Gabriel Miller Phillips
New York City, New York, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Gabriel Miller-Phillips approaches music in a sensitive way. There is a tender element woven into the fabric of his Shoot The Moon EP, a 5 song affair that rests largely on an acoustic guitar and sincere tenor. While there are plenty of similarities to early Elliott Smith, Miller-Phillips' arrangements usually hint to indie/alt-folk. Musical simplicity is something I appreciate more than ever, as the current trend it to fancy up every aspect of songwriting without ever really focusing on the song. These 5 songs are shown in their real, raw form, and what you hear is the proof of a legitimate singer-songwriter with influences by the greats like Van Morrison, Marc Bolan, Elliott Smith, and Jeff Buckley. Now who would complain with that? This is a promising artist to watch out for. - http://www.theblackandwhitemag.com/reviews.asp?cid=m#403
Both Alina Simone and Gabriel Miller-Phillips have gorgeous voices and both are singer-songwriter types; meaning, the songs from this Get Going EP are just these two artists with some words and a guitar, and the vocals are bloody amazing. Beyond a couple of pretty voices, the key factor here is that both of these artists know how to deliver that magical combination of tone, content, and composition. "Winter in Massachusetts" is Alina Simone's rather timely, lonely cold weather song. The finger picking lays a fine foundation for the song but "Winter in Massachusetts" isn't about the guitar, it's about Alina's outstanding voice. In Gabriel's song "Memorial Drive" you'll hear a gentle folk strum and wandering picking style (a bit Jerry Garcia if I might) perfectly complement his softly soaring voice. There's a delicate haunting immediacy to all four songs on this record that manages to get you needing more Alina Simone and Gabriel Miller-Phillips as soon as the EP has finished. And I'm not going to lie - one of the songs on Get Going gave me chills the second time I listened. What then is one such as yourself to do? Check out these two songs, buy the EP, see the tour. Duh. - Earfarm.com
Shoot the Moon, the latest EP from Brooklyn-based Gabriel Miller-Phillips, quietly showcases the talent of this promising singer/songwriter while breathing fresh air into today’s emerging new-folk scene.
A folk artist in the traditional sense, Miller-Phillips doesn’t rely on drums or bass lines to move the track, but rather lets the story push the song forward, using his guitar as gentle accompaniment for the lyrical yarns being spun. From the EP’s opener, “Leave Him Alone,” Miller-Phillips sets the stage for the rest of the album. A soft and soothing stripped-down ballad, it easily and gracefully walks the line between campfire standards and classical baroque pop.
“Tough Love” is the album’s most instrumentally rich track, softly infusing a minimalist drumbeat and a warm electric guitar melody. This track shows the potential of Miller-Phillips – revealing that while a gifted solo artist, we could see very important things from him when he combines his keen sense of melody with a full-band experience. “Baby’s A Big Girl Now” is a superb piece of musicianship reminiscent of Elliot Smith at his softest times, while the disc’s title track, “Shoot the Moon” feels like an old foreboding folk ballad, complete with a subtle and chilling harmonica solo. This track is arguably the record’s best, one that allows Miller-Phillips to create a lush and hauntingly alive setting with a very limited set of tools at his disposal.
While the lack of instrumentation on this record does affect the diversity of the tracks, Miller-Phillips successfully keeps his music interesting with creative vocal melodies and an almost wounded delivery.
As far as singer-songwriters are concerned, it's been awhile since I’ve heard anything that compares to the caliber of Shoot the Moon. I’m impressed with the quality of the material on the album, especially in the limiting form of an EP. While this album is a good taste of his abilities, I am excited to hear what Miller-Phillips’ talent will sound like when it is given the space to expand over a full-length release.
-Phil Duncan, April 18, 2007 - http://threeimaginarygirls.com/gabrielmillerphillips07apr
[Gabriel Miller-Phillips'] voice is equal parts Jeff Buckley and Lou Reed. There is the high, swooping tremulousness of the former and the dry, murmur and snap of the other. An odd combo that meshes beautifully.
Leave Him Alone* is one of those sad story-songs that get more and more intimate with each listen. I haven't lived that particular story but it can't help but become mine. The last time I heard it live, the journey of it was so vivid, I could see the colors of the bedspread, the dust gathering on the windowsill and feel the ache of not being able to let go of something, even though it kills you just a little every day.
Leave Him Alone bears a resemblance to Thirteen by Big Star; it has the same leisurely stroll feel. Of course, the lyrics to Leave Him Alone are serious as cancer and the romantic longing is subverted. I don't know if the homage was intentional (if it was, someone's very clever indeed) but it may be part of why you expect a lighter outcome. - http://softcommunication.blogspot.com/
Discography
- "Shoot The Moon EP"
- "Get Going" - joint release with Alina Simone in support of Get Going '07 tour
- "One For The Crow" - unreleased
Photos
Bio
THE MUSIC
Gabriel Miller Phillips’s music explores the sensuality of solitude. The foundation of of his songs are the melodies - strong and simple. Unusual harmonies give the music power. The sheen of Gabriel’s sound comes from his sweet voice, instrumental timbres, and sense of minimalism. Lyrics find power through what is left unsaid.
These are songs that stick in your head, crafted more by subtraction than addition. Stark in some ways yet lush in others, the production on Gabriel's upcoming album, One For The Crow, is enriched by guest star musicians from bands including Antony & The Johnsons, Nicole Atkins and the Sea, The Jealous Girlfriends, and Regina Spektor.
THE MAN
Born into a family of Jewish witches, Gabriel grew up in a non-traditional home. At two he began piano studies. At four he began ballet. At eight he was taught how to brew love potion. In the mid-2000’s Gabriel underwent surgeries to fix a misalignment of the bones in his legs. While recovering at his folks’ house on the coast of Massachusetts, Gabriel’s passion for songwriting ignited. Gabriel explains, “it was too painful to get out of bed much and I had a lot to think through, so I played guitar and started writing songs non-stop.”
Much of Gabriel’s thematic material derives from this two-year period of time he spent bedridden. He explains, “A lot of my recent songs came out of the frustration, isolation, and placelessness I felt during that period.”
After recovering, Gabriel moved to Brooklyn. He recorded the EP Shoot The Moon in 2006 and the EP Get Going in 2007. He has toured Japan and the USA on multiple occasions. Gabriel’s debut full-length album, One For The Crow, is scheduled for release in early 2011.
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