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Philmont
Track List
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| There are many delightful contrasts running through rising pop
punk/rock act Philmont. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based band named
itself after a small town in New York because “we just thought it
sounded cool,” and the title of its earnest... |
 There are many delightful contrasts running through rising pop
punk/rock act Philmont. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based band named
itself after a small town in New York because “we just thought it
sounded cool,” and the title of its earnest debut EP, Oh Snap,
is only there to give these guys an excuse to speak that silly phrase
on a regular basis. But such lighthearted randomness is balanced by
Philmont’s buzzworthy creative strengths, spiritual focus, and a
do-it-yourself workethic that snaps everything perfectly into place.
Philmont began in 2005 when singer Scott Taube and guitarist Josiah
Prince connected after the breakup of their former local outfits. From
the start, this new union was marked by equal parts fun and serious
commitment to the task at hand. There were long drives home from
college every weekend to rehearse, self-booked summer tours to support
an ambitious independent release, and then, soon after bassist Justin
Sams joined in 2007, a hard-earned gig at alternative Christian music’s
ultimate event, the Cornerstone Festival.
Taube recalls, “The challenge at Cornerstone is to stand
out—bands are everywhere—so we plastered all the Port-O-Johns with 11 x
17 Philmont flyers and got up early every day to make sure they hadn’t
been covered up. Then we walked around with a CD player and earphone
splitters, giving free bracelets to kids if they’d listen to one of our
songs and inviting them to the show.”
That same concert caught the attention of EMI/ForeFront Records
(tobyMac), who eagerly signed a deal with Philmont a few months later.
With one more tweak to the permanent lineup—drummer Todd Davis joined
this past December—it was time to track Oh Snap.
Produced by Rob Hawkins (Fireflight, Jackson Waters), the EP set sounds
absolutely huge. It’s an intentional move inspired by the members’
expansive mix of influences from Relient K and classical music to
bubblegum melodies and ‘90s rock anthems. “I Can’t Stand to Fall,” the
excitable opener and first single, is finely polished chunka-chunka
punk accentuated by a bold introduction, layered vocals, and a soft
acoustic bridge. The lyrical hook of tear down these walls that separate us now well represents Philmont’s overriding goal to always stay on the same page as God in every facet of life.
“It’s really a song to God, asking Him to remove the barriers we put up
in this world that distract us from understanding His ways,” Taube
says. “We’re proud that the record label picked this as the first song
for radio since we completely wrote it ourselves, and it speaks to the
core of who we are as a band.”
Philmont’s songwriting angles are often remarkable, even poetic, as on Oh Snap’s
clever “My Hippocratic Oath” and “Photosynthetic.” The former parallels
a doctor’s promise to always work in the patient’s best interest to
God’s offer of salvation. Accompanied by a rapidly pulsating rhythm and
escalating melody, the medical motif never lets up, driving the point
home: I can save your heart even though it’s destined to fail . . . I guarantee you’ll never make it out alive without me.
“The song begins with someone who is very sick, but the good news is
they can be easily and completely healed,” explains Taube. “Who
wouldn’t say yes to that option? That’s how it is with Jesus. He offers to save us. We just have to enter into that relationship.”
Equally compelling and easy to rock out with is the fist-pumping jam of
“Photosynthetic,” a timely and cautionary courtroom tale for Philmont’s
student audience wherein a personal MySpace page becomes evidence of
what is really inside someone’s heart: Just point and shoot. That’s all you do to help yourself feel free; murder by photography.
“You’re always judged for what you put online,” Taube says. “A
Christian can kill his credibility with compromising pictures, swear
words used in a blog, and so on. It’s hard to make that stuff go away.”
For all of Philmont’s wordsmithing, guitarist Josiah Prince makes sure
the music complements its message and is just as creative with
unexpected chord changes, tinkling pianos on “I Can’t Stand to Fall,” a
faux horn section on “My Hippocratic Oath,” and intentionally
heavy-handed synthesizers on “Photosynthetic.”
“We like to do something unique on every song,” he says. “We have a lot
of fun, but we always want the music to be smart and have depths that a
listener can uncover over time.”
Oh Snap is rounded out by the worshipful “Another Name”
(co-written by Justin York and new artist Chris Taylor) and pop-perfect
“The Difference” (a co-write with Ben Glover). The latter began with an
idea from bassist Justin Sams and takes shape thanks to danceable
drumming from Todd Davis. Its theme of anti-complacent Christianity
recaps what Philmont feels most passionate about: There’s gotta be
a difference. It’s gotta be significant. If You’re really inside
changing my life, You would shine. You would be evident if there’s a
difference.
“We have a desire to motivate kids in the same way we needed motivating
when we were teenagers,” concludes Taube. “People tend to go through
the motions instead of going deeper. We want to connect and take them
in that direction through an ongoing dialog. That’s what our music and
our live shows are all about: audience participation.”
