The PHD: Exeter’s alternative sensation talk new releases, producing, and hopes for the next year

Magda Kanecka | October 2025

The PHD consists of Persephone Holloway (drums), Hazel Goddard (bass) and Dylan Hough (guitar, vocals), who started the band in their first year of university and now play venues across Exeter and London.

All of the band members have pursued thorough interests in music from when they were younger, with bassist Hazel describing that she was exposed to music upon her dad played in marching bands.

“I only switched to bass a couple of months before coming to university,” she told BruitMag.

In a conversation about the band’s name, the members explain that taking their initials was important for them to maintain their authenticity and identity.

Drummer Persephone adds: “Another half of it was the fact that we’re all studying, and ‘The PHD’ sounds quite academic. It makes us sound starter!”

Singer-songwriter Dylan takes inspiration from bands such as The 1975 in his lyricism, while Hazel is often inspired by the Manic Street Preachers. All of The PHD write their own lyrics and work on separate projects before bringing them to the rest of the band members.

Persephone told BruitMag.: “Though we are a group, we also do our separate things on the side and share them with each other.”

On the topic of recording, the band talked about how even though they can disagree at times, they always find a way to persevere through it when it comes to their music, which always takes priority. Persephone describes a recent disagreement the band had regarding the bridge of one of their studio recordings.

Frontman Dylan told us: “You can have an idea, it may not sound great, and you move on to the next thing.”

Bassist Hazel added: “We spent a couple of hours deciding how to progress from the chorus to the bridge […] We didn’t like those that day, we came back the next day, tried it another way, and that version made it.”

Performing, to the band, is mainly about keeping a positive mindset and enjoying the experience. Citing the influence of local venues and the local music scene, The PHD have recently played their first London gig at The Sound in Shoreditch.

Dylan described that the band had people visit from both London and Exeter, and that performing alongside other bands on the evening was an overall positive experience. Persephone, who lives in London, further expressed that it was some of her family and friends’ first time seeing the band perform, which further added to her experience.

Coming from a small town of Exeter in Devon, England, the band described that this makes them increasingly appreciative of the opportunities they get. They mention the local music scene and how they wish to be a voice for all fans of alternative and indie music.

The PHD are currently working toward releasing their first studio release with a positive outlook on the upcoming year.

Hazel tells us: “Photoshoots and video shoots are something we’re looking into at the moment. We’re getting in touch with more people so that we can go out and say, ‘Go listen to our music, here it is.’”

The band is keeping busy recording and producing their tracks with the help of Exeter University’s recording studio, Kay House, while acquiring local gig opportunities and continuing to build a name for themselves across the music scene.

“All of our worst mistakes are already behind us,” adds Hazel.

Read the full interview here and follow The PHD on Instagram for further updates on their upcoming releases!