Early Life and Education
Phineas Singer was born on July 30, 1997, in Los Angeles, California. Raised in a household of six, he spent his formative years in the Highland Park neighborhood, attending private tutoring sessions from 2005 to 2012. At age 12, he enrolled in songwriting workshops led by his mother at a local community center. By 2014, at age 17, he had completed a self-designed curriculum in music theory, audio engineering, and performance at a specialized arts academy in Pasadena.
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| July 30, 1997 | Birth | Los Angeles, CA |
| 2005–2012 | Homeschooling and private tutoring | Highland Park, Los Angeles |
| September 2009 | Began songwriting workshops | Pasadena, CA |
| June 2014 | Completed arts academy program | Pasadena, CA |
By 18, Singer was adept in piano, guitar, and drum programming, setting the groundwork for his production career.
Early Acting Roles
At age 14 (2011), Singer made his screen debut in a minor role as a student in the comedy film Bad Teacher. Two years later, in 2013, he appeared in one episode of the sitcom Modern Family as an extra. His most notable acting credit came in 2015 when he portrayed Alistair, a recurring supporting character, in the final season of the musical comedy series Glee. Between 2011 and 2015, he accumulated:
| Year | Production | Role | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Bad Teacher | Student | 1 scene |
| 2013 | Modern Family | Party Guest | 1 episode |
| 2015 | Glee | Alistair | 4 episodes |
These early experiences exposed him to studio environments, on‑set protocols, and performance nuances that later influenced his multidisciplinary approach.
Music Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Singer’s music career ignited in 2012, at age 15, when he co‑founded the indie band The Slightlys. Serving as lead vocalist and primary songwriter, he and three peers performed at over 20 regional venues, including two appearances at the annual Warped Tour in 2013 (San Diego) and 2014 (Pomona). Their set list comprised 12 original songs, each averaging 3 minutes 45 seconds in length.
In October 2015, at age 18, Singer wrote the song “Ocean Eyes” for a dance teacher’s weekend project. After uploading the track to an online audio platform on November 1, 2015, it received over 25,000 streams within the first week, marking a breakthrough moment.
| Year | Milestone | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Formation of The Slightlys | 4 members |
| 2013 | Warped Tour performance (San Diego) | 1 set |
| 2014 | Warped Tour performance (Pomona) | 1 set |
| Nov 1, 2015 | Release of “Ocean Eyes” | 25,000 streams in 7 days |
This early success prompted the closure of The Slightlys in December 2015 to focus on production and songwriting for other artists.
Collaboration with Billie Eilish
Singer’s younger sister, Billie Eilish, born December 18, 2001, became his most consistent creative partner. Between 2016 and 2024, the siblings co‑wrote and co‑produced three studio albums, two EPs, and eight singles:
| Release | Year | Type | Peak Chart Position (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Don’t Smile at Me (EP) | 2017 | EP | 14 |
| When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? | 2019 | Album | 1 |
| Happier Than Ever | 2021 | Album | 1 |
| Guitar Songs (EP) | 2022 | EP | 5 |
| Hey What | 2024 | Album | 1 |
Their collaboration earned a total of 21 Grammy nominations, with 10 wins, including Producer of the Year (2020) and Album of the Year (2020, 2022). Their method involves:
- Write early demos at Singer’s Beverly Hills home studio.
- Refining arrangements via remote sessions when on tour.
- Finalizing vocals and mix in a dedicated Los Angeles mixing suite.
By 2022, their joint catalog had amassed over 5 billion streams globally.
Solo Career and Releases
In October 2019, at age 22, Singer launched his solo career with the EP Blood Harmony, featuring 6 tracks and a total runtime of 21 minutes 37 seconds. Key singles included:
| Single | Release Date | Peak Chart Position (US) |
|---|---|---|
| “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night” | Oct 30, 2019 | 17 |
| “New Girl” | Dec 12, 2019 | 35 |
In 2022, he released the full‑length album Optimist, comprising 11 songs and running 42 minutes 15 seconds. Between 2019 and 2024, he completed three national tours spanning 45 cities and performed to cumulative audiences exceeding 200,000 concertgoers.
