"A sultry and soothing jazzy offering, this goes down so smoothly. While addressing a real social media phenomenon that is rampant in our society (BTW, the lyrics are great), one cannot help but slip into some kind of regal period jazz fantasyland when listening to this" ~ The Spill Magazine
"A fabulous heartfelt confessional... A purveyor of the urban blues, Phillips offers an enthralling proposition in this beautifully wrought song" ~ Amplify Music Magazine
"A romancing of the senses with its noir lit contemplation and that almost boozy air to its fiery breath... a soulful engagement as off kilter and unique as it is warmly beguiling and emotively comforting" ~ Ringmaster Review
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"E.G. Phillips channels dark singer-songwriters… Like a distant cousin of his forbearers Nick Cave, Tom Waits, and Leonard Cohen... It's always satisfying to discover something with such an old wise soul." ~ Real Gone
San Francisco-based artist E.G. Phillips presents a sultry yet pensive offering in his new single ‘I Am The One Who Ghosts’ featuring Spanish artist Mar Vilaseca on vocals. This is the third taste of Phillips’ forthcoming 'Outlaw The Dead' EP, produced by Chris McGrew and mixed with the assistance of Billboard-charting producer Jaimeson Durr (Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Hope Sandoval).
Recorded in Studio C of Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco (AKA Wally’s HydeOut) at the former Wally Heider Studios, this is the same space where such legendary artists as Herbie Hancock, Santana, Grateful Dead, Green Day and Dead Kennedys recorded some of their most legendary releases.
"When I started writing this one, I had in mind Walter White's infamous declaration "I am the one who knocks" in Breaking Bad. I thought this was an interesting, assertive approach from which to talk about the pattern of behavior we've come to describe as "ghosting". It seems like something people are more likely to accuse others of doing or be flippant about when they do it themselves. Along the way, the song became more confessional and, as is my want, cynical," explains E.G. Phillips.
The atmospheric instrumentation was born of that alchemy that develops between veteran musicians who have performed together many times and have created many records together, as is the case with Kevin Seal, Chris McGrew, and Christopher Fortier — who have been playing together in various bands since the mid 90s, including progressive punk band Griddle and psych rock outfit Seal Party. Fortier, in particular, is a tour-de-force here, providing some spectral David Glimor-esque riffs.
The vocals are by Barcelona native Mar Vilaseca, who's producer Chris McGrew first heard her when she was performing at the Black Cat jazz club in San Francisco. He thought she would be a good match for this track, which he felt needed some "sang'n" to complement its sparse sonic landscape and rightly so.
'I Am The One Who Ghosts' follows up the lead track 'It Ain't Good to Be in Love With You', a jazzy affair that showcases the Tom Waits meets Nick Cave-esque facets of his confessional songwriting, and latest single 'A Bridge Too Far (MacArthur Station)' featuring Grace Renaud on vocals.
A tech refugee originally from the Midwest, Phillips ultimately found greener grass on the West coast. Originally from Chicago suburbs, but having also lived in East Central Illinois and Minnesota, his musical journeys have grown more adventurous since relocating to the Bay Area at the turn of the century, especially since venturing out on the open mic scene in San Francisco -- finding a musical home of sorts at Bazaar Cafe.
With the steadfast backing of his band Ducks With Pants, Phillips blends lyric-driven compositions with his own special blend of whimsy and cinematic imagery, offering a wry take in dealing with the longings of the heart and the madness of existence.
Vocalist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Mar Vilaseca was born in 1998, in Barcelona, Spain. Mar grew up in a musical environment and learned how to play and sing at a very young age. She was classically trained in piano and traditional harmony at the Conservatorio del Liceo. At 14, she started singing professionally in her father’s band, where she began her career in jazz and modern music. Mar moved to New York to study her Master of Music in Jazz Studies at The Juilliard School, with Professors Wynton Marsalis, Carla Cook, Elio Villafranca, Kenny Washington, and Donald Vega among others, graduating in 2022 with the Juilliard Career Advancement Fellowship Award.
As of September 6, 'I Am The One Who Ghosts' is available across fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where Phillips' back catalogue can also be explored. On November 2, Phillips will perform at The Utah Saloon in San Francisco to celebrate this release and, prior to that, at The Waypost in Portland on September 15.
CREDITS
E.G. Phillips — vocals
Christopher Fortier — guitars, electric bass
Kevin Seal — keys
Chris McGrew — percussion
Ethan Levitt — tenor sax
Recorded at Wally's HydeOut in Hyde Street Studio C, San Francisco
Recorded by Gary Hobish
Produced by Chris McGrew
Mixed by Chris McGrew and Jaimeson Durr
Mastered by Gary Hobish, A. Hammer Mastering
Artwork by Mario M. Noche
All songs written by E.G. Phillips (ASCAP)
© 2023 Ducks With Pants Music
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