I got a chance to talk with Dan Phillips, formally of Madison Drive, last month. He is all about the passion & truth behind the music.

Colleen: So, what happened with Madison Drive?
Dan: We made a lot of progress (with Madison Drive). We did a lot of good things in Seattle. It requires hours and hours every day dedicating yourself to what you’re trying to do. It takes a toll after a while. For some people, it’s not worth it. A lot of the guys came to a point where it was time to focus on their own lives.
Colleen:How long were you guys a band for?
Dan: About 2 years.


Colleen: What’s you new project look like?
Dan: It looks like me. Kidding. I don’t know yet. I’m taking some time to figure it out.
Colleen: What does that look like?
Dan: I was still learning to be a song writer with MD. When MD broke up, I started writing new material. I’m trying to be honest. I’m moving forward. I’m taking some time to figure out where I stand. Honestly, when you play with that many people, it becomes bigger than one individual. I just want to let people know I’m still going. I’m trying to find musicians to create something Seattle hasn’t heard of yet.

Colleen: Well, you’re doing a great job so far. The real question is… Who are you, Dan Phillips?
Dan: I don’t know. Musicians are an interesting bread of person. A lot of us get caught up. One thing that happened in Madison drive, I forgot who I was. I stopped writing for myself and starting writing for other people. The stuff I wrote was not who I am.
Colleen: So it was all a façade’?
Dan: No. (Musically) for a song to be truly amazing, the words that you say need to come across with your emotions and know when someone is trying to [appear a mask]. I took song that were written for MD and used them for something they’re not. I tried to hide that I’m an emotional person. But that’s who I am. I’m not the only one. I know there are people out there, and they’re waiting for someone to sing what they feel.
Colleen: All songs should make us cry?
Dan: If a song can make you laugh and cry over and over, that’s a good song. [It’s feeling the emotions they have and relating them to the listener.]

Colleen: Musically, who has inspired you?
Dan: Having gone on the road for the past few years, seeing musicians who are passionate [inspire me]. I’ve been more affected by unsuccessful musicians than successful musicians. Whether it’s something they said or the way they presented themselves. I catch myself being inspired. There’s new stuff everywhere.
Colleen: Any specific type of music?
Dan: I grew up with a lot of folk music. Crazy! I learned from that: “BE TRUE TO YOURSELF”. Folk music spoke to me by telling a story. Even a story if the song was about someone else, the singer knew the emotions of the other person. There are not many genres that can capture those emotions. I’ve been trying to find a way for years to do that in a different genre. It’s hard. Very few people can speak with a full band. Often, that emotion gets lost in translation.

Colleen: What else inspires you?
Dan: Colleen Gilfoy inspires me as a person on a daily level.
Colleen: WHAT?!
Dan: When I was 10, I was in love with playing the piano. One day a family friend convinced me to play at open mic. I was scared to death. I went at crossroads mall in Bellevue, first time I’d been on stage. After the set, a man was crying. I’ll never forget that image. In that moment, I realized what music can do.
Colleen: Kids can be quite persuasive…
Dan: I was 10. I wasn’t writing anything special. But somewhere in the song hit that man, three notes, eight notes… something hit him so deeply. I’ve been that person. That was the point I figured out that music is what I wanted. I’ve had people in my life who never once told me to give it up. And I really want to let them all know they are right. This is why I’m doing this. I want to show that next 10 year old kid that they can do this. I want to show every person who thinks they’re too shy, too overweight, too whatever they think it is, to show them it doesn’t matter. If you want it, you can get it. That what inspires me, some 10 yr old will be inspired like I was.

Colleen: Wow. I feel like if I continue, I’ll lose the interview! Well, to shift gears: How did it feel to play at warped tour with MD?
Dan: We played warped last year. I found out when I was at work. I ran outside and called everyone in my family. It was probably one of the best feelings ever. It was kind of like a sign saying you’re doing things right. Not a lot of things can tell you that.
Colleen: So you were excited? How did you feel? Was it everything you wanted?
Dan:It’s incredible. Both Warped [2008] & Warped 2009, the one we played in San Diego. It was awesome to see people that are willing to give you a chance to be heard, even if they haven’t seen us. Both years we played, I’ve met so many incredible people. It was probably the best concerts I’ve ever played, and stalked.
Colleen:Stalked?
Dan:I was trying to talk to We the Kings, and I called them Mayday Parade. At this warped, we played with Cash, Cash. I met Alex from All Time Low. I yelled at him for playing at the same time we did.

Colleen: Only you, Dan… If you weren’t going to be a musician, what other talents would you pursue?
Dan: Oddly enough, I have no idea. [I’d] probably [do] Graphic Design or something equally nerdy. My life has to be around something creative. The act from creating something from nothing, writing a song, drawing a picture, it’s one of the things I can do to figure out HOW I’m doing. I’ve only been able to understand myself through art.
Colleen: So, being creative will hopefully help your search on finding yourself?
Dan: Since I was 10.

Colleen: Is Seattle REALLY the best place for music?
Dan: Who said that?
Colleen: UHHH, me… Tell me about the Seattle Scene
Dan: I’ve been trying to figure out the scene for 5 years. What I’ve learned, there’s a lot of talented people in Seattle. One thing I’ve learned, people get caught up in stuff that isn’t about music like who looks the coolest on stage, who likes who, who doesn’t like who, a lot people lose sight that we’re here for the same reason. People need to work together a bit more. It’s time for people in Seattle to sit down and say “we’re all here for music. Let’s just have a good time.” Honestly, I think people have lost sight of what’s important. It’s being real, true to yourself, do it because you love it. There’s room for every band here in Seattle. It doesn’t need to be a fight. The Seattle scene is like a battlefield. It’s good to have that motivation, but if you lose the sight of what it’s all about, [it sucks]. I’d love to see everyone connecting together.