Do YOUR Dance with Phantom performance at Olive’s Jan. 10

Matt Bower
Posted 1/8/14

Phil “Phantom” Terry is an original hip-hop artist from Ohio and one half of the duo behind D.Y.D, or Do YOUR Dance, the goal of which is to encourage people to discover their passion, pursue it …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Do YOUR Dance with Phantom performance at Olive’s Jan. 10

Posted

Phil “Phantom” Terry is an original hip-hop artist from Ohio and one half of the duo behind D.Y.D, or Do YOUR Dance, the goal of which is to encourage people to discover their passion, pursue it and then share the story of their journey with others in an effort to get them to do the same, and he’s coming to Rhode Island to spread that message.

Terry will perform a concert Saturday, Jan. 10 at Olive’s in Providence. It will be Rhode Islanders’ first opportunity to experience a D.Y.D show and truly understand what Terry and Lindsey Lerner of Warwick, his friend, manager and D.Y.D co-creator, are attempting to do with D.Y.D.

Although Terry has been writing and recording his own rhymes since he was 12 years old, the true concept of D.Y.D wasn’t realized until he met Lerner while the two were studying abroad in Chile last fall.

“I got started back when I was about 12 years old. It was nothing like what Lindsey has helped me turn it into today,” Terry said in interview conducted through email with the Beacon. “Back then it was just my cousin and I in his basement working on some very old equipment.”

Terry admits it wasn’t something he was initially interested in but his cousin persisted.

“I actually didn’t even want to rap. I was really shy; he just convinced me every time I went over there,” he said. “After doing that for three years with him, he decided to put it aside and told me to keep it going.”

It wasn’t long before Terry realized D.Y.D was a positive outlet for his emotions.

“At that same time, I realized writing with pen and paper is a lot better than going to school with bloody knuckles, so I decided to turn D.Y.D. into my life to let out the emotions I kept locked in,” he said.

Terry said D.Y.D is all about “passion and drive.”

“To me, D.Y.D. means ‘doing you,’ no matter what anyone else has to say about it; if you’re loving your life, then you’re doing it right. If people are loving it, then that’s even better; but if they aren’t, then who cares if they don’t love you … you love you.”

Terry said he attributes much of his success to the time he spent in Chile. While there, Lerner was able to book a number of shows for a small tour for him through some club promoters that were relatives of families hosting other study abroad students.

“Chile was unforgettable,” he said. “Chile is where I learned so much about myself and what I want to do, and even gave me an insight to what my life will be like when I ‘make it.’ I loved Chile so much. I mean, I could have used some food from the U.S., but everything else was just ecstasy.”

Chile is not only where Terry met Lerner, but where D.Y.D was reshaped, reformed and expanded into something bigger.

“For me, I think it was when we realized we had something new; this isn’t just a hip-hop group. We are taking this past just the music,” Terry said regarding when he and Lerner realized the expanded D.Y.D vision and what it is capable of. “I think when we started to really get to know each other and what we wanted to do in this world and that we basically thought the same, the light bulb went off. We brought it to the people we were closest to and started to see the different genuine support for not only the music anymore, but this whole business and movement. Then I knew … wow, we could/will change the world.”

Terry spoke highly of Lerner, not only as a friend but also as a partner and manager.

“She has been the best partner in crime I have ever had in this industry. Not only is she a tenacious, spunky, ball of passion, but also she has just kept this whole ride fun, always keeping it 100,” he said. “I mean most people are like, ‘Wait … your hip-hop manager is a tiny blonde girl from Rhode Island?’ and I’m just like. ‘Hell yeah!’ I’m proud of her; she works harder than anyone I know … You don’t want to be on her bad side. In all honesty, you’ve got two options with her: Jump on the wagon now, or hate and join us later!”

Although many people recently took some time to slow down and enjoy the holidays, Terry has been hard at work on his next album, and began recording it the day after Christmas.

“I love listening, I love acting, I love learning, but most of all I love writing. I have already written about 10 songs for the album in a month or so. Obviously, not all of them will make it to the album so we will release them as singles, but all together it’s on its way,” he said. “It will be full of the personality that surrounds D.Y.D in all ways from serious passion to club/dance vibes to chill easy rolling hits. This has been the most time I have spent on an album and we want to make sure it comes out perfect down to each word said on the track.”

As for what Phantom has in store for the audience on Jan. 10, “You can expect a performance, something that will stimulate your ears, eyes, and mind.”

Terry said when he does a show; he likes to make it an interactive experience.

“Obviously, you’ll hear the music, but I like to add some of the acting skills I have been working on into my performance. I want to make the audience feel … really vibe with me for every second I am up there,” he said. “I want them to feel like they are getting to know who Phantom is and what D.Y.D is all about. I want to keep everyone engaged and then [have them] leave like they just woke from a dream.”

Terry said all performers at the show on Jan. 10 have a good understanding of what D.Y.D is all about.

“Whether it is the youngest performer who goes by JSCRIE or our more experienced artists Dougie Kent and Jbre visiting from Philly, we are all working together to make January 10th a night to remember!” he said. “Lindsey tells me The Olive is just as excited as we are! The other special guests also include Stephanie Johnson of Warwick, Michel from Rhode Island, Derelikt from Boston, and Ol’ Souls also coming from Philly.”

Terry said it doesn’t matter who comes to the show, those that attend will have a great time.

“Everyone is more than welcome to come,” he said. “I’ve been told a whole range of people that are going so far, from some of the artists’ parents and their friends to students from local universities … crazy! This really shows what D.Y.D is about – it’s not about whether or not you like a specific genre of music; it’s about coming out to support someone’s D.Y.D and how they are following their passion.

“There is not one person who is not searching for happiness; and by supporting the movement of D.Y.D, that is what you’re supporting, each person finding their happiness, their D.Y.D.”

Terry, a double major in political science and psychology with a certificate in security studies, said he wants people to really get an understanding of the D.Y.D movement he and Lerner are creating.

“I like to be very personable, that’s the psychologist in me. I want to interact with anyone and everyone; so if you leave the show and don’t have a sense of what D.Y.D. is, then I didn’t do my job,” he said.

While D.Y.D has taken a foothold in Ohio, Terry said there’s still work to be done.

“Since the whole concept is relatively new, it’s hard to say it has caught on completely. I mean people know D.Y.D. and I can walk around my city and be called out as Phantom from random people at a party who have heard of me to professors at the college I attend,” he said. “So we do have work to do, but if we got this far in half a year, I am excited to see how far we can get by this time next year!”

Terry encouraged people to share their D.Y.D experiences by emailing doyourdancedyd@gmail.com.

“Just want to tell the readers to get out there and do y’all, just be you, Do YOUR Dance! Any amazing stories you get doing it, send us an email about it. We need all of your D.Y.D’s to really do ours!”

Phantom will perform his D.Y.D show on Saturday, Jan. 10 at Olive’s, 108 North Main St., Providence. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show starts at 9. Ages are girls 18+ and guys 21+. Tickets are $10 if purchased in advance by contacting Lindsey at 215-6533, or may also be purchased for $11.54 online at www.eventbrite.com/e/dougie-kentjbre-dyd-olives-pvd-tickets-14794206871.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here