Pump Action

Fifteen seconds into his upcoming album Good to Be Here (out April 25), Phillip-Michael Scales sings, Toes pointed toward the road / Hard times picking at my bones, before launching into the anthemic chorus: I couldnt walk away if I tried / Im gonna light up the sky. The song sets a determined tone for the album, reflecting Scales journey as an artist.In Chicago, Scales honed his craft, playing 308 gigs in 2018 and crediting the city with teaching him how to hustle. This drive carried him to Nashville, where he gained traction on the radio station; Lightning 100, released his debut album Sinner-Songwriter, toured Europe, appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and opened national tours for Keb Mo and Caravan Palace. Grammy-nominated producer Dan Knobler (Lake Street Dive, Allison Russell, and Bahamas) later joined forces with Scales to produce Good to Be Here.Without a label or viral hit, Scales has built his career through relentless effortlong drives behind tour busses, self-management, and learning the business firsthand. His music channels the grit of Stax-era soul, cataloging the journey of building a dream brick by brick. Make no mistake there is an undercurrent of fun throughout whether hes finding love in Cant Get Enough or getting his swagger back in Be My Own Man. As Scales puts it: I wouldnt say that Ive arrived, but... its good to be here.