Joey Van Phillips
Music

Punch Bowl out now

On his latest album Punch Bowl, Joey Van Phillips has embraced the true meaning of collaboration, composing all of the music and rhythms and asking friends and artists (POS, Dessa, Sims, Cecil Otter, Jacob Mullis, Amy Hagar, Aby Wolf, Medium Zach, Open Mike Eagle, Mally, Felix of Heiruspecs, Kristoff Krane, Omaur Bliss, Joe Horton) to create their own vocal parts.

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At the intersection between the head and the heart, lies Joey Van Phillips. On his latest album Punch Bowl, the percussionist has embraced the true meaning of collaboration, composing all of the music and rhythms and asking friends and artists (POS, Dessa, Sims, Cecil Otter, Jacob Mullis, Amy Hagar, Aby Wolf, Medium Zach, Open Mike Eagle, Mally, Felix of Heiruspecs, Kristoff Krane, Omaur Bliss, Joe Horton) to create their own parts.

This common thread runs through much of the Phillips’ life and musical career, with each musical collaboration leading into something new linking back to his past. On his path to becoming a professional musician, his search to find his compositional voice was “fueled by the urge to make a new and meaningful contribution to an already-teeming modern music culture.” A third-generation drummer, Phillips was a child of the ‘80s who was greatly influenced by hip hop and further molded by extensive training and performance in jazz and improvisation.

At another intersection between composer and performer, Phillips has found an honest voice in the fusion of classical percussion and hip hop. His scores are by default rhythmically driven, yet melodic in concept. Using acoustic percussion instruments and voice he achieves a new, modern repertoire that is unique in sound and relevant to pop culture.

Punch Bowl, is the essence of all of his work over the last two decades. Much like an artist who is finally understanding his role, Phillips embodies and embraces his unrestrained creativity. The ten songs create worlds often unrestrained and wild, but also explains the brilliant tension between utter lawlessness and laser-like focus in his endeavors.

Other work: Phillips plays with the accomplished contemporary musicians in the Twin Cities, from the stages of First Avenue, multiple performances on NPR and studio work, to US tours and gigs overseas. The primary drummer for hip hop artist Dessa since 2010, he has co-written the percussion for her live ensembles, and recorded and toured extensively with the group. Phillips has also been a guest artist for the Minnesota Orchestra, co-arranging for the critically-acclaimed group. Along with Pitchfork-acclaimed Ryan Olcott and James Buckley, his band Mystery Palace [2005 – 2012] was recognized nationally for their electronic-pop featuring circuit-bent and malfunctioning synths.

Among Phillips’ other accolades are arranging, orchestrating and performing with a 10-piece ensemble for the award-winning group Doomtree, and writing and performing for Aby Wolf’s projects. He freelances extensively throughout the Twin Cities area, and is a first call for notable studios [the Hideaway], theaters [the Ordway] and the region’s influential players.

At the intersection between the head and the heart, lies Joey Van Phillips. On his latest album Punch Bowl, the percussionist has embraced the true meaning of collaboration, composing all of the music and rhythms and asking friends and artists (POS, Dessa, Sims, Cecil Otter, Jacob Mullis, Amy Hagar, Aby Wolf, Medium Zach, Open Mike Eagle, Mally, Felix of Heiruspecs, Kristoff Krane, Omaur Bliss, Joe Horton) to create their own parts.

This common thread runs through much of the Phillips’ life and musical career, with each musical collaboration leading into something new linking back to his past. On his path to becoming a professional musician, his search to find his compositional voice was “fueled by the urge to make a new and meaningful contribution to an already-teeming modern music culture.” A third-generation drummer, Phillips was a child of the ‘80s who was greatly influenced by hip hop and further molded by extensive training and performance in jazz and improvisation.

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discography

Joey Van Phillips

Punch Bowl

2017, JVP Music

Dessa

Parts of Speech

2013, Doomtree Records

Dessa

Castor the Twin

2011, Doomtree Records

Chris Campbell / Grant Cutler

Schooldays Over

2013, Innova

And the Professors

Our Postmortem

2013, Simon Recordings

A.Wolf and Her Claws

A.Wolf and Her Claws

2012, self-released

Mystery Palace

Sleepless EP

2012, Magic Rub Records

Mystery Palace

Nervio EP

2011, self-released

Mystery Palace

Flags Forward

2008, Zod Records

Mystery Palace

Stepchild

2007, TGNP

Doomtree

No Kings

2011, Doomtree Records

Liminal Phase

LP

2011, Simon Recordings

Marijauna Deathsquads

Music Rocks part 1

2013, TGNP

Also appeared on:

Aby Wolf

Sweet Prudence

2009

Cloax Ox

Shoot the Dog

2013, TGNP

Lizzo

Lizzobangers

2014, Virgin Records

shows

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