Phil Harding (producer)
Encyclopedia
Phil Harding is an English audio engineer
, producer
and remix
er, best known for his extended collaboration with keyboardist
and programmer
Ian Curnow.
Harding had a robust career prior to joining forces with Curnow, and together they became a pop mix powerhouse for many British bands. At one point they were offered the task of the first House Music remix of the Chic
hit "Le Freak
".
The highlight of the duo's career is their 1980s work for the highly successful record label PWL
, and its creative core at the time: Stock Aitken Waterman
productions (later Stock/Waterman productions).
Phil Harding started in the music industry aged sixteen at the Marquee Studios in 1973. There he worked with some of the top producers in the world as they recorded the great albums of the day.
As Phil’s career progressed, a very hot list of credits soon started to stack up with artists as diverse as The Clash
, Killing Joke
, Toyah
and Matt Bianco
, all taking advantage of Phil’s ever-growing reputation as a top engineer. At the start of the 1980s, the name of a newly formed production team was added to the list – Stock/Aitken/Waterman.
Phil engineered and mixed their first chart successes (Divine and Hazell Dean
) then their breakthrough and first No 1 single, ‘You Spin Me Round’ by Dead or Alive.
The hits came almost faster than you could count them – Mel & Kim, Bananarama
, Rick Astley
, Depeche Mode
, Erasure
, Pet Shop Boys
and Kylie Minogue
. Phil has just started writing a book about his escapades at PWL in the 80’s and is making good headway.
Phil's great pop sensibility also extended into the alternative music scene. He was instrumental in launching the careers of the dynamic, industrial dance minimliasts Nitzer Ebb
. After seeing them live in the mid 1980s he went on to produce and mix their debut album That Total Age
in 1987, which also saw the band enter into a deal with the Mute
label alongside label mates Depeche Mode
.
A further deluge of hits followed but this time with Phil and Ian as producers for: East 17
(including the Christmas No 1 ‘Stay Another Day
’), Deuce
, Boyzone
, 911
, Caught in the Act
and Let Loose
.
Harding and Curnow currently operate their own production company-established in the 1990s-at the Strongroom Studio complex in Shoreditch, London. Focusing on artist development projects. In addition to his highly successful body of work and considerable skills, Harding has been praised for his pleasant demeanor and down-to-Earth "non industry" personality.
Harding mixed the earliest Matt Bianco
releases in a style which would become his signature before moving on to more illustrious efforts at PWL. He worked with temporary Matt Bianco vocalist Basia both in the group and throughout her brief but very successful solo career in the United States. His CV is a virtual "Who's Who
" of late 1980s - 1990s British dance-pop.
More recently he has ventured onto the other side of the glass performing with Caro
on their "The 4th Way" album and then as a solo artist with "The Story Of Beginners". Both albums drew on strong songs co-written by Phil Harding with Mila Bogen.
He has recently worked with Lamont Dozier in L.A. and mixed 11 tracks on the Cliff Richard album 'Soulicious' (2011).
'PWL From The Factory Floor - Expanded Edition' (600 pages) giving a behind the scenes look at life at the PWL studios was released by Cherry Red Books in 2010.
"The inside story of PWL Studios, the 'British Motown' of the 1980s and home to legendary producers, Stock Aitken Waterman. PWL Remixer and producer Phil Harding reveals behind the scenes and the state-of-the-art techniques used at one of the most successful and fast-paced studios of all time"
see www.pwlfromthefactoryfloor.com
Audio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
, producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
er, best known for his extended collaboration with keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
and programmer
Programming (music)
Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
Ian Curnow.
Harding had a robust career prior to joining forces with Curnow, and together they became a pop mix powerhouse for many British bands. At one point they were offered the task of the first House Music remix of the Chic
Chic (band)
Chic was an African American disco and R&B band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It is known best for its commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance " , "Everybody Dance" , "Le Freak" , "I Want Your Love" , "Good Times"...
hit "Le Freak
Le Freak
"Le Freak" is a successful 1978 disco song by the disco band Chic. It was the band's third single album and first Billboard Hot 100 and soul music number-one song. Along with the tracks, "I Want Your Love" and "Chic Cheer", "Le Freak" scored number one on the disco charts for seven weeks...
".
