Philip Creamer has had an interesting journey. He was a central figure in the Dallas/Fort Worth music scene but wanted more. So he moved his young family to Nashville to make a record that was all him. Leaving behind his city, his band Dovetail and comfortable familiarity.
Philip tells SoundVapors, “This was definitely a departure for me from the band but I sort of wanted to plant the flag of Creamer. To establish myself as an individual/artist that’s on the scene making music, records and now starting to tour. Now I did collaborate with my brother still on some of the compositions and songs because I just really benefit from that and I enjoy doing that with him.”
But this is all music that Philip likes to make and he’s able to take his passion and influences and run wild with them.
I asked him if he could describe how that journey started from Texas to Tennessee. “I got married and we had a son back in the end of 2012. 2013 came and went and we just decided to do something different. So we moved out here to Nashville and started recording. I met Pat Sansone, (Wilco, The Autumn Defense) who produced the record and Audley Freed at the same show. We were at The Family Wash in East Nashville where my buddy’s band The Cordovas, asked us to open. So I called all the guys and asked them to come play a show for me.” Pat and Audley were both at the show that night.”
“We played the show and Pat, who went on to produce the record, was there. He has become one of my best friends. We’re neighbors and do a lot together in terms of music. So we connected and I met Audley there, who ended up playing on the record. All of these excellent opportunities have spun out of that one little show, which is a very Nashville thing to happen, I think.” (Philip laughs)
I wondered if he knew Pat was there watching. Philip tells me a funny story about that. “When I got on stage, my guitar player who was filling in for me that night was like, Pat from Wilco is over there at the bar. And I was like F*ck you, man! Why didn’t you tell me that after the show! ” (laughs)
“So we wound up connecting, he called me and we had lunch. Then Audley called and we had coffee and from there we just started to collaborate and write this record. So the record came to be.”
It honestly doesn’t surprise me. Philip is extremely talented and frankly, just a likable person.
I wanted to know more about his time in the studio. I asked him how it was working with Pat and if Pat was a full time producer on the album. “Pat and his producing partner, Josh Shapera, a producer/engineer based in Chicago is also a teacher at Columbia College in Chicago. He’s a really brilliant sound engineer and producer. Those two guys produced the record. We cut all twelve songs to 2″ tape at Club Roar here in Nashville. Club Roar studios is a really killer place.”
Philip tells me that they did two weeks of having his brother and bass player buddy, Scott Lee, from the Texas Gentleman as well and of Dovetail come out with Texas guitar-slinger Ryan Ake.
Philip says, “These guys are like my core group from back in Dallas. Then Pat sort of orchestrated my drummer, Dave, who’s like my partner in this thing now and is totally sold out on it. He lives in Hamilton, which is near Toronto. He brings himself down and goes on tours, rides in the van and does the whole thing. He’s an amazing, brilliant drummer and he’s totally sold out on it. So Pat orchestrated that, which was sort of coincidental and amazing and made for a fantastic studio session.”
“Pat not only produced it, he played lead guitar on several songs. He played some Wurlitzer, some organ and added keys and Mellotrons and things. He also sang some harmonies with me. It was a totally hands on experience for him. He played many parts in the process as well as having a heavy hand in the mixing. Josh and Pat both mixed it together and Pat was crucial to the mix.”
Since we talked so much about the production and mix I wanted to know where the album was being mastered at. I was pleasantly surprised that it was mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studio. I think for any artist, having your music connected in any way to Abbey Road feels special. We joked about walking across the street while you are there. But Philip really said it best. “To have my songs echoing in the halls of Abbey Road, in the mastering studio and on the same gear that so many of the best records of all time have run through is REALLY exciting. It felt like the icing on top of the cake.”
This album does the mastering room proud. It is a twelve song eponymous album that features Drugs No More as the lead single.
The vibe on the entire record has a retro feel. But I wouldn’t dismiss it as just an album that is trying to sound like it came from the 70’s. This record makes you believe it. Recording to tape adds another layer of warmth and a nice vintage feel.
The second song on the album, Magic, is a testament to Creamer’s dedication to their sound. It’s so damn funky, I don’t know whether I should make the rock face or get up and dance when I hear it. If you can’t decide, just wait for the chorus. (FTR I’ve done both) The drums are super special on this song.
Another one of my very favorite tracks on this album is Free To Fly. This song has such a deep feel to it. The piano/key work is stellar here. Lots of sounds to keep you engaged, such as some nice slide/overall guitar work. Also, it is my favorite track, vocally, from Philip.
Creamer lists artists like Queen, The Beatles, Harry Nilsson, Todd Rundgren, Rufus Wainwright, ELO, The Beach Boys and of course David Bowie as major influences. Philip says, “I think those are all things I’ve pulled from during this. But if I’m looking back at this selection of songs and thinking about the time period I wrote them, which has been quite a few years now, probably Paul McCartney’s catalog is the biggest influence. I was just going thoroughly through it all and listening to everything that he has done and really loving all of it. So I wrote these songs in like a five years span so if I had to say one word: McCartney. (laughs)
That’s one hell of an influence to have.
Philip also tell me that he feels like he is always skewing in the direction of Queen and feels like it’s his destiny to end up further in that direction. You can truly feel all of those influences on this album. Creamer does a good job of letting those artists influence him but yet, writing a collection of songs that are his own.
You’ll want to pick this album up upon release. It has many layers to it. It’s an album that you’ll be able to listen to multiple times and walk away with something different with each pass. Trust me, I have. And I have.
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-Tommy Marz
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