There’s no way to describe the sounds you’re hearing when Shane Philip is performing. He’s an eccentric man that is obviously living a life of happiness as a full time musician and dad. 

The singer-songwriter lives on Vancouver Island in a house that looks out over the water. Where he lives influences his lyrics, and so does his year-and-a-half-old son. 

“I spend a lot of time with the lyrics,” he said.

Philip’s last album was Live At Baker Studios. It helped him gain press and fans all over Canada as he toured in support of it. 

Since the birth of his son, the tone of his writing has changed slightly. Many songs are written with his son in mind.

“The songs are definitely connected to him,” Philip said. 

Philip is releasing a new album in December, titled Life Love Music. His show in Jasper at the Legion on Nov. 20 will act as a testing ground for that new material. 

“It’s too bad it won’t be out before this show,” he said. 

One lyric that Philip mentions as a stand out is, “We’ve got to see a bright side for there to be a bright side.” It speaks of optimism and hope.

Once he has crafted the lyrics, Philip begins selecting instruments from his collection to use. They can include the didgeridoo, drums, guitars of all different kinds and more. On his new album Philip is experimenting with a ukulele. 

On his previous album, Philip recorded in a live scenario. This time around, he recorded in a studio to make more of a band-style album.

“Both ways of doing it are so rewarding,” he said. 

Philip has to think when asked what kind of music he plays. The simple answer is roots, but seeing him play live is a whole different experience.

“It’s kind of all over the map,” Philip said.

Being a full-time musician is something many dream of, but it’s life for Philip.

“When I’m not touring, I’m a father,” he said. “It’s wonderful.”

Living the musician lifestyle is a passion of Philip’s.

“Some days it feels like work, sometimes it doesn’t,” he said. 

Philip has travelled to Jasper before, including a stop last year to play the Legion.

“It’s beautiful,” he said of Jasper. “The people there are fantastic.”

His performances are lively and spontaneous. Philip doesn’t write out a set list when he starts, but instead starts with a few songs he hopes to play, and moulds the performance to the audience’s reactions.

“Every show is kind of unique,” he said. 

Philip is a one-man band that can have the crowd up dancing, or tied to his every word with a slower tune. Switching between his five guitars, three didgeridoos, ukulele, drums and other instruments would seem like a daunting task.

“It’s not always seamless,” Philip said.

It’s all part of the show, and Philip sometimes bridges the gap between instrument changes by tapping his foot.

“It’s kind of fun that way,” he said. 

The audience can enjoy dancing and feeling the music, while influencing Philip’s performance. He reads the audience and enjoys giving a show that everybody puts into.

“They are 100 per cent responsible,” Philip said of his audience. “It’s like we’re doing this together.”