With Special Guests THE PICTURES

Phil Jamieson – frontman/singer/songwriter/guitarist for Grinspoon – has today announced his first ever solo album Somebody Else and released a single of the same name. The album will be released July 22. 

"Phil Jamieson had a choice. Come back as the cryogenically frozen rockstar from Grinspoon & halcyon days or level up with swinging widescreen pop that shows off his acting chops and matured pipes. ‘Somebody Else’ opts for the latter, a bait & switch belter that goes from collective introspection to busting out of the cocoon a beautiful butterfly. Sounds like a hit." - Mikey Cahill

The announcement comes as Phil prepares for rare performances with his old mates at Splendour in The Grass and Springloaded. The album’s release will be followed by a run of solo shows from Phil’s trio, which features Sam Raines on drums and Rob Muiños on bass. 

The single “Somebody Else” has already been described by one insider as bearing connections to an early Grinspoon favourite. ‘“My friend Ben Rosen - who happened to record the first demo version of “Somebody Else” – described it as the sequel to “More Than You Are”, explains Phil. ”I hadn’t seen/heard it like that but I kind of get it.”

Whether or not that connection is there, “Somebody Else” – which was co-produced by Phil and Oscar Dawson of Holy Holy - is an immediate and arresting number which shows that Phil has lost none of his songwriting flair and bodes well for the upcoming debut solo album. Phil has been working on his solo career for some years. Indeed, some of his ‘new’ material pre-dates his role in the Australian stage production of American Idiot. He has, however, up until now been nervous to christen it with an album. 

The long gestation of the album’s first single shows something of the struggle: “It was born at Blueys Beach a few moons ago. It started life as a slinky Rolling Stones-type jam – with a bit more strut. Then Oscar Dawson of Holy Holy got his hands on it and changed it around, then I redid it as a dream pop major seventh sort of thing. That didn’t work so I went back to Oscar, and we redid it in July/August last year, in an industrial area of Dandenong situated at the end of a cul de sac surrounded by Boats/Solar/Brothels.”

“The collective fear and loathing which has gone into releasing this has sometimes seemed insurmountable. But it’s a bit like an election, innit? If not now, when? If not me, who? Thanks for listening regardless, I hope you get a kick out of it…” 

With Somebody Else the album due out July 29, Phil has not got too much longer to feel the fear. And all who have heard the record say that he’s got nothing to worry about anyway. As that doyen of the arts, Tim Rogers says of it: “Phil’s puckish performance style is underscored by a voice that can turn choirboy or demon’s spawn in a blinding grin. This has at times overshadowed his humour and empathy but no more. Teasing open his lapels to show heart and scars, but also hope and the lessons learnt from throwing yourself into this art that compels and damns us. Pop music with fire and finesse.’

The release of “Somebody Else” is accompanied by a video directed by Arlo Cook. Filmed in Melbourne, Phil enlisted cast and crew members from his time on American Idiot to lend a hand and the video sees Phil playing many roles from a cinema attendant, lasagne delivery driver & motorbike mechanic. “It was really fun working with Phil, he turned on all the charm and gave us plenty of fun moments to use,” says Arlo.

Somebody Else the album will be released July 29 on vinyl, CD and digitally through Cheersquad Records & Tapes, the Melbourne-based label run by Wally Kempton from The Meanies and Even.

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Phil Jamieson has spent the last quarter-century fronting one of Australia’s popular and successful bands. An accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist, Jamieson’s generation- defining lyrics and vocal melodies first became etched into rock fans’ DNA in 1995, when the Lismore-born quartet he helped form as an 18-year-old rode a new wave of alternative music to become the first act Unearthed by national youth radio station triple j with its debut single “Sickfest”.

So began a love affair that maintained its heat and passion for over one thousand live shows, six consecutive Top 10 debuts and multi-platinum album sales. That initial romance with triple j’s listeners blossomed into full-bloom infatuation: an incredible 17 Grinspoon songs have polled in Hottest 100 countdowns over the years, led by the much-loved ‘Chemical Heart’ (#2 in 2002; #63 in 2013’s Hottest 100 of All Time).

Jamieson’s live performance talents have continued to diversify and develop as he has explored new stages and formats. Embracing a solo career, Jamieson also made the transition from live music venues to the boards of theatres around the country in 2017, being cast as St. Jimmy in the Australian stage production of American Idiot. The Broadway musical made an impactful debut with its initial Australian premiere in Brisbane, leading to a national tour in 2018 - a performance that earned Jamieson acclaim: “Phil Jamieson carried the role in Perth, and absolutely nailed it. Jamieson has more of a swagger than an in-your- face psychopathic Jimmy, which I enjoyed more than I expected...whenever Jimmy is on stage, it’s difficult to focus on anything else.” - SYN MEDIA

As well as working on his solo career in recent years, Jamieson has also been involved in several philanthropic and industry-specific initiatives.

In 2013, he co-founded the Rock N Ride Tour for the national Youth and Mental Health Foundation, headspace. Bringing awareness to mental health issues faced by young people, the initiative saw a group of media figures, musicians and friends of Jamieson’s engage with local communities across a five-day motorcycle road trip, taking in over 5000km on the road. Additionally, profits from Jamieson’s solo touring have been donated to national initiative Support Act, who continue to assist and uplift those in the music industry who are in need.

Since 2015, Jamieson has also been an industry judge for the Australian Music Prize, arguably the most prestigious award in Australian music. From fronting a generation-defining band, enjoying success as a solo artist and in the musical theatre world, as well as using his skills behind the scenes across numerous projects; Jamieson remains a multi-faceted creative, 27 years on from his debut.