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PHIL LIKES...

This page is dedicated to the things and people that I love, be it my favorite indie artists, movies, or what have you.

Let's start with my passion, my soul, music. Specifically, Indie music. What is Indie music? Well, it's simply musicians of every genre that simply are not signed to a major label record deal. Bet you didn't know there was a community like this, but it's HUGE. Just look at what once was the largest online independent music source, MP3.com. They were a repository for over 1,500,000 songs from over 150,000 artists. They went mainstream a few years back, and turned their backs on the indie community, but they are just one of several dozen sites on the internet that exited or still exist for musicians to congregate and ply their wares. But enough of that, on to the TUNES...

I'll break the links out by musical genre, so you can hear your favorite thing without too much searching. You're going to fall in love with these people. The list will continue to grow, so check back frequently...
POP
Katthult
Incredibly expressive and emotional female-fronted group from Norway. They no longer qualify as unsigned, but when I found them, they were on GarageBand, trying to break in...

Aaron Garner
Freakishly talented singer/songwriter, Aaron's soulful and unique voice, powerful playing and fantastic songs will draw you in.

Darci Monet
Talent is BACK. Powerful, penetrating, soulful, erotic. Darci's voice compels and Darci's songs emote. Brace yourselves, kids. 

Jackie Stewart
Soaring, atmospheric pop diva vocals in the best Celine Dion tradition, but with delicacy and taste.

ROCK
Still
Absolutely pristine singling, playing, and production. Soaring vocals and magnetic song crafting presence. An absolute DO NOT MISS.

Holy Zoo
Too much talent to even describe accurately. Just go. Now.

Vince Vrbancic
Get your oxygen tank ready. WOW.

Matt LaPorte
The Prog Rock Shredmaster. 

Storm Within
Strap in and enjoy the ride. This Metal monster will blow your doors in. Debra's vocals are a snarling, powerful treat. 

ELECTRONIC
Bassic
An almost frightening level of natural genius, Martin blends ambient soundscapes with emotionally searing chordal movement and entrancing rhythms like no other electronic artist on the planet.

Sintz
Original and hyper-effective symphonic electronica and film score work. Ranges from dark and spooky, to uplifting, to just plain OUT THERE.

ACOUSTIC
Pete Huttlinger
2000 World Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, and it shows. Unbelievable chops, taste, musicality, and a great guy too. Check out Superstition and I Got Rhythm. Pete doesn't actually count as unsigned, as he is on Steve Vai's label, but he was massively inspiring to me; and deserves this space...

Vicki Genfan
Vicki is the 2008 Guitar Player Magazine's GUITAR SUPERSTAR. Her breathtaking percussive guitar is simply magnificent.

AJ Swearingen
Soulful, emotive singer-songwriter in the Paul SImon vein but with a deep, sonorous voice that will capivate you.

Stephen Paul
An acoustic singer and songwriter, Stephen was stunningly emotive and gifted. Pristine and glowing acoustic music. he was (and his company still is)  world's foremost designer and modifier of vocal microphones.

Paul Hovda
Solo piano genius. Utterly sparkling clarity and beauty.

Loren DiGiorgi
More solo piano wizardry, with a new age flavor.

JAZZ
Chris Burnett
Smooth, intelligent, and soulful, yet not afraid to take risks saxophonist with a traditional, yet hip and contemporary acoustic sound backing him. Chris is a class act. Also, not really unsigned anymore, as he has his own label, and is in negotiations with Sony.

Pete Marinovich
Sultry smooth steel and nylon string guitars. Crafty songwriting too.

Dean Krippaehne
Dean is a silky jazz pianist and singer, with a beautiful sense of style. Dr. John meets Michael Franks.

Rick Garner
Smooth as glass guitarist/keyboard player. Relax and enjoy.

George Kahn
Old-school piano acoustic trio/quad brilliance, this cat is SWINGIN'..

Chris Geith Group
Keyboard-based Jazz Fusion brilliance. Tight, clean, and tasty as hell.. His drummer will make you wanna cry.

Joe Fuentes
The nylon-string master. Joe was nominated for a Smooth Jazz award for Best New Artist.

Ryan Farish
I met Ryan on the old MP3.com, where he was very successful. Keyboard focused multi instrumentalist. Smooth Jazz, Easy Listening,  Ambient, Ryan does it all with grace and aplomb. Also no longer counts as unsigned. See, these great people CAN get going in the mainstream. Ryan is on The Weather Channel, Music Choice, and it a Top 100 Amazon.com artist.

Stephen LeBlanc
Freeform, abstract, stunning Fender Rhodes brilliance, Jammin' free...

Ernie Mansfield
Delight in this Brazilian-influenced jazz flautist of immense ability and songwriting skill. Immerse yourself in the Latin influence and effortless style.

BLUES
The Renovators
Rockin' and jammin' Blues. Crowd pleasers and showmen par excellence.

COUNTRY
Shelly Starks
Amazingly powerful and expressive country singer and songwriter. She's not going to be indie for very long, I think.

John Kelly
Great New Country and roots rock with tight vocal and guitar craftsmanship.

Wendy May 
Powerful, lusty country/pop vocals, terrific song crafter.

Constance
Sharp, insightful songwriting, acoustic with a country kick! I played on her debut CD, Caught Up In You... Big powerful voice in a small package