Narc. Magazine Online
Reliably informed
We find out all we can about the Billingham producer/musician who releases his album The Lies They Tell
Who are you?
My name is Phil Smart, and I am a music producer/musician from Billingham.
What is it you do?
I make mostly instrumental/electronic music from my home studio.
How long have you been doing it?
I have been making music since I was very young when my parents bought me a small keyboard out of the blue as a surprise Christmas present. I would upgrade keyboards each year after that and loved the electronic sounds around at the time from the likes of New Order, The Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode and Kraftwerk. I started a night class course on music production but had to leave halfway through due to work commitments away from home. Several years ago, I purchased an upright piano which got me back into playing and enjoying music once again. Then one day about 5 years ago I was talking to a work colleague who put me on to some production software and turned the spare room in my house into a small studio and haven’t stopped making music since.
What inspires you?
I think subconsciously all music you listen to inspires you in some small way, I have always listened to a wide range of music through all genres but in the last year or so I have been listening to music from the likes of Bruno Berle, Arooj Aftab and Pharoah Sanders. I also believe your own feelings and experiences shape and give inspiration for the music you make, for me personally I find that the news that surrounds us whether that be locally or globally has an impact on what we write and create.
Tell us about your music.
I would describe my music as electronic and quite atmospheric; I tend to write music that tries to trigger feelings whether that be of hope, happiness, or sorrow. My latest album is a collection of songs made over the last two years starting off as separate small projects and then unintentionally merging into one complete one full body of work.
What have you got coming up in the future?
I have my new album The Lies They Tell to promote, and also i have a collaboration with Fulmine Mercantile Co which will include some limited-edition clothing that will be available through their new shop, I will be DJing at the opening of the shop which will coincide with the release of the album. I have also started work on a new project where I will be trying to collaborate with local artists and singers and see what direction that takes me.
Where can people find out more about you?
You can find me on Instagram – @tokillanation
Twitter – @philsmart16
Bandcamp – tokillanation.bandcamp.com
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@ToKillaNation
Mixcloud – https://www.mixcloud.com/tokillanation
Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/tokillanation
