KingRhythm (aka Phil King)

KingRhythm (aka Phil King) presents his unique style of playing a Djembe, bringing passion, energy & spirit to his performance & to the hearts of the listeners.
Playing professionally for many years, Phil's range of rhythm will captivate everyone that has a heartbeat...but he always did like a 'live' audience!!

Audiences on the Central Coast have been experiencing Phil’s drumming & rhythms regularly over the past few years whilst playing with some of the Coast’s more innovative musicians.

Phil has played a number of major Blues & Music Festivals, sharing the stage with the likes of Chris Wilson, Matt Corcoran, Pete Cornelius, Phil Emmanuel & Phil Manning. Over the past 18 months he has also supported Richard Clapton, Jimmy Barnes, Diesel & IOTA, capturing the attention of audiences with the spirit of his drum.

“People at my gigs are so enthusiastic about what I do. They regularly tell me how the drums & my rhythms make them feel, moving them in ways they’ve never experienced before. That feedback is very special, & it’s a big reason why I keep doing what I do.”

A few years ago Phil discovered an African drum called a Djembe (pronounced Gem-Bay) and quickly learned that it was perfect for playing along to modern music, making it sound like a full drumkit. “It meant I could play along to all my favourite bands and all my favourite songs, and gave me the opportunity to actually make music with other musicians. It was a real breakthrough!”

Now Phil spends his time playing and performing with musicians from all over the country, receiving invitations to do what he does at a variety of events across Australia. He recently played at Coastfest, the Central Coast’s own music and community festival held at Gosford, where he delighted fans of all ages with his own brand of rock, rhythm and blues drumming.

One of the bands Phil performs with is local sensation Dr. Goodvibe, who recently took out the “Best Blues and Roots Song” in the 2005 ABC Newcastle Music Awards. They approached Phil to join them after hearing him play at a local function, and the resulting collaboration is sheer magic, making the band a real standout at this years’ Coastfest.

Phil has recently been working with Ron Sinclair in a popular duo, playing favourite songs from the sixties through to today’s hits. This project has gained many fans, and led to the duo playing lots of parties, family functions and even weddings, all to great reviews.

Phil has also begun working with Alexandra from The Desert Flame School of Belly Dance and does regular performances at a variety of social events around the Central Coast. These performances are energetic and very powerful, with lots of colourful dance and Middle Eastern drum rhythms, creating a wonderful atmosphere wherever they are performed.

Now, after years of playing and performing to audiences, Phil has finally begun to teach people how to find their own rhythms, and what it is inside you that makes your heart sing. “I’ve discovered that the drum is only a vehicle for the rhythm that’s inside us, and my personal challenge has been how to free myself of all those thoughts that hold me back so I can express myself completely through the drum. It is part meditation, part physical exercise and part spiritual expression, all coming together in a way that challenges personal doubts and fears, allowing individual creativity to come out. It’s also a great way to relieve stress and anxiety, getting rid of all those frustrations that build up in the course of a day.”
March 2006 sees Phil embark on his biggest adventure to date...a tour of the United States with his good friend Lawrence Baker (aka LoneWolf) to promote his unique style to the locals blow 'em away with the duo's awesome energy together.
This will prove to be a really big gig.....stay tuned!!