Phosphorescent

Phosphorescent is the recording project of US singer-songwriter Matthew Houck, who is born in Alabama and begins releasing music under the name in 2001 in Athens, Georgia. The act is based in Nashville, Tennessee and remains active as a solo project centred on Houck.

Early work and name changes

Before adopting the Phosphorescent name, Houck performs and travels as Fillup Shack. Under that earlier name, he self-releases a limited pressing of Hipolit in 2000. In 2001 he changes the recording name to Phosphorescent and continues the project from Athens.

Albums and EPs

Phosphorescent releases the full-length album A Hundred Times or More in 2003, with Fillup Shack credited in the liner notes for the drum recordings. The following year Houck issues the EP The Weight of Flight. The project gains wider critical attention with Aw Come Aw Wry in 2005 and Pride in 2007. Later releases include To Willie in 2009, Here's to Taking It Easy in 2010 and Muchacho in 2013.

Style and recognition

Phosphorescent is associated with folk rock and indie rock, and is also tagged as folk, singer-songwriter, indie, lo-fi and freak folk. Pride receives an 8.0 rating from Pitchfork Media and is named the 12th best album of 2007 by Stylus Magazine. To Willie is a tribute album to Willie Nelson, inspired by Nelson's own tribute record To Lefty From Willie.