Granite Island Discs: Jake Phillips

Interviews
Written By Tobias Handke
 

Jake Phillips, DJ (Dancespace) and Director of Operations, Crippen Place, tells all about his top tunes, album and Adelaide musical moments.

Image by Danny Howe

Featured
foo-fighters-banner.gif

What five songs would you take to a desert island?

1. Deetron – ‘Photon’

2. Mac Miller – ‘Objects in the Mirror’

3. Deadmau5 – ‘Coelacanth (1&2)’

4. Louie Vega & The Martinez Brothers – ‘Let It Go’

5. Roy Ayers – ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’

If you could only pick one, what would it be?

The impossible question! I’m going to pick someone who wasn’t in that ‘Top 5’. ‘St Germain’ by Rose Rouge. It’s off the Tourist album (also my favourite album) alongside Soul Central’s ‘Strings of Life’ (Danny Krivit Re-Edit) which solidified my music career in DJing.

What’s your favourite album?

I grew up listening to the St. Germain Tourist album riding in my parents’ car to and from school. The album kickstarted my love for Acid Jazz and repetitive house grooves. I was learning drums and used to play along [to] the entire album at a later stage. It was my go-to album… derived from my parents’ love of music.

What’s your favourite song by an SA artist/band?

There’s a lot of talented musicians across all genres in Adelaide, so it’s hard to pigeonhole. But I’ve got big love for Ollie English and his rustic, home-infused blues. ‘Holy Water’ and ‘How Many Times’ give me goosebumps, and his live shows, either acoustic or in band format, give me goosebumps regardless of how many times I’ve seen it.

Favourite music-related memory?

When it comes to playing my own shows, two stand out. Playing back-to-back with Skrillex in an intimate show at Rocket Bar. It was after Listen In, back in 2018. He’s an idol of mine [and] playing for over an hour was one of those ‘wow’ moments. Second to that – playing Stereosonic Stage 2 in front of around 8000 people between Galantis and Oliver Heldens in a 45-minute crossover. That was probably one of the biggest moments people-wise, and the most nervous I’ve ever been walking out in the middle of the day.

Keep up to date with everything Jake Phillips here.

Featured
Airling On Finding Her Way Back To Music
Airling On Finding Her Way Back To Music

After eight years away, Airling returns in 2026 with new EP, Retrieve. Talking over Zoom, Hannah Shepherd opens up about making music, the realities of touring and her career as a nurse.

Fletcher Kent On Being Open To the Light
Fletcher Kent On Being Open To the Light

With new music out in the world, Fletcher Kent spoke with The Note about living in New York, the biggest lesson he’s learned as a musician and becoming mates with Lewis Capaldi.

In the Green Room: Sacrificial Larynx
In the Green Room: Sacrificial Larynx

Punk rock trio Sacrificial Larynx – also one of the best band names ever - are gearing up for the release of its debut album Model Citizen. We chatted with the group about the record and upcoming launch show.

Touch Grass: New Zealand’s Mā Continues A Tradition Of Nature Storytelling Through Song At Womadelaide
Touch Grass: New Zealand’s Mā Continues A Tradition Of Nature Storytelling Through Song At Womadelaide

New Zealand-based Māori musician, artist and biodiversity ranger opens up about how her day job intersects with her music career.

The Horrors: ‘Atmosphere Is In The Spaces Between The Notes’
The Horrors: ‘Atmosphere Is In The Spaces Between The Notes’

The Horrors’ frontman Faris Badwan on “learning the value of space” within song arrangements, covering Bowie and unearthing vibraphone for “the next record”.

Beccy Cole Finds Strength Through the Pain on New Album ‘Through The Haze’
Beccy Cole Finds Strength Through the Pain on New Album ‘Through The Haze’

Australian country music star Beccy Cole is celebrating the release of her ninth studio album, Through The Haze. Chatting with The Note over Zoom, Cole opens up about the end of her marriage, the influence of therapy on her music and the impact her son, Ricky Albeck, had on the record.