The highlight of the duo's career is their 1980s work for the highly successful record label PWL
PWL
Pete Waterman Entertainment is the production company one-time pop and dance record label owned by pop mogul Pete Waterman. The label, originally PWL, is most famous for being the home of hit record producers Stock Aitken Waterman....
, and its creative core at the time: Stock Aitken Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman, sometimes known as SAW, were a UK songwriting and record producing trio consisting of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. They had great success during the mid to late 1980s and early 1990s...
productions (later Stock/Waterman productions).
Phil Harding started in the music industry aged sixteen at the Marquee Studios in 1973. There he worked with some of the top producers in the world as they recorded the great albums of the day.
As Phil’s career progressed, a very hot list of credits soon started to stack up with artists as diverse as The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
, Killing Joke
Killing Joke
Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979.Related news articles: Founding members Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker have been the only constant members.A key influence on industrial rock,...
, Toyah
Toyah Willcox
Toyah Ann Willcox is an English actress and singer. In a career spanning more than thirty years Toyah has had 13 top 40 singles, released 22 studio albums, written two books, appeared in over forty stage plays and ten feature films, as well as voicing and presenting numerous television shows...
and Matt Bianco
Matt Bianco
Matt Bianco is a UK band that was formed in 1983. They are mainly known for their success in the mid 1980s and their jazz, Latin-flavoured music....
, all taking advantage of Phil’s ever-growing reputation as a top engineer. At the start of the 1980s, the name of a newly formed production team was added to the list – Stock/Aitken/Waterman.
Phil engineered and mixed their first chart successes (Divine and Hazell Dean
Hazell Dean
Hazell Dean is a British dance-pop singer, who achieved her biggest success in the 1980s as a leading Hi-NRG artist. She is best known for the top ten hits "Searchin' ", "Whatever I Do " and "Who's Leaving Who"...
) then their breakthrough and first No 1 single, ‘You Spin Me Round’ by Dead or Alive.
The hits came almost faster than you could count them – Mel & Kim, Bananarama
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
, Rick Astley
Rick Astley
Richard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries...
, Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
, Erasure
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
, Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
and Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue
Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
. Phil has just started writing a book about his escapades at PWL in the 80’s and is making good headway.
Phil's great pop sensibility also extended into the alternative music scene. He was instrumental in launching the careers of the dynamic, industrial dance minimliasts Nitzer Ebb
Nitzer Ebb
Nitzer Ebb is a British EBM group formed in 1982 by Essex school friends Vaughan "Bon" Harris , Douglas McCarthy , and David Gooday .-Band name:...
. After seeing them live in the mid 1980s he went on to produce and mix their debut album That Total Age
That Total Age
That Total Age is the debut album of the British EBM group Nitzer Ebb. After its release, it spawned the hit single "Join in the Chant," which hit #9 on the US dance chart in 1987.-LP: Mute / Stumm 45 :# "Fitness to Purpose" – 5:03...
in 1987, which also saw the band enter into a deal with the Mute
Mute Records
Mute is an independent record label based in the UK. It was founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller and featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure and Fad Gadget.-Beginnings:...
label alongside label mates Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
.
A further deluge of hits followed but this time with Phil and Ian as producers for: East 17
East 17
East 17 are a pop boy band comprising Tony Mortimer, John Hendy and Terry Coldwell. Tony Mortimer is the group's frontman and primary songwriter. Formed in Walthamstow, London in 1991, the group have achieved eighteen Top 20 singles and four Top 10 albums, and were one of the UK's most popular boy...
(including the Christmas No 1 ‘Stay Another Day
Stay Another Day
"Stay Another Day" is an award-winning 1994 pop song recorded by British boy band East 17. It was released in late 1994 and became their first and only UK number-one single reaching Christmas number one, and also topped the charts in Sweden, Ireland and Denmark.-Background and release:"Stay Another...
’), Deuce
Deuce (band)
Deuce were a British pop group that found success in the mid 1990s. A two male, two female quartet, they released four Top 30 singles in the UK charts during 1995 and 1996, before splitting up in 1997.-Career:...
, Boyzone
Boyzone
Boyzone are an Irish boy band comprising Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating,Shane Lynch, and formerly Stephen Gately. Boyzone have 19 singles in the top 40 UK charts and 21 singles in the Ire charts. The group currently have 6 UK number one singles and 9 number one singles in Ireland with 12...
