The Chills

THE CHILLS – Hear Romantic Gem ‘IF THIS WORLD WAS MADE FOR ME’ From An Upcoming Posthumous Album

Posted on by JL

Reveries for the laziest day of the week

1 December 2024


Martin Phillipps and The Chills in Ghent, Belgium – 2014, photo by Turn Up The Volume

Last July the news of the passing New Zealand‘s indie hero
MARTIN PHILLIPS at the age of 61, was a real shocker.

Phillipps was the mastermind/voice/guitarist, and only
permanent member, of jangly-pop band THE CHILLS.

The band recorded/released 7 albums between 1987 and 2021.

Now, the group’s label Fire Records have announced the posthumous
album SPRING BOARD: THE EARLY UNRECORDED SONGS. It’ll feature
20 tracks and will be out on 28 Feb 2025. More info here.

Press info: “A dedicated reimagining of his earlier unreleased songs that became
his artistic farewell, a lasting legacy, and a reminder of his huge, underappreciated
talent. The album has been finalised for release with the love and support of his band,
family and friends.”  

One of the songs is this lovely romantic gem,
IF THIS WORLD WAS MADE FOR ME.


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Instagram – Bio – Discography

MARTIN PHILLIPPS – Singer/Songwriter Of New Zealand’s Indie Legends THE CHILLS Passed Away Unexpectedly At 61

Posted on by JL

28 July 2024


Martin Phillipps and The Chills in Ghent, Belgium – 2014, photo by Turn Up The Volume

MARTIN PHILLIPPS, singer/songwriter and driving force of New Zealand‘s
indie heroes THE CHILLS has passed away unexpectedly, aged 61.

The band broke the very sad news on their socials.
No cause of death has been given.

The highly praised indie guitar-pop band released 7 LPs in their almost 45-year-long
career (some short hiatuses here and there). Scatterbrain was their final one. It came
out in 2021.

Footage from the 2016 documentary
The Chills: The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps.

THE CHILLS: Story


So great to have met the legend after his gig in my hometown Ghent, Belgium some years ago

THE CHILLS Are In A Safe Place – Listen To New Pure Pop Humdinger ‘DESTINY’

Posted on by JL

10 March 2021


(Photo credit: Alex Lovell-Smith / via Fire Records)

Indie pop legend Martin Phillipps and his band THE CHILLS are in a safe place
called New-Zealand where they play live in front of euphoric crowds, for months
now, as the awful nightmare of the coronavirus is over there. OMG that must be
a fab-tastic relief.

But Phillipps also spend time in the studio resulting in a
new full-length, titled Scatterbrain, coming next May.

“A thought-provoking and evocative stock take from a man who has lived through
good times and bad. Viewed from the perspective of a man understanding his age
and indeed his own mortality, ‘Scatterbrain’ is underpinned, as ever, with catchy
melodies and an incisive turn of phrase.”

We already heard 2 singles: Monolith and You’re Immortal.

And here’s the third. DESTINY is a 24-Carat Chills humdinger.
Affecting, tranquilizing and romantic. Pure pop.

Close your eyes and dream about your own New Zealand…

Live in 2021…

All 3 singles together on Spotify…

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THE CHILLS: Facebook


New album SCATTERBRAIN out 14th May via Fire Records

Indie Heroes THE CHILLS Ready For A New Album – Here’s Single ‘MONOLITH’

Posted on by JL

1 February 2021


(Photo credit: Alex Lovell-Smith / via Fire Records)

It seems like Martin Phillipps and his band THE CHILLS have been around like
forever. And next May will see the release of new album, titled SCATTERBRAIN.

“A thought-provoking and evocative stock take from a man who has lived through
good times and bad. Viewed from the perspective of a man understanding his age
and indeed his own mortality, ‘Scatterbrain’ is underpinned, as ever, with catchy
melodies and an incisive turn of phrase.”

New, second, single MONOLITH, about respecting and consider the ancient
ways is a brisk, groovin’ and movin’, rocker with a mellow, retro organ sound
and Philipps‘ familiar voice adding, as usual, his warm touch. Sticks after just
one spin.

Press play…

THE CHILLS: Facebook


New album SCATTERBRAIN out 14th May via Fire Records

Imperishable Songsmith MARTIN PHILLIPS And THE CHILLS Drop New Single ‘YOU’RE IMMORTAL’

Posted on by JL

17 December 2020

Imperishable New Zealand songsmith MARTIN PHILLIPS and his
band THE CHILLS close the year with new single YOU’RE IMMORTAL.

From a press statement we learn: Journeyman songwriter Martin Phillipps returns with
a brand-new Chills track ‘You’re Immortal’. An uplifting and provocative encounter told in
the grand baroque pop manner of Love’s ‘Forever Changes’ with a gorgeous Chills-approved melody line that harks back to the band’s greatest hits. It’s an anthem for the times, a quest
for hope set amid the misinformation of the day and the tip of a fast-melting iceberg, no less.

