Philip Sayce

Philip Sayce is a Welsh-born American and Canadian guitarist, singer, songwriter, performer, and producer.

Philip Sayce began playing in Toronto clubs at the age of 16 and quickly became a regular fixture on Toronto's bar-scene. Sayce joined Jeff Healey's band in 1997 and toured with him for years. Sayce later moved to Los Angeles to expand and landed a gig with Uncle Kracker, which whom he toured for 18 months and appeared on the album "No Stranger To Shame". In 2004, Sayce joined Melissa Etheridge and her band for her Lucky Tour. He appeared on a number of her albums and on stage with Etheridge at the 2007 Academy Awards. He also appeared at the 2005 Grammy Awards as part of a tribute to Janis Joplin and at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Sayce released his album Peace Machine in 2009 followed by Innerevolution in 2010. The same year, Sayce supported ZZ Top in Europe and Deep Purple in France. Sayce released the albums Ruby Electric in 2011 and Steamroller in 2012. He made his major label album debut in 2015 with the release of Influence, and scored a top 20 hit at rock radio in Canada with his rendition of "I'd Love To Change the World".

He performed at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 in New York City at Madison Square Garden, and was highlighted among the top performances of the festival by Premier Guitar.

Sayce signed with Warner Music Canada in 2015 after Warner VP Steve Waxman discovered Sayce's music while streaming tunes on Spotify. Sayce made his major label album debut on April 7, 2015, with the release of Influence, and scored a top 20 hit at rock radio in Canada with his rendition of Ten Years After's, "I'd Love To Change the World". Sayce toured in support of Influence in 2015, with performances at the Fuji Rock Festival, Montreal International Jazz Festival, and Ottawa Bluesfest.

Scorched Earth, a live EP recorded at The Silver Dollar Room in Toronto, Canada was released via Warner Music Canada in 2016.

Sayce released his album Spirit Rising in 2020 with Warner Music Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it quickly became his most popular release to date receiving millions of streams of songs such as Burning Out, Spirit, and Black Roller Coming. The entire album is dedicated to Sayce's father, who is instrumental in Philip's love of music.

In August 2021, Sayce shared social media posts from the studio in Los Angeles where he is recording his follow-up to Spirit Rising.

Discography As leader Philip Sayce Group (1997) Hypnotic Records/MCA Records Canada; reissued on True North Records (Canada) Peace Machine (2005/2009) Provogue Records Silver Wheel of Stars EP (2007) Silver Wheel of Stars (2007) Innerevolution (2010) Provogue Ruby Electric (2011) Provogue Steamroller (2012) Provogue Influence (2014) Warner Music Canada Scorched Earth: Volume 1 [live at the Silver Dollar Room, Toronto, April 14, 2016] (2016) Warner Music Canada Woodstock (As seen on the album: Covered in Gold: 5.0, Side A) (2017) Warner Music Canada Spirit Rising (2020) Warner Music Canada The Wolves Are Coming(2024) Forty Below Records Hole In Your Soul (2024) Forty Below Records Peace Machine (Live in L.A. at The Baked Potato) (2025) Atomic Gemini Chevrolet (2025) Atomic Gemini

As sideman Jeff Healey Band Get Me Some (2000) Uncle Kracker No Stranger To Shame (2002) Melissa Etheridge Lucky Live CD & DVD (2004) Melissa Etheridge/Joss Stone "Cry Baby/Piece of My Heart" (2005) Grammy Awards Performance Melissa Etheridge The Road Less Traveled (2005) Jimmy Barnes Double Happiness (2005) Jeff Healey Band Live at Montreux (2005) Melissa Etheridge I Need To Wake Up (2006) Academy Award-winning song Gentlemen's Blues Club White Room - Feat. Philip Sayce - Sonic Assault Mix (2006) Melissa Etheridge The Awakening (2007) Melissa Etheridge The Awakening Live DVD (2008) Melissa Etheridge A New Thought For Christmas (2008) Lily Wilson The Right Time (2008) Fred Mandel Slipping (2024) Bernie Barlow Million Miles An Hour (2025) Bernie Barlow Stand In My Way (2025) NINJA TRACKS Come Together (2025)

Equipment

Philip's favorite instrument is a white 1963 Fender Stratocaster named "Mother". He also owns another vintage Stratocaster in a sunburst finish as well as various other vintage instruments.

For amplifiers, Sayce has used a vintage Fender Super Reverb, which he called "my favourite amp", for much of his live work as well as some custom made amplifiers. The Diaz Texas Square Face and Diaz Texas Ranger, other effects include a TS808 tube screamer, univibe and a Clyde McCoy Wah. Philip has worked with Cesar Diaz, Tommy Cougar, and Alexander Dumble to help shape his sound and tone.