, 911
911 (band)
911 is a British boyband that consists of Lee Brennan, Jimmy Constable Spike Dawbarn and for a short period Lee Womack who left the band to study at Huddersfield University. The band were formed in 1995 and released their debut single in May 1996...
, Caught in the Act
Caught in the Act (boy band)
Caught in the Act was a half English, half Dutch boy band. The band was established by record producer Cees van Leeuwen in 1993. There were four members of the group: Lee Baxter, Eloy de Jong, Bastiaan Ragas and Benjamin Boyce....
and Let Loose
Let Loose
Let Loose are a British pop/rock trio, featuring Richie Wermerling on lead vocals and keyboards, Rob Jeffrey on guitars and backing vocals, and Lee J Murray on drums, percussion and backing vocals.The band initially scored minor success...
.
Harding and Curnow currently operate their own production company-established in the 1990s-at the Strongroom Studio complex in Shoreditch, London. Focusing on artist development projects. In addition to his highly successful body of work and considerable skills, Harding has been praised for his pleasant demeanor and down-to-Earth "non industry" personality.
Harding mixed the earliest Matt Bianco
Matt Bianco
Matt Bianco is a UK band that was formed in 1983. They are mainly known for their success in the mid 1980s and their jazz, Latin-flavoured music....
releases in a style which would become his signature before moving on to more illustrious efforts at PWL. He worked with temporary Matt Bianco vocalist Basia both in the group and throughout her brief but very successful solo career in the United States. His CV is a virtual "Who's Who
Who's Who
Who's Who is the title of a number of reference publications, generally containing concise biographical information on a particular group of people...
" of late 1980s - 1990s British dance-pop.
More recently he has ventured onto the other side of the glass performing with Caro
Caro
-Places:* Caro, Michigan, United States* Caro, Morbihan, France* Çaro, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France-People:* Abraham ben Raphael Caro, Turkish rabbi* Annibale Caro, poet* Anthony Caro, sculptor* David Caro, German pedagogue* Elme Marie Caro, philosopher...
on their "The 4th Way" album and then as a solo artist with "The Story Of Beginners". Both albums drew on strong songs co-written by Phil Harding with Mila Bogen.
He has recently worked with Lamont Dozier in L.A. and mixed 11 tracks on the Cliff Richard album 'Soulicious' (2011).
Other work
In 2009, Harding published a limited-edition run book 'PWL From The Factory Floor''PWL From The Factory Floor - Expanded Edition' (600 pages) giving a behind the scenes look at life at the PWL studios was released by Cherry Red Books in 2010.
"The inside story of PWL Studios, the 'British Motown' of the 1980s and home to legendary producers, Stock Aitken Waterman. PWL Remixer and producer Phil Harding reveals behind the scenes and the state-of-the-art techniques used at one of the most successful and fast-paced studios of all time"
see www.pwlfromthefactoryfloor.com
See also
- Stock Aitken WatermanStock Aitken WatermanStock Aitken Waterman, sometimes known as SAW, were a UK songwriting and record producing trio consisting of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. They had great success during the mid to late 1980s and early 1990s...
- ABCABC (band)ABC are an English band, that charted ten UK and five US Top 40 singles between 1981 and 1990. The band continues to tour and released a new album, Traffic, in 2008.-Formation:...
- Rick AstleyRick AstleyRichard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries...
- BananaramaBananaramaBananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
- Band Aid II
- BasiaBasiaBasia Trzetrzelewska is a Polish singer-songwriter and record producer. She established a successful international recording career featuring characteristically Latin-flavoured jazz-pop crossover songs during the late 1980s and early 1990s and the late 2000s and 2010s, particularly in the United...
- ChicChicChic may refer to:* Chic , chic meaning stylish or smart** Related: List of chics* Chic , a thoroughbred racehorse* Chic , an American music group popular in the disco era** Chic , the 1977 debut album of the band Chic...
- Climie FisherClimie FisherClimie Fisher were a UK pop duo formed by vocalist Simon Climie and former Naked Eyes keyboardist Rob Fisher...
- The Cool NotesThe Cool NotesThe Cool Notes were a mid 1980s pop group who had a string of chart hits in the UK between 1984 and 1986. The band, who formed in South London, consisted of seven members of both vocal and instrumental talent. They are best known for their UK number 11 hit, "Spend The...