It’s vintage Phillips. Melodic, instantly appealing, greatly arranged and
orchestrated with choir-like harmonies and glowing horns. Top tune!

Stream/buy here…


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THE CHILLS: Facebook

THE CHILLS Reissue ‘SUBMARINE BELLS’ And ‘SOFT BOMB’ On Vinyl

Posted on by JL

7 November 2020

From today on two remastered editions of early 90s longplayers by New Zealand
indie heroes THE CHILLS, led by singer/songwriter and musical maestro Martin
Phillipps, are available again on vinyl, after nearly three decades.

The two albums in question are SUBMARINE BELLS from 1990
and SOFT BOMB from 1992. More info here and order facilities here.

Stream original SUBMARINE BELLS album…

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Stream original SOFT BOMB album…

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THE CHILLS: Facebook


Meeting the master a few years back in my hometown Ghent, Belgium …

THE CHILLS Reissue Two Of Their Early 90s Longplayers – ‘SUBMARINE BELLS’ And ‘SOFT BOMB’

Posted on by JL

6 August 2020


(photo Turn Up The Volume!)

On 6th November New Zealand’s indie heroes THE CHILLS, led by singer/songwriter
and musical maestro Martin Phillipps reissue two remastered editions of early 90s longplayers. Their second LP SUBMARINE BELLS from 1990 and their third one SOFT BOMB from 1992. More info here and order facilities here.

AllMusic wrote back then about Submarine Bells: “On a major label for the first time, Phillipps crafted a lovely record indeed, a mere thirty-six minutes and not a second wasted… One high point after another, never losing the sense of elegance and drive that characterizes
the band’s work… The title track, with serene orchestration filling out the grand arrangement,
is a note-perfect way to conclude such a fantastic release.”

AllMusic about Soft Bomb: “Going through yet another line-up revamp, Phillipps is the only one remaining from the Submarine Bells performers and he remaines dead center as always… Phillipps’ smart way with words hasn’t changed at all… with a few awkward stabs at proto-adult album alternative airplay… high points include the lovely “Halo Fading,” and the slightly bluesy, ominous late-night vibe of “Entertainer.””

You can stream the original recordings tight here…

– SUBMARINE BELLS –

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– SOFT BOMB –

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THE CHILLS: Facebook

THE CHILLS Plan Two Album Reissues – ‘SUBMARINE BELLS’ And ‘SOFT BOMB’

Posted on by JL

22 July 2020


(photo by Turn Up The Volume!)

Fire Records will reissue – on 6th November – two early, remarkable & remastered longplayers by New-Zealand’s indie legends THE CHILLS, led by mastermind Martin Phillipps. The second LP SUBMARINE BELLS from 1990 and their third longplayer
SOFT BOMB from 1992. More info here. and order facilities here.

You can stream the two original recordings here…

– SUBMARINE BELLS –

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– SOFT BOMB –

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THE CHILLS: Facebook

THE CHILLS Share Previously Unreleased Promo Clip For Debut 7″ ‘ROLLING MOON’

Posted on by JL

Clips that will have an impact on your eyes and your ears…

VivaVideo

20 April 2020

New Zealand’s notorious indie act THE CHILLS led by the legendary singer/songwriter Martin Phillipps just shared a previously unreleased promo clip for their first 7″ ever called ‘ROLLING MOON’ that came out 38 years ago.

Phillipps introduced the video as follows: “Something special for all you Chills fans as legendary New Zealand cameraman/director Peter Janes has used lockdown time to edit together the long-lost ‘Rolling Moon’ footage into a clip. The result of the 1982 shoot at Pilots Bay, Dunedin were originally deemed largely too dark for use and then the film was lost for
over three decades and only recently discovered in time for a tiny piece of it to be included in the documentary ‘The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy Of Martin Phillipps’. But now we finally have a promo clip for our first 7″ single from 1982.”

Check it out right here…

And here’s the trailer for The Chills documentary

THE CHILLS: Facebook

THE CHILLS’ New Album ‘SNOWBOUND’ Is A High-Quality Pop Diamond…

Posted on by JL

onrepeat

16 September 2018

Chills

Not many artists succeed in growing older without losing their touch, their motivation
and their greed to keep on making appealing music. Veteran singer/songwriter Martin Philipps is definitely an exception. After more than 30 years he still delivers the goods.
With his band THE CHILLS he just released ninth studio album, entitled SNOWBOUND.  “An album about  consolidation, re-grouping, acceptance and mortality, Hopefully a kind
of Carole King ‘Tapestry’ for ageing punks…”  says Philipps.

SNOWBOUND is a delightful achievement. A solid gold record of fetching pop songs, enchantingly arranged, spot-on produced and juiced with Philipps’ warm and alluring voice. Turn Up The Volume has this shiny diamond on repeat the last few days. Experience the sonic splendour for yourself right here…

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SNOWBOUND available via Bandcamp and iTunes 

THE CHILLS: Facebook – All Albums