Philip Bowen In concert

Philip Bowen is a massively talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with a sound that uplifts the soul and is inspired by his Appalachian roots. He's performed at iconic venues like The Bluebird Cafe and 3rd & Lindsley, and even graced the stage of NPR’s Mountain Stage. In May he was the featured guest on Us & Them by West Virginia Public Broadcasting where they discussed how the 38-year-old learned classical violin as well as how to improvise on the fiddle, combining musical styles and genres.

Bowen's music spreads a message of positivity, earning him accolades from Yahoo, PopMatters, and Atwood Magazine. The Nashville Songwriters Association International dubbed him "one to watch," and they were right. His debut album, Old Kanawha, featuring collaborations with Charles Wesley Godwin and Josiah and the Bonnevilles, was released on August 18th, 2023.

When he first picked up a fiddle at four years old, who could have guessed that he would eventually become a breakout star on social media - without ever releasing an album. Just ask his 320,000 Instagram followers about falling in love with Bowen’s duets and sing-a-longs. Not to mention he is a literal TikTok sensation. That's right, Philip Bowen's masterful fiddle skills have earned him over 8 million likes and 1 MILLION followers on the platform alone. But wait, it gets better! He even won TikTok's Gamers Greatest Talent competition, leaving thousands of competitors in the dust and pocketing a cool $25k.

After completing his MBA at the University of Tampa, Bowen was encouraged by a friend to create a TikTok account to showcase his fiddle covers and original songs. The rest, as they say, is history. With his infectious positivity and musical talent, Bowen caught the attention of artists like Brandon Davis, Noah Kahan, Spinmont, Styles Haury, Jenna Paulette, Josiah & the Bonnevilles, and many others, earning him over 100 credits as a session fiddle player.

Old Kanawha is a musical journey that takes you from the peaks of happiness to the depths of despair, all while celebrating the beauty and resilience of Appalachia and West Virginia. It's not just about catchy melodies and clever lyrics, it's about the universal human experience of navigating the ups and downs of life. Bowen draws inspiration from his own life, from the carefree days of college to the unexpected responsibilities of fatherhood and a draining corporate job. He tackles some tough topics head-on, from addiction to recovery to loss. But even in the darkest moments, there's a glimmer of hope and optimism. He wants his music to be a beacon of light for anyone going through a difficult time, reminding them that things can and will get better. And don't expect a one-dimensional portrayal of his home state. Bowen understands that Appalachia and West Virginia are often misunderstood and misrepresented. That's why he weaves in themes and imagery that celebrate the beauty and strength of the region, while also shining a light on the struggles and hardships faced by its people.

Bowen was dead set on capturing the essence of West Virginia, so he made it a mission to recruit the most talented musicians from the area. And boy, did he hit the jackpot! With a WV-based producer and a team of incredible players, they hunkered down at the McCord House Studios in Bridgeport, WV. He met producer Zach McCord, through his buddy Charles Wesley Godwin, who he has worked with in the past. Godwin shows up on the title track to help with vocals. They spent about a week in the studio, days turning into nights turning into days just felt like a blur. The chemistry was on point, the music was flowing, and the vibe was just right. Creating this record was truly a labor of love, and Bowen couldn't be more thrilled with the result!

The songs on the record were written between 2019 and 2023, with some dating back to the Fall of 2019 when Bowen finally decided to give music one more serious attempt before giving up on the dream. Two of the songs, "Vampire in Appalachia" and "A Murder," took the longest to write and were finished just before the last day of recording. The songs were written in various locations including West Virginia, Detroit, Nashville, and the Oregon Coast.

Bowen battled anxiety during the process, but was excited to finally fulfill his dream of creating an album. Despite some challenging moments during recording, there were also magical moments where the band came together and created amazing things. The songs are deeply personal and cover topics such as addiction, love, loss, recovery, and the seasons of life.

After logging hundreds of live events, from weddings to conferences, private events to festivals, and everything in between, Bowen has finally stepped front and center to reveal even more of his talents.  Old Kanawha is an album you do not want to sleep on. And who knows, you might even find yourself swiping through his catchy fiddle covers and original songs on TikTok, tapping your toes and grinning from ear to ear.