- Dead Or AliveDead or AliveDead or Alive was, historically and in popular culture, a common qualification on a wanted poster. It may also refer to:In film and television:*Dead or Alive , a 1999 Japanese yakuza action film, followed by two sequels...
- Hazell DeanHazell DeanHazell Dean is a British dance-pop singer, who achieved her biggest success in the 1980s as a leading Hi-NRG artist. She is best known for the top ten hits "Searchin' ", "Whatever I Do " and "Who's Leaving Who"...
- Depeche ModeDepeche ModeDepeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
- Divine
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- Eighth WonderEighth WonderEighth Wonder were a British pop band in the 1980s. They formed in 1983 and enjoyed major success in Japan and Italy between 1985 and 1987, before having hit singles in the UK and across Europe in 1988.-Early years:...
- ErasureErasureErasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
- Five StarFive StarFive Star are a British pop / R&B group, formed in 1983. Comprising siblings Stedman, Lorraine, Denise, Doris and Delroy Pearson, they were known for their flamboyant image, matching costumes and heavily choreographed dance routines...
- The Four Tops
- Lonnie GordonLonnie GordonLonnie Gordon is a female Hi-NRG, house and soul singer-songwriter from New York's Bronx, who has scored many chart hits during the 1990s and 2000s.-Early life and career:...
- Debbie HarryDebbie HarryDeborah Ann "Debbie" Harry is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known for being the lead singer of the punk rock and new wave band Blondie. She has also had success as a solo artist, and in the mid-1990s she performed and recorded as part of The Jazz Passengers...
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- ImaginationImaginationImagination, also called the faculty of imagining, is the ability of forming mental images, sensations and concepts, in a moment when they are not perceived through sight, hearing or other senses...
- The Jackson Five
- Jesus JonesJesus JonesJesus Jones are a British rock band. The Wiltshire-based group, formed in late 1988, recorded and performed in the late 1980s, throughout the 1990s, and into the 2000s. They are best remembered for their track, "Right Here, Right Now", an international hit and subsequently globally appropriated for...
- Matt BiancoMatt BiancoMatt Bianco is a UK band that was formed in 1983. They are mainly known for their success in the mid 1980s and their jazz, Latin-flavoured music....
- Mel & Kim
- Kylie MinogueKylie MinogueKylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
- Gary MooreGary MooreRobert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
- Nitzer EbbNitzer EbbNitzer Ebb is a British EBM group formed in 1982 by Essex school friends Vaughan "Bon" Harris , Douglas McCarthy , and David Gooday .-Band name:...
- Pet Shop BoysPet Shop BoysPet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
- PrincessPrincessPrincess is the feminine form of prince . Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or his daughters....
- Cliff RichardCliff RichardSir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
- Diana RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
- Sinitta
- Jimmy SomervilleJimmy SomervilleJames William Somerville is a Scottish pop singer and songwriter. He had considerable success in the 1980s with the pop groups Bronski Beat and The Communards, and has also had a successful solo career. He is known in particular for his falsetto singing voice...
- SoniaSoniaSonia may refer to:* Sonia, the allied code name for the Mitsubishi Ki-51, Japanese WW2 era bomber* SONIA, Sterling OverNight Index Average, a financial market rate* Sonia , a 1991 album by Sonia Evans...
- Jermaine StewartJermaine StewartWilliam Jermaine Stewart was an American R&B singer best known for his Billboard hits "The Word Is Out" and "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" .-Early life and career:Born in Columbus, Ohio, to parents Ethel M...
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- John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
- Voice Of The BeehiveVoice of the BeehiveVoice of the Beehive is an Anglo-American alternative pop rock band formed in London in 1986 by Californian sisters Tracey Bryn and Melissa Brooke Belland, daughters of The Four Preps singer, Bruce Belland.- Career :...
External links
- Philharding.co.uk - Official Website
- pwlfromthefactoryfloor.com - Official Website of Phil Harding's Book - PWL From The Factory Floor - Expanded Edition and CD: Phil Harding Club Mixes Of The 80s
- Working and mixing with Phil Harding
- PWL Associates fansite
- Biography and video interviews at RecordProduction.com
- Producer's View - Phil Harding at Record-Producer.com