Phil Cook (musician)

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Phil Cook is an American guitarist, banjoist, pianist and singer. He is a member of the freak-folk band Megafaun. Before he became a member of Megafaun, Cook was part of DeYarmond Edison, a band led by Bon Iver's Justin Vernon. He also plays in the band Gayngs [1] as well as the Vernon-fronted Shouting Matches. Additionally, he is affiliated with MC Taylor and his band Hiss Golden Messenger.[ citation needed ]

Beyond his musical career, Cook worked at the Center for Inquiry Based Learning at Duke University where he "assembled hands-on science kits for elementary schools." [2] Cook draws on diverse influences including Bill Evans, Bruce Hornsby, Keith Jarrett, Jerry Douglas, Ry Cooder, Greg Leisz, John Kamman and Bill Frisell. [3]

His second solo album, Southland Mission, was released on September 11, 2015, and has been referred to as the greatest known example of "the John Kamman sound." [4] Cook has said the track "Great Tide" from Southland Mission contains "all my influences since I discovered my Dad's LP record collection when I was 14." [5] He released his first solo album, Hungry Mother Blues, in 2011. [6] Cook was educated at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. [7]

Phil is brother to Brad Cook, a producer and multi-instrumentalist who has worked alongside Phil on a number of projects. [8]

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References

  1. Anderson, Stacey (20 July 2011). "Band to Watch: Psych-Rockers Megafaun Channel Seventies Influences on New Album". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  2. "Quit Your Day Job: Megafaun". Stereogum.com. 27 August 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  3. Griffith, Spencer (4 May 2011). "Megafaun's Phil Cook steps solo". Indyweek.com. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  4. "Phil Cook: Southland Mission". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  5. from an interview on episode 290 of the Americana Music Show, published March 15, 2016.
  6. "Phil Cook & His Feat: Hungry Mother Blues". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  7. "UW-EAU Claire e-View, October 2011". www.uwec.edu. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  8. "Brad Cook". Genius. Retrieved 2024-11-14.