Phil, a former music scholar at Radley talks us through his journey from a rebellious music scholar to a seasoned session player and now founder of the award-winning ethical decorating business ‘Paint the Town Green‘. Having turned down a place at university, Phil shows how diverse interests and persistence can lead to a fulfilling and multi-faceted career.
You came to Radley as a music scholar, what was your background?
I played piano and flute and sang in the choir at my prep school, so pursuing music felt like a natural path. I think it’s fair to say that from the very beginning I didn’t see eye-to-eye with the Head of Music. He had a very clear idea of how a music scholar should perform and operate. I guess, as a scholar, you are expected to give back, but I was quite rebellious and didn’t want to conform. Somehow, I managed to keep the scholarship for all 5 years.
After leaving Radley, what did you do?
I had a place at Hull University to study Theology, but during my gap year – whilst working at a scuba diving school in Australia – I realised university wasn’t for me, it didn’t play to my strengths.
The phone call with my parents telling them that didn’t go down too well. One of the ways my parents expressed their delight was by saying, ‘There’s no more money, you’re on your own’. I nearly didn’t get home! The dive school where I was working went bankrupt and I hadn’t saved much money so had to find another job quickly.
Once back in the UK, what were your plans?
I really wanted to be a singer-songwriter and a session musician but had no idea how to start. I didn’t know what to do, where to go or how it would work. I spent about three years trying to get on agents’ books, making persistent phone calls. Eventually, I succeeded and by the late 90s had an agent and was working as a keyboard session player, plus writing music for a band I was in called Metro Camel.
Was your band successful?
Three of our songs were featured on a Working Title film called Perfect Strangers, starring Rob Lowe and Anna Friel, which was quite cool. We also got played on Radio 1 by Annie Nightingale.
However, we faced setbacks with record companies: one folded before we had a chance to release our album and the other – an American company – went under before we finalised a deal. With the latter we were fully committed to moving to America for three years to get the project off the ground – but I guess it was better it folded before we went to the States rather than during!
As a session player, I was fortunate to perform with chart-topping artists such as Phil Collins, Lulu and Peter Andre. I appeared on Top of the Pops and other TV music shows and toured with well-known musicians and played at festivals, so I did get a taste of what that world is like. It was an amazing experience and fantastic to meet lots of famous and interesting people.
Playing with David Gedge (who is best known as the singer/songwriter and guitarist for The Wedding Present) and his band Cinerama, was a highlight, especially when supporting The Beautiful South on their European tour and playing at John Peel’s 60th birthday.
Who are your favourite music artists?
Quite an eclectic mix really. As a teenager, I was a massive Cure fan, along with Sisters of Mercy, The Mission and The Damned – which resonated with my angsty teenage years. Later, I appreciated songsmiths like Karl Wallander of World Party, Neil Finn from Crowded House and Mike Scott from the Waterboys – his music is so clever.
Does music still play a part in your life?
A very timely question. My son’s prep school (The Pilgrims’ School) is very musical and when he was there, I was persuaded to join a parents’ band. Initially, I resisted as I hadn’t played since 2007/8, but I’m so glad I changed my mind. It’s still going now even though he left the school a couple of years ago. We do covers but it’s a rule that we never try to perform songs like the original version – too embarrassing otherwise!
How did you transition from being a session player to founding an ethical decorating business?
Between the music work, I did some work with Sarah Beeny’s redevelopment company and that led to other decorating gigs. Sounds a strange combination, but it worked really well for me as I could be on GMTV as a session player for someone like Geri Halliwell and then arrive at a building site ready to put in a full day’s work as a decorator.
My fellow musicians were jealous that I had another source of income, and the building site people were like, ‘Wow, we saw you on TV this morning!’. The flexibility was great. I could go on tour for three weeks and then come back and paint a house. I carried on like this for about 10 years.
At what point did you fully commit to making decorating a business and leave the music business behind?
It was after I thought we were going to sign the contract with the American record company. Luckily for me, my agent was continuing to find me work (including a brief stint playing with Travis) but it started to dawn on me that this wasn’t what I wanted any more, it didn’t fit in with my life. I had been married for a year, had a newborn, lived in a small flat and our financial stability could be better. I knew I was good at painting houses; it was providing a decent financial return – it seemed obvious what I should do.
Whilst painting our first-born’s nursery I decided to use environmentally friendly paints. But they weren’t great, so I created my own paint range and began London’s first eco-conscious decorating firm Paint the Town Green in 2007. The credit for coming up with the name must go to my wife! Giving the business a sustainable edge was the right thing to do but also gave us a USP as at that time the decorating industry was not renowned for its ethical approach.
Did you find it easy building up your client base?
It happened organically. I was already working with interior designers and builders so had learnt a lot and made good contacts. It was really a case of me acknowledging this would be my only focus and we now have commercial and residential arms of the business.
Do you still have your own sustainable paint brand?
A few years ago, when I was concentrating on growing the decorating side of the company, I was advised to stop as many large companies were following suit and creating their own sustainable brands. It was a difficult decision as decorators loved using it, plus we’d had lots of great press coverage about the paint and even launched a limited edition set of colours with designer Nicky Haslam.
But it was the right choice as it meant we focused on the ethical decorating USP of PTTG, which is doing well, and now some of the up-and-coming paint brands are keen to collaborate with us – which is much better than competing with them.
I understand you lecture at KLC School of Design.
Yes. I’ve been lecturing for about seven years and really enjoy it. I teach the students about what makes projects successful, bringing ideas to life and fostering collaboration between designers and contractors.
What’s been your favourite project to work on?
We do quite a lot of heritage and conservation work and I was delighted to be part of two notable projects that I feel showcased Paint the Town Green’s reputation as a quality company. The first was the refurbishment of the library at St Paul’s Cathedral and the second involved painting all the gates in Westminster Abbey in preparation for the Coronation.
During the Westminster Abbey project I even donned my overalls once more and worked alongside the team for a couple of days. It was just great to be part of it.
What advice do you wish you had been given when you were about to leave school?
Be curious and persistent; keep asking questions. If something interests you, pursue it, you might reach a point when you realise it isn’t for you, but at least you tried. Continuously look for ways to improve yourself; self-development and growth are key to your sense of purpose.
I’m doing something now that I only started with serious intent when I was in my mid-30s. I suppose I see it as a second career.
Lastly, do you have any favourite pastimes or traditions you enjoyed while at Radley?
I know I wasn’t the model student, but I loved my time at Radley. The JCR was one of my favourite places, not just for the alcohol but I had some great nights playing in a band called Henry’s Cat with my friends Henry Birts, Pete Greenslade and Luke Bitmead. We thought we were very cool!
I also loved rowing and I remember spending many happy hours fishing on the college pond, catching trout to cook for tea.
Take a look at Paint The Town Green’s website.
