Phil Circle

About

Chicago-born Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Phil Circle has spent twenty years writing and performing in and around Chicago, and on various national tours. His unique approach to songwriting and promotion has earned him a great deal of respect and admiration locally and on the road. Phil has always preferred to pursue his career on his terms, mostly by disregarding the much sought-after “record label” in favor of his own, booking more intimate venues that appreciate the musician and his work, and receiving radio play on stations all over the country and world that look for independent talent.

Phil is by no means your ordinary songster picking away quietly on his acoustic guitar. He manages to blend elements of rock, jazz, blues, folk, and even classical, to seamlessly create a style truly his own. Add to this his flawless and energetic live performance, and he lands far away from what most people think of as "Singer/Songwriter."

Phil's repertoire of covers not only spans decades and crosses genres with ease, but showcases his ability to make music his own. He's received countless accolades from people at live shows that enjoyed the variety and in many cases even preferred his take on someone else's song.

On July 15th he began an on-going tour following the Chicago-release of his latest work: a double CD of originals and covers, all acoustic, entitled All That I Am and Da Coverz respectively. The music on these albums is co-produced and recorded by Oscar winner and two-time Grammy-nominee George Belle. The release also includes the DVD In the Loop with Phil Circle, which has behind-the-scenes footage of the recording process and live performances on the road. In 2009 he also released Minutes to Circle, a full band CD of more original music, which has received numerous positive reviews. A song off that album was chosen for a compilation of 16 artists from across the country and sent to 350,000 U.S. troops around the world. Although not mainstream, Phil Circle’s music has by now touched the lives of countless people.

Phil’s recent departure from his longtime home base of Chicago attracted much media attention, with multiple live radio appearances prior to his leaving. After playing every major Chicago venue and countless smaller ones over the last two decades, he’s leaving for warmer climates. Phil has been traveling in a little blue Honda Civic on a long tour, playing solo acoustic shows nearly every day in every town he stops in, performing his music for countless more listeners, soon to be new fans.

Phil is available for shows throughout the country. If you don't see the information here or on his site, send an inquiry. Mention when and where your event is and you'll hear back promptly with answers to all your questions.

Personnel

Megan Corse: Manager, vocalist

Influences

Pete Townsend, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Duke Ellington, Robert Johnson, Nick Drake, Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, Celtic Music, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, The Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Traffic, Luka Bloom, David Bowie, King Crimson, Ravi Shankar, Corky Siegel, William Russo, Tom Waits, John Hyatt, Taj Mahal, Jeff Buckley, King Crimson, Pre-war Blues, Post-war Blues, Classical, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Coldplay, John Mayer, and a thousand more.

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 60 - 300 minutes

Phil Circle brings a rich, versatile voice (he trains vocalists) and highly skilled guitar playing (he also trains guitarists) to every show. With two decades of consistent performance under his belt, along with the vast repertoire this offers, his ability to read what a crowd wants is pretty solid. In other words, he knows how to play to the audience. He engages crowds with his wit and gregarious personality, often bringing little anecdotes into the show to introduce songs.

Set/Song/Sequence List:
Too wide and vast to list. Requests for specific styles or songs during the booking process are accepted.

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