The Millwater Interview

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Phil Madsen – Millwater’s star singer-songwriter

Most of us listen to music but few are privileged to meet a top-level singer-songwriter, which I did a short time ago. Phil Madsen is a Millwater resident, having found the area by accident when visiting a friend. He is most approachable and, talking informally over coffee, I began to understand the persona and increasingly to want to learn more.

Phil grew up in Nelson, second youngest of eight children in a closeknit musical family. Dad was a virtuoso pianist and accordionist; Mum taught piano theory. From the age of four, Phil performed with the family band throughout the Nelson region. At school, he was involved with all things musical and now plays piano, drums, guitar and bass guitar. Most of all, Phil loves to sing – and what a voice!

Although completing an apprenticeship as a builder, music always was and still is Phil’s greatest passion. By pure chance, when busking outside a supermarket in Nelson he was discovered by a talent scout from Auckland. Two weeks later he was performing at the Auckland Sky Tower, leading to Christmas in the Park and a record deal with Warner Music.

Phil’s achievements include singing on stage with David Copperfield at MGM in Las Vegas and touring with the Pointer Sisters, Air Supply and Hank Marvin. Recognised for his impressive vocal range, he has recently won Top Male Vocalist at the prestigious New Zealand Variety Artist Awards. He’s been a regular star at the Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park and brought the house down at the Sky City Starlight Symphony with his performance of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. He was a Silver Scroll finalist with his song Dancing on the Moon.

Despite such fame, Phil is modestly self-effacing and charming. His family is more important to him than material things and he visits his father, brothers and sisters whenever he can. After losing his mother, the family became a lot closer and Phil loves having a sing-along at Christmas-time and family gatherings.

Another facet of the man is his compassionate and effective work with charities. He donates his time to mentoring music, singing and song-writing for Carabiner (young people living with extraordinary challenges). He also performs at charity events for Variety, Cure Kids and Starship.

So what do the next months hold? Phil will be busy performing at shows throughout New Zealand and has several overseas bookings, but he will still find time to support his favourite charities, as well as squeezing in some writing and studio time. He is also keen to spend more time teaching music.

This World is the new hit number one album for Millwater singer-songwriter Phil and is available on iTunes. If you haven’t yet discovered Phil Madsen, you really are missing a sublime musical experience. Google Phil Madsen Music and you will be hooked forever!