Today we’d like to introduce you to Phil Hanley.
Phil, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
We are a Baltimore-based rock band formed in 2023 out of the ashes of some other bands we were in previously. Nick (drums), Mike (bass/vocals), and me, Phil (guitar/vocals) used to be in a band called Suburbs for about 4-5 years until disbanding around 2018/2019. After focusing on different projects for awhile, Nick and I were playing in a new project and we had 5 of our best songs written, recorded, and ready to be released. But after a falling out with our other bandmate, we dissolved that project. I had written those 5 songs, and Nick and I had liked the tracks so much that we didn’t want to just shelf them. We decided to hit up Mike and see if we could join forces for a new project. And thus, Stopwatch was formed, and those 5 songs became our first EP, “Blueprint Blue.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road! But we don’t expect everything to be easy for us. Playing in a DIY band requires a lot of work and dedication, and we’ve had some struggles along the way. Sometimes it is difficult to make connections, find shows to play, and promote our music in a world where social media and streaming is the new normal for promotion. While I appreciate that streaming is accessible and easy to use for most people, we have no desire to become viral internet sensations; we want to build our fan base organically through playing shows and making real-world connections with good people, promoters, labels, and so on. To us, there is a lot more longevity and community in this method.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We are a rock band from Baltimore, MD inspired by the music we grew up with in the ’90s and 2000s. Some of our favorite artists and biggest inspirations are Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots, Third Eye Blind, Sheryl Crow, Fountains of Wayne, we could go on forever… we just love the styles and sounds of that era. I am most proud of our sound and style. I think it sets us apart from a lot of newer artists. We would like to think we have an original sound that is inspired by an amalgamation of music from this era. We just like being in a rock band and having fun. No gimmicks, no filler, just good songwriting and performances. Our simplicity and originality are what make us special.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters the most to me is authenticity. Doing what you truly love and believe in is what makes me happy, and that’s what makes this band worthwhile to me. Nothing is cooler than being yourself and showing the world what that means.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stopwatch.bandcamp.com/album/demo-2024
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stopwatchrock/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWFd8q5vn1WGAOwsUAwPQg
