A Platform for Ethnically and Culturally Inspired Music
ABOUT
Coastal Dynamic is the brainchild of American multi-instrumentalist and audio engineer Victor Phillips. He creates organic-sounding electronic, downtempo, global-chill songs using real instruments, found sounds, lo-fi samples, and software. Most songs contain aural landscapes that evoke emotion and transcend genres. He produces music that inspires, refreshes, and propels you through everyday life.

The beginning...

Victor's travels as a kid have greatly influenced his love of diversity and rhythms in music. Raised in a family that surrounded themselves with music, Victor studied piano and clarinet from a young age while living in Malawi, Africa for 6 years and later, Guam, USA. After teaching himself acoustic guitar in 8th grade, Victor quickly realized bass was the instrument for him. He convinced his parents to buy him his first bass (an Ovation acoustic/electric). Since then, he has continued to study music and the bass—playing in church groups, studios, cafes, and bars with bands all across the USA from Guam to Washington, Idaho to New York, and currently the Northeast and Pennsylvania.

After college, following his blossoming interest in recording and audio engineering, he moved to New York City and completed an audio engineering certificate course in 2001. Since then, Victor has been on a 15-year journey to find his voice and ideal style for his musical expression. Drawing on diverse influences from hard rock and jazz to downtempo ambient electronic sounds from artists like Bonobo and Emancipator, Victor loves to incorporate his many experiences and world travels into Coastal Dynamic's unique sound. His path also included a left turn out of music into a 12-year retail business venture during which he took a hiatus from playing music. Though he wasn't creating or playing music, it was his constant companion, transporting him through most every day... and now one of the biggest reasons he continues to make music.

In late 2011, Victor started a regular yoga practice. By late 2012, it became impossible for him to ignore the call of bass and music composition. "One of the 'side effects' of intensive yoga is getting in touch with your true calling or higher purpose," says Victor. He began going to open mics, learning songs, and meeting local musicians. He soon joined The Spanakopita Band as a founding member. Spanakopita is a Northern New Jersey-based originals and cover band, gigging regionally. "While Spanakopita fills some of my musical needs, I knew there was way more just waiting to be let out!" exclaims Victor. He embarked on a path of music composition and instrumental exploration that over the next 2-3 years evolved into Coastal Dynamic. He released his first two singles in 2016 and began work on a larger body of songs that evolved into his debut album entitled "Lost Tribe".

The future...

When asked about the future he sees for Coastal Dynamic and his music, Victor can't help paraphrasing Tom Petty... "It's wide open!" he says with a huge grin. After a moment's pause, he adds, "But seriously, I'd love to be pursuing all of my creative interests, while continuing to write songs and maybe play them with a full band on tour... especially on the festival circuits!