His Spotify profiles have been reviewed by Electronic Sound Magazine, while BBC Sounds describes his music as ’enjoyable’
Within the insurance industry, people will know David Phillips as NFU Mutual’s claims validation technical manager and chair of the General Insurance Fraud Committee.
However, away from the sector, he is known by various names, such as Dá Påph and 2p Soldiers.
These are musical personas created by Phillips, with him being an independent artist who writes, records and produces electronic or cinematic feeling music in his spare time.
Phillips got into music in 2013 and finds creating soundtracks an enjoyable thing to do after work to “switch off”.
And he decided to do more of what he loves during the Covid-19 pandemic, with him finding that lockdowns were leading to more music enthusaists coming across his compositions.
During this time, he featured on a radio programme called Listen to This, which gave more exposure to his music, while a local radio station also agreed to a play a few of his tracks.
His Spotify profiles have also been reviewed by Electronic Sound Magazine, while BBC Sounds described his music as “very ambient and enjoyable”.
60 seconds with David Phillips
So, how did all this start? Well, in 2013, after completing a Masters in Fraud Management, Phillps realised that he needed something to pass the days.
He told Insurance Times: “I got some music equipment and started writing music again on the synthesiser. I found some sites where they would release it, I did all my own artwork.
“I released a few tracks, quite enjoyed it and got a bit of feedback. I did an album called White Painted Piano and that was the one that got all the attention for 2p Soldiers – it was a totally eclectic mix.”
Phillips later sold his synthesiser as it was “big and bulky” and invested in some music software to recreate these sounds.
Speaking about his various musical personas, he said: “I use one called 2p Soldiers. My mum used to buy me soldiers in little packets and they cost two pence, so that’s where that came from. [This music] is more electronic, some say it’s a bit like New Order [music].”
His other persona, known as Dá Påph, is a name Phillips himself concocted – the type of music he produces under this name is more progressive sounding music.
An 80’s child
Phillips’ love for music came from playing the piano when he was a child, explaining that he got into the instrument because of his Father, who was deaf.
“One day he bought a piano, a full-blown real piano and he used to play it because he enjoyed it,” Phillips said.
“A lot of deaf people out there who can hear music like [it]. It was his way of unwinding.
“Unfortunately, he died when I was quite young, so I don’t know if he had music in his family.”
And with him growing up in the 80’s with bands like Depeche Mode and the Human League, Phillips also took to the sound of the synthesiser.
He said: “I suppose, in terms of musical taste, I am an 80s kid, but I like ambient electronic chilled music also. I am a big fan of the piano, so I like [composer] Erik Satie. I think neo-classical is the term used.”
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