Phil K

{{Short description|Australian DJ (1969–2020)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}} {{Use Australian English|date=July 2017}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = Phil K | image = Phil K.jpg | caption = | image_size = | background = non_vocal_instrumentalist | birth_name = Phillip Krokidis | birth_date = {{birth date |df=yes|1969|05|06}} | death_date = {{death date and age|2020|11|01|1969|05|07|df=yes}} | origin = Melbourne, Australia | instrument = | genre = Breakbeat | occupation = DJ, producer | years_active = | label = | associated_acts = The Operators, Lostep, Hi-Fi Bugs | website = [http://www.philk.dj/ philk.dj] | current_members = | past_members = }}

'''Phillip Krokidis''' (6 May 1969 – 1 November 2020), known professionally as '''Phil K''', was an Australian electronic music DJ and record producer from Melbourne. He was a member of the "Aussie breaks" music scene which also includes other Melbourne DJs such as Nubreed and Andy Page.<ref name="djmag">{{cite news |url=http://www.philk.dj/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=6 |accessdate=2007-07-24 |date=2005-03-01 |work=DJMag |title=SPECIAL K: AUSSIE BREAKS JOCKS AND DJMAG FAVE PHIL K |last=Irwin |first=Tim |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819094358/http://www.philk.dj/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=6 |archive-date=19 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition to DJing, Phil K also produced alongside Habersham and Dave Preston in The Operators and was also a member of Hi-Fi Bugs and Lostep. He was known primarily for his DJing of breakbeat music, but often weaved in other genres such as ambient, deep house, and techno and did not pigeonhole himself with a particular genre.<ref name="365-int">{{cite web |url=http://www.365mag.com/index.php?pg=spec&recnum=7&Title=365+Interview%3A+Phil+K.+on+365MAG+International+Music+Magazine |work=365mag |title=365 INTERVIEW: PHIL K |date=2005-05-01 |accessdate=2007-07-24 |last=Pandzic |first=Tom |archive-date=27 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225819/http://www.365mag.com/index.php?pg=spec&recnum=7&Title=365+Interview:+Phil+K.+on+365MAG+International+Music+Magazine |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="amg-y4k">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r727900/review|pure_url=yes}} |last = Anderson |first = Rick |work=Allmusic |title=Y4K >> Review |accessdate=2007-07-24}}</ref>

==Biography== Phil K started DJing in 1985, performing at his school's disco.<ref name="djmag"/> He soon started working for a disco hire company setting up sound systems at venues.<ref name="365-int"/> In the 1990s, Phil K worked for DMC, a seller of DJ gear and records.<ref name="12am">{{cite web|url=http://www.12am.com.au/?id=461 |last= Cato |first= Andre |date= 2003-07-20 |accessdate= 2007-07-24 |work= 12am.co.au |title= Mixing Music Media - Phil K}}</ref><ref name="Perth Events">{{cite web | url = http://www.teknoscape.com.au/eventguide/13663/Dim_Sum_Presents_Hawaii_5.0_Boat_Party_.html | title = Perth Event Listings | work = Teknoscape | accessdate = 27 June 2017 | url-status = bot: unknown | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20110104065700/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/80550/20110104-1757/www.teknoscape.com.au/eventguide/13663/Dim_Sum_Presents_Hawaii_5.0_Boat_Party_.html | archivedate = 4 January 2011 | df = dmy-all }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In 1996, Phil K released his first record, "Summer Breeze", as the Free Radicals with Andy Page and Ivan Gough. He co-founded a new label, Zero Tolerance Records, in 1998 with Page to release material by their duo, Hi-Fi Bugs.<ref name="Perth Events"/> Now defunct, ZTR released electronic music from 1998 to 2004, releasing singles by artists such as Ivan Gough, Luke Chable, Hi-Fi Bugs, Andy Page and Gab Olivier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://junkee.com/inthemix-goodbye/179992|title=A Farewell From inthemix: Thanks For All The Memories|date=31 October 2018|website=Junkee.com|accessdate=26 August 2020}}</ref>

In 2000, Phil K created his first commercial mix album for Global Recordings. The album won him the "Best Dance Compilation" award at the Dance Music Awards in 2001. His Kiss 100 "Friday Tapes" garnered him the award for "Best Radio Show".<ref name="dma">{{cite web|url= http://www.threedworld.com.au/content/view/2088/116/ |title=Dance Music Awards: History |accessdate=2007-07-24 |publisher = Dance Music Awards |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070316054824/http://www.threedworld.com.au/content/view/2088/116/  |archivedate = 2007-03-16}}</ref> Phil K started working with fellow Australian Luke Chable and the two released "The Roots" on Boxed in 2002.<ref name="lostep">{{cite web |url=http://lostep.co.uk/?page_id=2 |title=About at Lostep |accessdate=2007-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927205906/http://lostep.co.uk/?page_id=2 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After sending Sasha a demo of their next track, "Burma", he included it on the album ''Involver'' and the track was subsequently also released by GU Music.<ref name="lostep"/> He also signed onto EQ/Stomp to mix the fourth entry in the ''Balance'' series. ''Balance 004'' is a two disc release consisting of a "Breaks Mix" and a "House Mix"<ref name="ra-balance">{{cite web|url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=615 |work=Resident Advisor |last = Y |first = Robbie |date=2002-10-17 |accessdate=2007-07-24 |title=RA: Phil K - Balance 004 - Album Review }}</ref> and won Phil K the 2003 DMA award for "Best Mix CD".<ref name="dma"/>

