Phil McMullen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Phil McMullen lives in the West of England and spends his time between rearing chickens and vegetables writing about psychedelic, improvised and experimental rock & folk music. He was the founding editor of the enormously influential Ptolemaic Terrascope magazine from 1989 to 2005 (when management was handed over to Pat Thomas in North America), and now runs a widely respected website named Terrascope Online. Phil also founded the semi-annualTerrastock indie rock festivals which take place in Britain and North America.

In an interview published in 2005, Nick Saloman of the Bevis Frond wrote of Phil, "Phil McMullen is one of that rare breed, a music fan who doesn't want to be a musician. Phil is, has been and always will be the kind of guy who is just happy to let the music take him to various faraway places. He has a deep knowledge, immaculate taste, and a startling ability to hear something in an unknown band which convinces him they'll become universally adored. And he's usually right. Why no major labels have ever offered him a job as head of A & R is a total mystery. Alternatively, if the BBC are looking for someone to take over where John Peel left off, Phil should be high up the list. He's been totally dedicated to The Ptolemaic Terrascope for 15 years, a dedication which has severely threatened his family relationships, his life savings, not to mention his sanity. He's been instrumental in organising the wonderful Terrastock Festivals. He's been a good friend to many people who've needed support when their careers have been going nowhere. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that Phil is a great writer with a brilliant ear for that magical whatever that makes bands big."