There is something to be said about the ironies of stage names. UK producer and composer William Phillips may emulate a fleeting and impersonal facade with his stage name Tourist, but in truth, his music is anything but. Enveloping you in the warm embrace of a loving homecoming, his newest single "Elixir" feels deeply personal, even if it's really about nothing at all.
Fresh off the heels of his recently released sophomore album, Everyday, "Elixir" plays like an interactive narrative, simply waiting for you to fill in the blanks with your story. Ushered in by melancholic synths, it quickly evolves into a soul-quenching production brimming with melodic keys and supple vocal harmonies. No stale minute was spent on the composition, with evocative arpeggios and percussive beats constantly building on top of each other, sweeping you up in the rush of audial nirvana. Speaking on the track, Phillips discloses that "[Elixir] I suppose is a reaction to my most recent album. I wanted to write from a more outward looking, sensory place. Often I make music with a firm personal narrative but with all this new music the sound is the story.”
The official music video directed by Dillon Moore captures the essence of "Elixir" in a subtle yet sentimental manner. It reminds you of the romance of summer: Driving around at golden hour, getting lost in the waning light to the faint perfume of blooming flowers. It is a story waiting to be told, pen in your hand, and Tourist's emotive soundtrack spurring you on.
You can catch Tourist on his UK/EU tour this summer and fall at these select cities:
July 12 Madrid, ES – Mad Cool Festival
July 13 Lisbon, PT – NOS Alive
Aug 4 Dublin, IE – All Together Now
Oct 3 Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms
Oct 4 Manchester, UK – Gorilla
Oct 5 Leeds, UK – Brudenell Community Room
Oct 16 Paris, FR – Hasard Ludique
Oct 18 Berlin, DE – Maschinenhaus
Oct 19 Prague, CZ – Café V Lesé
Oct 25 London, UK – Alexandra Palace (open for Rüfüs du Sol)
Connect with Tourist: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify
