Interview with Phill Dage
By Mackenzie Tucker
Photo taken by Linde Vanthournout.
At an after party at Tangent Gallery for Dally in the Alley in Detroit, I had the pleasure of viewing a performance by The Vonneguts. The Vonneguts are a rock band with a particularly intriguing member called Phill Dage. Phill is a jack of many trades who creates art full of good intentions. Initially his performance at Tangent Gallery pulled me in, but after picking his brain a bit more I found many remarkable aspects regarding his artistry and its purpose. From fantastic events in Detroit, to his personal thoughts, I loved speaking with Phill Dage.
Tell me the purpose of the Guatemala Solidarity Project.
Guatemala Solidarity Project (GSP) is a network of Guatemalan activists and U.S.-based allies. GSP works with indigenous communities in rural Guatemala who are struggling to obtain legal title to their ancestral lands. GSP has the unique role of working alongside Guatemalan advocates for a more just and accountable government. Also, GSP recognizes the role the U.S. government played in spurring the eternal conflict in Guatemala known as la violencia. During this conflict more than 200,000 indigenous Mayan people were killed and genocide was declared to have been committed by the Guatemala Government by the Guatemala Truth Commission Report. We understand the struggle is not over today. Thousands of innocent Guatemalans still face physical threat for speaking out against a clearly unjust government. The purpose of GSP is to shed light on our government's (U.S.) integral role in the blatant injustice plaguing Guatemala.
What went down at this event you had in Detroit this past Saturday?
The event last Saturday was all about showing solidarity with one of our partner communities, the Xinxa people of Xalapan in Jalapa, Guatemala. I, along three others, visited the community of Santa Maria Xalapan for one month in May of 2016. Here is a link to the full delegation report: http://www.guatemalasolidarityproject.org/quarterly-report-june-2016/. So, the benefit fair was all about raising money to purchase materials to construct water deposits for various communities we visited on our delegation Xalapan. The benefit was a smashing success: there was music, poetry, food, and lively discussion. We hope to have the Third Annual Guatemala Solidarity Benefit Fair sometime next September.
How can people support this organization that didn’t make it to the event?
Here is a way to donate to GSP: http://www.guatemalasolidarityproject.org/donate/
Please visit our website for news and a more in-depth description of our organization.
Now on September 24th you’re participating in another benefit, tell me about that.
On September 24th, I am participating in another event called Sink or Swim Detroit. This event is all about building solidarity between the urban/suburban communities in the Detroit area and also shedding light on the terrible water crisis plaguing Detroit. Here is a link to the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1224538360890260/. This is a day of action, so please come out early and participate in the march and listen to the speakers. We hope to see ya!
Anything else cool going on in Detroit that everyone should know about?
There is a bunch of stuff in Detroit that should know about, but right now you should check out this new band: Virginia Violet and the Rays. They are doing something new within the Detroit music scene, check out their new single: https://soundcloud.com/virginiavioletandtherays/terminal
* Phill is also playing at Sink or Swim in Detroit on Saturday Sept. 24th at the acoustic stage at 3 o’clock. *
Tell me about the things you do as an artist.
Okay, as an artist I create stories which reflect essential aspects of the human experience, such as the feeling of saying goodbye or describing the moment right before sleep or just trying to make sense of my place in this ever-moving world.
Describe the motivation behind the energized performance style you have when performing with The Vonneguts.
With The Vonneguts I have also loved to play, and play loudly. We have been together since high school and have played all over the U.S: New York, New Orleans, L.A., Nashville, Seattle. But we love Detroit the most. We started playing basement shows and have always tried to maintain that same energy, where ever we play.
What is a common message you attempt to send through your music?
One common message I try to send through music is peace. Or rather, the movements toward peace. Music is always in the moment and moments lived peacefully radiate harmony, which reverberate around the world, so music can literally create peace.
What inspires you to share your music?
I am inspired to create and share music because I believe in its power. Music can make people dance, sing, cry, laugh, inspired, do anything! Music also plays an integral role in movements for social change. I think about classic folk music from people like Joan Baez or Bob Dylan and I think about its ability to inspire people into action. Music can move people to speak out against injustice and fight the system of oppression.
What is your biggest fear?
My biggest fear is failure. I fear not being able to achieve my full potential. I am not a perfectionist, however, I am afraid of losing the path toward truth. I always try to keep following it.
Find Phill’s folk music here: https://folksinginphill.bandcamp.com/releases
Listen to The Vonneguts here: http://thevonnegutsdetroit.bandcamp.com/