Martin Phillips, founder of New Zealand’s Chills, dies at 61

Martin Phillips, the influential figure behind the Chills, a prominent band in the 1980s New Zealand indie-rock scene, has passed away at the age of 61. The band’s music played a pivotal role in shaping the sounds that inspired renowned groups such as R.E.M. and Pavement.

The Chills announced Phillips’ death on their social media platforms on Sunday. The statement did not disclose the specific timing, location, or cause of death but mentioned it was “unexpected.” A 2019 documentary highlighted Phillips’ battles with hepatitis C, and recent reports indicated that he had been hospitalized in Dunedin with liver issues.

Phillips championed the Dunedin sound, closely tied to New Zealand’s Flying Nun record label. The Chills’ music was a blend of jangly yet energetic guitar pop, melancholic melodies, and influences from punk and psychedelia. Phillips’ poetic lyrics often explored themes of art, death, and romance, making him the band’s only permanent member throughout its four-decade existence, and earning a dedicated cult following.

Neil Finn of Crowded House, another famed New Zealander, praised Phillips in a statement released Sunday. He described Phillips as “one of NZ’s greatest songwriters” who was deeply “fascinated by and devoted to the magic and mystery of music.”

Phillips began his musical journey in a short-lived band called the Same before founding the Chills in 1980, alongside his sister Rachel. By 1982, the band had secured a deal with Flying Nun, joining a roster that included other key groups like the Clean, the Bats, and the Verlaines. The Chills soon produced a series of energetic singles, including the notable “I Love My Leather Jacket” and “Pink Frost,” the latter becoming one of their most iconic tracks.

“I want to stop my crying / But she’s lying there dying,” Phillips crooned over an oddly cheerful bass line in “Pink Frost,” showcasing the band’s unique ability to pair poignant lyrics with dynamic instrumentation. Spin magazine once urged readers to “imagine Paul McCartney attempting Joy Division” to capture the essence of Phillips’ music.

Despite the band’s frequent lineup changes, the Chills released their debut studio album, “Brave Words,” in 1987. The subsequent album, “Submarine Bells,” released in 1990 under Warner Bros. subsidiary Slash Records, featured the knowingly titled “Heavenly Pop Hit,” which reached No. 17 on Billboard’s modern rock chart.

To build on their momentum, Slash Records brought the Chills to Los Angeles to record “Soft Bomb” in 1992. Peter Holsapple, known for his work with R.E.M., played keyboards during the recording sessions, and Van Dyke Parks crafted an imaginative orchestral arrangement for the track “Water Wolves.” Phillips reminisced about the recording process in a 2022 KCRW interview, highlighting a memorable moment when the band arrived late at Capitol Studios and missed Parks’ introductory speech to the orchestra.

Although the Chills disbanded after touring “Soft Bomb,” they later reunited with a new lineup. Their most recent album, “Scatterbrain,” was released in 2021.

Details regarding Phillips’ surviving family members were not immediately available.

Phillips often reflected on the difficulties of sustaining a career in the music industry. In a 1992 interview with The Times, he candidly discussed the challenge of keeping the band together amid financial constraints. However, the Chills’ music conveyed a profound belief in the enduring power of a great song.

As Phillips sang in “Heavenly Pop Hit,” “So I