Chris Phillips, and fellow members of The Stereo Stories Band. Photos by Eric Algra.

Chris Phillips, singer with Newport bands The Angelicats and Superfluous Velvet, had a secret motive when she wrote her Stereo Story based on Van Morrison’s Into The Mystic. She had seen our show at the 2015 Newport Folk Festival and thought, ‘I want to sing with that band. Even if it’s just one song, one gig.’

Chris made a guest appearance with us at the 2016 Newport Folk Festival, singing Into The Mystic as part of her story about the first days of her first child.

Let’s just say that she passed the audition with flying colours, and Chris has been gracing the Stereo Stories stage ever since, not only with Into The Mystic, but with lead or harmony vocals on All Things Must Pass, Best Song Ever, Boys In Town, Boys Light Up (including Chris on cowbell!), Brimful Of Asha, Gamble Everything For Love, Killing Me Softly, Long Ride, Man Of Constant Sorrow, My Island Home, Stop Dragging My Heart Around…

Chris has been part of our big shows at the Williamstown Literary Festival, and has hit the road with us for our sell-out concerts at the Write Around The Murray Festival in Albury.

Behind the scenes, Chris, a member of the Newport Fiddle & Folk Club, often comes up with the answers to dilemmas. Even before our first show.

  1. “Chris, I’m trying to find a busker who played at Newport Folk Festival in 2012. I’ve got an idea for a show about stories and songs…”

“You mean Jack? Jack Gramski? Yeah, I can find him.”

(Jack, also known as Nils Cusack, has been in the band since our first gig in 2014.)

  1. “Chris, I’m trying to find a sound engineer for a gig at Newport Bowls Club.”

“I’ll ask Clive. See if he’s up for it.”

  1. “I need a database that tracks when and where our 75 songs have been played at our 20 or so shows.”

“I’ll give it a go.”

  1. “I need a stage manager for our gig at the Willi Lit Fest. The show’s going to be bigger than Texas.”

“I’ll see if Alan’s a chance.”

  1. “I’m thinking of running a writing workshop with Lucia Nardo. You reckon anyone will turn up?”

“I’ll rustle up a few for you.”

Rehearsals. “You baking those cheese and chives scones again for the next rehearsal?”

“Sure!”

“What about those choc-fudge brownies?”

“Only if I get to sing Boys In Town at our next gig.”

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Chris is a singer with The Stereo Stories Band, The Angelicats, and Superfluous Velvet.