With less than a month before the Philbys start, I thought I would give a little insight about the final month because some feelings just hit me yesterday.
I’ve never written anything about what I do for preparation during the last few weeks before the Philbys start.
Years ago, I used to reveal the albums list before the songs. But much like other awards, the songs list seemed anticlimactic after the albums were known.
With the weekly Phil’s Faves Songs List, ten songs keep fluctuating.
However, just like the Billboard lists if my may make an unworthy comparison, I always have thirty to fifty songs “bubbling” under the Top Ten.
Some hang around for years! (?)
During the summer months when things are laid back and the new year seems a long way off, songs drift in and out and sometimes stay on the list for months–a long time for a Top Ten song on any list!
But when it comes to the last month of charting, I put together a list of potential songs to wrap up the year.
And I calculate how many songs might possibly make the list.
Right now, I’d guess maybe ten.
Unfortunately, I have about thirty songs that could make the list.
At this point, I have no idea whether I have a hundred songs for the year end list. I won’t know that until I start compiling it.
I might have more. I might have less.
But every year, it’s always the same.
If I find out it’s less, I will add some picks to complete the list. Most of the time, those tracks consist of deeper cuts that maybe wouldn’t make the Top Ten lists.
After all, I would rather save really good songs for next year’s lists so they could get their full recognition and appreciation.
Maybe.
As I said before, sometimes they hang around for years.
Why?
As I sometimes say, the songs pick me. They let me know when it’s their time!
However, I always feel some sadness during this Philby crunch time.
Thankfully, the final list is always a happy experience!
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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 2021 is 2018-2021.
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 2018, 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/!
If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!
#Philby #Philbys
