Grant-Lee Phillips - Topic

This year, Grant-Lee Phillips will release his 12th solo album, the self-produced In the Hour of Dust. It’s a work that doesn’t shy away from the big themes of contemporary life. “The mood on this album is contemplative,” says Phillips, “trying to find meaning in an age of confusion, feeling your way through the blinding dust of unreality.” The album is intimate in both sound and content, with personal, often autobiographical lyrics set, he notes, “against this larger discordant backdrop.” Phillips first gained recognition as the frontman of Grant Lee Buffalo, whose 1993 debut Fuzzy and the follow-up Mighty Joe Moon earned international acclaim with tracks like “Mockingbirds.” His solo career began in 2000 with Ladies’ Love Oracle, marking a shift toward folk and Americana-infused storytelling rich with humanity and detail. That same year, Phillips joined the cast of Gilmore Girls as the beloved “Town Troubadour,” introducing his music to a new generation. He remains a dedicated live performer, touring across the U.S. and internationally. With In the Hour of Dust arriving in September 2025, tour dates are planned for the U.S., UK, Europe, and beyond. “I don’t see songs of love and songs of protest as being so far apart,” says Phillips. “It’s all about recognizing the value of connection in a disconnected time.”