Shrill Children

Late night songs

2017-01-16T14:01:10-06:00

This song was basically written, performed, and mixed in one day, some time in the late 90’s. We were putting the finishing touches on it just before the sun came up the next day.

I’m pretty proud of how it came out, given the small amount of time we put into it.

Artists: Jazz Byers, Jim Holland, Chad Phillips, Robert Berg

Late night songs was originally published by Chad Phillips at Shrill Children on January 16, 2017.

Harmony Hut

2016-12-05T12:32:25-06:00

Some time in 1996, I began hauling damp boxes covered in rat droppings out of a small house on a wooded hill above Ambridge, Pennsylvania.

The house belonged to my friend and occasional boss Rick D’agostino. The idea, which seemed far off at the time, was to turn the property into our own private music studio. This was somewhat before the time when you could spend $1000 and have the equivalent on your laptop at home!

It took about 18 months, a lot of swearing, and almost giving up a few times, but we pulled it off. The four core members of the team that completed the work, and thus had stake in the studio, were myself, Rick, and our friends Jimi Faiella and Carl Jagerski.

From its completion in 1997 until we closed shop in 2001, the studio, affectionately named Harmony Hut, served as a sanctuary, a source of creative inspiration, and a place to relax with friends after a long day.

Jimi produced a full-length album of traditional Italian-American music, and I produced a full length album (for posterity’s sake) of my grandmother singing her favorite gospel songs. Numerous other songs and recordings also came out of this time, including partial recordings of a very talented artist named Maria Staving that eventually turned into a fully produced full-length album.

I’m sad to say that after we all drifted apart around 2001, the studio fell into disrepair, sprung leaks in the ceiling, and a few years ago, collapsed dramatically into a pile of rubble:

Here’s the only video recording I’m aware of that exists of Harmony Hut in its heyday:

It really was a pretty magical place, and with its demise, the songs and the memories are all that’s left. To celebrate the good times and provide a retrospective, I’ll be posting some of the work here in the future.

Harmony Hut was originally published by Chad Phillips at Shrill Children on December 05, 2016.

Hello, Larrivee

2015-09-15T08:50:12-05:00

This is a 1992 Larrivee OM-09. Her name is Shiloh, I was told, upon my purchase. While I loved my Alvarez Artist, the Larrivee is in another league when it comes to craftsmanship, playbility, and sound quality. She practically plays herself, all I need to do is pick her up, pay attention, and music happens. Here are a few vidoes of older pieces, played within the first days of her arrival.

Cranberry girl

An original, written many years ago, still unfinished.

Oldie

Another original, also written many years ago, still unfinished.

Rick’s piece

Written by my friend Rick D’agostino, this is my best interpretation of his original work – sorry if I muffed anything, Rick. :)

Hello, Larrivee was originally published by Chad Phillips at Shrill Children on September 15, 2015.

Goodbye, Alvarez

2015-09-15T08:42:45-05:00

In the summer of 1996, I bought my first ‘real’ guitar – an Alvarez Artist acoustic/electric. I paid $600 for it, and it was worth every penny. I’ve played guitars worth more than double that didn’t have the sound quality and action of this beauty. Now, almost 20 years later, it’s time to say goodbye to my trusty friend. This is a video of the last time I ever played the guitar, just before I sold it.

Goodbye, Alvarez was originally published by Chad Phillips at Shrill Children on September 15, 2015.

Tap, tap... is this thing on?

2015-08-02T00:25:44-05:00

I’ve measured my lack of engagement in my passion for writing and playing music in years, for too many years now…

This site is meant to re-launch my music ‘career’ - and by career I simply mean that I will no longer let the laundry list of my life be a reason not to make music. There are many skills I still want to master, and songs that I can write and/or contribute to.

But, my first order of business will be to create some closure on the past. So, in the next few weeks, I’ll endeavor to post some of my old projects, maybe post some things about my gear, and generally get my ass to the present moment of my musical journey.

I think it might be kind of fun to walk down my (rather short) muscial lane. Please feel free to join me…

Tap, tap... is this thing on? was originally published by Chad Phillips at Shrill Children on August 02, 2015.