- Artist Name: Phillip Vonesh of The Spare Parts
- Hometown: East-End of Toronto, Canada!
What project(s) are you currently working on?
My band The Spare Parts have our debut album Infatuation coming out on June 4th! The latest single “Life Moves Fast” is an upbeat Country / Rockabilly tune. The Spare Parts are currently working on a follow-up EP and I am working on a new solo album. No rest for the wicked!
What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?
I started writing songs when I was about twelve years old, but I was always too scared to pursue a career in music. It was always something I would do ‘someday’. Nothing gets the creative juices flowing like the end of a seven year relationship, which was what my first solo EP Lost Our Way was inspired by.
If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?
Unfortunately playing music generally costs more than it pays, so I bartend, serve, and cook. I’ve been a barista, fixed speakers, and worked general labour for construction, arborists and stone masons. I would love to open my own cafe / bar someday that was also a live music venue.
What is your favorite downtime activity?
I really love to walk! I find it meditative, I love exploring new neighbourhoods and new cities. I am actually an Urban Studies dropout and am still very passionate about cities and how they function.
Who is your biggest celebrity crush?
I’ll lead with Kacey Musgraves. She is beautiful and such a talented writer, singer and performer. I’ll also throw Kendall Jenner in there; she’s objectively less talented, but very pretty.
Who is your favorite sports team(s)?
I am a big Toronto Maple Leafs fan, and I also get into the Blue Jays when they are competitive. My dad is from Chicago, so I root for the Blackhawks and Cubs as well.
What is the last movie that you watched?
ASCENDANT with Amy Adams, I don’t usually go for aliens and Sci-Fi but it was really good!
What is the last album you listened to?
I just got a CD player in my car! So I can listen to CDs while I drive now. I was listening to Voyageur by Kathleen Edwards. It’s a really fantastic album! I know she was just doing some co-writing recently with Maren Morris as well.
If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I’m a big Springsteen guy, my coming of age album was Born To Run, and I think that would have to be the album. It’s just such a good record front to back and reminds me of walking home in the summer rain, wondering what it would be like to fall in love.
What is the greatest country song of all time?
So I don’t think I am in a position to say which is the greatest Country song of all time.. A few classics I love are “Fist City” by Loretta Lynn and Johnny Cash‘s version of “The Long Black Veil”. More recently I can’t stop singing Clay Pigeons.
What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?
In Canada, Montreal is definitely my favourite. Amazing food, people and culture. I have visited 39 of the lower 48 and been to a lot of American cities. I love Chicago (In the summer), I love New York and I love New Orleans. Austin and Tulsa were also really good to me.
What is your favorite meal?
It’s got to be the BBQ Shrimp at Deanie’s in New Orleans.
Who is your dream duet partner?
It’s got to be Emmylou Harris, such a beautiful voice.
Who would you like to go on tour with?
I’d love to go on tour with Lucinda Williams, she’s one of my favourite writers and performers.
What is your ultimate career goal(s)?
I want to write great songs that people connect with. I want to play great shows that people connect with, and I’d like to make a bit of money doing it.