By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Grant-Lee Phillips
Acclaimed Nashville-based singer-songwriter Grant-Lee Phillips is out on the first leg of a U.S. tour in support of his 13th album – “In The Hour of Dust.”
This leg begins on September 7 in Vienna, Virginia and now swings into the “City Winery Segment” with three shows in a row at City Winery venues in Philadelphia, New York and Boston.
The Philadelphia show is scheduled for September 8 at City Winery (990 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, www.citywinery.com).
“My albums always seem to come out in the fall,” said Phillips. During a phone interview Monday from his home in Nashville.
“Then, I go out on tour in late autumn and winter. This winter, I’m going to the top of Finland with shows in Lapland as well as Helsinki.
“This tour is solo acoustic. I record with additional band members. Then, when I tour acoustic and solo, it emphasizes the solo aspects of the songs. I’ve stripped back songs on tour for a long time.”
Phillips will follow with three legs of European shows from October through January in nine countries – Belgium, France, U.K., The Netherlands, Denmark, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Ireland and Finland.
“I’m doing the upcoming American leg by train,” said Phillips. “Riding on the railroad is one of my favorite ways to travel. You can just relax and look out the window.”
Watching the country go by while looking out a train window fits well with Phillips’ songwriting – creating songs that are observational. He is a songwriter known for his cinematic lyricism and atmospheric arrangements.
His new album, “In the Hour of Dust,” spans universal and personal themes.
It was inspired by a painting from India Phillips discovered while wandering the Norton Simon Art Museum in Pasadena, and the evocative Indian concept of “the hour of cow dust.”
According to Phillips, “It’s that moment of the day when the cows are led back home. They kick up the dust. That’s a cue to prepare the lamps. Night is about to fall.”
The self-produced album finds Phillips at his most introspective and poetic, channeling his visual and musical sensibilities into a striking mediation on disconnection and grace.
“The through line of the songs is that all of us are moving through these troubled times,” said Phillips. “These are confusing times when it’s hard to see your hand in front of your face.”
According to Phillips, “The mood on this album is contemplative. It’s about trying to find meaning in an age of confusion, feeling your way through the blinding dust of unreality.”
Phillips’ latest batch of songs range from melodic folk songs to intense songs about these challenging times.
According to Phillips, “I don’t see songs of love and songs of protest as being so far apart, really. It’s all about recognizing the value of connection in a disconnected time.”
The album was realized through work in two cities – Los Angeles and Nashville.
“I began writing the songs at home,” said Phillips. “While I was still writing it, I took some of the songs to L.A. in November 2024.
“I went to work with producer Payl Bryan at the studio Lucy’s Meat Market in Eagle Rock, California.
“It’s owned by engineer Pete Min and is one of the best studios in L.A. Having Pete as the engineer makes it such a great studio.
“All the tracks on the album have a touch of percussion. I had Patrick Warren on keyboards, Jay Belelrose on drums and Jennifer Cordos on bass.
“I brought everything back to my home studio in Nashville. Then, I finished it with John Baldwin who mastered it over the holidays.”
Since his early days as the frontman of Grant Lee Buffalo, through his role as the town troubadour on “Gilmore Girls” to his prolific solo career, Phillips has established himself as one of America’s most consistent and compelling songwriters.
His distinctive voice, poetic lyrics, and masterful musicianship have earned him a dedicated following and critical praise across multiple decades.
Phillips is a native Californian and a Nashville transplant.’
“I grew up in northern California – in Stockton,” said Phillips. “Then, I went south and lived in L.A. for 30 years. Now, I’ve been living in Nashville for the last 13 years.”
Grant Lee Buffalo was an American rock band based in Los Angeles, California, United States, consisting of Grant-Lee Phillips (vocals and guitar), Paul Kimble (bass) and Joey Peters (drums).
The band’s early influences were a mix of 70’s rock, folk, and country, but it was Phillips’ fascination with American history, landscapes, and personal narratives that shaped the band’s lyrical direction.
Their sound was further characterized by the use of unconventional instruments and experimental recording techniques, which allowed them to create a distinct atmosphere in their music.
“The first Grant Lee Buffalo album was in 1992,” said Phillips. “We released four albums before everybody left to pursue solo careers.”
With 13 critically acclaimed solo albums since the demise of Grant Lee Buffalo, it’s apparent that Phillips made the right decision 14 years ago.
Video link for Grant-Lee Phillips – https://youtu.be/yaep_TmU0aw.
The show at City Winery on September 8, which has Kris Delmhorst as the opening act, will start at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $28, $32 and $38.
Other upcoming acts at City Winery are Lyle Jennings on September 5, Jeff Bradshaw on September 6, Stella Cole on September 7, “A Night with Aretha” on September 9 and John Mark McMillan on September 10.
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org) is presenting “A Tribute to the 90’s” on September 5 and “Ireland Meets Philly” with Kate Dineen and Lily Enos of September 6.
Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) will present “Street Survivors: A Lynryd Skynyrd Experience” on September 6. Tickets are $30.
Colonial Theater (227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, thecolonialtheatre.com/events) will host Dan Pell on September 6 and Sarah Kate on September 7.
Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) will host Khadijah Renee on September 4, The Jazzmen Experience on September 5, Lonnie Shields Band on September 6 and the Philly Blues Kings featuring Clarence Spady on September 7.
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, 215-232-2100, www.utphilly.com) will host proto-industrial rock band Swans on September 4.
Elkton Music Hall (107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, www.elktonmusichall.com) will host “Gathering: A Tribute to The Cure” on September 5 and “Brown Sugar: A Tribute to The Rolling Stones” on September 6.
