Virginia artist Phill’s latest track “Fauxlove” recently premiered on MtvU.com.
Virginia artist Phill’s latest track “Fauxlove” recently premiered on MtvU.com. It’s the newest material from his upcoming EP Phillmysoul, which he plans to release this October.
“Fauxlove” is a melodic song that takes a sincere, raw look at the good and the bad of relationships, finding true love, and relationships that have gone sour, including one in particular. It’s very passionate, real and definitely comes from a place of depth.
He calls out to her as we walks through a forest in the song, as if to say, “I know my true love is out there, but where are you?”
Phill said the song is specifically about a past relationship.
“I wanted to tell a story about a person that loves a person so much and puts in so much effort into a relationship only to find out that it’s not reciprocated,” he said. “Hence the ‘faux-love” which is sort of like a cry for help for real love in my own way.”
“So many people struggle with actually expressing themselves on matters such as love, depression, flaws and temptation so I feel like that’s necessary with this generation.”
“Fauxlove” made its debut on MtvU.com’s The Freshmen which features you five emerging artists each week from all genres. Fans then vote on the artist who will get into on-air rotation.
Phill said getting his music to MTV just sort of happened by chance and knowing the right people.
“I actually shot numerous videos for my songs on this EP over the span of the past year so I knew that leading up to this moment that I was going to need some extra exposure if I wanted my videos to be seen so I actually was able to play some of them for someone on the MTV staff and the stars sort of aligned I guess you can say,” he said. “Next thing I know I received an email saying that it would be featured.”
He finds out if he will be the artist picked to go on air Aug. 7.
Th 27-year-old describes his breakout EP as a mixture of sounds.
“I’m influenced by so many different styles of music so I incorporate that into my own,” he said. “I play the guitar, harmonica and piano, so with that said I’m always experimenting with different sounds. I can’t quite put my music into a genre so to describe I would say it’s an alternative mix of sounds.
Phill, real name Phillip Frazier, once went by “Phil the Thrill,” but said he’s changed it as he’s matured and grown as an artist.
He started recording music at 13, but fell in love with music at a much younger age.
“I always had a passion for the arts of all mediums but specifically music when my parents bought me a drum set at 5 years old,” he said. “I played them nonstop as any kid would.”
Frazier said he has a wide range of artists that he said all have a little influence on his music from The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kid Cudi, Coldplay, Kanye West, Bon Iver, to Prince.
He’s not currenly on a label, but thinks an indie label would suit him if the opportunity came up.
Phill’s performed at Ricmond’s Epic Fest twice. First in 2012, then again last year. Although Newport News is his home, Phill said RVA is his favorite place to peform.
“My first show in Virginia was actually in Richmond at the Camel in 2011,” he said. “I have also performed at the Broadberry. “It feels like home and the crowds have always been accepting of my type of music.”
He plans on being in Richmond at local venues in the coming weeks, but he said he’s also not above a good ol’ impromtu session on Broad Street so look for him with his guitar or harmonica!
Check out more of his music below and check back for a review of his upcoming EP later on in the year.
