Phil Robinson

Earnest NY singer/songwriter, whose deeply personal story-songs are the journal of an authentic and ongoing personal search.

Phil Robinson is possessed of a restless and questing creative spirit, which is always leading him to search out, create or reveal for us that little bit of light that shines out in the darkness.

Growing up an only child in urban, then suburban, New Jersey, Phil's constant companions over the years have been the songs of Bruce Springsteen and Cat Stevens, which much of his own music has since been compared to. Phil has taken to heart the lessons he's learned from each of these inspiring songwriters: namely, that music can be a powerful means of forging one's identity, of finding one's place in the world and, most importantly, of building a strong sense of community between musician and listener along the way.

Armed with his guitar, soulful harmonica-playing and warm humor, either standing alone or with any combination of his large pool of musical allies, Phil weaves songs which seem deceptively simple at first but then, as they unfold hypnotically through time, reveal themselves to be potent carriers of melody and emotion which swell and then subside perfectly in synch with the contour of his startlingly personal lyrics.

Phil's popular folk and blues-influenced songs, such as the coming-of-age story, 'Leaving Home', the bittersweet declaration of acceptance of the passage of time that is 'Fade Away', and 'Blue Skies', a spiritual paean of hope and yearning, evoke the spirit of a thousand and one nights spent with friends around the campfire. Rolling arpeggios and casual Guthrie-esque strumming are the building blocks of a music which is for the most part free of flashy noise and artifice-- Phil's songs are time-tested and well-crafted, durable and inclusive in the best storytelling tradition.

Throughout the journeys he takes us on, Phil's soothing voice is a comforting companion, even when his songs explore some of the darker and more uncomfortable avenues of human experience. When a song calls for it, however, Phil's voice becomes forceful and raw, with his vocals ultimately giving way to punctuated stabs of soaring harmonica when words are no longer able to tell the story.

In an earlier incarnation, Phil studied both science and music throughout his college years and was privileged to spend a year in Australia, studying Music Therapy at the University of Queensland under the auspices of a Fulbright Scholarship. The original plan was to go on to medical school; however, after much soul-searching, Phil decided to give his spot in med school away in order to pursue his deeper calling as a musician.

Moving to New York, Phil's early experiences as a songwriter confirmed that he was on the correct path. After some valuable formative time spent with fellow singer/songwriter Jason Vitelli as the performance duo, Scarlet Street, Phil has since gone on to more fully pursue his own music.

In addition to his reflective solo music, Phil also creates music which is wildly fun, energetic and ALIVE, with his high-octane rock band, The Bliss Jockeys, with whom he's been creating excitement on stages throughout the New York area.

A perpetually active musician and songwriter, Phil also lends his talents to many other collaborators throughout the rich NY music scene, most notably as an active ongoing member of Jessica Lee's band, with whom he plays guitar and harmonica and shares songwriting responsibilities.

Some of Phil's songs have been recorded by California-based recording artist Rusty Stratton, and Phil has also released an album of classical music he composed, featuring a performance of one of his pieces by the world-renowned Lydian String Quartet.

In addition to founding Roomful of Sky Records, Phil has also been active as a record producer, producing the debut albums of NY artists Arielle and Jessica Lee, among other special projects.