Film and Television Contributions
In addition to performing, Singer scored and wrote for film.
| Year | Project | Contribution | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Turning Red (animated feature) | Co‑writer of theme song | Charted at #8 |
| 2023 | Barbie (feature film) | Co‑writer of original song | Award nomination |
| 2024 | The Fallout (drama film) | Composer of score suites | Festival selection |
He also provided voice work for the character Jesse in the 2022 animated release Turning Red. From 2022 through 2024, his media contributions garnered:
- 2 Academy Award nominations (Best Original Song).
- 3 Golden Globe nominations.
- 1 Critics’ Choice Award nomination.
Family Background
Singer’s family influenced his art:
| Family Member | Birth Date | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Maggie Baird (mother) | March 29, 1961 | Actress, screenwriter, songwriting mentor |
| Patrick O’Connell (father) | June 15, 1960 | Actor, multi‑instrumentalist, early producer |
| Billie Eilish (sister) | December 18, 2001 | Vocal artist, co‑writer, co‑producer |
| Finneas O’Connell Jr. | – | N/A |
Between 1997 and 2001, both parents maintained small‑scale performance careers, performing in community theaters and local music venues. From 2005 onward, they homeschooled Singer and Billie, dedicating 2 hours per day to music lessons and 1 hour per day to literature and languages.
Artistic Philosophy and Techniques
Singer’s production ethos revolves around emotional authenticity and innovative sound design:
- Empathy‑driven writing: He tailors each song to the vocalist’s range, often adjusting melodies by 5–10 semitones in pre‑production to optimize expressiveness.
- Found‑sound integration: Incorporates non‑musical audio—traffic signals, dental equipment hums—layered at –12 dB to create textured backdrops.
- Hybrid analog‑digital workflow: Combines vintage synthesizers (analog) with modern DAW environments, splitting signal paths at a 50:50 ratio for warmth and clarity.
- Iterative mixing: Conducts 3 mix passes per track—initial balance, dynamic treatment, and final EQ—each lasting up to 4 hours.
These methods contribute to a sonic signature characterized by crisp percussion, intimate vocal proximity, and subtle ambient coloration.
Awards and Honors
Between 2019 and 2024, Singer’s accolades include:
| Award Type | Nominations | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Grammy Awards | 21 | 10 |
| Academy Awards | 2 | 0 |
| Golden Globe Awards | 3 | 0 |
| Critics’ Choice Awards | 1 | 0 |
| Producer of the Year | 1 | 1 |
Notable achievements:
- 2020: Grammy for Producer of the Year at age 22.
- 2020 & 2022: Grammy for Album of the Year.
- 2024: Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
His total award show appearances exceed 15, including performances and acceptance duties.
Legacy and Future Projects
As of mid‑2025, at age 27, Singer has:
- Co‑written and produced 5 multi‑platinum albums.
- Composed scores for 4 feature films.
- Performed in 3 sold‑out arena tours.
- Amassed combined streaming figures surpassing 7 billion.
Upcoming projects slated for late 2025 include:
| Quarter | Project | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | Fourth solo studio album | Singer‑songwriter, producer |
| Q4 2025 | Original documentary score | Composer |
| Q4 2025 | Collaborative single release | Co‑writer, co‑producer |
These endeavors will expand his footprint across audio and visual media, cementing his status as a multifaceted creator.
FAQ
Who is Phineas Singer?
Born July 30, 1997, in Los Angeles, Phineas Singer is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor.
How did he start his career?
He began songwriting at age 12, formed an indie band at 15, and made his acting debut at 14 in a feature film.
What is his connection to Billie Eilish?
Billie Eilish is his younger sister, and he has co‑written and co‑produced all her major releases.
When was “Ocean Eyes” released?
“Ocean Eyes” was released on November 1, 2015, and garnered 25,000 streams in its first week.
What awards has he won?
He has won 10 Grammy Awards out of 21 nominations and received multiple major award nominations in film songwriting.
Which films has he contributed to?
He has written songs for Turning Red (2022), Barbie (2023), and composed the score for The Fallout (2024).
What is his solo discography?
His solo releases include the EP Blood Harmony (2019) and the album Optimist (2022).
What are his upcoming projects?
He plans to release his fourth solo album, create a documentary score, and co-produce a single in late 2025.
