South County guitarist's solo career hitting new gear

Philip Vandermost of Laguna Niguel, seen here in a recent photo, will perform songs from his solo debut, "Automatic August," when he plays a trio of dates over the next month at Mahé in Dana Point.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGIA TORCASIO

Area audiences are quickly becoming familiar with singer-songwriter Philip Vandermost.
The Laguna Niguel resident celebrated the release of his commercial debut with an appearance as part of the acclaimed International Pop Overthrow music festival in Huntington Beach in July 2008, and he headlined at Mahé in Dana Point on New Year's Eve to kick off 2009.

He returns to Mahé Friday (Feb. 27, 2009) to perform songs from his 10-song solo debut, "Automatic August," as well as classic material from other artists. The album features a wealth of material, from the hard-rocking, melodic "Speak to Me" to the power-pop-mining "Because" to the R.E.M.-meets-Carbon Leaf "Drifting."

"Most of the bands I listen to can be traced back to the three B's: the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Byrds," said Vandermost, noting that all three of those legendary bands used a combination of guitars and vocals to forge an original sound rooted in strong songwriting.
Vandermost was a celebrated lead guitar player in Greenwich Meantime, the Kelly Bowlin Band and the George Fryer Combo. Vandermost said a combination of factors led him to strike out on a solo career last year.

"The main thing, being a support player even in a creative capacity, I didn't have a lot to show for the time I've been playing music," Vandermost said. "The other thing, I needed to cut back on live performances. My family is very important to me." Vandermost is married and has two young daughters.
"Automatic August" was recorded, mixed and mastered between February and April last year.
"This is a fun transition," Vandermost said of his new solo career. "I get to handle the creative and the business sides."

Vandermost and his band will perform at Mahé, 24961 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point from 7-11 p.m. on Fridays, Feb. 27 and again on March 27. Vandermost will perform solo at the venue on Wednesday evening, March 11.
For more information, call 949-240-6243.