SOLO:
PHIL CIRCLE--Songwriter/Guitarist/Vocalist/Strange late night experiences•••
WITH A BAND:
LEM ROBY--Bass/Guitar/Vocals/Anything he finds in the closet•••
MARK LESTER--Drums/Or whatever else we ask him to play•••
BARRETT TASKY--Guitar/Mandolin/Keys/Big spliffs/And drinking Phil's beer behind his back on stage with Lem•••
RUBY HARRIS--Violin and cleverly obtuse humor•••
Influences
Pete Townsend, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Duke Ellington, Robert Johnson, Nick Drake, Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, Celtic Music, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, The Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Traffic, Luka Bloom, David Bowie, King Crimson, Ravi Shankar, Corky Siegel, William Russo, Tom Waits, John Hyatt, Taj Mahal, Pre-war Blues, Post-war Blues, Classical, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and a thousand more.
Sounds Like
Everyone from Pink Floyd to Frank Sinatra. It's weird the comparisons that people have made. Led Zeppelin if Nick Drake was singing? Better than Dave? David Bowie and Roxie Music. Luke Bloom. A kinder, gentler Jim Morrison. Jethro Tull meets Fleetwood Mac. Okay. Take what you can get. 70's schmultz meets progressive rock. Sounds old and new all at once. The most versatile solo act ever heard. All of these are things people have said at shows. Make your own comparison and email to Phil.
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Phil Circle is not your ordinary songster picking away quietly on his acoustic guitar in the same old folksy idiom as so many others of this genre. Phil manages to blend elements of jazz, blues, alternative, and even classical, to seamlessly create a style truly his own. Add to this his energetic live performance, and he lands far away from what most people think of when you say "Singer/Songwriter."
Phil Circle started his music career over a decade ago in the Chicago area, after returning from 3 years performing in New Mexico and the Southwest. He holds a degree in Music Composition from Columbia College, where he was mentored by the likes of Jazz Great William Russo, Blues Icon Corky Siegel, and Classical Guitar Virtuoso Norman Ruiz. After spending several years writing, performing, producing, booking, and managing the rock band Guilty with high success, Phil went solo for awhile.
Phil Circle then began working with the World Famous Blues Fiddler, Ruby Harris, in 2003. Ruby Harris has performed in such places as Carnegie Hall, The White House, United Center, The Metropolitan Opera House, and for the Crown Prince Of Saudi Arabia. In 2003, Phil Circle and Ruby Harris released the live acoustic album "Live at the Gateway." Then Phil joined forces with Jack Salamander Front Man Lem Roby, and Songwriter/Multi-instrumentalist Mark Lester (of Labrador Dali) to form his current band line-up, with regular appearances made by Ruby Harris and other top local talents.
With a total of seven releases (three of which have become collectors' items), and new work always being created; an extensive history of touring and playing live; a repertoire of folk, rock, blues, jazz, and well-loved cover songs; Phil Circle has an ever expanding career. From performing for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, to his music being played on radio stations as far away as Belgium, Argentina and Japan, Phil brings us down a road of constant growth with his songwriting, guitar and vocal talents. He's appeared on Fox Radio, NBC, in major print media, at venues such as Double Door and Martyrs in Chicago and CBGB in NYC, and has yet to receive a negative review.
Currently, Phil Circle spends time teaching private students in voice and guitar, tours regularly, is working on his next release (to be included with all his previous ones on a USB Key for sale at shows), and is scheduled to play live performances throughout the Chicago area and the U.S. Phil also plays guitar for songwriter Kitty Mortland, and has took up acting in 2006, through classes at The Chicago Actors Studio. He's held Lead Roles in three recent stage plays, all of which received critical acclaim, and the third of which Phil received a CAS Best Actor Nomination for.
Listen for new material and keep an eye on the vast performance schedule of Chicago Icon Phil Circle..."One of our town's most unique voices," as The Illinois Entertainer's Mike O'Cull put it.
Myspace Backgrounds
heya i'm fantastic and yes i am diggin the tunes. i still have the Guilty cd lol, the first and last songs were my favorites, pandora's box was entirely too catchy and i still catch myself singing bits and pieces of it randomly.
you also had us write letters to the national academy of recording arts and sciences and from that day forward i told people i went there.
...and March 2009 is going to be upon us in no time. That is when *440Music.com* officially celebrates ten years of providing a world-wide voice for independent musicians. And 440Music.com is proud to announce its 10-Year Anniversary Celebration with more than $60,000 in gifts and prizes.
How's the new open mic going on Tuesdays? I'm off that night so I should be able to make it out soon. ..
Just wanted to let you know we're still rocking at the Globe on Wednesdays and at Murphy's Bleachers on Thursday nights! Sign up at 9pm, and free parking in the lot across the street from Murphy's (for thursdays anyway). Hope to see you soon! Stolie
Thanks for adding Faber Optimé. Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people. :) I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site at www.faberoptime.com some time. For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!). Take care and keep in touch. Best, Faber. "Just a guy trying to make the world a better place."
Thanks for the add. If you get a chance please check out my website, www.SonicJive.com - a social networking site with an emphasis on indie music. In January we are launching our radio station and need music as well as radio hosts of all formats and indie genres. SonicJive will pay royalties to licensed artists.
Thanks for taking the time to check out my profile. Please have a wonderful Sunday. Thanks again, I am honored to be a fan.
Hey Phil. I check your page every so often, seems like you're in a good groove, as am I at this point. I was thoroughly disappointed that "Angel" is not a cover of the Judas Priest song of the same name, tho... ;-)
I'll be back in Chitown Xmas - New Years. See you then.
I really appreciate your friendship!! Stop by anytime and say hi!
May 2008 not just be great, let it fulfill destiny or fate. Be the year of fulfilled dreams, A reality stronger than it seems Whatever it is I'll wish for you, This day, this year will break through!
Thanks for being my friend! I’ve got a new CD out called, “Awake and Waiting.” Stop by my website (www.jeremyhoekstra.com) or on MySpace and let me know what you think! Also available on iTunes
Imagine if you would, a musician that has lost the steadiness and control of his hands. My partner Vic from Hookstrumm knows this feeling too well. He was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson's at the age of 36. Despite this challenge, we have just launched our first CD - With or Without You at http://cdbaby.com/cd/hookstrumm. By supporting Hookstrumm you not only support the independent artist but a portion of your money goes into research and treatments for Parkinson's. To learn more, click on our CD Baby banner. Thanks for the support Phil.
