Featured IPO CD Artists: Caper Clowns, The Vinylos, The Shellye Valauskas Experience, Mike Daly & The Planets, REACTION
Featured IPO CD Artist: Caper Clowns
IPO Vol 21 CD Song: “Pretty & Underwear”
1) What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
We chose the song because we wanted something up tempo, that was still unreleased at the time, and that made “Pretty & Underwear” the obvious choice for us.
2) Which 2-3 ’60-‘90s artists do you admire most (and why)?
Tough question, as much of our favourite music is from those decades. The Beatles and XTC come to mind. In addition to both bands having made a lot of great songs, they’ve also both made songs in many different genres, with many different sounds, which is definitely something we aspire to do too.
3) Same as question 2, but for contemporary artists
A Danish band called Treefight For Sunlight made an album called A Collection Of Vibrations For Your Skull in 2010, which completely blew us away. Just amazingly playful tunes from start to finish. Another one is fellow IPO band, Spygenius, which we heard last year at The Cavern Club, and were super impressed by. A few days later we were driving up to Stockholm to play the IPO there, and listened to them for hours on the road. Great band, with amazing tunes, which we’re definitely looking forward to seeing live again this year.
4) What has been your most rewarding (and/or humorous) artist-fan interaction to date? (Can be with you as artist or as fan)
In the early days of Caper Clowns, back in 2011, we went to a Beady Eye concert, where The Moons were opening. We didn’t know The Moons before the gig, but immediately thought they were awesome. Not long after this, they held a competition for bands to do cover versions of their song “English Summer”, and naturally we decided to take part. This was the result: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-c8lQYDtx4 – we won the competition, and were of course super proud of that!
5) What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
Being from Denmark, it’s been fantastic being able to play away from home. It has also opened a lot of doors for us, meaning that when we travel to Liverpool for the IPO this year, we also have other gigs planned in the UK. That wouldn’t have been possible without being part of the IPO.
6) Where can people who love your song on the IPO CD go to get more of your music and/or find out when and where you’re playing?
https://www.facebook.com/CaperClowns/ is the best place to go for news and updates. To listen to the music we’re available on most streaming services and itunes. For CD’s the best place to find us it with Kool Kat Musik at https://www.koolkatmusik.com/.
Featured IPO CD Artist: The Vinylos
IPO Vol 21 CD Song: “Summer Rain”
1) What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
We thought “Summer Rain” was the most fitting track for the album. It’s a very strong but love song, as those rainy days in the summer, where you want to go outside but the weather doesn’t seem like it´s helping. That’s why it was the ideal candidate for the IPO compilation. We always want to give our best!
2) Which 2-3 ’60-‘90s artists do you admire most (and why)?
We mainly focus on the sound of the ‘60s.
All the British sound, the beat, the mersey sounds… that’s all wonderful. Also the Mod scene is very important for our music. We love Power Pop, Badfinger, Raspberries, The Birmingham sound of The Move, they are one of our beloved idols. We love the garage, how The Remains, Paul Revere and The Sonics sounded…
We like to mix everything we like, the sound of The Vinylos is meant to represent all the music we love, but giving it our identity.
3) Same as question 2, but for contemporary artists
Any band included in the IPO 19 compilation, we like it and are the reflection of the good music that is done today, they are all wonderful! You have to follow them!
4) What has been your most rewarding (and/or humorous) artist-fan interaction to date? (Can be with you as artist or as fan)
A concert in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria two years ago. A woman stood on her knees in front of the stage to thank us for the music we do. There have been many good times, but that was so exciting that we will remember it all our lives.
5) What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
Knowing that David Bash wants us in his compilation and in his festivals is a real pride for us. We are really excited to know that you appreciate us! It is also the best support for our music to be known in the world.
Thanks, David!
6) Where can people who love your song on the IPO CD go to get more of your music and/or find out when and where you’re playing?
We have our albums on Spotify, Itunes, and on all digital platforms and you can also buy our albums on vinyl format through the Clifford Records page.
At our facebook page you can find out about all the band news, concerts, and nearby releases: https://www.facebook.com/TheVinylos
Featured IPO CD Artist: The Shellye Valauskas Experience
IPO Vol 21 CD Song: “Do Over”
1) What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
As reviews of History of Panic started to come in, it seemed that “Do Over” (the opening track) was a favorite, so we figured let’s send that one out to more ears. It’s also probably the catchiest song on the record. It’s drawn comparisons to The Raspberries, the dB’s and Big Star. I’ll take all of those 🙂
2) Which 2-3 ’60-‘90s artists do you admire most (and why)?
The Posies for their ridiculous harmonies and catchy as hell songs. Aimee Mann for her smart lyrics, beautiful melodies and the diversity of her work. Til Tuesday was my first concert when I was 10, and to see the evolution of her as an artist has been inspiring.
