MusicRadar

Mark Valsecchi a.k.a DJ LilPhil put his music career into a tail-spin when his move from Johannesburg to Cape Town, at the impressionable age of 19, gave his passion for house music and dedication to the craft of mixing, a distinctive edge in the Mountain City’s local scene.
Having started out a bedroom DJ in his hometown, Johannesburg, at 15, by the age of 17 LilPhil took his sound waves to house parties, fashion shows and clubs, playing, as most do, just for the exposure and opportunity to indulge an audience. Two years on and just before his 19th birthday, LilPhi's craving for something extraordinary saw him pack his bags, grab his share of Gold City dust and hot foot it Cape side to ‘make it big’. He was in luck. Leaving the squabbles for deckspace in Jozi behind, LilPhil took his big city advantage and more than become another musician molded by his location, he quickly turned Cape Town’s nightlife on its head.
Bringing his definitive style of house to the fore, he wooed and won over dancefloors of fussy Capetonian feet with his intrinsic mix of Deep, Progressive, Electro, Tech and Minimal house music. Taking his sound to funky, vocal and commercial borders when called for; LilPhil quickly surfaced as an all rounder, a prodigy and was embraced by the industry, quickly climbing the ranks and associating his name with a damn good night out!
Partnering with Ryan Loader, co-owner of the successful Foreal Records Label, LilPhil opened TheMixRoom, a seriously equipped recording studio where he began producing. The two formed CITYZEN, a live electronic band act in 2006. The DJ’s and two vocalists made a fine team and rocked several established gigs over several months, including Tilt Nightclubs 8th Birthday and Society’s New Years bash, both in Durban, before going their separate ventures. The experience earned gave LilPhil the necessary knowledge and know-how to embark a serious career in house music production- again elevating his career ambition and achievement to an all new height.
TheMixRoom, running strong and gaining reputation, was recently contacted by USM Records in Johannesburg to create an artist collaboration for the Deep and Afro House guru, DJ Miggs, getting tracks remixed by top South African artists; Black Coffee, Mbuso, DJ Christos, Nastee Nev and international producers Abica Soul and Demarkus Lewis. Set to be released in 2007, the album suffices as another notch above the DJ box for LilPhil, who’s found in this affirmation of his being on the right track to ultimately breaking into a long term international career in electronic dance music.
Well on his way to special status, LilPhil’s proud to have worked with some of the best in the business, including Dean Fuel, Roger Goode, Dino Moran, DJ Shannon, Gren Forte, Troydon, Jake Childs (USA), Lady Lea, Gold Fish, Paul Sprecher, Nick Supply, Ryan Dent, Craig Massive, Nick Mathews and Tony Finger. His conquered club-list to date boasts an array of Cape Towns top nightlife venues including; Opium Town and Opium Beach Bar, FTV Café, Ignite, Barazza, Raffikis, Miam Miam, Café Vespa, Forty Ate, BarBoia, and Black Sheep as well as a selection of exclusive private events in some sound seducing Cape Town Mansions.
His weekly residency in Cape Town at the hottest spot Bambu is kicking up a storm in the scene, as well as Ignite’s Submerged Sunadys Feat Gold Fish. His nationwide demand recently kicked off, and sees him making stops in Durban and back home in Johannesburg. LilPhil recently joined Lady Lea, Roger D’lux, Matt Suttner and Craig DeSousa in the line-up at Co.Funk, a House-Heads Only event at Co.Fi, Centurion’s renowned day and night club venue. He also played at Tiesto in Cape Town adding another notch to his belt as well as Lady Lea’s CD launch of her new album 3rd time lucky. He graced the decks at Fatboy slim in cape Town and has been confirmed to play at the biggest event of the year, Paul Van Dyk In Cape Town, commencing on the 7th of March 2008.
LilPhil’s check list is far from complete. He’s currently collaborating with Jake Childs on several track productions Keep your ears open for lots more of LilPhil, he’s conquered the mountain in everyway and his sound is sure to reverberate down and all ‘round for a long time to come.