Artist History
“Hangnail Phillips [aka HC Phillips] is a Newark, Delaware area artist who strives to make every song he creates unique while true-to-its-genre and reflective of his blend of tastes and talents. Hangnail has been involved in every aspect of music creation and performance for many years as a singer, songwriter, producer, engineer, master technician, and teacher.
He is the founding member of nearly a dozen bands [ie The Exotics, Rudy Baker & TheVegetables, Icarus, The Voltags, The Snaps, Hemlock, and Psyche 467] that enjoyed success throughout the mid-Atlantic area.
The years spent involved in the great personal bravery of real, nitty-gritty, and in-your-face performance – testing of material (at times at the expense of fruit, vegetables, and even mugs flying towards the stage) have helped shape Hang into the artist he is today, while and his material continues to evolve and grow-incorporating new and dynamic trends while retaining the beautiful lyrics and melodic comfort of everlasting genres.
Hang has written, performed on, and/or produced hundreds of songs, both as a solo artist and in collaboration with well-known colleagues. He seems to be able to play any instrument that is required for a given project, including guitar [electric, acoustic, classical, & slide], bass, keyboards, saxophone, recorder, flute, clarinet, sitar, drums, and percussion. His range of musical interests and output is not only widely eclectic – it is remarkable.
I’d be hard-pressed to think of another artist that I’ve experienced professionally or personally, that is as comfortable and capable with a hard rocker as well as a soft melodic ballad; with a techno tune as well as a classical composition. He brings the best elements of all styles to his works and interweaves them with the fine thread of experience and skill. Yes. Experienced. Hangnail Phillips is not to merely be listened to. His textures are to be felt and seen. The music will touch you, and if you allow transport you. Have a great journey.”
by Harriet L. Perry, Senior Editor, Good Day Sunshine Magazine Copyright 2002
Music Style
Psychedelic, Alternative, Pop, Rock, Folk, Blues
Influences In Varying Degrees
Sir George Martin, John Lennon, George Harrison, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, JS Bach, Denis Payton, Mike Smith, Drake Levin, Barry Melton, Brian Jones, Monika Bullette, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Stan Getz, Juao Gilberto, Ray & Dave Davies, Emitt Rhodes, Roy Wood, Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, Geoff Emerick, Fiona Apple, Jon Brion, Bert Jansch, Donovan, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Moon, Pete Townsend, Luciano Berio, Juana Molina, Ted Leo, Aimee Mann, Robert Fripp, James Burton, Phil Ochs, Gene Clark, Roger McGuinn, Arthur Alexander, Pete Ham, Rick Nelson, Gary Brooker, Mathew Fisher, Keith Reid, Robin Trower, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Greg Dempsy & Kathy Yesse, Chrysalis. Lucinda Williams, Leon Russell, MJQ, Suzanne Vega, Francoise Hardy, Eric Carmen, Wally Bryson, Sean Bonniwell, Edgar Varese, P.F. Sloan, Alice Cooper, David Cousins, Colin Blunstone, & Joe Meek