Philmont is now snapping people out of their spiritual complacency on
tour across the United States. Just look for the bumper sticker-laden
van with a North Carolina tag that says in no uncertain terms “RAWK.”
Following the summer 2008 release of its EP, the band will issue a
full-length album in early 2009.
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9/22/2010 - Philmont Releases The Transition EP October 19
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Sept. 20, 2010--Charlotte, North Carolina-based pop/rock band Philmont announces the release of its latest offering, The Transition EP, October 19, 2010. An independent endeavor, the project is being partially funded by fans who have pledged more than $4,000 to date.
The follow up to Philmont’s critically acclaimed ATTENTION (August 2009), The Transition EP delivers a high-energy, melodic pop sound with singable choruses like on debut single “You Will Remain,” currently vying for adds at Christian Hit Radio. Lyrically, the project ventures a bit more in-depth than previous Philmont efforts, touching on themes that include God’s divine nature, the case for creation and value of human life.
Philmont frontman Scott Taube explains, “It's been a couple of years since we wrote the majority of ATTENTION. We've experienced a lot in life since then- both joys and struggles--and we feel like this growth is reflected on the new EP.”
Although Philmont has funded a majority of The Transition EP, fans have donated to the cause at Kickstarter.com, an interactive web site that serves as a funding platform for artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, and journalists. Philmont’s fundraising campaign kicked off September 8 and has already received more than $4,000. The band will continue to accept pledges through October 10. To donate, visit: www.kickstarter.com/profile/1964777814.
"We have been blown away by the response of fans to our Kickstarter campaign,” says Taube. “It’s been very humbling to see all the people who truly believe in our music and ministry get behind this project financially. We were able to hit our $4,000 goal in the first seven days of the project! Amazing!"
The Transition EP will be available via digital music outlets as well as at www.Philmont.BigCartel.com and Philmont live shows. In addition to the radio single, Philmont will support The Transition EP with a self-produced music video in the coming months. Additional details are forthcoming. For more information on Philmont and The Transition EP, visit www.myspace.com/philmontrock or follow the band on twitter at www.twitter.com/philmontrock.
Formed in 2005, Philmont comprises Scott Taube (vocals), Josiah Prince (guitar/keys), Justin Sams (guitar), Josh Guion (bass), and Jeremi Hough (drums). The band released its first national label project, a digital EP titled Oh Snap, on Forefront Records in July 2008. The debut received rave reviews from critics while garnering two Top 5 Rock radio singles “I Can’t Stand to Fall” and “The Difference.” The following summer, Philmont released its first full-length CD, ATTENTION, producing the band’s third Top 5 Rock radio hit, “Where To Start.”
Philmont has produced three successful music videos, breaking onto national music television charts for TVU and the Gospel Music Channel, while prompting a monthly web series on Steelroots.com called “Philmont Rising.” Additionally the band has also toured with acts including Pillar, Addison Road, Wavorly, Capital Lights and A Rotterdam November, while performing at every major Christian music festival as well as EO Youth Day--Europe’s biggest Christian youth event--and Flevo in The Netherlands. Philmont continues to tour more than 120 shows annually. For an up-to-date list of tour dates, visit www.myspace.com/philmontrock.
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9/10/2009 - Philmont's First Full-Length Disc "Attention" In Stores Now
New EMI/Forefront Records rock act Philmont has released its first full-length CD, ATTENTION, currently available at physical retail outlets nationwide. The band will support ATTENTION this fall on its debut headlining tour, the “REAL ROCK SHOW,” joined by special guest Days Off Screen.
ATTENTION follows Philmont’s national label debut, Oh Snap, a digital EP released July 2008 and made available on disc last April. Its first full-length project, ATTENTION will feature five songs from the EP in addition to seven never-before-released tracks including “Hello Jack,” “To Say They Hit It Off Would Be An Understatement,” “Back Down,” “Setting Off,” “Letter to the Editor,” “The Terminal,” and “Where to Start,” the album’s first radio single presently vying for adds at Rock and CHR.
“We spent a long time working on the songs for ATTENTION, and we’re excited to finally share them with our fans!” says Philmont frontman Scott Taube. “So much of ATTENTION is about giving up control to God and letting Him work in our everyday lives to steer us toward the plan He has for us. It’s an important message that we hope will have a huge impact.”
To promote ATTENTION, Philmont will hit the road in October on its first headlining tour, the “REAL ROCK SHOW,” visiting 15-25 cities in Texas and the eastern U.S. Opening for the band will be Days Off Screen (www.myspace.com/daysoffscreen). Additional tour details are forthcoming.
