We Speak Music
Hollyoaks star Paul Danan directs ‘Follow’ video for Bristol hip hop artist Phil Mac

In the heart of Bristol’s vibrant music scene emerges Phil Mac, an artist whose journey from adversity to triumph encapsulates the spirit of the city’s influence on hip hop, trip hop, and drum ‘n’ bass. Raised amid the creative tapestry of Bristol, Phil found solace in the spoken word, realizing his talent for rhyming.
However, challenges with alcohol and drugs cast a shadow over Phil’s aspirations until a fateful encounter with a friend changed everything. Sponsored by a mentor, who happened to be Hollyoaks star Paul Danan, Phil found himself in a dry house, navigating the path to recovery alongside Paul, who was two years sober at the time.
What started as a shared love for rap music evolved into a unique friendship and partnership. Over daily coffee conversations, Paul playfully proposed managing Phil, setting the stage for a transformative collaboration.
Phil’s turning point came when he played ‘Follow,’ a track that left Paul astounded. The offer was laid on the table: Paul would manage Phil, secure a record deal, and even direct a music video. With a handshake and the playful exchange of “Twenty percent,” the deal was sealed.
As the duo embarked on their creative journey, an unexpected opportunity arose. Paul, approached by a filmmaker from the Bristol Film Institute, proposed a deal: an interview about his life in exchange for a music video shoot for ‘Follow,’ directed by Paul himself. The stars aligned, and the deal was struck.
However, just weeks before the shoot, a setback threatened to derail everything. Phil, facing the challenge of maintaining sobriety, found himself in a precarious situation. Paul, demonstrating the strength of true friendship, offered tough love and a lifeline, urging Phil to get sober within a week if he wanted to seize the opportunity.
Phil rose to the occasion, achieving sobriety and fulfilling the promise of ‘Follow.’ Today, Phil has a record deal and a music video, a testament to the unwavering support of a friend and mentor. ‘Follow’ is more than a track; it’s the chronicle of resilience, friendship, and the triumph of the human spirit. Phil Mac’s journey is a testament to the power of music to heal and inspire.
‘Follow’ is released through Stray Cat Records on December 1st 2023.

We Speak Music
Suki Summer’s ‘LOVESICK AND SICK OF LOVE’ is a Cinematic Coming-of-Age Masterpiece

Indie-pop newcomer Suki Summer may be a fresh face, but her new EP, LOVESICK AND SICK OF LOVE, proves she’s got a veteran’s soul. Across six emotionally layered tracks, Suki unveils her most intimate and refined work yet—a sonic diary chronicling the highs and heartbreaks of modern love. With dreamy production and searing lyrics, this EP doesn’t just whisper its pain; it commands attention.
From the sugar-rush romance of “Summer Crush” to the tear-stained farewell in “outro (it’s nvr bye it’s jus c ya l8r),” Suki crafts a narrative that feels both personal and cinematic. Every track is a chapter in the emotional evolution of a young woman learning to love, lose, and find herself again. Her vocals shimmer with a quiet confidence, often drenched in nostalgia yet pulsing with clarity.
The title track, “LOVESICK AND SICK OF LOVE,” marks a pivotal moment in the EP—a bold declaration of emotional exhaustion with dating culture. “It’s about the burnout of constantly opening yourself up just to be misunderstood or ghosted,” Suki explains. The raw honesty hits hard, resonating with anyone who’s swiped, waited, and walked away empty.
What elevates Suki’s debut is her ability to balance soft melancholy with sharp insight. Fans of Clairo, Gracie Abrams, and Mazzy Star will feel right at home, yet Suki’s poetic edge and immersive production carve a new lane entirely. Each song feels like a vignette from a beautifully tragic indie film.
With LOVESICK AND SICK OF LOVE, Suki Summer doesn’t just join the indie-pop conversation—she shifts it. Vulnerable, nuanced, and breathtakingly real, this EP signals the arrival of a bold new voice ready to reshape the genre from the inside out.
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