Phillip Phillips at Billboard: Watch Him Share His Top 5 Songs of 2013

With 2013 winding down, Phillip Phillips visited the Billboard studios and sat down with Billboard.com editor Tye Comer (@MTye) to discuss the huge year he’s had, to listen to some of his music, and to share five songs that have been part of the soundtrack to his life in 2013, from John Mayer and Lorde to Eminem and Katy Perry.

The 2012 “American Idol” winner has been anything but idle in the past 12 months. He’s been on the road supporting his Nov. 2012 debut, “The World From the Side of the Moon,” which hit the top five of the Billboard 200, and opened for Matchbox Twenty and John Mayer.

The 23-year-old Georgia native says that Mayer was a welcome influence this year — not only was one of Mayer’s tunes among the five tracks that Phillips loved most this year, Mayer also actively encouraged the younger musician.

Phillips picked out “Waitin’ On The Day,” from Mayer’s new album “Paradise Valley,” as one of the five 2013 favorites he included in his Billboard Artist Jukebox listening session. It’s a “great song to me and very emotional,” he says.

“He’s given me a lot of great advice,” Phillips says of the time he’s spent with Mayer on tour. “Whether it’s business decisions or music decisions. He’s already a legend, an amazing guitarist and he loves songs too. We’ll soundcheck some new songs or something sometimes and he’ll come up to me [and say,] ‘That’s tight. Keep at it.’ It just makes you feel good for somebody in that position to say those types of things to me.”

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In addition to Mayer’s music, Phillips’ favorite songs of 2013 also include tunes from an array of genres and both newcomers and longtime hitmakers. Lorde’s “Royals” easily made his key listening list. “I can’t believe she’s only 16. That song’s great,” he says. “I definitely see it on the radio. It’s just so catchy and the beat is sexy.” On the rock side of things, Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive” caught his ear this year because, “it’s massive, it’s got huge arms to it.” And veteran rapper Eminem’s recent single, “Berzerk,” is on his playlist because “it gets you hyped up.” In the pop realm, he singles out Katy Perry’s “Roar” for the way that, “It makes you feel like you’re just invincible.”

But rocking the road and listening to 2013’s best isn’t all that Phillips has been up to this year. Not only has he just released both an expanded edition of “Moon” and “Phillip Phillips Live EP,” he’s been readying music for a new album. “I’m always writing some music,” he shares. “I’ve got some things I’m pretty excited for. I’m going to try to have an album out by spring or summer, to be able to tour next summer.”

Source: Billboard

Five Miles Up with Phillip Phillips

In a show of thanks apropos for this time of year, Phillip Phillips is re-releasing his debut album, “The World from the Side of the Moon,” with three additional live tracks on November 19. The past year has given the 11th-season winner of “American Idol” a lot to be thankful for. Not only did “The World from the Side of the Moon” go platinum, but Phillips has been globetrotting with John Mayer on the Born and Raised Tour. A stop in Palmer, Alaska provided the Georgia native an opportunity to shoot the “Where We Came From” song video. “We were freezing our tails off,” he told FMU of the experience. “Between takes, we’d stop and take in the beauty and quiet of the landscape.” Does Phillips get to stop and smell the roses often? Nope. Apparently, even his zip-line tours occur during concerts.

What’s something you never fail to pack in your suitcase?
I always bring regular t-shirts, nothing fancy, just good ole worn out t-shirts.

Carry-on or check-in?
I’d rather carry on, but usually have to check in.

Window or aisle?
Aisle. I like spreading out, letting loose and not worrying about too much, like having to ask when I need to get up.

What’s your idea of the perfect vacation?
It depends on the time of year. During the summer, I like being on an island or a beach, just relaxing with no phone calls or emails coming in. When I was growing up, my family always traveled to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (both in Tennessee) in the winter, so I always like going up to the mountains and staying in a cabin with family and friends that time of year.

Tell us about a vacation you’ve taken that’s come close thus far.
About a month ago, I was in Brazil touring with John Mayer. It wasn’t really a vacation, but we treated it like one. It was so beautiful there, and the atmosphere was awesome.

Where’s your favorite destination for performing?
Rio. It was just amazing.
What’s the worst annoyance you’ve experienced while traveling?
We were in the Philippines and had to play one show during my birthday week. I was good all the way up to my birthday and then got sick.

What’s the silliest souvenir you’ve ever brought back from a trip?
T-shirts from the places I travel. I wear them for years, even when they get holes in them and people tell me I need to stop wearing them.

Ever try a food you wished you hadn’t?
I was raised up “don’t knock it until you try it,” so I’ll try anything. There have been a lot of times where I wish I hadn’t. Like in France or the Philippines. There’s a lot of amazing food there, but it’s so different from what I’m used to in U.S. In the Philippines, there was this creamy yogurt-looking dessert that looked good, but when you bit into it, it was chewy and didn’t have the greatest texture.

Favorite hotel you’ve ever stayed in.
The Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis. I had a huge room. I don’t really ever want a big room — as long as I’ve got a bed and a bathroom, I’m good. This room was massive, and the bed was so huge you could play tennis on it.

Favorite restaurant you’ve discovered while traveling.
I’m a big foodie. I like eating at local places when I’m traveling; local food is usually fresher tasting. When I was doing my album, we had a burger shootout in New York around Times Square. We got burgers from Five Guys, 5 Napkin and the Shake Shack. I loved Shake Shack’s burgers the best; they’re kind of creamy.

Biggest regret you’ve ever had while on vacation.
When I went to Brazil, I wanted to go zip-lining in the jungle or over a waterfall, but didn’t have time. I did get to zip-line over the crowd at the Rocking Rio concert, though.