Katy Steele Reimagines Her Musical Legacy
Katy Steele Reimagines Her Musical Legacy

After getting Little Birdy back together for an anniversary tour in 2025, singer-songwriter Katy Steele is heading out solo this year. With a new EP on the horizon, Steele opened up to The Note about her upcoming release, living in New York during her twenties and juggling motherhood with a music career.

Peach PRC: Porcelain Princess
Peach PRC: Porcelain Princess

Embracing change has been key to the Adelaide superstar’s anticipated debut album.

Battle Beast’s Marina La Torraca on Stepping Into a New Era Ahead of the Band’s First Australian Tour
Battle Beast’s Marina La Torraca on Stepping Into a New Era Ahead of the Band’s First Australian Tour

Battle Beast’s new vocalist Marina la Torraca talks about joining the band and touring Australia for the very first time

The World Is Not Ready for The Belair Lip Bombs
The World Is Not Ready for The Belair Lip Bombs

Hailing in over from Victoria, The Belair Lip Bombs are one of Australia’s most talked about young indie rock acts. Hot off the heels of their sophomore album Again, we chat to drummer Daniel Devlin about influences, standout supports and their upcoming Aus tour.

SNOUT: A Rock Opera for People Who Hate Musical Theatre
SNOUT: A Rock Opera for People Who Hate Musical Theatre

The Note got the chance to chat with Malcolm Sutton, the local creator behind the production, about the inspiration behind his new show, working in London’s West End and the issues with Australia’s art scene.

Nick Barker and the Reptiles: How an Old Cassette Sparked a Comeback
Nick Barker and the Reptiles: How an Old Cassette Sparked a Comeback

Over 30 years since their last release, Aussie icons The Necks return in 2026 with Loose Vol II. The Note spoke with frontman Nick Barker about the release and his thoughts on the impact of the digital world on music.

William Crighton on Capturing the Sound of the Land
William Crighton on Capturing the Sound of the Land

Ahead of the release of William Crighton’s fourth record, Colonial Drift, the singer-songwriter spoke with The Note about working with the late Rob Hirst, writing music with his wife Julieanne and his connection to Australia.

In the Green Room: Love is a Game: An Adele Song Cycle
In the Green Room: Love is a Game: An Adele Song Cycle

Selling out its inaugural run at the Fringe last year, the Adele-themed musical theatre show Love Is A Game returns. Producer Oliver John chats all things Adele and what to expect.

Granite Island Discs: Daniel Michael
Granite Island Discs: Daniel Michael

The Director of Gluttony Daniel Michael talks about his favourite albums, SA track and musical moments.

The Enduring Legacy of Arrested Development
The Enduring Legacy of Arrested Development

The Note spoke with Arrested Development founding member Speech about the band’s early success, their continued activism and what got the group back together after a four-year hiatus.

Alcides Neto On Finding Home Between Two Worlds
Alcides Neto On Finding Home Between Two Worlds

Melbourne-based Brazilian artist Alicides Neto has just released his introspective debut album, Amú. Ahead of his first appearance at WOMADelaide, Neto spoke with The Note about his childhood, immigrating to Australia and performing at WOMAD.

Hope, Healing and Heavy Riffs: Inside New Found Glory’s Most Uplifting Album in Years
Hope, Healing and Heavy Riffs: Inside New Found Glory’s Most Uplifting Album in Years

New Found Glory drummer Cyrus Bolooki discusses recording their new album Listen Up! while Chad Gilbert went through chemotherapy, honorary member Amy Shark and returning to Australia. 

Young Franco: It’s Franky Baby!
Young Franco: It’s Franky Baby!

Brisbane-based DJ Young Franco has transformed the act of bringing the party into a globe-trotting, award-nabbing career. Before his performance at Gluttony in the Adelaide Fringe, Young Franco swings by for a chat.

