Multi-instrumentalist Shane Philip is known worldwide for his dynamic didgeridoo-infused music.
Voted Best Live Act at the 2012 Vancouver Island Music Awards, Philip has been touring constantly for the past few years now, and is about to return to the North Okanagan with a show at The Hub Arts Collective in Vernon Thursday.
For those who have never caught the Quadra Island performer before, Philip is a one-man force on stage. His feet wildly work his drum kit while he plays guitar, the aslatua (an African shaker), the djembe and, of course, his didgeridoos.
Philip’s rhythmic and intoxicating sounds are powerful enough to fill a room with dancing fans and soulful enough to quiet a packed house. Those songs have captured audiences for years in Canada, particularly along the West Coast, but for the past five years, he’s captured listeners around the globe.
Philip’s last recording, Life.Love.Music, is rich with vocals and features much more of that mesmerizing sound he is so well known for. Before that, he released Live at Baker Studios. Heavier on the blues side, this album had more of the grit that comes out during Philip’s live shows.
For Life.Love.Music, Philip once again hooked up with producer Joby Baker (Cowboy Junkies, Alex Cuba).
Baker often plays bass and drums on the tracks and the two took a total of eight days to record the album. That might sound fast, but Philip is known for completing his projects quickly. The Baker Studios album took only two days to record.
The result of taking the extra time is a polished recording that maintains the grit and integrity of Philip’s compositions.
This year, Philip is well on his way to releasing a new album and those who attend his show at The Hub Arts Collective can look forward to hearing some of the unreleased tracks.
Joining him at the performance will be special guests Mikkal Waters, Jayme McKillop, Lowell Friesen, and DJ Molokaii.
Philip takes the stage at The Hub, located next to the Towne Cinema on 30th Avenue, Thursday at 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $20 in advance at the Ticket Seller, 549-7469, www.ticketseller.ca or the Bean Scene coffee house.
