philip brooks
Tracklist:
1. i just learned to love that way (Single: October 27th)
2. to be all alone
1. i just learned to love that way (Single: October 27th)
2. to be all alone
Release Date : November 23rd
Artist : Philip Brooks
Label : Independent
Artist : Philip Brooks
Label : Independent
Also available as 7” record
Written, performed, produced and recorded by Philip Brooks
Mastered by Katie Tavini @ Weird Jungle
Mastered by Katie Tavini @ Weird Jungle
Listen
About Philip
- 2023 sold-out UK/EU tours opening up for Leith Ross, Claud and Odie Leigh
- featured in Netflix show Heartstopper’s “Tara and Darcy’s Mixtape”
- repeatedly featured in editorial playlists such as “Fresh Finds”, “Fresh Folk”, “pumkin spice” and more
- voted one of the "Best new LGBTQ+ Artists" by Spotify
- previously featured in Gay Times
Press Text
It’s been quite the year for Philip Brooks (they/them). In April they played their first ever tour, supporting Leith Ross through two weeks of sold-out 600 capacity venues. In July, they released their sophomore EP “on my own” to great reception, followed by another UK tour supporting Claud. Now they stand at the foot of “in a house by a stream”, a double-single dedicated to their childhood home - which was swallowed up by fire in 2018.
Throughout this, Philip has been living at their Grandparents’ house in southern-Germany, being their primary caretaker. It’s been a quaint time of writing music and gardening - and then going overseas, playing sold-out shows, spending every day around fellow artists. This stark contrast left Philip questioning their plans for life, and sparked a drive for something different.
It’s been quite the year for Philip Brooks (they/them). In April they played their first ever tour, supporting Leith Ross through two weeks of sold-out 600 capacity venues. In July, they released their sophomore EP “on my own” to great reception, followed by another UK tour supporting Claud. Now they stand at the foot of “in a house by a stream”, a double-single dedicated to their childhood home - which was swallowed up by fire in 2018.
Throughout this, Philip has been living at their Grandparents’ house in southern-Germany, being their primary caretaker. It’s been a quaint time of writing music and gardening - and then going overseas, playing sold-out shows, spending every day around fellow artists. This stark contrast left Philip questioning their plans for life, and sparked a drive for something different.
“in a house by a stream” was recorded direct to tape at their grandparents’ house on August 5th. Here Philip presents an unexpected gift in mesmerising folk-fingerpicking and deeply vulnerable lyrics. Previously shy of playing or recording all-acoustic material, they felt encouraged by loving crowds on the Claud support tour. “I used to see and present myself as a producer first, songwriter second. It felt important to release something completely raw, show up with just a guitar. Learn to not rely on a band and overdubs.” they say.
On the A-side “i just learned to love that way” (out as single Oct 27th) Philip is coming to terms with not wanting children, but seeking family in a community of friends. And - despite societal norms, grandma wanting grandkids, and previous partners views - feeling confident in the choice. Written on tour with Claud, on a guitar owned by Phoebe Bridgers, the song marks the beginning of a new chapter of Philip’s life.
“Since accepting that the societal ideal of ‘a job and two kids’ is not for me, I’ve been dreaming of owning a big old house with plenty rooms for friends to stay in, whenever they need a place to crash or to make things. A house that’s never cold or quiet. Full of instruments and a recording setup for anyone to use. I have grown up seeing my Grandma selflessly extend her familial love and take in anyone who needed it. Blood family or not. The only way I was able to make the music I have made - and evolve to be the artist I am now - was through having a free space in her house. And virtually limitless time to spend just making things. I want to get to a position where I can pass that on.”
The B-side “to be all alone” is feeling uprooted. It’s desparately wanting to go back to a place you once called home, but knowing it’s forever changed - or gone. In 2018 Philip’s childhood home burned down in a blaze. It has been rebuilt, yet it’s emotionally unrecognisable to the place that had raised and shaped them till 17 years old. And just a few years later, Philip left England due to the changing political climate and cost of living crisis; to live with their Grandparents in Germany. Occasionally they return to their hometown of Brighton, to see it changed little bits every time. Feeling more and more like a tourist in the town that’s once been home.
Philip is now in the process of recording their debut full-length album.
Fans can pre-order a limited 7” record of “in a house by a stream” and see Philip on UK/EU tour supporting Odie Leigh in November 2023.
Upcoming Tour Dates (Supporting Odie Leigh)
November 10 - Birmingham, UK - Kitchen Garden Cafe (Sold Out)
November 11 - Manchester, UK - The Deaf Institute (Sold Out)
November 12 - Bristol, UK - Rough Trade Bristol (Sold Out)
November 14 - Leeds, UK - Hyde Park Book Club (Sold Out)
November 15 - London, UK - The Camden Assembly (Sold Out)
November 16 - London, UK - St. Pancras Old Church (Sold Out)
November 19 - Glasgow, UK - SWG3 Poetry Club (Sold Out)
November 22 - Berlin, DE - Badehaus
November 10 - Birmingham, UK - Kitchen Garden Cafe (Sold Out)
November 11 - Manchester, UK - The Deaf Institute (Sold Out)
November 12 - Bristol, UK - Rough Trade Bristol (Sold Out)
November 14 - Leeds, UK - Hyde Park Book Club (Sold Out)
November 15 - London, UK - The Camden Assembly (Sold Out)
November 16 - London, UK - St. Pancras Old Church (Sold Out)
November 19 - Glasgow, UK - SWG3 Poetry Club (Sold Out)
November 22 - Berlin, DE - Badehaus
Images (click to zoom and download)
artwork 7” vinyl record (mockup) artist picture 1 (credit: runo plum)
artist picture 2 (credit: runo plum) artist picture 3 (credit: runo plum) to be alone (music video still 1) to be alone (music video still 2)
Videos
i just learned to love that way (music video) out october 27th
“For this music video we drove out to where i grew up, and walked the trail i used to take our childhood dog lana for walks on.”
Videos
“For this music video we drove out to where i grew up, and walked the trail i used to take our childhood dog lana for walks on.”
“A compilation of my favourite clips from my childhood home, which tragically burnt down in 2018.”
Links
i just learned to love that way (presave): https://levelmusic.lnk.to/LyufZM
in a house by a stream (presave): https://levelmusic.lnk.to/xBrUOn