Philmont began when singer Scott Taube and guitarist Josiah Prince connected after the breakup of their former local outfits. After many self-booked tours and one-off dates to support an ambitious independent release, the group landed a performance at Christian music’s ultimate event, the Cornerstone Festival. It was at Cornerstone that Philmont caught the attention of EMI/Forefront Records, inking a record deal in early 2008. That summer the band debuted a digital EP, Oh Snap, earning rave reviews from critics who touted “…Philmont is definitely a young act to keep your eye on in the coming years” (JesusFreakHideout.com) and garnering two Top 5 Rock radio singles “I Can’t Stand to Fall” and “The Difference.” The band also produced three successful music videos, breaking onto national music television charts for TVU and the Gospel Music Channel, while prompting a monthly web series on Steelroots.com called “Philmont Rising.”
Last fall, Philmont joined acts Pillar and Addison Road on the “For the Love of the Fans” tour followed by dates with Wavorly, Capital Lights and A Rotterdam November during the winter and spring. The group was also invited to join in on two major Freedom Experience dates for more than 10,000 people and made appearances this summer at select festivals including Ichthus, Cornerstone, Sonshine Fest, Soul Fest, EO Youth Day--Europe’s biggest Christian youth event, and Flevo in The Netherlands. Philmont continues to tour more than 120 shows annually. For more information on Philmont and an up-to-date list of tour dates, visit www.myspace.com/philmontrock.
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6/3/2009 - Forefront Records' Philmont Partners with Steelroots for Video Series
Forefront Records and Philmont joined forces with Steelroots this spring for a new original series of webisodes featuring the Charlotte-based rock band. The webisodes reveal what happens during a day in the life of a touring band.
“We only work 20 minutes out of the day so there is a whole lot of downtime,” laughs singer/guitarist Scott Taube. “Probably about 85 percent of our entire day is downtime. So you’ll get to see how we handle downtime and how we amuse ourselves.”
Launched back in April, “Philmont *Rising” will offer a new webisode on the 13th of every month during this year-long campaign. Episode 1 (“Who the Heck Is Philmont?”) and episode 2 (“Our First Taste of Tour”) are currently available at Steelroots.com.
“We couldn’t be happier about working with Forefront Records and Philmont to bring this new content to the Steelroots community,” says Bryan Smerdon, director of programming for Steelroots. “They produce relevant music that appeals to today’s generation and are the perfect partner for the Steelroots brand. It’s clear that they have set a high standard of excellence in their work, and we’re excited to be partnering with them on this project.”
View the “Philmont *Rising” webisodes at http://www.steelroots.com/countdown/philmontrising.aspx.
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2/17/2009 - Philmont Set to Release Oh Snap in Stores April 21
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Feb. 16, 2009 – New EMI/Forefront Records rock act Philmont will release Oh Snap in retail stores on April 21. In support of its release, the band will debut new music from Oh Snap on tour with labelmates Abandon and This Beautiful Republic this week.
Produced by Rob Hawkins (Fireflight, Jackson Waters), Oh Snap will include the five songs featured on Philmont’s digital EP, released last August, plus bonus acoustic track, “The Ascension.” The disc has huge sound, thanks to the excitable opener, “I Can’t Stand to Fall,” rapidly pulsating “My Hippocratic Oath” and fist-pumping “Photosynthetic.” The CD also features the worshipful “Another Name,” co-written with Justin York and new artist Chris Taylor, and pop anthem “The Difference,” a co-write with Ben Glover.
The band and its EP have already caught the ear of music critics. Jesusfreakhideout.com remarks, “…Philmont is definitely a young act to keep your eye on in the coming years,” while indievisionmusic.com comments, “Their music is full of soaring vocal harmonies combined with charging guitars…The result is something that takes the strong energy of bands like Ivoryline or Anberlin and mixes it with the catchy, accessible melodies of bands like Third Eye Blind or Fall Out Boy.”
“The Difference” will went for adds at Christian CHR and Rock radio on Feb. 13. The music video for the “The Difference” is currently No. 1 on Steelroots.com’s “Top 10 Countdown” and No. 2 on the GospelMusicChannel.com Rock chart.
Earlier this month Philmont wrapped the “Out of Control” tour with Capital Lights and A Rotterdam November. From Feb. 16-19, the band will join labelmates Abandon and This Beautiful Republics for a Forefront Records new artists tour to key radio markets in Chicago, Grand Rapids, Toledo and Columbus. The band will perform additional shows in these markets; more information is available at visit www.myspace.com/philmontrock. Afterward, Philmont will then join the “Keep Breathing” tour with Wavorly, A Rotterdam November and Ilia on Feb. 20, which runs through March 15.
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 | Philmont's music video for "Closer" |  | Philmont - Back Down |  | Philmont on the theme of their album "Attention" |  | Philmont - Another Name |  | Philmont plays "The Difference" live |  | Philmont - The Difference |
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Philmont's music video for "Closer"
Watch Philmont's music video for "Back Down" on HearItFirst.com.
Check out what Philmont has to say about their new album "Attention" and what they believe the central theme is of the album.
Watch Philmont's music video for "Another Name" on hearitfirst.com!
Philmont plays "The Difference" live
Watch Philmont's video for "The Difference" on hearitfirst.com.
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