“John's understanding of music, culture and creativity has been important to Phantasy for many years, and his ability to translate the work of the label and our artists into words has been invaluable. I could talk endlessly with him about music and our shared interests.”

Erol Alkan. Founder & Creative Director, Phantasy Sound.

"John is consistently a pleasure to collaborate with. His expertise in language and understanding of film has been an integral part of our work with producers and filmmakers at the International Co-Production Market since 2017."

Martina Bleis. Manager - Official Projects, Berlinale Co-Production Market

“When working on a new product, it is always convenient to be able to tap into John's knowledge of electronic music culture and history. He is able to get to grips with new markets and audiences quickly and always brings versatility to his copy.”

Liam Ashton, Product Marketing Manager, Loopcloud (The Beatport Group)

“Working with John is amazing! His ability to distil the essence of a film into compelling synopses is of great value not only to our work but also to the film teams we work with. Having an external set of eyes look at and present the film has become essential in promoting the film for its world premiere - and well after that. If you're looking for an on-point film synopsis, John is the writer to turn to.”

Mirjam Wiekenkamp. Founder, Noise PR.

I’m a freelance writer, journalist, broadcaster and creative, living and working in Berlin, DE. Born in the North-West of England and based in Germany since 2015, I have spent nearly twenty years at the intersection of electronic and alternative music, as well as film and technology.

Initially beginning my career as a freelance journalist, I previously documented club culture weekly in the UK, first as Clubs Editor for the regional arts magazine The Skinny, before moving onto an equivalent role at  The Guardian’s former weekend print supplement ‘The Guide’, where I remained active weekly until it ceased publication in 2020. 

I have since continued to write features, retrospectives  and conduct in-depth interviews for print and digital publications including Bandcamp Daily, Resident Advisor,  CRACK, Time Out, Mixmag, DJ Mag, Vice and Easyjet Magazine, where my focus has long since broadened beyond the parameters of electronic music, and into alternative and popular culture at large.

As a commercial copywriter, I specialise in text that communicates innovative ideas and cultural shifts to a wider audience. In recent years, I have worked extensively with Loopmasters, the prolific sample pack and music technology company that is part of the wider Beatport Group, diversifying the culture and product with the collaboration of musicians and manufacturers internationally, creating bespoke emails, press releases and website content.

I play a key role in both creative and record label management at Erol Alkan’s long-running independent Phantasy Sound, as well as Palms Trax’s more recently inaugurated imprint, CWPT. My responsibilities here include A&R/artist development as well as project management, incorporating designers, mixing/mastering engineers and associated PR, ensuring a healthy release schedule of established and upcoming artists, with whom I collaborate with closely in order to deliver a mutually beneficial shared vision.

In the case of Phantasy,  I am also responsible for developing the label’s public-facing communications, composing weekly newsletters, social media copy, as well as the press texts for individual albums, EPs and the label’s long-running mix series, produced  in collaboration with Apple Music. I also personally curate this series, with an eye on celebrating like-minded artists and labels within a shared independent market, organically expanding our reach in the process.

My approach is highly diverse and sensitive to the individual expectations and budgets of artists and labels alike. I have undertaken biography work for headlining artists including Peggy Gou, Daniel Avery and A Love From Outer Space, and my specialist copy can be found across hundreds of releases pitched to DSPs, as well as in record stores worldwide.

Since 2017 I have served as the Native Language Consultant for the Berlinale International Co-Production Market, an annual, five-day event for producers, sales agents and distributors within the independent film industry. Having previously served as the event’s Catalogue Editor, the role also created opportunities for myself to work with other PR and communications companies on promotional copy for a diverse portfolio of films premiering at significant festivals including Cannes, Locarno and RIFF.

Contributing positively to a continuum of musical culture myself, I DJ and produce under the alias of John Loveless. My long-running show Display Resolution on Berlin’s independent Cashmere Radio began in 2017, concluding with 100 episodes in 2025. I have since continued to broadcast on Refuge Worldwide, combining music with interviews, tribute and retrospective shows. I have mixed and curated a trilogy of compilations exploring the Phantasy Sound back catalogue entitled ‘A Psychedelic Sensibility’, and maintain a studio partnership with Gramrcy, producing records which have been featured in campaigns for brands including Hugo Boss and Moschino.