PHIL STOODLEY – SINGLE PRESS RELEASE: 27TH SEP, 2019
‘LONG WAY FROM HOME’ (Available on all major streaming services)
“Tokyo is so rich in food, fashion and culture with amazing scenery. And the people are wonderful, sweet and very polite. Sometimes it feels like you’re on another planet. Japan is by far one of my most favourite places to travel, and would have seemed a waste not to take advantage of the geographical location to shoot a music video.”
BALI – NEW ZEALAND – JAPAN
Performing in Japan each year, New Zealander singer-songwriter Phil Stoodley revels in the country’s culture, people and landscapes. Inspired to share his experiences, Long Way From Home’s music video was shot within Tokyo’s vivid street life and sprawling cityscape over three blue-knuckled winter nights. Capturing Tokyo’s better-known highlights along with urban hideaways where culture shines and stories are written, ‘Long Way From Home’ follows Phil’s journey from rooftops to sake bars, alleyways, and taxi rides. We follow Phil on his solo trail, soaking up the sites and sounds that soon feel familiar on foreign soil.
‘Long Way From Home’ is an acoustic pop/ folk song about refection, love, loss, self-discovery, and finding home within yourself while walking new paths. Phil produced/ recorded the song in New Zealand. It appears on his previously released debut album ‘No Surprise’.
WATCH MUSIC VIDEO NOW:
PRODUCTION NOTES
MUSIC
Written & Performed by Phi Stoodley
Produced & Engineered Phil Stoodley
Mixed & Mastered by Mike Beever
VIDEO
Directed by Anatole Papafilippou & Phil Stoodley in Tokyo, Japan
Director of Photography Anatole Papafilippou
Edited by Shae Sterling
LINKS
PHIL STOODLEY LINKS
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://philstoodley.com
YOU TUBE: https://youtube.com/philstoodley
FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/PhilStoodleyMusic
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/philstoodley
DISCOGRAPHY: http://www.philstoodley.com/discography
SOUNDCLOUD: http://soundcloud.com/philstoodley
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/philstoodley
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1nwEit7LmqQ3WdKJoJSUwn
APPLE MUSIC: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/phil-stoodley/330970711
AMAZON MUSIC: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Phil+Stoodley
Available on all good streaming services. Watch the music video here: https://youtu.be/RzWdW7VCqu8
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
I felt like I didn’t have a choice… it was the only direction that looked appealing to me when I was younger. Once I started there was no turning back.
Influences/heroes/role models
The Doors, Led Zep, Jeff Buckley, Slash, Lenny Kravitz, Metallica, GnR, Radiohead, Gary Moore
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
My music and vocal style has been compared to the likes of Bono, Chris Martin, Manic Street Preachers to name a few.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
I’ve been a full time musician most of my life. Which can be very stressful at times when work is on a low. You can only rely on yourself. So yea there’s been tough times… but more good times. I’m very blessed to have the career I’ve had so far. I’ve done a lot of traveling and immersed myself amongst lots of different cultures which can be inspiring. A few hard break-ups can bubble up the creative juices as well!
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
Inspiration can spark at anytime so you have to be prepared. That’s the great thing about iphones. You have a recorder on you at all times. So I have lots ideas on that. A lot of the time I come up with great ideas at soundcheck. You’re not really thinking much and in the moment. You’re literally doodling on your guitar. I’ve come up with some golden stuff at soundchecks.
I have a pretty good home studio with all of the toys. So I can pretty much create what want. Drum tracks I’ll always go into a bigger studio.
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
The thought of handing over all responsibilities to a label sounds glorious. Just so I can solely concentrate on the music. These days an artist has to be a booking agent, producer, engineer, graphic artist, web designer… the list goes on. And if you don’t have these skills you’ll have to pay dearly. Fortunately I’m a man of many talents but a master of none, ha ha. But I know enough to get by.
I don’t think there is any one secret to standing out and getting noticed. But you can definitely heighten your chances with hard work and good work.
6.) Are you able to make a living with your music? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your music career? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music?
I’ve been making a living from my career for over 20 years. Dominantly performing as a covers artist. But also writing music for film and TV.
My advise to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music? Work hard at your craft and learn as many skills as you can along the way. And learn to network!
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
I think this is an exciting time in music. Completely different to when I started. But if you don’t roll with the times you’ll get steam rolled. The playing field is a lot more level now in the fact that you don’t have to be signed to a major to crack it. Only issue these days is saturation, trying to break through the endless music being released every day can be tough. You just gotta be creating content and performing a lot.
8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
If you enjoy making that music I don’t consider it selling out. As soon as you release any music to the public you’re selling out. Its all subjective at the end of the day.
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I have no idea… I should have a long term plan. But I’ve never worked that way. Maybe I should give it a go! ha ha