Bringing The Darkness To The Light with Catherine Nadal Songs, Survival, and the Spirit of Rock: Phil Soussan on Legacy, Friendship, and Finding the Hook Guest, Phil Soussan - English Bassist, Songwriter and Producer A Rock Legacy Rooted in Memory and Meaning In this episode of Bringing the Darkness to the Light, host Catherine Nadal welcomes Phil Soussan, an English bassist, songwriter, and producer known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Vince Neil, Toto, and many others. Catherine opens by reflecting on the lasting impact of Ozzy Osbourne’s The Ultimate Sin and the song “Shot in the Dark,” describing how music can instantly return listeners to a specific era, feeling, and personal memory. Phil agrees, calling the song a milestone and explaining that truly successful songs become more than music; they become bookmarks in people’s lives. “Shot in the Dark,” David Lynch, and Download for Good Phil shares the story of revisiting “Shot in the Dark” more than a decade later after being approached by David Lynch through the TM Foundation. He explains that Lynch invited him to contribute to a charitable project that included many artists and was designed to help troubled teens, people with PTSD, soldiers, students, and others learn Transcendental Meditation. Phil recorded his own version of “Shot in the Dark,” playing everything himself and bringing in Luis Maldonado for a distinctive guitar solo. The segment leads into a recorded performance of the song, preserved in the transcript as a music marker rather than a full lyric block. Knowing Your Worth and Choosing the Next Chapter Catherine then shifts into Phil’s career decisions, especially his willingness to walk away when the right agreement was not in place. Phil explains that people in all walks of life must ask themselves what they are really trying to do, rather than simply repeating the same routine or working only for money. He says that while he was grateful for his time with Ozzy, he wanted to contribute, write, and feel good about the terms of the arrangement. When he could not retain the publishing rights he wanted, he chose to move on, later working with Billy Idol and many other artists while carrying some song ideas into future projects. Songwriting, Hooks, and the Young Listener Within The interview becomes especially reflective when Catherine asks Phil how songs come to him. Phil describes songwriting as both musical and lyrical, rooted in childhood memories of British radio, David Bowie, glam rock, blues-rock, classical violin, guitar, and lyric magazines. He explains that hooks fascinated him from a young age because a great hook is accessible and memorable enough for anyone to whistle. Phil also recalls reading song lyrics in magazines before streaming, smartphones, or portable music players, showing how deeply he studied the structure and emotional pull of songs long before becoming a professional songwriter. Solo Albums, Mortality, and the Meaning of “No Protection” Phil discusses his first solo album, Vibrate, as a collection of songs written over many years and performed with musicians he admired, including Simon Phillips, Gregg Bissonette, Steve Lukather, Shane Fontayne, and Steve Porcaro. He then explains that “No Protection,” from his second solo album, came from a more concentrated period of writing shaped by loss, time, and mortality. The title, he says, is not salacious; it reflects the reality that none of us are protected from time. He connects the song to losing his father and to the death of his close friend Randy Castillo, whom he remembers as a lifelong friend, collaborator, and constant presence in his thoughts. Collaboration, Audience Connection, and the Gift of Helping The conversation widens into Phil’s many collaborations with remarkable musicians, including Ozzy, Billy Idol, Jimmy Page, Steve Lukather, Gregg Bissonette, and John Waite. Phil says each artist added something to his “private banquet of inspiration,” teaching him about craft, phrasing, performance, and audience connection. He emphasizes that the artist, the audience, and the song form the true triangle of live performance, and that without the audience there is no complete artist experience. This idea leads into his upcoming song “Fly Again,” which Phil describes as a message of encouragement and proof that helping someone else gives life deeper meaning. A New Trilogy, BraveWords Records, and “Water’s Edge” Near the close, Phil previews his upcoming album project, explaining that he began writing during a hiatus from Last in Line and eventually developed fifteen or sixteen songs. He says BraveWords Records signed the project and will release it as three EPs, forming a trilogy with a harder modern edge that fans of his work with Ozzy and Last in Line may recognize. Phil shares where fans can find him online, including Instagram, Bandsintown, and philsoussan.com, while Catherine thanks Michael Brandvold for arranging the interview. The episode ends with Phil introducing “Water’s Edge,” a song about someone going through a difficult time and realizing they can rise above it, before the program closes with a recorded music segment and final announcer credits.