3) Same as question 2, but for contemporary artists
Jason Isbell for the incredible live show he and the 400 unit put on as well as the songs he writes that break my heart. I’m also a huge fan of Lydia Loveless. Great songs and a voice that kills.
4) What has been your most rewarding (and/or humorous) artist-fan interaction to date? (Can be with you as artist or as fan)
This one is two fold for me. I’ve always been a die hard Posies fan and having the opportunity to have Jon Auer (The Posies, Big Star) collaborate on 4 tracks on the record was amazing. Then he joined us here for our two record release shows and we got to play a bunch of Posies songs with him during his set. A total dream come true. From there things got kooky and we had the opportunity to open for them on their 30th anniversary tour. The band stayed with us that night and my teenage brain just about exploded. In September, the Frosting on the Beater line up played at our (Dean and my) wedding. I’m still pinching myself.
5) What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
Being in the company of so much talent and like-minded individuals and of course the commitment and passion that you (David Bash) have for the genre and music in general.
6) Where can people who love your song on the IPO CD go to get more of your music and/or find out when and where you’re playing?
CD Baby, Amazon, iTunes, www.theshellyevalauskasexperience.com
Featured IPO CD Artist: Mike Daly & The Planets
IPO Vol 21 CD Song: “Slack”
1) What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
It was the most popular of the newer songs in our live set.
2) Which 2-3 ’60-‘90s artists do you admire most (and why)?
Off the top of my head: The Beatles, for their staggering abilities as writers and musicians; Cheap Trick for their amazing longevity and continued ability to do great live shows; The Who for having a punk edge long before anyone knew what punk was.
3) Same as question 2, but for contemporary artists
Foo Fighters, whose big rock shows harken back to a classic era in music history; Pete Yorn, for consistently great songwriting; Jason Isbell, for bringing a rock sensibility to country and vice-versa.
4) What has been your most rewarding (and/or humorous) artist-fan interaction to date? (Can be with you as artist or as fan)
I’ve gotten a ton of mileage out of my meetings with Les Paul and Paul McCartney. 🙂
5) What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
It’s great first to be recognized by the organizers as being on a par with the many great bands that have performed at the festival. And it’s an honor to appear on stages and recordings with such amazingly talented people.
6) Where can people who love your song on the IPO CD go to get more of your music and/or find out when and where you’re playing?
www.mikedaly.com
Featured IPO CD Artist: REACTION
IPO Vol 21 CD Song: “Rain Has Gone”
1) What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
The song we choose, “Rain Has Gone” was always a fan favorite. There have been many versions of this song. This version was Produced by Peter Buck of REM. Peter captured REACTION as our youthful selves way back in 1985. As such, the song
is a time capsule and illustrates one of the many flavors in pop during the 1980’s.
2) Which 2-3 ’60-‘90s artists do you admire most (and why)?
The Beatles: What can I add to what we already know? Here it is 2019 and we are still talking about them. They changed music as we know it.
Badfinger: They may be the definition of power pop! Sweet melodies disguised in power cords that bring joy and sadness striking at all emotions of the listener.
REM: In the beginning you never heard them on the radio unless you were listening to a college station. I discovered them when I was writing record reviews for the DePaul college newspaper. The fact that they waned in later years, as many bands do, does not lessen the impact and influence they had during most of the 1980’s. You can only remain “alternative’ for so long, then you are bound to become mainstream.
Nirvana: The decade of grunge. For me Nirvana was more a power pop band than a grunge band. Power Pop Grunge if you will. There are sweet melodies here disguised in the heavy sound of distorted guitars.
3) Same as question 2, but for contemporary artists
As far as our contemporaries in the 1980’s there were many great pop bands. Unfortunately these bands, including REACTION, were left aside as many labels swooned over the electric pop craze. Many local bands were Off Broadway, The Elvis Brothers, EIEIO, etc., etc.
4) What has been your most rewarding (and/or humorous) artist-fan interaction to date? (Can be with you as artist or as fan)
I would say that when Peter Buck produced REACTION would be the most rewarding and humorous. Peter was down to Earth and so funny. And so were we. We hit it off SMASHINGLY. I remember, Peter would not accept any money for his time. So we made a deal. Peter had just bought a new house, instead we gave him an answering machine (if you remember what those were?) as a house warming gift. He loved it.
5) What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
It’s truly an honor to be on the IPO CD. There are so many great Pop bands on there that would otherwise be lost in the shuffle and their music never heard. For us it has helped resurrect our music. It is amazing to see old and new fans/friends at the shows, and not just our show, but at the festival itself.
6) Where can people who love your song on the IPO CD go to get more of your music and/or find out when and where you’re playing?
Edison Park, by REACTION