Mixmag & Music Journalism
I’ve been a music journalist and editor for over 13 years. Predominantly for Mixmag, but also for the likes of Channel 4, Red Bull’s red Bulletin, The Big Issue, One Week To Live magazine, Selected, and for numerous record labels.
At Mixmag I was responsible for commissioning, editing and writing the live review pages of the iconic dance music and club culture magazine – the 2018 winner of the PPA Consumer Media Brand Of The Year.
I've also written cover and artist features, gig and club reviews, funny columns and more across print, social, and digital since 2007, helped run numerous high profile events, and occupied roles such as Clubs Editor, Video Games Editor, and Sub Editor of ‘Mixmag Global’, our app-based international magazine.
I keep in touch with all my industry contacts and manage a network of international freelance writers and photographers, supporting them with constructive feedback and clear section style guides and master briefs.
Beyond that I'm still a go-to guy for witty, original captions, puns, straps and headlines and a trusted artist interview specialist getting the best out of The Prodigy, Nile Rodgers, Dizzee Rascal, Pete Tong, Gary Numan and hundreds more (scroll down the page for examples of these).
Here's some of my best…
“Phil is an absolutely essential member of the team at Mixmag, notable for his professionalism and creativity, his highly effective management of the clubs section, a broad and ever-expanding skill set that includes design and sub-editing and his excellent writing contributions across the magazine. He has never missed a deadline, is a great representative of the brand and a trusted and highly valued colleague.”
You could say I like this album...
Who have I interviewed?
2manydjs/Soulwax
Above & Beyond
Andy George
Booka Shade
Charlie XCX
Chuckie
Cut Chemist
Dizzee Rascal
DJ Shadow
DJ Yoda
Ed Bartlem (Underbelly)
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards
Fatboy Slim
Fenech Soler
Flume
Foals
Friendly Fires
Gary Numan
Goldie
Graeme Park
Hot Chip
James Zabiela
Jamie Jackson (DJ Hero)
Jessie Ware
Joris Voorn
Justin Martin
Kölsch
Leftfield
Metronomy
Nervo
Nightmares On Wax
Norman Jay MBE
Orbital
Paul Oakenfold
Pendulum
Pete Tong
Pixies
Plan B
Rudimental
Scuba
Simian Mobile Disco
Sven Väth
The Prodigy
The Sugar Hill Gang
Tiga
Unkle / James Lavelle
Yousef
And many more...
Read the full feature here...
“Phil is a great writer with a unique voice and real imaginative flair. He works hard to make his live music/club reviews sound vibrant, and prevent them becoming stale, taking time to notice key details while he’s on the job and then describing them well in the review so that the piece comes to life – no mean feat, month after month. He’s also turned Mixmag’s listings pages around, subbing them single-handedly and under pressure, and making sure that any problems affect the rest of the production process as little as possible – even putting in extra hours when necessary. He’s committed and conscientious, and has become a key member of the team. I’ve no hesitation in recommending him wholeheartedly.”
Colin the space limpet...
I commissioned, edited and regularly wrote Mixmag's Scene Live pages, providing a platform for upcoming journalists and photographers...
Mixmag Gig3 January 2016 - St Germain @ The Bataclan, Paris
Trying to sum up a fantastic gig with the hindsight of knowing the horrific events that transpired at the same venue the following night made this by far the hardest thing I have ever had to write.
Chuckie Cover Feature 2011
I left on Friday. I came back Monday. And in between I watched the king of Dirty Dutch electro play Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles. My ears are still ringing!
Click pic to read...
Welcome To The Lame Academy - Mixmag cover feature December 2009
An early cover feature, casting my pen against the rise of the inglorious celebrity DJ phenomenon. This involved going to watch some of the most laughable DJ sets of all time, tearing them to pieces and having a rather nice chat with the one and only Paul Oakenfold.
Click pic to read...
Mixmag Big3 Club Review: Warung Beach Club 10th Anniversary
Club review of the incredible Warung Beach Club in Brazil as it celebrated 10 years with Jamie Jones, Art Department, Seth Troxler, Dubfire and Solomun. I also commissioned and edited all the other club reviews on these pages.
Click pic to read...
Disco Damage October 2010
Ibiza Voice, Glas-toe, Post-Raving Depression and Disco Dick - some of clubbing's most horrible medical hazards... Have a giggle at my other funny features here.
Artist Interviews
Q: What’s the secret to a great interview?
A: Getting that conversation going.
I've been a trusted interview specialist for over 13 years, delivering insightful conversations with some of the world's most exciting artists and personalities for the likes of Mixmag and The Big Issue.
Whether it's in person or on the phone, for print or video, I have a knack for making my subjects comfortable, establishing trust and asking intelligent, original and well-researched questions.
Which is why their answers are so interesting...
Check out some highlights below...
Channel 4 '4 Play'
Fenech Soler
Interview for Warner Music
Good times…
I’ll never forget that ‘drug of choice’ answer!
Kölsch '1977' - Official Press Release, March 2014
After writing Mixmag reviews and features on one of German electronic label Kompakt's most exciting artists of 2013, I was commissioned by Kölsch's manager Henrik Lücke Olsen to write the official press release for his debut album '1977'.
He requested a feature-like tone and style, into which I incorporated my interviews with Kölsch to tell the story of a genuinely brilliant album. You can read it below.
Since then I've had the pleasure of joining the Danish DJ star on his first experience around Glastonbury festival for a Mixmag feature (see below) and DJing before him in Birmingham.
This went Dane really well…
And never to be outdone...
Here's a few interviews with me :)
One with Music Week and another for City University student radio about festival trends.