Phil Garland is one of New Zealand's true musical treasures, u respected folklorist and musical balladeer who has recorded 18 albums. For over 30 veers his mission has been to gather and preserve for posterity the stories trod songs of New Zealand

After a rock `n' roll start at the beginning of the 60's, Phil had began to develop an interest in folk music by the the middle of the decade. He travelled to Britain and Europe performing the few Kiwi songs he knew at the time. On returning to New Zealand Phil founded the Christchurch Folk Centre which he ran for 8 years. He also founded the Christchurch Folk Music Club and is one of only three life members some 35 years on.

During this period, Phil Garland performed extensively throughout New Zealand and Australia. In 1971 Rotary International recognised his influence and presented him with an award for his contribution to New Zealand entertainment. Two of Phil's songs were selected to represent this country in The United Nations Songbook. Radio New Zealand commissioned him to write a musical documentary for national broadcast during 1977. This programme, Landfall New Zealand, was selected from 60 international entries to win the prestigious Hoso Bunka Award in Japan.

In 1981 Phil Garland appeared on the American show "Our Amazing World" singing traditional and original New Zealand songs to an estimated audience of 60 million viewers. Further plaudits and awards were to follow when his album "Springtime In The Mountains" won the inaugural Folk Album of the Year at the New Zealand Music Awards in 1984. Phil's musical contribution to the peace album "Send The Boats Away" two years later, helped it achieve a similar status in 1986.

After his relocation to Australia in 1987, two further albums "Hunger In The Air" in 1987 and "Wind In The Tussock" in 1989 also reached finals selection in the New Zealand Music Awards. Phil made an immediate impact on arrival in Australia, guesting as one of the headline artists at the National Festival, which publicised him as follows" New Zealand's loss is our gain" and "You will be hearing a lot more of Phil Garland and his wonderful music". After gaining a three month residency at the Sheraton Hotel in Alice Springs, where he entertained over two hundred tourists nightly, his original contract was extended indefinitely by popular demand, leading to further appearances as a guest performer with the Australian Bicentennial Travelling Roadshow" in 1988.

Moving to Perth, Phil recorded two further albums "How Are You Mate?" (1990) and "Waiting For News" (1993) with his band 'Bush Telegraph'. He received an award from the Armadale Council for his contributions to the W.A. music scene throughout 1994-95. The 'West Australian' newspaper in Perth described Phil as "Cultural wealth from New Zealand" while yet another called him "The voice of Australia and New Zealand".

Phil Garland returned home to his beloved New Zealand in 1996, celebrating his arrival with the release of a compilation CD "Under The Southern Cross" and the publication of his first book "The Singing Kiwi" containing over 120 songs and tunes which highlight the valuable research and collecting work he has undertaken during the last thirty years. In 1998, Phil released a new album entitled "A Sense Of Place" to much critical acclaim. Backed throughout by "Bush Telegraph" this collection of original songs celebrating New Zealand's culture and heritage, demonstrates a slight shift in musical direction and highlights a new approach to his internationally recognised songwriting abilities. He recently completed a hugely successful nationwide tour promoting this album. Now based in North Canterbury near his hometown of Christchurch, Phil has kept busy performing in concerts and festivals around New Zealand. As well as solo appearances Phil is also the leader of two bands "Bush Telegraph" and "Shagroon" which frequently perform at venues throughout the South Island.

Phil Garland's latest project "Swag o' Dreams" records a wide and varied collection of songs helping to commemorate 150 years of Canterbury settlement. A finalist in the Folk Category of the New Zealand Music Awards for 2002.

2003 saw Phil performing at Ferrymead Historic Park - The Gore Moonshiners Festival - Hokonui Moonshine Museum - North Canterbury A & P Shows - the Clan MacLeod Gathering - Otago Early Settlers Assn. and Folk Clubs among many others. He also composed a special song `Bright New Day' in honour of the first frozen meat shipment to leave from Totara Farm Estate in 1881, which he premiered at the historic site's redevelopment opening day in November. 2004 had Phil celebrating 40 years association with folk music in New Zealand by appearing at Canterbury and Wellington festivals as well as undertaking a highly successful Australian tour during August and September. Meanwhile he is also working in conjunction with Creative Southland, writing and recording songs for a Southland tourism and heritage project, which was due for completion in late 2005.

Phil's latest album, "NO PLACE LIKE HOME" was launched in early April 2005 and he has just returned from a North Island tour promoting its release. Northern audiences were most appreciative of the new songs causing him to run out of stock with still one concert to go. Phil is currently involved in producing a further songbook to complement his successful "Singing Kiwi" publication and the new book is expected to become available in the next couple of months.

Support

A most welcome return of Christchurch Folk Music Club stalwart Christine Smith at the Folk Club, after far too long an absence.