Instrumentalists across the generations have proved that music does not need vocals to convey a powerful sense of emotion - nor does it need more than one performer, as many recently guitar soloists have shown, and Nathan Phillips is no exception. As a solo acoustic guitarist, he crafts delicate musical architectures which range from flash-bang percussive to soulful, abstract, and introspective. Nathan's music allows a single acoustic guitar to project the sounds of an entire orchestra through both tasteful technicality and electronic looping devices. He will often incorporate a looping breakdown to build a song into a frenzy of rhythm and percussion, which is used as a springboard to let fly over top.
"I should have known something was up," says Nathan, "when the only toys I wanted when I was little were musical instruments. I got a guitar eventually, but couldn't figure out what a fret was, and refused to take lessons. I was 5." At 18, he is making up for lost time with marathon practice sessions that often end in the early morning. "I was in my junior year of high school when my band director brought in a Michael Hedges cd for us to listen to. I was a trumpet player and developing bassist at the time and could hardly fathom Hedges' music - so I decided to learn how it worked. I thought he was 6 guitar players, but he was only one. All I knew was I wanted to be able to do the same." The rest is, as they say, history. Many of Nathan's classmates can attest to his lightning-quick development on the instrument after playing bass guitar for two years previously. In his two short years of experience on acoustic guitar, he has learned and performed works by such legends as Michael Hedges, Andy Mckee, and Don Ross.
In October 2007, Nathan's skills were put to their first true test as he competed in the Acousti-Classic guitar competition at Jamie's Restaurant in Dormont, Pennsylvania. After two rigorous rounds of competition, Nathan's unique playing style triumphed over nearly 30 other competitors, winning him the guitar he now composes .. the competition I got tired of playing other people's music as much," Nathan muses. Each following performance sees less and less covers, allowing Nathan's originality to shine through. He currently has 10 originals in various stages of progress, many of which will be recorded in June 2008 for Nathan's first studio-produced demo. After that, he plans to play shows around the Pittsburgh area over the summer before returning to Duquesne University for his second year as a digital media major and to finish composing his first complete studio album.
Nathan aims to change the world - but he harbors no dreams of stardom. "I've always said that if my music impacts one person, then I've done my job," he clarifies. "I believe I've helped a few out here and there already...but that just makes me want to do more." His music chronicles this continuing saga, and gives every listener a clear view into his heart.
Stop by for some acoustic Christmas tunes. You’ll have to scroll down a bit in the player. Myspace won’t let me change the order of the tunes. Merry Christmas.
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Nathan of New Kensington, I do say it's been a delight listening to all of what music you've got to offer the public. To make things interesting, I've been gearing up for a melancholy piece to surface my introduction to the musical world! I'd fancy a sitdown with you when I come home for Christmas. All in good time, lad. Cheers!
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