Born in New York City, Phil began his musical life playing saxophone in grade school. Later, Dutra helped form Fiveplay, a New York a-cappella group that performed doo-wop on the legendary “Joe Franklin Show” and even opened for Regis Philbin. “We mixed songs like ‘Blue Moon’ with George Michael’s ‘I want your Sex’” says Dutra. A move to Atlanta resulted in the formation of the acoustic duo, The Singles with singer/songwriter Brian Matson. A Successful EP and regular gigs on Atlanta’s local circuit followed. When the duo dissolved, Dutra admits he spent a few too many hours on his own couch contemplating his musical future. I wrote ‘Fine Young People’ about the backsliding that can happen to you” Dutra says. “I got too comfortable doing a lot of nothing. Then I got inspired by all these young people doing all the things that I wanted to do. It got me off my ass and into the recording studio. The Critically acclaimed CD Prompted ETC Magazine to call Phil “One of Atlanta’s best Singer/Songwriters.” A move to Los Angeles has helped Phil triumph over the challenges of performing as a solo singer/songwriter. “I have always performed in different bands and vocal groups. There were always other people on-stage with me…at first, it was just me and my guitar. That was real scary. It took me a while to readjust to the idea that there was no one to rely on but myself to win over the audience.” Judging by the growing size of the crowds at his monthly shows at Highland Grounds, and Genghis Cohen (two of the premier acoustic venues in L.A), his Main Stage performance at the 2005 Long Beach Pride Festival, the completion of his upcoming EP “Right Behind The Rain” and the title track’s video, Phil is winning that fight.