Meet Phil Silverberg | Music Producer, Songwriter, Photographer & Videographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Phil Silverberg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Phil, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My parents will tell you – I have always looked at challenges and said, “I can do that”. It doesn’t really matter what it is. I have a sincere belief that if you put all of your energy into something, You can get it done. Most people are afraid to take the risk in just saying, “Yes, I can do that” and to figure it out on the fly. That’s kind of how I’ve learned all of the skills I have and how my career brought me to Nashville. When it comes to sink or swim, I’m always certain that I can swim, and usually end up swimming quite well, but sometimes I do need to just be thrown into the pool.

As I’ve gotten older, the fear of change, the fear of failure, and the safety in staying safe makes taking risks more and more difficult. But I try to look back at my path, and consistently, when I’ve taken the risk, it’s almost always paid off. Moving to Nashville was a huge leap and it scared the hell out of me to do it. About six months before I made the move, I just started telling everyone that I doing it for real. I knew that by telling everyone, I now had to make it happen. I had to be held accountable if I didn’t. It was how I threw myself into the pool. My first year and a half or so in Nashville was no breeze by any means. More than once I was ready to go back home. Ready to pack it up and head back to New Jersey. But over the last year – I’ve taken chances in every way and said “Yes, I can do that”. I get nervous, just like anyone else. And then I pull it together and find myself pulling through every time. I’ve learned to find comfort in being uncomfortable and that seems to help me to keep going forward.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It’s difficult to sum up my “art” as one particular thing. My interests have always been fairly diverse, but at the root of it all, I love to make beautiful things. Things that move other people. Sometimes that means writing a song, or dressing it up with the right production. Sometimes it means nailing my lighting and capturing the perfect shot, and sometimes it means making the best damn pizza I can make. All of it comes from wanting to make things as beautiful as possible. I try to pay attention to the little nuances in life, to just look a little deeper, listen a littler closer, to feel a little bit more and I do my best to funnel all of that back into whatever it is I’m creating.

It may sound like a bumper sticker, but I want to change the world, or at least do my absolute best to make it the best place it can be. I hope that my art – in whatever format it might be – can help change even one life for the better. I’ve found I can do that best from behind the scenes. I’ve never wanted to be in the spotlight, so songwriting and music production are where I have really found my home. I know the feeling I get when I hear certain lyrics in songs and I just want to make people feel that. To bring them a smile when they need it. To bring them peace in their busy day. To remind them that everything is gonna be alright.

This path has never been easy and I don’t know that it will ever be easy but I’m proud of everything I’ve done and everything I’ve accomplished along the road to where I am now. I think the way I’ve overcome every challenge has been by keeping my head up and looking forward. I know where I’m going and nothing will stop me, but me. I genuinely believe that. I think that mentality along with my diverse skillset is what sets me apart. I’m getting where I’m going and I want to help everyone I can along the way. I’m not worried about me, because I’ll get there.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When I have friends stop in Nashville, there are couple of things that I always suggest they do to get the a diverse yet full “Nashville” experience.

As a Nashville resident – I’m personally not a huge fan of Broadway – however, it is where I got my first Nashville wide-eyes that made me think, “maybe this is the place for me.” So, I always suggest that people at least walk down the strip and check out a few places. I’m not down there often, but Robert’s Western World is my favorite. You can still get a taste of the classic Nashville flavor. Typically, when people want something a little bit more low-key than Broadway, I suggest Printer’s Alley. To me, that is where to go. It’s like a smaller Broadway and my favorite spot to go is the Legendary Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar – they’ve got a B3 Organ, so I’m a bit biased, but you’ll never be disappointed if you head over there. On Sundays, check out Twin Kegs II for their open jam. (they also have a B3 Organ)

There’s a million food spots to try – I will not join the debate on the “BEST” Hot Chicken Sandwich, but I would suggest getting a proper sandwich somewhere – or try multiple. You can’t go wrong. And then you have to stop at Martin’s BBQ – most people talk about the brisket – but I’m personally a fan of the wings and the ribs. It’s all about the Alabama White Sauce – you’ll thank me later.

On Tuesdays head to Wilburn Street Tavern – there’s a couple of local bands that play there frequently that will blow your mind. After that you can head over to the American Legion and do some traditional Honkey Tonking and after that, hit the Underdog.

And of course, if you can – catch a show at the Ryman and/or the Opry. If you can get all in, you’ll have had yourself quite a week.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people in my life that have helped me to get where I am. So many mentors, teachers and friends that have all supported my journey. I have a million thanks to give. But, I owe everything to my parents. That’s for sure. They have always been my biggest fans and greatest supporters. They’ve always given me the rational perspective of the challenges that I have always taken on, but ultimately, they always were behind any and all decisions I’ve ever made. When I made the choice to pursue music – they were there. When I made the choice to move to Nashville, they were all the way in. They’ve always believed in me and that has always made it that much easier for me to believe in myself.

Everything I do, I hope makes them proud and I hope that I’ll eventually be in a place where I can begin to give back to them for everything the’ve given me. To make them as comfortable as possible. To give them the love and happiness that they have always given to me. I’ll work as hard as I can until I can make that possible and I’ll forever be grateful.

Website: www.philsilverberg.com

Instagram: @phil_silverberg and @phil_silverberg_music

Twitter: @phil_silverberg

Facebook: www.facebook.com/phil.silverberg

Image Credits
Phil Silverberg