"Support local artists": Blackpool dad releases Christmas song with special nod to his hometown
A Blackpool artist has released a Christmas song with a special nod to the town that made him.
Phil Hulton from Blackpool is an independent producer and lyricist who goes by the name MusicMan-UK.
Through his own record label, PipSquid Records, he recently released a festive banger called ‘Santa’s Got The Beat’ that hopes to flip Christmas tradition on its head.
Father of two Phil said: “I've been DJing for most of my life and Christmas is the same tunes every year which has always been a bug bear. You know, you've always got to go to those same dozen or so tracks which everybody knows. For years, I've thought ‘why aren't more people doing more tunes like that?’
“So it's took me three or four decades to actually get around to doing it but I just wanted to make my own Christmas tune, something that will fill a dance floor. It’s a cheeky, upbeat tune, a modern twist on a classic Christmas song. Rather than Santa doing what Santa's been doing for centuries, he's mixing it up now, and he's making a beat so that was kind of the angle.”
55-year-old Phil has worked in the music industry his whole life, as a mobile DJ and seller of professional audio equipment - the latter of which has had him touring the world and presenting products to industry experts.
He only started producing tracks however in the past year, prompted by a medical emergency in his own life.
Phil told us: “Less than two years ago I survived a near‑fatal heart attack. That moment gave me a new perspective on life, and with time now on my side, I’ve chosen to pursue the personal dreams and creative goals I’d once set aside — including producing festive tracks.
“This journey has been both humbling and energizing, and I’m grateful to be able to channel it into festive, uplifting music that I hope brings joy to others.”
‘Santa’s Got The Beat!’ is described as a high-energy anthem that blends cheeky lyrics with club-ready production.
Alongside the track - which has six different remixes- there is full visual campaign including sleeve artwork, lyric visuals, and social teasers, some of which have amassed tens of thousands of views online.
It also features a special nod to Blackpool with one line in the bridge saying: “From Blackpool to the North Pole rave, we stomp the snow, we misbehave”.
Explaining why, Phil said: “I've lived here all my life, this is where I work from and Blackpool is one of those iconic places, with the tower on the front and everything, people instantly recognize where it is. Part of the lyrics were about Santa's journey to the North Pole and I just thought, ‘well, where do we start from?’, ‘Where am I?’, ‘ Blackpool!” So it didn't really enter my mind as a question, it just went down as a lyric without any hesitation.”
Encouraging the people of Lancashire to download the tune, Phil added: “It's a nice, upbeat Christmas tune. It's not to everyone's taste, I'm aware of that, but with it coming from Blackpool, you know, it's part of the area, so, yeah, support local artists.”
Santa’s Got The Beat! is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Soundcloud.