Local singer/songwriter Conor Phillips has gone from strength to strength in the last few years, attracting a strong following with his unique musical style. Learning to run almost as soon as he could walk, Conor began songwriting the moment he first picked up a guitar around four years ago.
Starting out as a bedroom player, Conor ventured into busking and open mics around Enniskillen and Belfast, where he was quickly noticed for his sound and invited to play some headline shows of his own. After a successful gig at Enniskillen’s Roadstock all-day music event he was approached by Joel Johnston of Sycamore Records, who had heard his songs and was keen to record them.
Together they recorded Conor’s first five-track E.P. Foolhardy Boy, which was released a year and a half ago to a great critical reception. After gigging and promoting the E.P. for over a year Conor is now back in the studio with Sycamore Records and ready to bring us a new E.P., which will be released later this summer. A sample of two tracks has been released as a teaser for the forthcoming E.P., the title track King and its B-side People. Recorded mixed and mastered by Joel Johnston, the duo also produced a live video version of the song, with backing music provided by Joel’s brother Jamie Johnston. In a very short space of time the live video has accrued over 5,000 views and the audio track over 1,500 listens. Both are available to stream from the Sycamore Records’ Facebook and Soundcloud pages.
King was recently chosen as track of the day by music page Sway and Breathe.
With a unique and memorable voice and a writing talent to match, Conor’s songs have a way of burrowing into the mind, with lyrical hooks that you are sure to be left humming after a show.
If you enjoy the recordings you can find Conor playing live on Friday 10th June in Charlie’s bar, Enniskillen from 9pm.
Caimin O’Shea
Class Conor keep her lit lad love it