Phildel

Phildel is a singer-songwriter from Kensington. Her name combines her parents’ names, Philip and Della. Her father is Hong Kong Chinese and her mother is Irish.

She begins composing at school, spending lunchtimes at the piano with supportive music teachers while continuing to write and perform her own pieces. She leaves home at 17 and starts building home demos on a second-hand computer with music software. These early recordings attract the attention of Roger Watson, formerly managing director of Chrysalis, and lead to further work with Spike MaClaren at Massive Attack’s studio and with Sam Dixon, who also works with artists including KT Tunstall and on Duffy’s Rockferry album.

Her music is used in a major UK advertising campaign in 2007 and in two film campaigns in France in 2008 and 2009. In December 2008 she becomes a Warner Chappell Music Publishing artist, alongside acts including Radiohead and Goldfrapp. She also works at Metropolis Recording Studio on a neo-classical album, followed by her artist album.

Her background shapes a difficult childhood: her parents divorce when she is eight, her mother marries a religious fundamentalist, and her name, religion, lifestyle and clothing are changed by force. Music is forbidden in the household, and she is treated as a servant for the next decade before leaving home.