The one thing you’re willing to splurge on when traveling above all else.
Food.

Three artists on your travel playlist.
When I need inspiration, I listen to the Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix and AC/DC.

What songs off your debut album would be good for others’ playlists?
“Man On The Moon” and “Get Up Get Down.”

Where would you take someone visiting your hometown for the first time?
In my hometown of Leesburg, Georgia, I’d take them to Flint River and Kinchifoonee Creek to go boating, tubing, jumping off ropes and swimming.

You only get one more trip in your lifetime. Where will it be?
Ireland. After seeing photos and films, I’ve always wanted to go. It looks so beautiful and relaxing, and I love listening to the accents of people from there.

Source: Yahoo

Phillip Phillips QVC Live Performance

phillipphillips-qvc

As he gets ready to celebrate the one year anniversary of the release of The World From The Side Of The Moon, Phillip Phillips stopped by the QVC studios to chat about his platinum selling album and officially announce the release of his new Live EP. The release of the Live EP will coincide with the re-release of The World From The Side Of The Moon on November 19.
Sitting on a stool and with his trademark nervous bouncy leg, Phillips performed several songs from his album and shared stories of his early years as a young musician and his busy life after winning American Idol. The special performance took place in front a small studio audience and featured Phillips’ regular accompanying musicians Errol Cooney on guitar and Dave Eggar on cello. Together, the trio treated the audience to a beautiful and intimate acoustic set.
When asked about his touring with John Mayer, Phillips answered that it was “an honor to share the stage with him” but also confessed that he still gets nervous every time he plays, especially when performing “on live TV”.
The visit to QVC also helped Phillips promote a special QVC Exclusive edition of the upcoming Live EP, featuring 5 songs (two more than the regular edition) as well as exclusive signed copies of his album. The songs on the Live EP were recorded during Phillips’ summer tour in support of John Mayer.
The set list for the night included “Where We Came From”, Phillips’ third single from the album, and “Take Me Away”, a song he doesn’t get to perform very often.

Here is the complete set list:
“Gone, Gone, Gone”
“Where We Came From”
“Hold On”
“Tell Me A Story”
“A Fool’s Dance”
“Take Me Away”
“Man On The Moon”

Check out the videos below!

Gone Gone Gone

Where We Came From

Hold On

Tell me a Story

A Fool’s Dance

Take me Away

Man on the Moon

Interview + Songs (FULL)
[KGVID width=”600″ height=”338″]http://www.phillphill.com/wp-content/uploads/videos/FULLqvc.mp4[/KGVID]

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Thanks: QVC

 

Phillip Phillips Interview with Parade Magazine

The star who made us feel at “Home” opens up about date nights and why he doesn’t watch Idol.

It changed everything,” says Phillip Phillips of the whirlwind year he had in 2012, when he was catapulted from working in his parents’ pawnshop to winning the 11th season of American Idol. His first single, “Home,” sold almost 5 million copies and became the theme song for the U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastics team. Now the Georgia native, 23, is touring with John Mayer; his album, The World From the Side of the Moon, will be rereleased Nov. 19 with three new live tracks. Phillips spoke to Jessica Wozinsky before going onstage for a show in Raleigh, N.C.

How does it feel when people sing along to your songs?
Weird! It happens all the time now, but I’m still not confident stepping away from the microphone and letting the fans sing. They always come through, but I get nervous that it’s just going to be silence. [laughs]

You wrote or cowrote most of the songs on your album. Why was that important to you?
If I don’t have any say in the music, then I don’t have any connection with it. The label respected that. They said, “Let us give you three songs, and you can have the rest of the album.” My next record will all be from me, with some cowrites. My imprint will be on every song.

How is fame different from what you expected?
When people write things on the Internet about me that aren’t true, it’s tough to deal with. Even if you’re the most mellow person in the world, stuff like that bothers you eventually.

Did you watch American Idol last season?
No, I’m done. That was a time I’ll always remember, and it’s helped me get to where I am today, but I don’t watch it. More power to the next ones.

Of the stars you met on the show, who was your favorite?
Stevie Nicks. She’s a sweetheart, and she actually did her homework. Unlike some of the other mentors, she was up at six that morning listening to everyone’s songs. She really cared and gave us great advice.

After you won, we learned that you had suffered from kidney stones during the competition.
Sometimes [the pain] was too much to bear and I thought about quitting. I had a six-hour procedure [after the show ended], but now I’m doing great and just enjoying myself.

Does your girlfriend, nursing student Hannah Blackwell, come on the road with you?
Yeah. It’s good to have her around. She helps me with business decisions—she’s the brains, I’m the guitar player. [laughs] We try to have date nights on the road; we’ll go bowling or to a restaurant so we can remember who we are as a couple.

What’s your favorite way to spend Sundays?
Sleeping, watching movies, and eating Chinese food. I’m into zombie movies likeWorld War Z and the shows Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead. And whenever I have General Tso’s chicken, I’m a happy guy.

How do you like touring with John Mayer?
It’s amazing. He treats the crew like we’re one big family. I get scared playing before him because I’m opening for someone who’s won seven Grammys, is an amazing guitar player, and is known for his live shows. I’m working my way up to that.

What scares you?
I don’t want to let the fans down. I’m nervous about the second album because that’s the one everyone looks at and says, “All right, let’s see what he’s got.” I want it to be my best and to grab people’s attention.

Where would you like to be in 10 years?
Hopefully, I’ll still be making music people want to listen to.

Parade magazine