Catching up with Jon Phillip - Mini Meltdowns, Limbeck, The Benjamins

When did you first became familiar with Jon Phillip's work? Whether it was because of Limbeck (like it was for me) or from his time recording and touring with Tommy Stinson or Trapper Schoepp, you know that he's done - and continues to do - a lot of cool shit. Enjoy this Q&A with Jon, who gets us up to speed on what's he up to these days.

Editors note: Jon lives in Nashville BUT he's originally from Wisconsin and that's pretty cool.

First of all, congratulations! You have had a lot of exciting life-stuff happening for you recently - most notably, becoming a dad. How's that experience been going?

Thank you, Hyedi! Becoming a dad has been an incredibly beautiful, emotional, and life-changing experience. The first few weeks have felt like being hit by a meteor, navigating it all on very little sleep. Going through pregnancy, birth, and parenting with my best friend (my fiancée, Danielle) has deepened our connection in ways I couldn't have imagined. Learning to be a dad and embracing the inevitable mistakes along the way has been humbling. I never knew I could love two humans so profoundly; it's both overwhelming and awe-inspiring. Since finding Danielle and welcoming our daughter, I find myself reflecting on what I was doing with my life before them - it feels like a whole new chapter has begun.

You also just got back from playing a couple SXSW shows - your first time playing in a number of years, right? How'd it go and what was different about the experience since the last time?

It was my first time playing SXSW in nine years! The festival seemed a bit quieter than I remembered, but perhaps that's just because I'm getting older? I noticed that many of the popular shows had long lines, and without a badge, getting in required arriving super early. I don't recall that being such an issue in the past. Reflecting on my experience 21 years ago when I saw Big Star play at SX, it was much easier to just walk in. This time around, playing just one show was a refreshing change. Typically, musicians play six shows in three days, and it’s exhausting. However, after a year and a half hiatus, it was a joy to reunite with my brothers. Having people travel from across the country to see us perform was surprising. After all these years, we’re lucky that we still get to do this, spend time with our friends, and meet new people through our music. 

These days, in addition to staying busy musically, you also are a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Can you talk a little bit about your path to doing this kind of work and how your personal journey with sobriety played a role? 

I've dedicated the past four years to pursuing my goal of becoming a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor while actively working in treatment. Currently, I'm in the final stages of completing my certification; I just need to submit all of my work and take the state exam. My journey into this field stemmed from my personal experience with alcoholism, which led me to seek treatment at Hazelden in Center City, MN back in May 2012. During my time in treatment, I discovered my ability to positively impact others as a group leader and through participating in the family program. This realization, coupled with my newfound clarity in sobriety, motivated me to pursue a career in helping individuals facing similar challenges. Despite starting my educational journey later in life, at 36 years old, I earned a degree in Human Services by the age of 40. From there, I entered the field of treatment and gradually progressed into roles such as Business Development, where I currently work for a facility in Tennessee. My role involves collaborating with other treatment centers in the state to enhance resources and support networks for our community. However, working in treatment comes with its challenges; it's crucial to maintain a balance between helping others and prioritizing self-care to prevent burnout. Much like my journey in recovery, I've learned to take each day, and sometimes even each hour or minute, at a time. Ultimately, knowing that I'm making a difference and potentially saving lives makes every challenge worthwhile, and I feel privileged to be a part of someone's journey to recovery.

And as if all of those things weren't enough, you also run a record label, Good Land Records! Anything exciting goin' on at Good Land or other projects you're involved in that you'd like to share?

Good Land Records is marking its 14th anniversary this year! What began as a hobby has now led to our upcoming 43rd release. We're particularly excited about our latest album, a full-length LP on vinyl featuring the punk band from Milwaukee, the Mighty Deerlick. This release holds special significance for us as it honors our dear friend Dan Franke from the band, who tragically passed away earlier this year. Collaborating closely with him last year to bring this album to fruition was both poignant and rewarding.

Additionally, Limbeck is slowly making new music for the first time in nearly 17 years. While the timeline for its release remains uncertain due to our busy lives as working dads, we're super excited about these songs. There's also the possibility of a few more shows on the west coast later in the year.

To whoever reads this: You are loved, and you matter.