Grant–Lee Phillips on In the Hour of Dust: The Pinfield Sessions
Interview with Matt Pinfield and 4 songs performed LIVE at The SoCal Sound
The history between Grant-Lee Phillips and Matt Pinfield goes runs deep, in fact it had been more than a decade since they had crossed paths – at Bob Mould’s Sea Little Light tribute night at Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2011. However, the two have reunited within The SoCal Sound studios for the inaugural “Pinfield Sessions” from The SoCal Sound, to have a conversation about memories, music history, and of course Phillips’ brand-new album, In the Hour of Dust.
A Cinematic Songwriter Returns
Phillips’ new record, In the Hour of Dust, is steeped in imagery both personal and historical. Part of the influence for the record is Dust Bow-era hardships inspired by a painting from the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena called “Hour of Cow Dust”. Phillips’ goes on to explain that it captures a moment of transition – “it it references a moment in the day in India where the cows are led home. And in doing so, it stirs up the dust. And it's a signal… that call to, bring out the lanterns. Prepare yourself for night is about to fall, and I thought, wow, that's really kind of a that's a very visceral kind of thing.”
“The songs themselves are often about giving voice to anxiety and uncertainty,” Phillips shared. “Trying to wrap my arms around this beast of a moment”
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The session featured four solo in studio performances:
Holding On to Humanity
One theme that threads through In the Hour of Dust is the tension between technological progress and human connection. Phillips pointed to the unsettling sight of driverless cars in San Francisco as an inspiration for lyrics that question whether society risks “turning on each other” as machines accelerate change.
“You always want to make sure people hold on to their humanity,” Pinfield observed — a reflection that Phillips echoed in both song and conversation.
A Legacy of Song
Throughout the interview, Phillips cited influences ranging from Queen to The Clash to Elliott Smith, underscoring the throughline of artistry that inspires him to this day. His stripped-down performances at The SoCal Sound — voice and guitar, carrying the weight of cinematic storytelling — proved that his music continues to resonate with urgency and intimacy.
As the session wrapped, Pinfield expressed gratitude: “It’s always exciting when you come out with new music. Thank you for hanging out today.”
In the Hour of Dust is available now on Yep Roc Records.
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