Phil Maq

As 2018 follows its inevitable path to 2019, many DJs, reviewers, and bloggers will put together their “Top 10” lists for the year. This is where they get to show how hip or smart they are.

I have nothing against them personally. In fact, I’m a sucker for looking at as many lists as I can. For me, it’s like going through someone’s record collection and I get to make some theories on what that person might be like. But if you look at a lot of them, you’ll see a lot of overlap. It’s almost like a game of poker where everybody wants to see if they picked a “winning hand” by picking the penultimate list. I’ll even speculate that Father John Misty will be on most of them.

That’s not what I’m looking for.

The Philbys is about brilliant musical achievement. It’s not about only listening to albums during a specific time frame.  I have a voracious appetite for finding what I consider to be “good” music.

Therefore, I have decided on trying to maintain a four year window. That’s why 2018 may be going away soon, but 2015 is definitely expiring. I might even give preference to something from 2015, because I can always consider the one from 2018 for next year’s list.

I’m only stating this, because if you expected to see something on my list but didn’t, that may be the reason why.

Although I wouldn’t have the first clue on how to be “hip,” I’m pretty sure that a four window would make me a musical dinosaur.

But that’s OK. I’m here as much for myself as I am for the musician’s that makes the music and the listener who is starved for “good” music.

So here’s another attempt from a recent post to request music to be considered for this year’s Philbys:

If you have not yet submitted something for Philby consideration, I would think of doing so. If I were a musician out there, I would want someone like me to be there for them in the media.

So, if you’ve made some music dating back as far as 2015, I will accept that music for consideration. When it comes to independent self-released projects, an artist may not know how to get their product marketed or recognized. It may take a couple of years to figure that part of it out.

If you have something older than 2015, 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 good single, send me that, too. Don’t forget that I also have a Philby Hot Songs list. But don’t send me an incomplete album.

Don’t edit for me.

I hate that, and I would probably disqualify the selection.

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

More than likely, if your music came out later than May, it may not show up on the 2018 list. It’s not impossible, but I’m just being honest. I like to have music on my lists that I’ve been playing all year and not knock something off my list for something that I haven’t played. I hate it that many year-end lists by music magazines or other sources will often include several selections that were released in late November and early December. How convenient for those artists. An album is a piece of art that has to survive several listens to see if it should qualify as viable.

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

At the least, your music will either be your last chance for this year’s Philby lists, or a first call for next year’s.

Regardless, 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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I do two radio shows every week: “Theme Attic,” heard Wednesdays, 10A-12N ET, or “Prime Time Theme Attic,” heard Mondays, 8P-10P ET, which includes a weekly countdown of my favorite albums or songs on an alternating basis!

Here’s a link to listen if you want to hear what I do:

Listen live: https://whfr.fm/streamer/

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