A Wilhelm Scream: Built by Hand, Fueled by Fire
A Wilhelm Scream: Built by Hand, Fueled by Fire

The Note had the amazingly good fortune of catching up with A Whilhelm Scream’s guitarist/co-lyricist/producer Trevor Reilly to discuss their new album, freezing film clips, their fiery upcoming Australian tour and so much more.

Kylie Auldist: Twenty Sixteen
Kylie Auldist: Twenty Sixteen

Ahead of her Adelaide Fringe debut at Gluttony’s Twenty Sixteen, Australian funk royalty Kylie Auldist steps into a milestone year. With new album Hybrid on the way, 2026 finds Auldist reflecting on legacy while embracing what’s next.

The Vision Behind Adelaide’s Newest Music Festival Tryp
The Vision Behind Adelaide’s Newest Music Festival Tryp

Adelaide Festival’s Contemporary Music Curator Thorsten Hertog discusses all things Tryp, the festival’s new eclectic music program taking place over the opening weekend.

Too Punk, Too Hardcore, Too Metal: Inside Converge’s Uncompromising New Era
Too Punk, Too Hardcore, Too Metal: Inside Converge’s Uncompromising New Era

Converge’s vocalist Jacob Bannon opened up to The Note about the band’s new album, Love Is Not Enough, how his life impacts his writing and writing with Chelsea Wolfe.

Ball Park Music: Exactly How They Are
Ball Park Music: Exactly How They Are

Whether 2011’s ‘It’s Nice to Be Alive’ was the track that first had you wrapped up in the wonderful world of Ball Park Music, or it was 2025’s ‘Please Don’t Move To Melbourne’ that first exposed you to the joys of the Brisbane based 5-piece, it’s undeniable that after 18 years, the band’s grasp on the Australian public has not dwindled – but sparked up.

Loose Content: From Byron Bay Bedrooms to Melbourne Stages
Loose Content: From Byron Bay Bedrooms to Melbourne Stages

Currently on tour with Radium Dolls, The Note was lucky enough to get some time with the band before they hit the road, with Loose Content opening up about their upcoming new EP, moving interstate and the story behind their latest single  ‘Big Bright Burning Sun’.

In the Green Room: Even Hannah
In the Green Room: Even Hannah

Surf-rock quartet Even Hannah have burst out of the gates since their 2025 debut. Following their sold-out single launch, we chat to the band about their latest track, upcoming EP and set at Local Noise Fest.

Cavetown: Running With Scissors
Cavetown: Running With Scissors

UK indie-pop singer-songwriter Cavetown has built a global following on tender, introspective songwriting. Ahead of their debut performance in Adelaide at Laneway, they open up about dissociation, songwriting and growing up through their brand-new album Running With Scissors.

Witiyana Marika on Yothu Yindi, ‘Treaty’ and the Power of Unity
Witiyana Marika on Yothu Yindi, ‘Treaty’ and the Power of Unity

Returning to perform at WOMADelaide for the first time since 1993, Yothu Yindi’s Witiyana Marika spoke with The Note about the band’s iconic song ‘Treaty’, working with Baker Boy and “blowing the roof off” the Bondi Pavilion.

Keeping the Music Going: Christone Ingram on the Meaning of Blues
Keeping the Music Going: Christone Ingram on the Meaning of Blues

Back by popular demand following a sold-out 2025 tour, Grammy-winning blues guitar sensation Christone “Kingfish” Ingram spoke with The Note about his early years as a musician, contributing to the soundtrack for the film Sinners and running his own label.

We Came As Romans Look To Break Adelaide Curse After Attempted Robbery
We Came As Romans Look To Break Adelaide Curse After Attempted Robbery

We Came As Romans return on their Because We're Doomed tour this February. The Note spoke with Andrew Glass, bassist and songwriter, about getting robbed in Adelaide, rewriting their album twice from scratch and why death is just as important as birth.

 
Tobias Handke
Previous

Teenage Joans, Tour De Force
Next

Make Way for Mallrat