Upcoming Shows

July 1st Aura Bar Southampton

Biography

George Phillips is something of an anomaly amongst young British songwriters in that he is equally brilliant in a number of different guises. If he is aware of it or not, his songs contain elements of everything from the visceral emotional hardcore of Alexisonfire to the contemplative lyricism of Tom McRae and Death Cab for Cutie’s Benjamin Gibbard.

Having performed in a number of seemingly disparate bands over the course of his short career, he seems to have absorbed a diverse selection of influences almost by osmosis. On the surface it seems like fairly straightforward, introspective, acoustic pop with a rich, soulful voice and shimmering, understated arrangements, but dig a little deeper and it’s like a checklist of all the best elements that go into making the best modern

singer-songwriters. Reverb-drenched, folky guitars and tight harmonies worthy of The Band combining to form sweeping, melancholic anthems that evoke everything from Damien Rice to Van Morrison.

George has almost certainly never listened to Van Morrison, but that’s the beauty of his song writing. It’s unselfconscious enough to benefit from having had parents with cool record collections and a childhood spent in deepest, darkest Wiltshire, where there was nothing to do but strum a guitar.

Listen to the end of ‘Lost’. Go on listen to it. It sounds almost like pedal steel on some old Merle Haggard record. Or try ‘What For’. In his wettest of dreams, Chris Martin writes songs like this. In fact, this is probably what Sigur Ros songs sound like before they go all alien. Except not in Icelandic. Or something.

Not to be tied down to any particular genre, George also lends his unique talents to various other projects, most notably his electro act “.she.swears.blind.”, alt-everything popsters “Wicker Park Row” and recently experimental indie band “A Season In Reverse”, demonstrating his strength as an arranger and multi-instrumentalist. And he’s only 23.

Gigging regularly in and around the south coast, George’s shows are noted for the warmth of both the performer and the audience. A loyal and committed following built up purely by word of mouth. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for concerts and releases from this singularly gifted artist.
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© 2010 George Phillips