Zach Phillips' folk rock homage to California "The Wine of Youth" and "Ladybird"

"ladybird would you come around again"

Zach Phillips is a San Diego, California (by way of Chicago) based singer songwriter who just released his third album "The Wine of Youth". It is a full fledged homage to Cali and the song Ladybird is drenched in an organic wash of garden rock vibes circa late 70's. The guitars have a tasty sort of roots rock vibe ala Allman Brothers (yeah they were from Jacksonville, Florida but, at least, my school buds adopted them as California tinged rockers). There are also sonic illusions or vocal amalgams of Cali surf country rock bands like Beachwood Sparks blended with post punk folk rockers like Middle Brother filtered through classic folk rock ala Jackson Browne. About the release of "The Wine of Youth" press notes reveal:

Phillips planned on delaying the album’s release until the COVID-19 pandemic passed. Then, he began noticing friends’ social media posts. “Everyone seemed starved for new music, books and visual media as they hunkered down,” Phillips said. “I was especially inspired to see more and more people sharing their own videos of playing guitar or piano, people who weren’t necessarily practicing musicians but nonetheless seeking connection, sharing and conversation.

“It got me thinking differently about releasing the album. ‘The Wine of Youth’ has a few threads running through it theme-wise — California, the flow of time, universal cycles. But reflection, particularly on existential matters, might be the album’s heart. And it seemed as if everyone was reflecting on the big things. So, I figured the music could be a little cathartic for everyone.

“Also, being a fundamentally California album, natural disaster — namely earthquakes and wildfires — plays a big part in the songs, especially on tracks like ‘Cascadia’ and ‘Doesn’t Feel Like California.’ So, the music felt fitting for the moment, seeing as we’re dealing with one of the biggest, longest and seemingly most unpredictable natural disasters of our lifetime.”

-Robb Donker Curtius

Zach Phillips · Ladybird

THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:


Zach Phillips is a San Diego-based singer-songwriter. His new album, "The Wine of Youth," is an unusual hybrid of folk- and roots-rock, chamber pop, indie country, even ambient. It's a concept album loosely based on the eternal cycles of love, life, death and rebirth. And, of course, California. The old, weird California. The California of the desert, mountains, spiritualists and lovers. The California that taketh and giveth away, over and over and over again ...

"... Phillips has something special ... [a] gift for melodic hooks and affecting poetic imagery."

— Music Connection Magazine

"... sublime vocal melodies that rise and fall, circling those exquisite guitar notes and the subtle rhythm section. Lovely stuff."

— Post to Wire

"... engaging guitar work and excellent songcraft. Phillips' vocal is melodic, distinctive and clear."

— Americana U.K.

"A tribute to the old, weird California"

— San Diego Reader


"... an unusual hybrid of folk- and roots-rock, chamber pop, indie country, even ambient."

— Last Day Deaf


zachphillips.com

YouTube Channel

New album "The Wine of Youth"

All songs by Zach Phillips

Produced by Gregg Montante and Zach Phillips

Recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered by Gregg Montante

Spotify

Apple Music