Elton Phankon.
Interview with Shillong’s rising DJ- Elton Pato. By Paul Fernandes.
Paul: Hello Elton, Can you introduce yourself to the readers of “Imagination Breathing” before we begin with the Interview?
Elton: I am Elton Phankon and my stage name is Elton Pato. I am from a beautiful place named Shillong, which is in the North Eastern part of India. I joined the dance music industry when I was 18 years old. Shillong has produced a lot of good DJ’s like Jop, Arpan, Sev and Larry. They have been a great inspiration to me. My first ever professional “GIG”was “Terramayaa” in Guwahati, Assam where I opened for India’s No 1, hip hop DJ at the age of 19. After that I met Jop Tiewsoh who is a mentor and a teacher to me. He brought me up in this line of DJ-ing to who I am today. I owe him a lot.
Paul: Tell us something you like to do other than DJ-ing?
Elton: I am currently doing my studies in St.Edmund’s college, Shillong. I am a crazy football fan, I organize club events and I try to promote other DJ’s too.
Paul: How do you balance your time between studies and DJ-ing?
Elton: All DJ events are late nights, sometime I come home at 4am and I have college at 7 am. I try my best to be on time and balance my academic life.
Paul: As you are aware, so far “Imagination Breathing” has been viewed in 92 countries, so what was your feeling when I approached you for an interview?
Elton: Couldn’t have a better feeling…I have no words to express how amazing I felt.
Paul: What was your parent’s reaction as you were venturing into the line of DJ-ing at the early age of 18?
Elton: In the beginning it was difficult. My parents did not accept of me being a DJ, because they felt that I may get into narcotics. As time passed they saw that I was taking responsibility for my life and financially I was less dependent on them. Above all I have stayed sober up until now. This is my dream and whatever I do, I do it for the love of music.
Paul: Any big DJ’s that you have shared the stage with?
Elton: I have shared stage with Anil Chawla from U.K, Katya Tsaryova from Ukraine, Candice Redding from South Africa and from India- Tuhin Mehta, Paul and DJ Sa.
Paul: Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
Elton: I have no idea. I believe that will depend on the amount of effort and hard work I put in.
Paul: Who inspired you to get into the line of DJ?
Elton: Its DJ Jop and all the other Indian DJ’s I have seen playing in clubs before I joined the music industry.
Paul: Message to the upcoming DJ’s.
Elton: Be dedicated to your work, because at the end of the day your hard work will finally pay off, don’t cheat music and please respect the other artists.
Paul: Any message to the IB readers?
Elton: Dreams are possible.
Paul: Thank you Elton, it’s been a privilege for me to conduct this interview.
Elton: Thanks to you too. Paul I look forward for “Imagination Breathing” to inspire more people and others to keep writing their inspiring stories.
With Gratitude:
Paul Fernandes.
Founder
Imagination Breathing.
(Inspiring Lives)
