Tommy Phillips Q&A

by Tracey McCallum

Twenty nine year old Glasgow based ‘tbird ‘producer and instrumentalist Tommy Phillips teamed up with renowned vocalist Rico Franchi for their debut single Mariana (all for the thrill) which launched recently. Here we speak to Tommy about Glasgow’s ever-thriving music scene & this melodic summer hit produced in Tommy’s home studio.

Have you always been into music & what kind?

My parents have a pretty diverse taste in music and I was lucky to be exposed to a lot of it as I was growing up, primarily blues and rock. I’d say this formed the basis of my guitar playing style, which isn’t really featured on this release, but watch this space.

You’re a multi-instrumentalist, what instruments do you play?

Primarily keyboards and guitar.

Have you played in bands?

I’ve played in wedding bands and originals bands since I was a teenager. Right now, I’m playing session keyboards with The Imagineers for both their new material and live shows.

How much has the music industry changed since you set out?

Quite a bit! On one hand it’s much easier for musicians to create without having to invest in a lot equipment or pay for studio time. On the consumer’s side, we’ve got Instagram reels and TikTok now, which has changed the dynamic quite a lot.

Do you think technology makes music & how we experience it better?

Absolutely. Music has never been more accessible to the listener and there’s more of it than ever.

Does the technology help or hinder new artists?

I think it depends. If you’re a creator, the barrier to entry is so low. There is very little limitation on what you can create with the bare minimum of equipment. The potential downside of this is that,  more than ever, you’re competing for the listener’s attention. A portion of your potential audience likely discovers new music in short clips via social media. So you’ve a short window of opportunity to get enough of your message across and leave them wanting more.

What artists do you draw inspiration from?

It varies depending on what I’m working on but, as a Jamiroquai fan, I really rate their keyboard player Matt Johnson, he’s also got an excellent YouTube channel. Additionally, my long term guitar tutor Jim Keilt played a big part in developing my playing as a guitarist.

What’s the music scene like in Glasgow these days?

As diverse as ever. You don’t have to look hard to find a lot of great artists making great music. We’re lucky to have some great small venues that support new artists and in turn we should support them!

Favourite venue to play and favourite venue to attend a gig?

I’ve played couple of great gigs in King Tut’s. What makes a gig great for me these days is the boring stuff like how good my mix is on stage, or if see a video of the show and the sound out at the front is great. That’s satisfying! I did a couple of outdoor gigs in parks and festivals last year, they’re always great fun.

Some of my favourite gigs to attend have been at the O2 ABC and the Barrowlands.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?

Tough one. I saw Fountains of Wayne in the states just after Welcome Interstate Managers was released. Or The Darkness when they toured Permission to Land. I was also fortunate enough to see B.B. King play three times.

How do you go about releasing a song these days and how do you get noticed?

I don’t think I’m entirely qualified to answer as this is my first release. However, I’ve had the privilege of playing on and producing music for other artists, and some of those records have racked up millions of streams. This has afforded me the ability to network and build relationships with those in other areas of the industry which is essential. But I think there’s always going to be a bit of anxiety when you put something out there; you hope people will 1) hear it and 2) like it!

Mariana sounds very European & has lovely summer vibes – is it very different from the original Imagineers track?

Thanks, glad you like it. It is very different. We changed the key to put it in the sweet spot of Rico’s vocal range. I also played around with the vocal timing in the verses. The chord progression in the final chorus is new, to give a sense of development. Obviously the instrumentation is completely different, the original being guitar led. This version has some electric guitar but it’s much more textural and subtle.

Did you always have Rico in mind for the vocals?

Yes! Rico is so easy to work with. We’ve worked on loads of stuff together over the years. He’s also a top vocal coach and has a series on his YouTube channel called “What Makes This Song Special” that’s well worth checking out!

How do you know when the track is ready?

Sometimes it can be difficult to “sign off” on a track. If I can sit through the track playing back, take it in and enjoy it, then it’s usually not far off.

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians/music producers?

I would say make music that you enjoy playing and listening to and you won’t go far wrong. On the production side, don’t stop learning. I try to make sure every mix I do is better than the last one.

What’s next for you?

Putting this track together was great fun, and I’m looking forward to working on some more new music. I’ll keep you posted!

Mariana (all for the thrill) is available on all major streaming platforms and stores.

Return to Music Articles

happy-woman-walking-on-beach-PL6FA7H.jpg

SanFair Newsletter

The latest on what’s moving world – delivered straight to your inbox