The Festival Voice Presents: Phyphr Interview
We recently got to sit down with Phyphr at Solshine Reverie and we’re so excited to share our exclusive interview with you! Check it out!
S: Hey it’s Savannah with The Festival Voice and we are here at Solshine Reverie live with Phyphr.
Phyphr: Hey, what’s up!
S: So you played yesterday, how did that go? Wasn’t that right when the rain was starting or something?
P: It was like right after.
S: Oh, right after.
P: I mean, it was right in between the rain, basically. We were trying to sound check and it was raining and so we had to stop but we ended up doing the sound check and the rain held out and during the set. And it rained again later in the night. So it was the perfect time.
S: I was bummed because I had planned to be there and I was sitting in the line, just waiting in the storm. I sat in line for two hours in my car because of the storm.
P: Yeah, the set went good. I rocked with Chris Anderson on drums, which I don’t usually rock with a drummer so it was exciting and nerve racking, yeah it was so good and I was very happy with that. And you know, I just brought the talk box into the live set, which was fun to play on live. It made me step out of my comfort zone and it made me grow as an artist. I was having a lot of fun.
S: That’s awesome- so are you going to continue some of those things you tried?
P: Yes, so me and Chris have a lot of chemistry when he’s rocking on the kit, I like having him around for the special sets. You know, I’m not getting paid much and I gotta get on an airplane, so it doesn’t always logistically make sense to bring the drums and that moment that everyone will remember, he’s a part of that. And the talk box, it’s something I’ve been working on for a long time. It really compliments the sound. So I’ll definitely be rocking that every time- that’s my new thing.
S: That’s awesome. So where are you going to test it next? What is next for you?
P: So, I guess I am off for a couple of weeks and then I am off to Indianapolis and then I am playing in Denver and a couple of shows going on. A few more festivals. I’m going to Alaska. I have two shows in Alaska so I’ll be breaking out the Talk Box there.
S: So tell me a little bit about your music, what’s next for you, albums, singles, what is going on next with you?
P: I’ve been working on a lot of new music. I think it is a heavier take on the funk and soul sound that I usually put forth. So it really sounds like me, especially in the transitions, in the in between moments and the build ups but then in the drops, it goes crazy. It’s that festival banger you want. And I’m working on a lot of songs that marry a lot of those sounds I am inspired by. I have a collab with Slink that I’m probably going to release this summer. I just did a remix for Sunsquabi that’s going to come out, I think May 31st, so right around the corner. So that’s a really heavy, almost dubstep take on their new EP. So that was really fun to make. I have a collab I’m working on with Manic Focus that’s going to come out and a new EP for the fall and a tour around that. So lots of stuff on the horizon. I’m just experimenting. I mean, I have my sound, I really want to push beyond the envelope and step beyond the box with it. Grow as an artist, continue to evolve. It’s been a lot of studio time trying to get inspired. I like to go places and write music like in a coffee shop or at a restaurant or in a park. Every place sort of has its own sound you know like, you can’t write the same song anywhere else. Wherever you go, you find inspiration in that place and then feeds your music so I’m trying to do more of that.
S: That makes sense. So do you have a favorite spot you go for inspiration or wherever feels right for the moment?
P: There’s this oak tree in my backyard that is beautiful and I really love sitting underneath it. We have a couple of cherry blossoms underneath it too. We just have a table and sitting area set up back there. I try to spend every day if it is sunny out there writing. I try to spend at least two hours a day writing if it is sunny. It doesn’t have to turn into anything. If you stick by that, you end up fueling your life and stuff, so that’s probably my favorite place to write.
S: It sounds like you have a lot coming up such as tours, festivals, Eps, remixes, is there one thing you’re really, really extra excited about?
P: I think going up to Alaska. I’m going out there for Sacred Acre Festival in September. And also in September, I’m going up there for Salmon Fest so it’s two back to back festivals in Alaska. It’s one of my favorite places to play. Anchorage has an awesome home market. Sacred Acre and Salmon Festival. All over the country. It feels very destination. They have proper production. I’m very excited to go back out there. This last year I actually got engaged to my fiancé out in Alaska. It’s just like, I don’t know, it’s becoming a really great place to go. I feel like myself out there. I’m really grounded and inspired. I’m excited to go back out there again. To build myself as a resident in this festival.
S: That’s great to hear. So it sounds like you’re going to be really busy. I’m going to end this interview now so you can get back to doing all of your busy things. Thank you for tuning in and we’ll see you later!
Check out everything that Phyphr has been up to- he’s killing it!