artist Dave Phillips

Vancouver songwriter Dave Phillips has certainly found his own voice. Perhaps that is what compels him to find new sounds, new melodies, “new colours” as evident on his solo debut “1887 - 1905”. 

While this unlikely collaboration with veteran producer Ben Mink does hit on something new, it is everywhere rooted with a deep understanding of his musical tradition. 

Dave Phillips began playing locally in his hometown of Vancouver as the guitar slinging frontman for his first group The R.A.F. While writing and recording their 2007 EP ‘514 Squadron’ Phillips was drafted to play guitar on Brian Dunn’s ‘Hash Country’ sessions with Mark Browning (Ox) at the helm. This experience was a catalyst for a dramatic shift in Phillips’ own songwriting and musical vision. Once led astray by the two Ontario cowboys, Phillips began to drift further and further into the loosely defined borders of alt-country.

His next step was a 32 night tour of Britain and Ireland where he cut his teeth and came into his own as a solo troubadour. Upon his return to Vancouver Dave began working on his most important work to date. 

He’s managed to say a lot in this five song disc. Each track stands alone as a rich, complex statement both lyrically and musically. The Georgia straight has praised the record’s “rich and expansive sound” and “just-right emotive vocals”.

But as always, Phillips is determined to find those new things; new sounds, new songs and a new audience. That’s why he has toured the UK and Ireland twice since his first visit. That’s why he continues to travel to wherever he can find a new audience to play to.