Here I Stand (Instrumental)

This is my debut single release consisting of the single and two bonus tracks.

Bitter Times, Sweet Dreams (Adlib Reprise)

This is my debut single release consisting of the single and two bonus tracks.

Musicians:
Phil Karis - Acoustic Guitars, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Drum Programming, Keys
Joep Schrader - French Horn

Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Phil Karis

New Beginnings (Bonus Track)

This is my debut single release consisting of the single and two bonus tracks.

Musicians:
Phil Karis - Guitars
Iahji Hampden - Drums
Mike Torres - Bass Guitar
Mike Roelofs - Hammond & Piano

Produced by Phil Karis & Jorge Velasco
Mixed by Jorge Velasco
Mastered by Scott Hull (Masterdisk)

Bitter Times, Sweet Dreams

Dutch guitarist Phil Karis has a unique way of expressing himself through the guitar. For him this is a way of speaking words, singing melodies, and voicing emotions. His music is easy on the ears, soul-filling, and honest.

Born into a musical family on June 22nd 1984 in Roermond (NL), it was only a matter of time before he seriously decided to learn to play the guitar. And at the age of 12, his father taught him the basics. He had a guitar shop when Phil was just a baby, and here lies the foundation of his love for music, the guitar in particular.

Karis played in several bands through high school, and spent countless hours a day studying music and practicing solos over and over until he mastered them. He was into a wide range of styles, from jazz-rock, blues and pop to rock. Some of his favorite guitar players at that time were, and some still are today: Phil Keaggy, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, and Steve Lukather.

Hungry for more, Phil decided to study guitar after graduating high school in 2003. A local Jazz conservatory was his choice, but he soon felt out of place. Not wanting to be molded and fixated on Jazz, he searched for an alternative. This search eventually took him to the other side of the world, to Los Angeles to be precise. There he studied guitar at Musicians Institute. This boosted his skills and passion for this special instrument that has so many nuances and tonal possibilities.

In the years that followed, Phil played in many bands and contributed to many projects. He toured extensively with DJ duo Puresang, played guitar for Kim Clement, and developed himself as a composer and producer as well.

In 2010, he decided to completely focus on his own instrumental music, resulting in the making of his debut album named “Hidden Treasures”. The first parts of the songs are recorded professionally in Los Angeles with co-producer and mixing engineer Jorge Velasco (Maroon 5, Rihanna, Alice Cooper, Michael Bolton, Cher), drummer Iajhi Hampden (Nikka Costa, Aly & A.J., Andy Vargas), and bass guitarist Mike Torres (Macy Gray, Ashley Tisdale, Daniel Powter, America’s Got Talent).

At Moon Music Studio in Maasbracht (NL), the percussion was laid down by Ron van Stratum, and Mike Roelofs recorded some amazing Hammond, Wurlitzer, synth and piano parts.

In 2014, the third and last phase was initiated together with Jorge Velasco in which the lead guitars, the mixing and mastering will take place. 

On March 24th 2015 this has resulted in the release of a single called “Bitter Times, Sweet Dreams”.