Multi-instrumentalist Shane Philip is known worldwide for his dynamic didgeridoo-infused music and will be playing in Penticton at the Dream Café on April 26.
Philip's rhythmic and intoxicating sounds are powerful enough to fill a room with dancing fans and soulful enough to quiet a packed house. Those songs have captured audiences for years in Canada, particularly along the west coast, but for the past five years, he's captured listeners around the globe.
He released Earthshake in 2006, introducing his unique sound and creating a small following almost instantly. By 2008, he released In the Moment, which showed further that he could seamlessly blend folk, reggae and blues genres into his own creation. The title track of this album is one of his best works to date.
He followed that project with Live at Baker Studios in 2009. Heavier on the blues side, this album had more of the grit that comes out during Philip's live shows, which was essential for anyone who had never been to a performance.
Philip is a one-man force on stage. His feet wildly work his drum kit while he plays guitar, the aslatua, the djembe and, of course, his didgeridoos. He feels his best work to date came last year when he released Life Love Music. The album is rich with vocals and features much more of that mesmerizing sound that Philip is so well known for. He was voted Best Live Act - 2012 Vancouver Island Music Awards.
Philip hooked up once again with producer Joby Baker (Cowboy Junkies, Alex Cuba) and the two collaborated for what is another memorable product. Baker often plays bass and drums on the tracks and the two took a total of eight days to record. Might sound quick, but Philip is known for completing his projects quickly. The Baker Studios album took two days, as an example. The result, though, of taking the extra time is a wonderfully polished recording that maintains the grit and integrity of Philip's compositions.
This year, Shane is well on his way to releasing a new album and those who attend his show at The Dream Cafe on April 26 can look forward to hearing some of the unreleased tracks. Tickets to the show are $16.