Phil Monsour is a committed independent singer/songwriter. He has a long history of producing music that travels beyond the mainstream to explore complex issues of identity, solidarity and politics. Phil's songs speak with honesty and insight about people lives and personal experiences. He is an accomplished musician on both acoustic and electric guitar and has a strong and passionate voice. Phil’s performance style is both energetic and moving.
In 2008, Phil Monsour will launch a new, 13 song, recording project, The empire’s new clothes. The album is a bleak and insightful statement about the new century, the situation in the Middle East and the changing Australian landscape. The album was conceived during the tragic destruction of Lebanon in 2006 which was experienced by Phil’s large extended family, and has emerged as a non compromising response to the recent invasion and destabilisation of Lebanon, the ongoing struggle in Palestine, the occupation of Iraq, and the race riots in Sydney. The empire’s new clothes is a unique mix of personal and related narratives about ordinary people whose stories and circumstance are ignored or censored in the main stream media. These are the hidden stories of millions of ordinary people whose destiny is determined by the harsh reality of complex geo political forces, manipulated by powerful people in board rooms and offices thousands of miles away.
Profits from The empire’s new clothes will be used to assist development projects in Palestine and Lebanon.
Musically, The empire’s new clothes builds on Phil’s acoustic rock style and creates a contemporary and complex musical landscape. For the project, Phil worked with a range of musicians from a wide variety of musical backgrounds to develop arrangements and instruments that best supported the power and passion behind the songs. Musicians included Jon Lloyd on drums, Graham Jackson on guitar, Lachlan Hurse on bass, Lorne Gerlack on keyboards, Bryan Pearson on piano and organ, and the ever versatile Simon Monsour (Phil’s cousin) as producer engineer and occasional musician.
Phil is currently completing an album of solo performances to also be released in 2008.
Recent History
In 2004, Phil began performing a themed concert presenting a selection of songs, stories and images about ordinary people caught in the turbulent conflicts of the Middle East. The songs reflect a history of invasions, occupations, wars and Phil’s heritage as an Arab Australian.
In 2001, Phil recorded a solo project smart bombs. The seven-song recording blends folk sensibilities, contemporary dance rhythms and traditional folk rock. Lyrically the songs explore the instability of the new world order. Recorded during an 8 month period, it is the first collaboration with Simon Monsour (Sunni Awards Producer of the year 2001) who produced, recorded and performed on the recording.
Phil has extensive performing and recording experience as a solo performer and with his bands the Cutters and most recently Popproperly. With the band Popproperly, Phil released two albums: Popproperly 1999 and Faint Blue Glow1998, as well as a number of EP’S and singles. Popproperly toured extensively through Europe performing at summer festivals, pubs and clubs in Germany, Holland, Ireland, Belgium, Sweden and Finland and built up an independent touring circuit undertaking 5 separate tours.
Phil’s music has played a part in the politics and international solidarity movements of Brisbane and he has been a regular performer at fundraisers, benefits and festivals.
Contact
www.philmonsour.com
phil@philmonsour.com
myspace
Feature performances include
Australia
Woodford / Maleny Folk Festival 1997-1999, 2004, 2006
Boundary Street Festival, Brisbane
Support act for:
Powderfinger, the Church, Hunters and Collectors, Paul Kelly, the Saints
Belgium
Labadoux Festival, Ingelmunster 1997
Paulusplein fest, Oostende 1998
Germany
Kieler Woche, 1998
Finkenbach Open Air 1999
Lutterbeck Theatre
Schwimmbad Musik Club
Posinger Open Air
Linndenfels Festival 2000
Holland
Noordwijk Stand Festival
Haarlem Blues Festival (download as a PDF)
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