TEE "The Earth Explorer"

TEE is a five piece flute front progressive rock band from Tokyo, Japan. Their so-called 'European' sound is unique considering their far-east origin. The imaginative tunes with complex ensembles and rhythms will definitely catch the attention of prog lovers all over the world. Their sound will remind you bands like Camel, King Crimson, Asia Minor or even Frank Zappa on some parts. The band was formed in 2004 when... more

Shawn PHILLIPS

At the kick off of his 2010 tour Shawn Phillips sat with us at a 24 hour diner in Davenport, IA to grant us a very special interview. At his insistence, it would be very informal. One should not expect otherwise from this splendid human being.

The hours prior to this meeting over midnight breakfast were now a recent memory, but...more

You may not know his name but you have definitely heard his music more than once or twice in your life. Maybe on HBO, or on MTV, or on VH1, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel. Doesn't ring the bell? How about American Idol Rewind, or Dr. 90210? We had interviewed Kevin Bartlett a couple of years ago when his second solo album GLOW IN THE DARK was released. Bartlett has been quiet since that time but but he has been secretly brewing new projects. A few months ago he had put a new song...more

Peter Hammill, founding member of Van Der Graaf Generator, released his 28th solo album " nearly 3 months ago. He recently got back home from a short tour covering North America, Canada and Italy. In the 70's when bands like...more

FRIGHT PIG Barque At The Lune *** REVERSAL OF GRAVITY Scuba Gear ***

Interview with SHAWN PHILLIPS by Hande BURDG / Dale JUDAY

At the kick off of his 2010 tour Shawn Phillips sat with us at a 24 hour diner in Davenport, IA to grant us a very special interview. At his insistence, it would be very informal. One should not expect otherwise from this splendid human being.

The hours prior to this meeting over midnight breakfast were now a recent memory, but a memory that would be etched on the mind and heart for years to come. It began standard enough, with a line forming right outside the venue, a trendy upstairs room at The River City Music Experience that opened up into a spacious loft called The Redstone Room. First entered were first seated and the front seats were screaming our names. As luck would have it, Shawn noticed us from behind the curtain where he was warming up. A quick invite backstage and before you knew it we were talking all things tour related... an RV and GPS he acquired that would be his only companion for the tour, stories of already missing his family back home in South Africa, but an eagerness to get underway with what would prove to be an incredible tour. But it's show time now, and Shawn needs a few moments to mentally prepare for his set, so we made our way back to the seats in anticipation.

Opening the night was local blues duo Ellis Kell & Tony Hoeppner. An exquisite musical feast with colorful stories to boot. Like a dinner table conversation with close friends.

Shawn executed his set with style and grace that has long been a distinguished banner he's flown proudly since the 60s. Refusing to mold to norms and industry standards, his compositions continue to confound and bewilder. Needless to say the whole experience was a bit surreal as we sat to do our interview hours later. The kitchen staff and surrounding tables having no idea that prog folk royalty was in the booth next to them.

We begin the interview with the subject of the tour he's to embark on. Shawn talks about the "house concert" phenomenon and his use of the Bose stick system

Noticing that Shawn has a couple Northern California gigs but no L.A. dates booked on this (or past) tours, we asked if there's a reason for that

TPF: Where were you living in the 80s?

Shawn talks about his experiences in L.A. and submitting music to Ed Silver of Warner for consideration. The popularity of disco, Money Dance & No Category:

TPF: If Warner didn't work out, what label did?

Shawn: A&M, Herbie Hancock, Paul Jackson, Mike Clark, 1976 Caddilac Eldorado convertible

TPF: Those early sessions stick out in your mind?

Shawn's answer (Bill Summers percussion, Hie Away, Rumplestiltskin's Resolve & a funny story):

TPF: Reaching back a little here, you were involved with the play Vagina Rex and the Gas Oven starring Victor Spinetti. Did you get the sense that this was an extraordinary project?

Shawn talks about the 1969 collaboration with The Djinn & Arts Laboratory, Jack Bond, Alexander Trocchi, John Lennon, Harry Southern, Ken Kesey:

TPF: Wow, Ken Kesey?

Story Of The Rainbow Fairy Tale:

TPF: So how did the Vagina Rex opportunity come about?

Shawn: "You need proper music..."

Shawn recalls how many performances their were and if any sound recordings exist that may see the light of day (Shawn K Smith, Jane Arden, founding members of Arts Lab Jim Haynes, Jack Moore, Sony, :

TPF: Can you tell us about the Linda Lewis sessions for Say No More?

Peter Sullivan producer trade off:

hanging out with the musicians during those sessions, Nashville Symphony Orchestra:

TPF: Tell us about the difference between recording now and what it was like in the 60s & 70s

Autotune, Carlos Santana, music, pretty noise:

TPF: So we hear you're producing a singer in South Africa?

Lucy Kruger:

TPF: You have such a command of lyrics with an ability to say so much in just a few words. Do you think this is something you got from your dad?

James Atlee Phillips, Jesus wept:

Shawn talks about lyrics and the inspiration behind Most Of Us Don't Understand At All, Paul Buckmaster:

TPF:and we understand the lyric 'Jesus tells me I'm a spaceman' comes from an experience you had while debating Christian missionaries?

dogma, fundementalism:

TPF: Would you care to talk about your own concept of spirituality?

Consciousness, energy, science, life after death, god, hell, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, attention without tension, perception, key, force:

you can visit Shawn's website and see if the tour is coming anywhere near you at: www.ShawnPhillips.com.