Growing up in the small industrial town of Tamworth in Staffordshire (UK), Phil was attracted to all things musical from a young age. Son of an original BrumBeat drummer and French teacher, he developed an ear for rhythm and melodic intonation. Realising that their son maybe had potential in music they bought a secondhand Broadwood piano from an auction, the piano had a wooden frame and sticky keys but became a favourite toy for a noisy 4 year old. In a desperate attempt to avoid school French lessons Phil signed up for violin/viola lessons renting his battered school violin for £1 per term. With a drum kit never far away and with his father’s warnings about drummers “never making any money”, Phil paid for some guitar lessons out of his glass washing money (from working in a local pub from the age of 12 - is that even legal?!).
Brighton Beach - Photo Credit Liza Morton
Nutfield Priory UK, Photo Credit: Andrew Franklin
Phil’s lessons came courtesy of Wolfsbane’s guitarist Jason Edwards although he spent a lot of time listening to the musings of lead singer Blaze Bailey who went on to become Iron Maiden’s front man. With a love of Metal (growing up in the Midlands during the 90’s made it even better) Phil moved on to playing Bass with several bands in the local area until the local pub he worked in bought the ugliest piano imaginable and sat it in the bar. Local blues legend Roy Everett (signed to the same label as Elton John and recordings of his version of “Empty Sky” still exist today) pushed a 16 year old Phil to accompany him and his harmonica every weekend (with notable additions each week). The pub landlord even paid for a piano tuner.
After discovering his trusty Atari ST computer could communicate with various keyboards (a prized Roland D10 Synth which he still has today hidden in the studio), Phil developed a respect for electronic music and the wider opportunities it offered musicians.
Whilst nurturing his love for blues and metal, Phil also performed as a Chorister (Staffordshire Youth Choir), Lead Viola (Staffordshire Youth Orchestra & Midland Youth Orchestra, Conducted by Sir Simon Rattle), Principal Violin (Tamworth Symphony Orchestra) and finally as a member of the National Youth Choir. Despite a plea to become an electrician, Phil left Tamworth to pursue a music career in London.
Subterrania London 1997: No idea who took this!
Back to the 80's Secombe Theatre London 2008
In the intervening years,earning a living as stage management and performer in London, working on productions such as Miss Saigon (Drury Lane), Carmen (Royal Opera), La Traviata (ENO), Phil continued to have a passion for composition, recording and mixing. Studying with Professor Kevin Jones (Kingston University), Mary Hammond (Royal Academy), Phil went on to teach music and music technology for 15 years before returning to the event industry as director of Music Theatre Academy Limited and MTA Events
The company built and installed 3 recording studios and has produced several large theatrical productions at regional and national level (Little Shop of Horrors, Sweeney Todd, Back to the 80’s, Disco Inferno and Fame). The events business became trusted corporate suppliers for De Vere, Handpicked Hotels, Formula One Management, LG Electronics to name a few. It was these connections that led to Phil’s first composing opportunities in the field of corporate music soundtracks and multi-media advertising.
Youth Music concert Royal Albert Hall 2005
International LG Conference:
Photo Credit: Andrew Franklin
The ear for a tune and the emotional impact that this can deliver became the cornerstone of his music production. Phil uses his wide musical experience from Metal to Classical and Electronic music in order to create unique and powerful compositions for clients all over the world.
When the world closed its doors for performing musicians in 2020, he decided to join the incredibly talented musicians at Thinkspace Education (Chichester University) in order to complete a Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) in Professional Media Composition and Orchestration. Studying composition with Guy Michelmore (Marvel), Sam Watts (Traitors / Dr Who), Mike Worth (Rush Hour 3) among others, he has been able to develop an outstanding network of like minded composers working at the highest level.
Phil recently completed the “Paw Fect Moments” album accompanying the 2024 Brighton Arts Exhibition and a new campaign for De Vere Hotels. Current projects include library music for LiftMusic, Game audio/composition for a small indie developer (Shhh) and a new commission for the Brighton Festival.