Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

During his tenure as lead singer and primary songwriter for Toad the Wet Sprocket, Glen Phillips crafted the band’s distinctive folk/pop sound, resonating with fans through honest, introspective lyrics.

Transition to Solo Career and Collaborations

Following Toad’s hiatus, Glen Phillips embarked on a prolific singer-songwriter career highlighted by his new album, Abulum. He also collaborated on diverse projects such as Mutual Admiration Society with members of Nickel Creek and Remote Tree Children alongside John Morgan Askew.

New Album: There Is So Much Here

“Until recently, I’ve seldom stayed in one place for very long,” Phillips says, explaining the genesis of his new album, There Is So Much Here. “I was lucky during the COVID lockdown to move in with my girlfriend, now wife, and to be home for the longest stretch I’ve had since the birth of my daughter, 20 years ago. I began noticing the little things. After a life of travel and seeking out peak experiences, I began to appreciate sitting still, watching the paint dry and loving it.”

“I’ve been playing a songwriting game with Texas folk singer Matt The Electrician, for about ten years. Every Friday, he sends out a title. We have a week to write a song that includes it. The process allows me to write songs I wouldn’t write on my own. I’m always surprised at what comes out.”

“When my friend John [Morgan Askew] invited me to come up to his studio and make music, I said, ‘Yes’, as I collected a bunch of the new songs and headed up to Bocce Studios, in Vancouver, WA. John invited drummer Ji Tanzer and bass player/multi-instrumentalist Dave Depper along. When we started playing, I wasn’t sure [what] we were aiming for, but as the process unfolded, the songs began to make sense together.”

Recording Process and Musical Evolution

Recorded at Bocce Studios in Vancouver, WA, There Is So Much Here features collaborations with drummer Ji Tanzer and multi-instrumentalist Dave Depper. Phillips explores a new musical evolution shaped by spontaneous creativity and collective synergy.

In contrast to his previous album Swallowed By The New, which delved into themes of grief, There Is So Much Here marks a return to hopeful songwriting, celebrating creativity and joy in everyday experiences.

“As I sat still during the lockdown, I realized how much is always here – in the space around me, in the sensations of my body, in the sounds and smells and tastes and thoughts that emerge and drift away. It’s not a new concept, but it is a novel experience when you’ve spent your life running from one thing to another.”

Philosophy and Reflection

Phillips muses on the album’s overarching message of embracing the present moment and finding fulfillment in simplicity, reflecting a personal journey towards acceptance and contentment.

“This album is about showing up for what is and letting it be enough,” shares Phillips, encapsulating the essence of There Is So Much Here.

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