If Only For The Night is the forthcoming third album from Toronto born singer-songwriter Phillip Vonesh. Set for release on June 16th, these eight songs tell stories of hard goodbyes, frustration, depression, moving forward and ultimately coming to terms with all of it.

“Fly Over State” is a product of a co-writing session with Albertan songwriter Hannah Gazso, who Vonesh met at a virtual incubator program (Canada’s Music Incubator). Gazso shared a lyric that mentioned the idea of being a “flyover state,” and the rest of the story wrote itself easily. Vonesh reached into his own personal history with his ex to explore the feeling of unrequited love and of just being a convenient hook-up for someone. Vonesh‘s upcoming album is produced by Aaron Goldstein (Kathleen Edwards, City & Colour), and has a guest feature on the keys from Scott Galloway (Dean Brody) on “Fly Over State.”

Phillip Vonesh stops by for an exclusive interview which you can dive into below!

What can you share with readers about your new project?

I am REALLY REALLY excited for this new record, it was produced by Juno Award winner Aaron Goldstein who is best known for playing pedal steel with bands like City & Colour and Kathleen Edwards. It was recorded at Goldstein’s studio, “Gold Standard” in East-York, Canada. The players on it are incredible, Goldstein on pedal steel and electric guitar, Ryan Gavel (Kathleen Edwards, Lindi Ortega) on bass, Nick McKinlay (Fast Romantics, Sky Wallace) on drums, Scott Galloway (Dean Brody) on keys and Carleigh Aikins (Bahamas, Dwayne Gretsky) on backing vocals. I am so lucky to have had them help bring this record to life.

How does this release compare with your other projects you had in the
past?

This is simply my best. Getting to work with a world class producer, musicians and engineer. The album was mixed and mastered by Juno award winner Alex Gamble. I think I was able to work with all of these people because this is my strongest work as a songwriter to date. These songs dig deeper and are better written than anything I have put out previously.

What about this single makes you most proud?

I would start with the songwriting, “Fly Over State” is the only song on the record that is a 50 / 50 collaboration (co-written with the uber talented Hannah Gazso). I think it’s such a cool thing to have written something so emotionally honest, melodic and real with someone else over ZOOM of all things. But it just goes to show when you approach it from a real place, amazing things can happen. I am also really proud of my vocal performance, I would say I am not a naturally gifted singer and if you listen back through my discography you can definitely hear the growth. For this record I specifically took a month of vocal lessons in the lead up to recording, so I could really dial in on the melodies and notes I wanted to hit.

Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?

I felt so strongly about the artistic merit of this batch of songs that I really wanted to do this whole release “the right way”. Working with the best possible people at every position. Ultimately my goal with this release is to make people feel something. I have long given up on the idea that I will ever make my money back, or earn a living at this. But if I can make someone feel something, if a stranger out there can connect in a meaningful way to a song I wrote? That’s what makes it all worth it.

What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?

Life inspires me, I live and I feel and then create. I don’t know if I will ever be able to make an album like this again. What motivates me to keep going.. some combination of narcissism and naivety? I think artists are dreamers and there’s an inherent naivety in that, which is fne, probably a good thing. If artists weren’t naive, everytime it didn’t work out we would just quit.

If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.

I am a huge Waxahatchee fan, I think I would probably want to write and record a song with Katie Crutchfield. Her melodies are so great, her lyrics, her voice. All just killer.

What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?

The last song I listened to is “Paper, Moth, Flame” by Elissa Mielke who is an incredible L.A. based, Canadian artist. I actually had originally approached Elissa to sing backups on my record, but we couldn’t make the schedules align. My all time favourite artists / songwriters are, Springsteen, Lucinda Williams, Justin Townes Earle, Scott Hutchison (Frightened Rabbit) and Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee). My top played album on Spotify last year was ‘Sour’ by Olivia Rodrigo, she rocks.

Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?

I am most active on instagram @phillipvonesh and I recently started a mailing-list! or just shoot me an email to [email protected] oh and I am @phillipvoneshmusic on facebook. 

I really appreciate your time. Is there anything you’d like to share before we sign off?

I should have mentioned that I am doing a full run of vinyl for this release! Here is the link to the presale campaign  Also if anyone is in the Toronto area, the release show is June 16th at The Dakota Tavern at 7PM.