PHILM: The Interview

PHILM, also known by the Instagram handle @phishonphilm, is a community for live music news and awareness, which as of my writing this, has grown to over 62,000 followers. PHILM is also a print magazine dedicated to jam band, hip-hop, and indie culture, including interviews and film-only photos by PHILM, photographers, and the artists themselves.

On Instagram, PHILM actively raises awareness about key issues affecting live music fans, including the availability of water at venues and festivals, the dangers of fentanyl, non-trustworthy people to look out for on lot, and more. The account also shares relevant news and snippets from artist interviews, plus music recommendations for followers.

PHILM is an excellent example of social media being used in a positive way, and is a sign of the continued evolution of news and information consumption. The founder of PHILM was kind enough to answer some interview questions for Extra Chill. Learn all about the project below.

Philm Interview

On Phish

How did you get into Phish?

In a very matrix like way. My childhood best friend (and his brother) is Fish’s cousin. One day one of their relatives brought over a cassette of Rift of some band called Phish. My friend listened first and brought it to school the next day telling me i had to listen to this amazing thing.

I was completely enamored and sold by “My Friend My Friend” and could already sense the world creation within phish. I just stared at that cover and listened to it on repeat.

Phish – “My Friend, My Friend” (1993)

What’s the best Phish show you’ve seen, and why?

I’m gonna have to go with 7.22.97 Walnut Creek. It’s still totally mystical to me. The lightning. The vibe. The whole show felt supernatural and I think everyone felt it. I still get chills watching Page react to the lightning blast.

Phish – Live at Walnut Creek Amphitheater, Raleigh, NC (7/22/97)

On Starting PHILM

How did you get into photography?

I always shot photos on my phone in the style of “real” photos but was always intimidated to learn real photography with a camera. My dad got me a canon rebel about 5 years ago for Christmas and it was the push I needed. I just started shooting my friends, LA street stuff, musicians etc. and eventually got a feel for it.

My knowledge of photography is still really basic, but I’m a Rick Rubin type lol. I kinda just feel it out and sometimes it looks cool.

What is the origin story of PHILM?

Covid! I was pretty aimless during the pandemic and wanted to do something to occupy my time and make some art – i always wanted to put a coffee table book together with old fan shot film photos of Phish so I started the account as a sort of adjacent thing to that idea.

I wasn’t afraid to be thirsty and wrote a bunch of established jam band accounts and asked them to post about my new account. I hit up Reddit, PT, phishnet etc for old photos and it took off pretty fast.

On Being a News Source

As you have started advocating for causes within the scene, your account has evolved into a community hub and has grown significantly. Do you feel a sense of responsibility?

I do and I don’t. Sometimes I don’t think I understand how “big” the account is or maybe I’m in denial about it lol. I definitely have no interest in being a “phish influencer” or any of that garbage so I try and keep it low key but it is what it is.

I’ve definitely pulled back on making fun of artists and being mean – people are human and so am I so in that sense I feel responsibility. The account definitely keeps me in check in that sense.

The water stuff or anything else – I can’t help it. I see injustices that hurt the little guy (or girl) and it makes me angry and I have to say something. I probably get it from my dad. He would always write the newspaper editors and complain about stuff. But that’s important! The account has gotten venues to literally change their water policies so it works I’m a jam band Karen and proud of it.

Social media has reached the point where an Instagram account can be a viable news source, as you have done. What are your thoughts on this?

I think it’s great. I think people put down Instagram and TikTok because of the name and association with teens and dancing and viral stuff etc – but what people seem to ignore is that these are the most utilized things in the world. They are relevant platforms.

What are young people gonna go to in 10 years? CNN? No way. They’re gonna go to Instagram and TikTok and YouTube.

People on the ground reporting stuff is way more effective and interesting than some guy in a suit reading a teleprompter. All of their content is derived from their agenda and their sponsors. Look at any 24 hours news network. It’s lame!

Behind the Scenes at PHILM

What goes into running the @phishonphilm account? Do you have a team?

No team! Just me.

It’s a stream of conscious account and I just kinda let the news, DMs and my own life guide the content.

I spend too much time on it, but I also have a real life with real friends and real activities.

For me it’s like getting up in the morning and painting. That sounds so douchey, but that’s how I feel about it.

What are your long term goals with PHILM? How can people support those goals?

I definitely wanna get into more long form content. Instagram is ultimately a sort of toxic place and who knows how long the platform will even be used. When will it become vine? Or Friendster?

So I’m starting to focus more on the print magazine and YouTube (PHILM TV).

I’d love to make documentaries and be a musical supervisor for films.

We’re about to release this new feature on YouTube called Soundcheck Series where we film (my video partner Shay Stifelman) bands soundchecking. The first one is gonna be so sick.

People can help on a tiered level. At the top, you can sub to my Patreon. At the bottom, you can just like posts. Reshare. Engage. It’s tough out there for content creators. If you tip a bartender a dollar for a drink, think of liking a post as the same thing. We need that algo.

PHILM the Magazine

Tell me about PHILM the Magazine. How long have you been doing it? What makes it special? Where can people buy it?

I’m obsessed with magazines. I’ve been pouring over them since I was a kid. So it felt right to start one based off the account.

I don’t see many magazines blending jam world with indie / hip hop world and I think it’s a space that is worth occupying.

I’d rather learn what (artist) had for breakfast vs their “inspiration for their new album”. That’s PHILM the Magazine.

Also most magazines are just lazy (imo) and use PR stock photos and boring album reviews. PHILM the Mag is strictly brand new / previously unreleased photos that are all taken specifically for our magazine.

Alyssa Walker from WIRED does the layout and she is a genius. I’m so thankful for her.

You can scoop issue 1 and 2 on section 119’s website. If it’s not linked here just search “magazine” on the site.

Anything else you want to mention?

Make Piper slow again.

Phish – “Piper” (10/20/98)