Fans of the late, great Martin Phillipps can watch a documentary about The Chills for free for the rest of the week.
Phillipps unexpectedly passed away at the age of 61 last weekend, with the band confirming the news on social media.
“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 said.
In tribute to the musician, DocPlay has made the 2019 film The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps free to watch until August 5th.
“Martin Phillipps came tantalisingly close to conquering the international musical world with his band The Chills, but instead fell into decades of debt and addiction in his hometown of Dunedin, New Zealand. At 54, he’s been given a dire medical prognosis, forcing him to face his demons and realise his musical ambitions before it’s too late,” the documentary’s description reads.
Check out the film, directed by Julia Parnell, here.
The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps received positive reviews upon its release.
“If you’ve not yet had the distinctive pleasure of hearing his band, the triumph and tragedy of Phillipps’ story will make you one for life,” praised The Guardian in a five-star review.
Parnell’s Chills is a respectful and insightful trip through life in the underfunded, underground New Zealand music scene,” wrote Stuff.
Tributes to Phillipps have been pouring in from every corner of the music world since Sunday.
“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.
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.”
“I am heartbroken,” wrote Tami Neilson on X/Twitter. “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.”
