Phil Maq

I have several reasons why I look forward to the start of a new calendar year.

First of all, I love the somewhat confusing headline that contains the expected “hello” for the incoming new year, yet the “goodbye year” is not the most recent but one from four years prior.  However, when the new year starts, the old Philby year is far from over. And since I have lengthened the whole “season,” (The finales probably won’t happen until June.)  the actions that I do in the first days of the year seem to contradict the whole process.

A somewhat obvious New Year ritual of mine is the annual formatting of the next year Philby album list.

Even though it might be another eighteen or so months before that official list ever gets published, it actually helps to start the ending process for the previous year’s list.

For example, the new list can take on the role of a “safety valve.”

I always have more albums than I can possibly fit on any list. And I refuse to put an album on a list just because it seems like it should be on the list.

I want to know a release inside and out! If I have it listed on an early tentative list and I just haven’t been able to work it on to my player, then it will move on to that brand new list.

See: safety valve!

That allows me to really focus on the one hundred fifty or so albums that I’m really trying to listen to for the current Philby list.

But, not to worry.

I’ve had some albums transfer to that beginning year list several times and still make a final list!

I’ve said it before, that I kind of like to think of the selections as someone looking for a historical Hall of Fame selection in baseball. I want to make sure that all worthy selections find their proper spot!

Anyway, here’s what that blank list looks like right now.

All slots are open at the moment!

They all start this way.

A hundred choices sees like a lot. But trust me. It’s never enough.

And going forward, any reference for Philby submissions will reference the years 2019-2022

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Here’s a section on submissions:

I am accepting entries for Philby consideration!

The album selections are made from a sliding four year pool of music.

The pool for 2022 is 2019-2022.

One of the reasons that I use a multiple year submission scale is that just getting music out to the world is sometimes difficult for an artist.

A lot of them are not really wired for self promotion.

Making music is totally different than drumming up interest in it, especially for independent musicians.

Yes, there are promoters that can help with that. And nothing against promoters because they have a role to play. But they cost money, and the artist already had to pay to record the music, and may not be prepared for the process of promoting it.

After looking at how some other independent awards are handled, I figured a four year window allows me enough time to serendipitously run across someone’s music.

I have told this story several times, but I try very hard to listen to everything that is submitted.

Although I work on my list, starting literally on January 1st, using a four year sliding window, I carry over some of what would qualify from the prior years.

So, if you’ve made some music dating back as far as 2019, I will accept that music for consideration.

If you have something older than 2018, send that, too, but identify the release date. I’m always looking for GREAT music.

For the Philbys, I’m looking for full albums.

However, if you only have a single, I’ll accept that, too. Don’t forget that I also have a Philby Hot Songs list, and more artists are releasing singles these days.

But please don’t send me an incomplete album if you have one.

So, please don’t edit for me.

I dislike that and I might not even check out the item. I don’t know why anyone would only send selected songs instead of their whole work of art for consideration.

Please don’t send me links to listen to music. That’s not how I listen to music.  And I probably won’t listen to it if you send me a link to stream it. Either send me the album to download or request my mailing address to send a physical copy.

Every year I say that if your item came out later than May, it may not end up on this year’s list. So it’s possible that submissions entered now may only be considered for 2021. (It sounds so good to think of 2020 being finished!)

However, this year will be totally different than other years. I have not received any where near the amount of releases that I normally do.

It might be an excellent year to send a submission.

I will accept any genre of music. I like a variety of styles, even on the same album!

So, please e-mail your mp3s, and please make sure it is an mp3 only, to phil@philmaq.com.

If you want a physical address or have other questions, please e-mail me at the same address. Because selections will be considered for more than a single year, there isn’t an expiration date at the present.

If you want someone who will actually listen to your music, I am that person.

If you want some recognition for working hard and baring your soul, that might be me, too. I can’t make any promises, but I will listen to your music.

If you are reading this and are not a musician but know someone who is, please forward this to them.

Good luck to all who participate!
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My weekly radio show “Theme Attic,” can be heard Wednesdays, 1PM-4PM ET!

The show can be heard on WHFR 89.3 FM in the Dearborn-Detroit area of Michigan, or it can be streamed with this link: https://www.whfr.fm/streamer/!

It almost always includes a weekly countdown of my favorite albums or songs  and some shows feature two countdowns!

There’s plenty of other musical things to browse on my website!

Here’s the link to the complete history of all the Fave Albums: https://philmaq.com/phils-lists/phils-faves-albums/!

Here’s a link for the complete history of all the Fave Songs: https://philmaq.com/phils-lists/phils-faves-songs/!

Another list that you might find interesting is my list for “The Most Awesomest Songs of the Day”: https://philmaq.com/most-awesomest-songs/!

If you’d like to know what I think are even better than the awesome songs, have a look at “The Greatest Songs Ever Recorded”:https://philmaq.com/the-greatest-songs-ever-recorded/! Occasionally, an “awesome song” crosses over to become a “Greatest Song!”

My somewhat unusual Hall of Fame can be explored here: https://philmaq.com/hall-of-fame/!

Lastly, but most importantly, is my Philby Awards link! A Philby is my annual award for outstanding musical achievement! https://philmaq.com/philbys/!

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If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!

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