‘A true original’: Music industry mourns ‘Dunedin sound’ pioneer

Martin Phillipps penned heavenly pop hits across a five-decade long career, while overcoming some of life’s hardships.

In a moving tribute, Crowded House singer Neil Finn wrote of Phillipps, “He was a good friend, wonderful musician and one of NZ’s greatest songwriters”. Phillipps’ musical journey with The Chills began in 1980, when he was just 17, quickly making a name for himself as a prolific songwriter. The song, which remained a live favourite through the decades, peaked at number 26 on the charts, despite almost no airplay from commercial radio.Credit:, which featured on the famed Dunedin Double recording. That EP cemented the band as one of the luminaries of the growing “Dunedin Sound” scene, which included likes of The Clean, The Verlaines, and Straitjacket Fits.

While mainstream success seemed destined for the band, years of touring, line-up changes, and what Phillipps dubbed the “curse of The Chills” took its toll., coupled with Phillipps’ growing addiction for alcohol and drugs meant the band was no longer in vogue in an era where grunge ruled.

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