Today we’d like to introduce you to Phil Romo.
Phil, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started playing music at the age of twelve. I had no inherent gifts for music. I didn’t have a great ear, natural instincts or any staggering apparent talent. The only thing I had going for me which has still served me well was obstinant discipline. I would hammer away at a concept until I had it, then I moved on to the next challenge. I relentlessly pursued whatever present goal, be it a song or a gig or a novel bass technique and then work until my curiosity was satisfied.
I was in love with music, and I didn’t want to do anything else with my life. So I forfeited any path that didn’t involve being a musician. After years of playing in local bands in my hometown of Hacienda Heights, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my passion. I joined a rock band called Intercept with players who were as driven as I was. We had a solid amount of success with three studio albums, touring and placements on radio and television.
Life sometimes plays out like an extended improvised solo. You begin with one idea in mind, and then the song leads you into another direction. You wind up in a place you didn’t expect, but it turns out all right. I found that my side gig of teaching music became more of a passion than actually playing music live. Most guys out here teach just to pay the bills between gigs. I really enjoyed teaching and then got quite good at it. I found that my communication skills and my ability to explain musical concepts were real strengths.
I could also read music very well, so I preferred stage shows and orchestral situations to touring in a rock band. I bowed out of Intercept in 2011. I then got married and started to do the family thing. Live performance slowed down for a while until I got the call to do The Daytime Emmy Awards in 2016. I am now on my 4th year playing The Emmys, and I couldn’t be more excited to play!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth is a song I play every Friday in my cover band. It’s not an accurate descriptor of being a professional musician! So, when I think of the road I’m on I’m reminded of what my friend told me one day. “You have to love the WHOLE process, not just the fun parts.”
There are times that I’m stuck in traffic on a Thursday night on my way to Molly Malone’s to get $75 and play for 30 minutes. Just being honest here, I DON”T LOVE IT. In those times I remember a few things. I remember how lucky I am to play music for a living. I remember that at the end of the day, it’s not at all about me.
People are coming to see the band perform and each one of them has hard lives that I know nothing about. They want to escape the drudgery of their own struggles for one night. I get the PRIVILEGE of playing for them and helping them get away for a bit.
There are about 100 guys in town willing to do what I do at the same level of skill, and it’s me who gets to do this performance tonight. Those other players will do it with a smile on their face and a heart full of gratitude. Who am I to complain?
I also remember a quote from Steve Morse, I believe. “I play the gig for free. It’s the load-in, unloading and all the other hassle that I get paid for.” I like that quote.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
As a professional bassist, my gigs are diverse to the point of surreal. I play electric bass in 90’s alternative rock in X-Nation. X-Nation is so fun, it’s like revisiting my teen years. I play electric in Sidetracs, one of the best cover/dance bands in LA.
The repertoire in Sidetracs is expansive and covers Latin, soul, funk, classic rock, 80’s and whatever else you can imagine. I play acoustic bass in Angela O’Neill and The Outrageous Eight. It’s an eight-piece big band that plays classic jazz. It’s an absolute blast to double on upright bass and play with such great players.
My current passion project is The R & R Jazz Collective. I play with my dad, a tenor sax player. We play straight-ahead jazz, bossa nova’s and boleros.
When I was a kid, I grew up to the sound of tenor sax in my dad’s office and got to dig into his record collection. Now I get to make music with him in a free, improvisational setting. I really cherish the opportunity to play with him. Then, of course, there are the Daytime Emmy Awards!
These are truly awesome events, and it’s an honor to work with Caleb and the rest of these talented musicians. What sets me apart from other players is the elusive trait of “the hang.” I show up on time, prepared and drama/hassle free. You wouldn’t believe how many guys lose gigs because they are difficult personalities.
They write any emails about how they are mistreated, cause drama on social media and air their dirty laundry for future employers to see. Really, it’s an incredibly small town, and your network directly affects your ability to work. Make everyone you play with sound good and leave a good impression so that you’ll work again. It’s that simple.
As a teacher, I’m always exploring how to make my students better players. I read books on education, pedagogy, psychology, and even mythology to get new concepts to get my kids to practice! I can make anyone a better player from 4 to 80 years of age and beyond. I’m proud of my pedigree as a private instructor.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m looking to make what I do bigger, better and more expansive. I’m stuck in the age between the old school musicians at the union and the young guys killing it on Instagram.
I’m going to expand my YouTube channel to include more music education and gigging content. I already played every track of the classic bass book “Standing In The Shadows Of Motown.” It was a heavy project, but somebody has to climb the mountain first, and I’d be pissed if it wasn’t me!
There’s a bright future in online music educational content. I have a lot to say on the topic, and I’ll be working on expanding and explaining my thoughts on music more and more. Stay tuned, there are more domains to be conquered!
Pricing:
- Skype piano, guitar, and bass lessons- $25 per 30-minute session
- Private lessons at Burbank Music Academy- $33 per 30-minutes lesson
- Professional bass transcription services- $15-$50 per transcription
- Professional live performance on upright or electric bass- $100 minimum per performance
Contact Info:
- Address: 4107 W. Burbank Blvd. Burbank CA, 91505
- Website: www.philromo.com
- Phone: 6263919239
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/philphyx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philphyx
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/bobknowsbass
Image Credit:
April Bielefeldt, Jeff Page
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