#38 - Neil Berthier (PHONY)

Neil Berthier of PHONY joined me this week all the way from Los
Angeles. We began the discussion talking about his new found love
for the outdoors. That includes skating to the local coffee shop
daily and learning to surf through a roommate. Neil soon admits
that he quit drinking a month ago and even decided to stop
smoking cigarettes on his path to healthier lifestyle. We finally
get into the music when we talk about his music video for Waffle
House (watch it if you haven't yet).


Neil moved to LA right as the pandemic was beginning and it was
one of the best decisions he has made in a long time. He is
finally happy and enjoying the life he is living. He has been
taking advantage of his free time and doing activities he
wouldn't be able to do while touring. Neil checked a goal off his
list too. Growing up, he wanted to be in LA so bad, and he is
finally able to live his dream. 


PHONY released its sophomore album labeled "Knock Yourself Out"
in August of 2020. Most of the songs were written three years ago
and Neil feels like he is not under the same mindset during the
present time, so it was weird to relive the past. He considers
"Knock Yourself Out" to be a raw album that has lyrics that deal
with everything he was dealing with during that time. Neil says
that both his PHONY albums have the same message and that is not
living up to his full potential. Like stated earlier, Neil is in
a better place now, and the way he writes is getting switched up
in future projects.


We had a little bit of Donavan Wolfington talk in this episode.
It was the start to Neil's career and he is thankful for that. We
did discuss the difference between a solo project and being in a
band full of different personalities. He agrees that you have to
write to the different strengths of the band members. He always
felt like time was running out while in his previous band and
tried to push things.


Neil looks at his music as a small business. He has new songs
coming out in 2021. He can finally make one group his top
priority and is ready to conquer the world. Also, if you want to
hear a fun conversation about pizza, this is the episode you want
to listen to. Check out PHONY below:


Bandcamp: https://1-800-phony.bandcamp.com


Instagram & Twitter: @1_800_PHONY