Michel Fantom ’24 (Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology) recently released a new indie rock EP, “Chasing Ghosts.” The album contains three songs: the first two were created in his home studio during the summer of 2022, and the last song was recorded mostly on Shenandoah University’s campus this past spring.
“My professors at SU have helped me take my skills to the next level with the quality of my music, as well as collaborating with other creative students on campus who have also taught me outside of class,” said Fantom.
Fantom has been playing classical music for 13 years and making music for around 9 years. He has most recently been mostly making hip hop music with artists on campus under the name Fantom Finatic and has several releases with that name. This is his first major release under his own name, Michel Fantom, and the first rock project he has released.
“As a kid, I grew up listening to bands like The Beatles and The Talking Heads, and as a teenager I listened to a lot of jazz and hip hop. The cultivation of these influences has allowed me to create my own sound with this project. I loved the unique process of making each song on the EP, and collaborating with SU alumnus Thomas Preston, who is a talented musician and lyricist. I am excited to see what we make next!”
Fantom and Preston ’23 (Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology) formed a band last year called Common Criminals and they perform throughout the Winchester area.
“Working with Mike was great,” said Preston. “He always has such good ideas, and sometimes it’s just a matter of helping him unlock them. There’s something special about giving a song or project that little push that it needs. Sometimes it’s a lyric here or there, or maybe a guitar part, or even just positive encouragement. Whatever it is, it’s always so satisfying to see the finished product.”
“Fun fact,” continued Fantom. “I had only the chorus for ‘Peru’ written from 5 years ago until Tom helped me write everything else last year!”
“Chasing Ghosts” is available on many major streaming platforms.