In 2005, Distinct'ive Breaks Records released Phil K's entry in the Y4k series and features a combination of melodic breaks, bassy techno and glitchy electro.<ref name="djmag"/> The mix album featured "Cloudbrake", a "tech-edged" bass driven breakbeat track written by Phil K and Habersham.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.progressive-sounds.com/Music-Reviews/Phil-K-&-Habersham-Cloudbrake.asp|title = Music Reviews: Phil-K & Habersham "Cloudbrake" |accessdate=2007-07-24 |date=2005-02-03 |last = Jones |first = Simon |work=Progressive-Sounds}}</ref> In 2006, Phil K and Chable as Lostep released ''Because We Can''.<ref name="ps-lostep">{{cite web|url=http://www.progressive-sounds.com/Music-Reviews/Lostep-Because-We-Can-(Album).asp |title=Music Reviews: Lostep "Because We Can" |last = Calvert |first = Jason |date=2006-04-11 |accessdate=2007-07-24 |work=Progressive-Sounds}}</ref> The album combines emotive breakbeats and dirty electro rhythms with strange synths and samples.<ref name="bf-because">{{cite web |url=http://www.beatfactor.net/reviews/612/ |title=Review: Lostep - Because We Can |last=Rusu |first=Dragos |date=2006-03-14 |accessdate=2007-07-24 |work=Beat Factor |archive-date=2 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202185756/http://www.beatfactor.net/reviews/612/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ra-because">{{cite web| url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=3667 |work=Resident Advisor |accessdate=2007-07-24 |date=2006-04-25 |last = Goodwin |first = Oliver |title=RA: Lostep - Because We Can - Album Review}}</ref>

On 1 November 2020, Phil K died of prostate cancer, aged 51.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/melbourne-dj-phil-k-has-died-following-a-battle-with-prostate-cancer-2806875 |title=Melbourne DJ Phil K has died following a battle with prostate cancer|website=NME|access-date=2 November 2020}}</ref>

==Technology== With Pioneer, Phil K developed a prototype for the DVJ-X1, the first visual and audio live mixer.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.philk.dj/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/p28.pdf |date=2005-03-15 |title=Phil K: Interview |accessdate=2007-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903105402/http://www.philk.dj/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/p28.pdf |archive-date=3 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Unlike some other DJs, Phil K did not hold vinyl "sacred" and enjoyed using newer digital technologies due to their flexibility.<ref name="ps-lostep-int">{{cite web|url=http://www.progressive-sounds.com/artists/Lostep/Lostep-interview-5-2006.asp |title= Lostep interview 5 2006 |date=2006-05-01 |accessdate=2007-07-24 |work=Progressive Sounds}}</ref>

==Selected discography== ;Singles *1996: Free Radicals - "Summer Breeze" (DanceNET) *2000: Hi-Fi Bugs - "Lydian & The Dinosaur" (Zero Tolerance Records) *2002: "Bushpig" (Super Charged) *2002: Lostep - "The Roots" (Boxed) *2004: Lostep - "Burma" (GU Music) *2004: The Operators - "Furball" (Lobotomy Records) *2005: "Cloudbrake" with Habersham (Audio Therapy) *2005: "They Just Won't Let Me Be" (Institution Recordings)

;Albums *2000: ''Sound Not Scene'' (Global Recordings) *2002: ''Balance 004: Phil K'' (EQ/Stomp) *2003: ''Retro>Future'' (Functional Breaks) *2004: ''Renaissance Presents The Therapy Sessions: Dave Seaman & Phil K'' (Renaissance) *2005: ''Phil K Presents: Y4K'' (Distinct'ive Breaks Records) *2006: Lostep - ''Because We Can'' (GU Music) *2007: ''Hi Fi'' (Central Station)

;Remixes *Shpongle - "Dorset Perception" (Lostep's Balearic Breaks Re-Edit)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060424073136/http://www.philk.dj/ Official website] *[http://howtodj.djdownload.com/ How to DJ with Phil K, Sarah Main & James Zabiela] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060828130745/http://www.residentadvisor.net/label_view.asp?id=2 Resident Advisor page] *{{Discogs artist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Phil K}} Category:DJs from Melbourne Category:Australian club DJs Category:Australian remixers Category:Australian record labels Category:Record labels established in 1998 Category:Record labels disestablished in 2004 Category:Electronic music record labels Category:1969 births Category:2020 deaths Category:Deaths from prostate cancer in Victoria (state)