Alumni profile: Phil Mountford

Phil Mountford (Computing Science, 1996) tells Richard McComb how he went from computer coder to Elton John tribute act.

Phil Mountford has got the feathers, the sequins, the sunglasses and the wigs. The Aston University computing science graduate has also got the voice, the keyboard licks and a songbook packed with half a century of pop hits.

A self-deprecating showman, Phil describes himself as a ‘coding monkey’ who is fascinated by the possibilities of computer programming. But – in the lyrics of the song Tiny Dancer – he is also a music man. Phil’s alter ego is in fact the singer of the classic 1972 single – because when he hits the stage, father-oftwo Phil Mountford becomes Elton John.

It's been a relatively recent transformation for the film and TV composer, sparked when he was asked to put together a fundraising rock concert. Phil’s father-in-law, John Knox, had heart bypass surgery at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, and wanted to thank the medical team. John asked Phil to be the musical director for the charity show and perform a slot. “I thought, ‘What can I do?’” said Phil. Step forward Sir Elton Hercules John.

It was meant to be a one-off incarnation but the four songs went down well with the audience in Bewdley, Worcestershire, and a seed was sown. Phil, from Shropshire, hooked up with a couple of the band members, roped in son Josh, an accomplished cello player, and daughter Zoe, for background vocals and percussion, and Forever Elton (www. foreverelton.com) was born. The act’s repertoire now features Elton’s big hits including 'Your song', 'Goodbye yellow brick road', 'Don't let the sun go down on me', and 'Rocket man'. The tribute show is popular on the regional touring scene and played two dates in Malta for a special New Year celebration.

At the same time, Phil, who is 49, leads a five-piece crossover classical ensemble, Fordante (www.fordante.com), which was launched in 2008 and is supported by the Arts Council of England. Fordante fuses the work of classical and baroque composers with a contemporary sound and draws on Phil’s love of the Italian group Rondò Veneziano.

It means planning Phil’s diary can be tricky but at the time of this interview major lockdown measures were in force due to the Coronavirus pandemic. With theatres closed, Phil had about 15 shows cancelled and was unsure what the future of touring might hold. “From a financial point of view, it is difficult on all fronts,” says Phil, who was looking to take on extra computer work during the extended hiatus in live performances.

After all, the skills he learned at Aston University have served him well throughout his career. Having left school at 15 to join the family stonemasonry business, Phil later enrolled on a four-year software engineering course. He considered other universities but was drawn to Aston. “It felt relaxed and it was right for me,” recalls Phil. “I was at university to study and that is what I did. I was in the labs programming. It sounds very grown up now but it was a case of being there to learn and I enjoyed doing it.”

When he graduated in 1996, Phil worked as a software engineer for several years but he had always been fascinated by music and enjoyed the electronic organ in particular. His love of computers and melodic sound came together as he launched into the world of composing for films. With credits including Danny Dyer’s crime thriller Vendetta and comic legend Norman Wisdom’s last film, Expresso, Phil loves the challenge of communicating a director’s vision and message via a musical score, working with the images on the screen to embellish the narrative. “The enjoyment comes from being creative. Some of it is science and some of it is art,” says Phil. He has also written choral music, Suite for the Fallen Soldier, to commemorate World War I.

A portfolio comprising an Elton John tribute act, a modern ‘pop and rock’ Baroque ensemble and film-score composition is unconventional but Phil has always enjoyed an eclectic taste in music. As a teenager, he would play Geoff Love’s easy listening versions of movie themes alongside the pop gold of Abba, Pet Shop Boys and Barry ‘Could it be magic’ Manilow.

He has fond memories of his time at Aston and has no hesitation in recommending the institution and the undergraduate experience. Phil says: “What I got out of Aston is that you learn to learn. If you are going to be a computer programmer, you must always keep on top of technology and read and learn manuals – and it’s the same for music.

“If you want to learn how to be a composer, you have got to learn and listen and teach your mind how to learn. It’s having that discipline, training you mind to learn and it’s really the greatest thing for your health and for everything.”

For now, the Elton John rhinestone jackets and over-sized spectacles are packed away in the wardrobe. But when the Coronavirus lockdown lifts, and social distancing measures are relaxed, Phil will be looking to don his star-spangled top hat and tails, hit the stage and belt out: 'The bitch is back'. For more about Phil, including news about his concerts and recent soundtrack album to the film Stalked, please visit www. philmountford.com.