Phill Tate (Australia/Belgium)

Phill Tate started playing guitar and drums at 10. He composed his first song at 12….”crap song about wanting to kiss a girl….still remember it though”. Started playing professionally at 18 on the Sydney “pub circuit”. Supporting such bands as INXS ( “they wouldn’t share their beer with us”) and “the Divinyls” to name just two. At 22 his band had a top twenty hit with one of his songs leading to an intensive live schedule of 215 shows in 10 months. “It really showed me the craft of ‘live’ vs ‘studio’ songwriting”
At 28 he moved to England to write and play in the “London Scene”. Playing and recording with indie and established acts led to a working relationship with Dare Mason (Wet Wet Wet).
Next to Greece were he, literally, played for a living.” I really feel in love with the passion of Greek folk music, especially rembetika. Passion is the real key to a great song”
Then to Paris where he worked for the Greek composer Vangelis and established a continuing working relationship and friendship with French producer/composer, Dimitri Tikovoi (Placebo, Peter Kingsbury (of Cock Robin fame), Guesch Patti, Michael J. Sheehy, Gary Numen, Trash Palace, John Cale,  Sharko, The Horrors, Les Ritas Mitsouko and on and on…..)
Since settling in Belgium he has continued to work with Dimitri ( who now works out of London) as well as playing live and  writing and co writing with Stan Van Samang and this brings us here….
“My motto?” “Pop is not a dirty word.” It’s not even a genre…what is popular in Turkey might crash in Belgium.”
 When asked how you make a hit record, Quincy Jones said
“Three things…..The song the song and the song…..”

“That’s what I do……..”