"Songs From the 4th Floor"

The latest album from Nik Phillips has been described as, "a very impressive release" by Bob Anthony Jnr, and Nik himself as, "an enormously talented craftsman" by Mike Smith from Capital News. Produced by Michael Flanders and engineered by Jason Millhouse at Organicaudio studios, the album is a collaboration of Nik's years in the firing-line of the music industry. Late night gigs, smoke filled rooms and scenes captured from without and within, Nik Phillips has created an album of songs which has already earned him a place in the Golden Guitars, nominated for "Best New Talent" - an odd category for a singer/songwriter who has been in the industry for more than 15 years, but a more than welcome invitation to the Country Music Scene.

Legendary rock journo Ritchie York had this to say about "Songs from the 4th Floor" ...

"It is an album with strong lyrical content. It's cool music for grown ups. It's for people who have tasted life in all it's varying shades of colour. It deals with modern life in a touching and exploratory way.

The album has an expansive acoustic soundscape and sits in the genre of alternative country.
In the words of the legendary rock journalist Ritchie Yorke
"This is an album with depth and conviction, the product of a creative life well-lived and craftily occupied. It's a collection of songs which will surely resonate, around the state and around the nation. And ultimately beyond".

"A WINDING STARICASE"... Review by Mike Smith, Capital News

In live performance, Nik, his songs, and an acoustic guitar can hold an audience enthralled – it’s an artisan at work. "I couldn't imagine life without a stage," relates Nik, "There's a certain addiction involved with trying to improve your craft night after night. Constantly searching for that something which may take your audience to somewhere they haven't been before. Or perhaps somewhere they long to be again." read more...

Although pipped at the post by the wonderful new group, "The McLymonts", Nik had a great time at the festival and at the awards. Here's to another non for next year!

- University City, Uni Mall, Guangzhou : A five campus university holding 300 000 students. I am the first western artist to perform in the center of this institution. At the concert I was joined on stage by local high profile performers from Guangzhou. The staging featured information on Queensland and a speech was given by Qld Trade Commissioner Simon Lee. About 500 students were in attendance as well as local Government officials. One of the students, who had purchased my CD from a retail outlet, asked and was able to perform a song with me during the show.

- Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan : A campus of around 20 000 students. I was the first western artist to perform a concert at the institute. The auditorium was full with 3000 students and I was told another 2000 had tried to obtain tickets. Local Government Officials were also in attendance, along with Austrade and Qld Trade representatives. Once again presenting Queensland as a smart state and highlighting study and tourist opportunities was included in the performance. Also again, a student had learnt one of my songs and performed it on stage with me. It really was a personal highlight. After this show an hour was spent signing autographs, photos and giving 1st hand information to students. An interview was also held with the student media.

- Performance at the opening of the Window to Australia and New Zealand Shopping Mall in Beijing. This official event was attended by Chinese officials, Austrade representatives and the NZ Ambassador among many others and was a media event.

- A Club performance in Shenzen in a music venue called True Color. I was backed by a local band named Sher to a wonderful crowd of around 500.

During my first week, after experiencing the emotional state of my friends, let alone the country, after the terrible events in Sichuan, I penned a song called Hold Their Spirits High. The song is about friends from overseas standing beside a suffering people in their time of need.

This song wound up being presented to the CEO of the Southern Media Network, China's second largest media group which covers most of southern China. The idea was that we translate the song into mandarin and I record it as a fund raising single with Guangdong media personality DJ Lam. He has been on radio and TV in the region for ten years and has released 6 CDs. He currently hosts a top rating music program and has just been appointed as the network director for food programming. The CEO supported the idea and suggested that a fund raising concert be put together to launch the song, to be televised across their network.

All this was approved by the Guangdong Government. As far as we are all aware it is the 1st time a western artist has been given Govt support for such a project. At this time we were also offered the opportunity to find an Australian naming rights sponsor for the event. Unfortunately lack of time and too much distance prevented this from occurring and Chinese sponsors were found. However I am grateful for the friendly consideration given to us.

The song was recorded and the concert held on May 30, with many high profile Cantonese artists performing. The highlight was the launch of the song. The concert went to air on June 3 across all southern China through TV and radio. Although I don't have final figures I am told around AU750 000 was raised for the Red Cross.

NEWS

Well we are back (again) from China. It was an amazing trip. I have attached a document which gives you a bit of a run down, but we will be having a full presentation at our

CHRISTMAS PARTY
HAMILTON HOTEL NIGHT CLUB
RACECOURSE ROAD HAMILTON
WED 19TH DEC
There will be a $10 cover charge to cover costs. Please RSVP me at nik@nikphillips.com.au
with the numbers in your party.

NEW YEARS EVE with the BAND
FULL MOON HOTEL
SHORNCLIFFE 8:30pm

Nik's Trip May 2008

I have just returned for my 3rd performance visit to mainland China. As far as myself, my management, the Qld Government and the Chinese media can ascertain, I am still the only western artist to hold a contract with a major Chinese record company. This unique situation has certainly given me access to Chinese media and performance opportunities, previously unavailable to western artists. Once again on this trip, the itinerary ended up being lined with a hosts of “firsts”.

The itinerary included performances at...