The music world is reacting to the unexpected passing of The Chills frontman Martin Phillipps.
The band took to social media to announce the news of Phillipps’ death on Sunday night.
“It is with broken hearts the family and friends of Martin Phillipps wish to advise Martin has died unexpectedly. The family ask for privacy at this time. Funeral arrangements will be advised in due course,” the statement read.
Phillipps was the primary driving force behind The Chills, who formed in 1980 and went on to become one of the most acclaimed Aotearoa bands of all time.
Mainly known for jangle-pop but equally adept at crossing into other genres, The Chills built up a global following thanks to sublime hits like “Pink Frost”, “Heavenly Pop Hit”, and “I Love My Leather Jacket”.
Tributes have quickly started pouring in for Phillipps.
In the comments section on The Chills’ post, Mary Lattimore wrote, “I’m so sorry,” with Jess Cornelius commenting, “‘Pink Frost’ left an indelible mark… Thank you Martin.”
“So sorry to hear of the passing of the wildly and beautifully talented Martin Phillipps of The Chills. I got to spend a little time with him a few years ago thanks to Karen Glauber, and he was one of the sweetest and kindest people I had ever met, an absolute diamond. Deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Thank you for the heavenly pop,” wrote Nada Surf vocalist Matthew Caws in an Instagram post.
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Phillipps’ old label Flying Nun shared a message on social media, writing that “Martin and his band, The Chills, were an integral part of the 1980s Dunedin scene and of the bigger Flying Nun Records family.”
“Martin was a single-minded talent who took all components of a musical career seriously: songwriting, performance and in the studio. Demanding of perfection in others and himself, songs such as ‘Rolling Moon’, ‘Pink Frost’, ‘I Love My Leather Jacket’, and ‘Heavenly Pop Hit’ were increasingly commercially successful and helped define the best of New Zealand music in the 1980s.
“This last song and its album, Submarine Bells, almost broke the band internationally. After a pause, he then pulled himself up to reinvigorate The Chills and his career in the mid 2010s. With a stable unchanging band lineup Martin once again was producing fine new albums and undertaking extensive New Zealand and international tours. Gone too soon, he will be greatly missed,” Flying Nun’s message read.
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On X/Twitter, Matthew Goody, author of Needles & Plastic: Flying Nun Records, 1981-1988, praised Phillipps as “an immensely talented songwriter.”
“He had a determination and will to share his music with the world that was unmatched in Dunedin. No matter the obstacle faced he kept going so he could make music. We’re all the better for it,” Goody added.
What sad news about Martin Phillipps’ passing. An immensely talented songwriter, he had a determination and will to share his music with the world that was unmatched in Dunedin. No matter the obstacle faced he kept going so he could make music. We’re all the better for it.
— Matthew Goody (@m_c_goody) July 28, 2024
Another music writer, Michael Azerrad (Our Band Could Be Your Life), noted that Phillipps “wasn’t just a gifted songwriter and musician, he was a big music fan: he was One of Us. He knew the rush we get from hearing a favourite song.”
One of the endearing things about the late Martin Phillipps was that he wasn't just a gifted songwriter and musician, he was a big music fan: he was One of Us. He knew the rush we get from hearing a favorite song. In fact, he named his band after that feeling: the Chills. RIP.
— Michael Azerrad (@michaelazerrad) July 28, 2024
Glenn Donaldson of San Franciso indie-pop band The Reds, Pinks & Purples wrote: “His [Phillipps] music meany so much to me. I don’t often use the term musical genius, but he was one.”
RIP Martin Phillipps, his music meant so much to me. I don’t often use the term musical genius, but he was one.
— The Reds, Pinks & Purples (@GlennDonaldson) July 28, 2024
In their own tweet, 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards winner Amamelia highlighted the impact The Chills’ music had on them growing up, hailing Phillipps as a “guitar legend.”
The chills were such a huge band to me growing up RIP Martin Phillipps, guitar legend, strange geniushttps://t.co/CoqDKiKekL
— amelia synthesizer (@Mealy_Worm) July 28, 2024
“I am heartbroken,” wrote Tami Neilson. “Darling man, I will miss your beautiful words of encouragement, your rich knowledge and love of music and the sweet messages you would send me, each one a gift. How lucky we are to have known you.”
I am heartbroken 💔
Darling man, I will miss your beautiful words of encouragement, your rich knowledge and love of music and the sweet messages you would send me, each one a gift.
How lucky we are to have known you @TheChills 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/NbRMJWZBWo— Tami Neilson (@tamineilson) July 28, 2024
The Go-Betweens member Lindy Morrison, meanwhile, simply tweeted: “Martin Phillipps RIP.”
Martin Phillipps RIP.
— Lindy Morrison (@Lindymorrison8) July 28, 2024
Outside of music, celebrated Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin shared a picture of himself with Phillipps, writing: “And another one gone…Martin Phillipps. RIP.”
And another one gone. 2017 in a rainy Auckland, hanging out with The Chills’ Martin Phillipps. RIP… pic.twitter.com/Jz0HK3F2NS
— Ian Rankin (@Beathhigh) July 28, 2024
