Phil Way: The New PHILosophy (Part I)
Attention Evildoers!! We are proud to introduce what we hope will be a long line of Evil Bubble interviews!! For our first interview subject, we have chosen to do a Q&A with Phil Way! Phil is a talented musician and audio engineer out of the Twin Tiers. We go way back with him, and respect his many talents. Learn more about Phil in our two part interview. Check back for the second part of the interview this coming Thursday!!! Stay evil, my beloved minion.
P.S.
For good measure we have attached an "OST" of sorts. We made a few selections from Phil's Soundcloud page that you can listen to while you read the interview. Give Phil a follow and a play!
*OST:
Only Is The Way Take Your Time Kiss My Brain Answer Lone Home Vision Of No Other Funky Revolution Go On Waterfalls In Paper Cups Brighter Days All Around My Head
Phil Way Interview - Part 1
Q: Why and when did you start playing music?
A: I had always taken a liking to music and music class back to my first memories. I started actually playing music at around 10 years old with a cheap keyboard followed by guitar. My parents were big time music listeners who had a wide palette of tastes and I think that got me enveloped in the want to create and perform from a young age.
Q: Which early influences define your tastes today?
A: As far as influences go, I really can't name too many off the top of my head. It was such a mix of taking a little from here and a little from there. I try not to idolize but rather learn and absorb. I guess if I had to name a few that really stuck I'd say John Scofield, Led Zeppelin, The Strokes, early green Day, System of A Down, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Weezer. As I get older i'm really liking more funk, jazz, and fusion and I've been moving away from more of the rock rooted stuff. It's like a quest to be surprised and amazed I suppose. I like unpredictable music. It tickles my brain.
Q: What were some of your early musical projects?
A: I think the biggest project I delved into was my former band Amongst The Monks. It really got me moving on making funky progressive music and it kept me motivated to push outside my typical comfort zone.
(Listen to some Amongst The Monks here)
Q: Any funny memories of early live music experience?
A: Unfortunately I never saw much live music until my teen years so there's not too many memories aside from being a jam out in front of the mirror kinda kid with a red mohawk.
Q: When did you discover that you love playing live music?
A: It sounds cheesy but I think I always knew it would be a big part of my life. Home videos show me performing for the family in the living room on a platform, singing my heart out, hand gestures and all. Some of my happiest memories involve just listening and playing around with instruments. I'm sure it played a big part in why I have become a performer and audio engineer. Rehearsing is fun but performing live brings out this certain magic and energy that you can't always get alone at home in your bedroom or in a room with a few people.
Q: Where do you hope to take your musical career?
A: I've kind of been winding down on the whole band and live performance thing to really hone in my skills as an engineer and recording artist. I hope to get back out there in the next year or two but I just want to buckle down and record some solo albums. When we die, recordings are all us musicians have to carry on our memory. It's a beautiful thing to be able to give people thoughts and feelings without having to be present.
Q: Any musical recommendations?
A: I've been listening to a lot of the following artists lately: Fearless Flyers/Vulfpeck, Mac Demarco, Hiatus Kaiyote, Thundercat, Snarky Puppy, Knower, Organ Freeman, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Andy Shauf. I could surely go on...
Q: What do you think of the state of music today?
A: It's a double edged sword for sure. I think I have always been happiest on the DIY route. Things can get ugly fast in corporate situations. Especially with how unpredictable the industry can be. There's a lot of great engineers working on a lot of crappy music. I guess whatever sells.. *sarcastic sigh. It's best to surround yourself with like minded individuals and work towards a common goal. If you work hard and have talent, you'll get the recognition you deserve. I think it's key to remove yourself from flakes and lazy people. It'll help push you further and keep your focus in check.
Q: Where do you see music going in the next ten years?
A: Beep bop beep boop. That's where I thought it was going a few years ago. But my faith in music is being restored. I'm digging some modern productions and also how disco and funk are working their way back into the mainstream sound. Also the things we can do with audio is only getting more advanced. I'm hoping for a new wave of noises and samples to hit the masses where it makes you think, "what the hell was that sound?" I don't think rock and roll will ever die, it'll just be re-branded.
Phil is now the Owner and Engineer at Sons Of Apollo Studio
Stay tuned for Part II coming soon...
Stay Safe,
Stay Evil.
Now go and listen to some Phil!