Grant-Lee Phillips - Solo Career

Solo Career

Phillips signed to the Boston-based indie label Rounder Records and launched a solo career, issuing Ladies' Love Oracle over the Internet in 2000. The recording was later more widely released. His first full-length LP, Mobilize, was released to enormous critical acclaim in 2001. Being praised as much for its gentleness as much as Buffalo were for their rock, it featured Phillips's talents on many instruments, including both dreamy pop and dark but comforting ballads. Touring followed with sets containing solo and Buffalo material in equal measure.

During a short tour with Robyn Hitchcock, Phillips co-produced and co-starred in a concert film of the tour shot in Seattle titled Elixirs & Remedies, directed by Kris Kristensen of Scotopia Pictures in Seattle. Kristensen would later direct the video for "The Sun Shines On Jupiter", from Phillips' solo release, "Little Moon".

In 2004 Virginia Creeper arrived and with it a more folky, almost-country record noted for the complete absence of the electric guitar. In 2006 Phillips released another acoustic album, Nineteeneighties. An ambitious set of cover versions, it featured songs from The Smiths, Pixies, New Order, Robyn Hitchcock, R.E.M., The Church, and Echo & the Bunnymen. A new record of his own material, Strangelet, was released on March 27, 2007. On October 13, 2009, Grant released "Little Moon" on Yep Roc records. In October 2012, "Walking in the Green Corn" was released, partially funded by fans through a PledgeMusic campaign. Phillips toured with Glen Phillips to support the album.

  • Grant-Lee Phillips is a registered member of the Creek Native American tribe (on his mother's side) and a direct descendant of those who walked the Trail of Tears.
  • Phillips is related to Chief John Ross on his father's side. Paternally he is both Blackfoot and Cherokee ancestry.
  • Phillips has been married only once, to the same woman for more than 20 years. He became father to Violet Thea Phillips, January 11, 2008.
  • Phillips has scored several films and TV shows as well as having a recurring role as the town troubadour on Gilmore Girls.
  • Phillips has a comedic background, having been a cast member in high school of the only professional theater in Stockton, Pollardville.
  • Phillips has co-written songs with numerous people, most recently with comedian Margaret Cho. He can be seen featured in her video "Asian Adjacent." The song being partially inspired by Phillips and star of Flight of the Conchords Jemaine Clement, who is part Maori.

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