Singing His Song: Phil Lovell’s Journey from Welsh Classrooms to Songwriting

Phil Lovell: From Classroom to Songwriting - A Journey of Creativity and Persistence

In this episode of Second Verse, host Becky Boyland chats with Phil Lovell, a retired teacher turned songwriter who crafts thoughtful songs in English and Welsh. Phil shares his journey from nurturing his musical passion quietly while working in education for over 30 years to diving fully into songwriting and performing after retirement. They discuss Phil’s creative process, the impact of music on culture, the challenges of self-promotion, and the importance of pursuing one’s passion at any stage in life. Phil’s story emphasizes that creativity deepens with time and offers inspiration for anyone who thinks they’ve missed their chance. Stay tuned for his energetic Welsh song, 'Dw i’n canu fy nghân.'

Sponsors:

• Attitude Creativity: https://attitudecreativity.com/blueprint
• Singing / Straw: https://secondverse.com/singingstraw (affiliate link, 10% coupon auto-applied, or use code “secondverse”)

Connect with Phil Lovell (Baglanbren):

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baglanbren/
• X: https://x.com/baglanbren
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baglanbren

Phil’s Music:

• https://open.spotify.com/album/18FSt8LPogmNTxZuac3CCK?si=uD86_3SCRKCxBANCBKfknQ
• https://youtu.be/pYI8NEInZWA?si=Io1MNIuZsYfA9XTT
• https://youtu.be/D_Z4DvpRgwc?si=C-Wsppn3oA6hi89P

Featured Song:

“Dw i’n canu fy nghân” by Phil Lovell / Baglanbren, written by Phil Lovell (used with permission).

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Teaser Clip: Phil Lovell
• 00:27 Episode Intro
• 01:49 Welcome Phil and Early Musical Influences
• 03:36 Teaching and Songwriting Journey
• 04:51 Reconnecting with Former Students
• 05:37 Welsh Music Competitions and Traditions
• 06:45 Transitioning Back to Music After Retirement
• 07:18 Songwriting Courses and Collaborations
• 09:29 Performing and Recording Experiences
• 16:26 Sponsor: Attitude Creativity
• 17:47 Sponsor: Singing / Straw
• 18:45 Challenges and Rewards of Songwriting
• 25:23 The Importance of Arts in Education
• 34:18 Influences from the Past
• 36:50 The Craft of Songwriting
• 40:58 Realistic Advice for Aspiring Musicians
• 48:36 Conclusion and Farewell
• 49:38 The Coda
• 51:24 Featured Song: Dw i’n canu fy nghân