon. Jack was also a fan of the blossoming Freestyle scene with artists like Johnny O, Debbie Deb and Sweet Sensation. However, probably his greatest musical influence was Prince. Jack loved Prince’s take no prisoners R&B/funk style. Who would have thought, that with influences like these, that he would soon become one of the most sought after DJ’s in the dark music world?
Jack’s story ultimately started in in 2002. Little did Jack know, that a visit to one of Boston’s most infamous goth & fetish clubs Manray, would change his life forever. He was memorized by the whole experience. From this bizarre new and exciting music to a lifestyle that made him truly feel at home. After meeting veteran DJ Chris Ewen, Jack knew he had found his calling. Chris introduced him to some of the most incredible music he had ever heard. Like a magnet, Jack was so drawn to this dark-er style of music that he immediately began collecting it. In just a few short months, Jack had built up quite a collection of CD’s. In fact, Jack had already acquired nearly 95% of his music even before he became a working DJ!
Jack began hanging out so much at Manray and around the scene, that he not only because a familiar face but a permanent and well respected fixture in the dark music sector.
Jack had always wanted to be a DJ, but just never was motivated enough to put it into action. He started making mixed CD’s for friends that not only became popular, but highly in demand. Jack felt that the next logical step was to finally pursue his greatest passion, DJ’ing. What was there to lose? He had the drive, the passion, the music and was well respected within the dark music scene. Jack bought his equipment and began teaching himself how to mix.
He met an incredible DJ called Dvls_Advct that would soon become one of Jack greatest mentors. Within a few short years of intense observation and practice, Jack was ready to show the world the skills and unique style he had perfected.
In 2009, Jack started asking around if anyone needed a guest DJ. He met a man named Carey from FIXE Magazine that would give Jack his first gig. Now you may find this hard to believe, but Jack’s first gig was not only paid, but was a 3 hour set for an audience of over 300 people. To top it all off, it was in the heart of Manhattan, one of the biggest meccas for entertainment in the world! Shortly after that very successful gig, Carey hired Jack yet again for another large party, this time in NJ.
Word began spreading about this hot new DJ that had an eclectic style that was like no other. Jack would take elements of his early pop, funk and R&B influences and mix it with a hearty does of goth, EBM, alternative, industrial and some 80′s thrown in for good measure.
Jack was so confident of his abilities, that he never had to audition or send a demo of his sets to any club owner or event promoter. These people knew that they had something special with Jack. DJ Jack Phoenix had become a highly respected and sought after DJ in the dark music arena.
Back in the day, he was known as “The Gothic Guardian”. Jack would go on to entertain large audiences across the country at some of the biggest and most notorious parties and venues such as, The Vampire Ball and Halloween in New Orleans.
What is Jack’s secret to success? ”I really care about the crowd. I feel like I am making a personal connection with them. They are my friends and family. I’m not just standing up here playing records like a human jukebox, I am physically interacting with them. I listen to their needs, take their requests and I carefully watch my dancefloor like a hawk. When I see them getting restless, I mix it up. I don’t play one style all night. I specifically design and cater my sets to the crowd. I don’t walk in with a set pre-etched in stone. I get into a groove and let the audience tell me what they want and I take them where they want to go. When I DJ it isn’t all about what I want. Each crowd is different and unique. I want to give them what they want. I want to make each time I spin the most memorable and unforgettable experience that they have ever had. I want them to walk away at the end of the night saying, “damn that DJ was awesome!” I want them to feel good and I want them to come back to experience me over and over again.”
“I’m fearless in my heart. they will Always see that in my eyes. I am the passion; I am the warfare. I will never Stop…always constant, accurate, and intense”. – Steve Vai
Jack is an International Goth/Industrial as well as Dance/Top-40 large-event DJ. “My main goal over the last 10+ years has been to help unify the Goth/Industrial scene as well as the fetish crowd”.
Some of Jack’s most notable events that he spun at, include: (updated)
BATS DAY, Disney/Anaheim May 29th-31st, 2015 (Largest West Coast Goth Event) The Endless Night Halloween Vampire Ball at the House of Blues in New Orleans (2010-2011) Mike Saga’s I LOVE INDUSTRIAL, Philadelphia PA Nov 11th, 2011 The Manhattan Fetish Cruise in NY, April 15th, 2015 Resurrection, Manchester NH, June 4th, 2015 15th Annual Vampire’s Ball, NY Feb, 2010 Montreal Fetish Weekend, Sept, 2009
Interviewed by Legendary Journalist/Photographer Mick Mercer. Jack is the first full-time DJ/Promoter ever interviewed by him.
CLICK HERE to see THE MICK September 2014 Issue
Jack has started some of the biggest and most popular Facebook groups for the dark and fetish scene around the world:
The International Goth/Industrial & Fetish Scene group on Facebook (19,000+ Members)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/InternationalGothFetishScenes/
The European Goth/Industrial and Fetish Scenes (5,000+ Members)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheEuropeanGothIndustrialFetishEvents/
The East Coast Goth/Industrial & Fetish Scenes (5,700+ Members) :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/147400798450/
The Midwest Goth/Industrial & Fetish Scene (3,400+ Members)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/376387046849/
The West Coast Goth/Industrial and Fetish Scene(6,400+ Members) :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/381694193655/
The Artist & Musician’s Goth/Industrial Musical Scene (5,600+ Members) :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/363238219411/