Folk/pop singer-songwriter Glen Philips leaves the comforts of home and blasts off into space on new E.P. to reveal The Secrets of the New Explorers. Following the final leg of his U.S. solo tour, Phillips will ready a debut disc with his newly formed supergroup octet Works Project Administration in early 2009.
A son of two scientists – father a physics and mother a chemist – space and space travel isn’t uncharted territory for Phillips. “I grew up reading Heinlen, Herbert, Asimov, and my dad’s collection of “Amazing Stories” and “Astounding Science Fiction Magazines”. The cover art for Secrets pays homage to those magazines from the ’50s.”
Since its release in March, Secrets has unveiled a few from NASA. Professor of Astronomy at Boston University and Principal Investigator of the “Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation” at NASA Harlan Spence was smitten to have his science investigation and instrument featured in the song “Solar Flare”: “My NASA colleagues shared your song with me and I nearly died and went to heaven from its excellence and brilliance and relevance. “Solar Flare” is awesome! I never thought I’d say it, but radiation poisoning rocks. And to discover that someone far afield cares about the research I do, and that it was THE Glen Phillips. Incredible.”
The E.P. is available online at http://www.glenphillips.com, digital retailers (iTunes) and exclusively at shows.
Earlier this year, Phillips formed a new supergroup octet tentatively Works Project Administration with his Nickel Creek cohorts Sean Watkins (guitar) and Sara Watkins (fiddle), pianist Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), fiddler Luke Bulla, multi-instrumentalist Greg Leisz, drummer Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello & The Attractions), and bassist Davey Faragher (Imposters, Cracker). The group has recorded a debut album due out in early 2009. More information to be announced.
After his departure from the 90’s alt/pop success Toad The Wet Sprocket, Phillips made his solo debut in 2001 with Abulum. His subsequent solo releases Winter Pays For Summer (2005) and Mr. Lemons (2006) were met with critical praise. Frets Magazine called Mr. Lemons “…one of the best pieces of music I have heard in years.”
And Harp Magazine raves, “Mr. Lemons is by turns languid and life-affirming and may well stand as Phillips’ most affecting and powerful solo work to date.”
In 2004, Phillips collaborated with friends / fellow musicians Sean and Sarah Watkins of Nickel Creek for The Mutual Admiration Society and released a self-titled disc.
Glen Phillips solo acoustic tour stops in the following cities:
October 11Â Â Â Â Â Â ANN ARBOR, MIÂ Â Â Â Â Â The Ark
October 13Â Â Â Â Â Â LEXINGTON, KYÂ Â Â Â Â Â The Kentucky Theater
October 14Â Â Â Â Â Â CHICAGO, ILÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Duffy’s
October 16Â Â Â Â Â Â BOSTON, MAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wilbur Theater*
October 17      PHILADELPHIA, PA      World Café Live*
October 18Â Â Â Â Â Â NEW YORK, NYÂ Â Â Â Â Â The Concert Hall*
October 19Â Â Â Â Â Â FAIRFIELD, CTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Fairfield Theater*
October 31Â Â Â Â Â Â NORTHAMPTON, MAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Iron Horse Music Hall
November 1Â Â Â Â Â Â W LONG BRANCH, NJÂ Â Â Â Â Â Pollak Theater
November 2Â Â Â Â Â Â ALEXANDRIA, VAÂ Â Â Â Â Â The Birchmere*
November 6Â Â Â Â Â Â PORTLAND, ORÂ Â Â Â Â Â The Aladdin Theater*
November 8Â Â Â Â Â Â CHICO, CAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â El Rey Theater*
November 9Â Â Â Â Â Â SAN FRANCISCO, CAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Slim’s*
November 12Â Â Â Â Â Â LOS ANGELES, CAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Largo
November 13Â Â Â Â Â Â AGOURA HILLS, CAÂ Â Â Â Â Â The Canyon Club
November 14Â Â Â Â Â Â SAN DIEGO, CAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Anthology
November 20Â Â Â Â Â Â SAN ANTONIO, TXÂ Â Â Â Â Â Jack’s Patio Bar & Grill
November 21Â Â Â Â Â Â DALLAS, TXÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bend Studio
November 22      AUSTIN, TX         Cactus Café
November 23Â Â Â Â Â Â HOUSTON, TXÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Mucky Duck
December 1Â Â Â Â Â Â MINNEAPOLIS, MNÂ Â Â Â Â Â Guthrie Theater*
December 2Â Â Â Â Â Â MILWAUKEE, WIÂ Â Â Â Â Â Turner Hall Ballroom*
December 3Â Â Â Â Â Â MADISON, WIÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Majestic Theater*
December 4Â Â Â Â Â Â GRAND RAPIDS, MIÂ Â Â Â Â Â The Photography Room
December 5Â Â Â Â Â Â KENT, OHÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Kent Stage*
December 6Â Â Â Â Â Â PITTSBURGH, PAÂ Â Â Â Â Â The Rex Theater*
* = denotes date with Jonatha Brooke