Featured IPO vol 26 CD Artists: GeezLouise, The General Store, The Viewers, Orbis Max, Caper Clowns
Featured IPO CD Artist: GeezLouise
IPO Vol. 26 CD Song: “Mexico”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
It seems the most popular with my peeps, I love it, and it’s joyful. I love to share it!
2. Please describe your most fun or most rewarding experience thus far as a musician / band
Receiving feedback from my album, recording the latest album (Dancing in the Storm) and hearing applause.
3. Please describe your worst or your most humorous experience thus far as a musician / band
One drunk heckler dropped trow right in front of the stage after announcing himself as Marco Polo! Thank goddess for security….
4. What is it about music (yours or that of other musicians you admire) that inspires you to keep writing / performing?
My feelings, the feelings of others and listening to really great songwriting from others. I get a burn to express something in a certain way.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with the IPO Festival / CD?
Some guy heard my song “Mexico” on the CD, found me on Bandcamp and bought the CD! Nice to know that pop music is alive and well – who else but David promotes it? Great to see other Chicago area musicians presented, too!
6. Where can people who love your song on the IPO CD go to get more of your music / find out where and when you’re playing?
GeezLouise is a studio project right now, so best to find me on recordings through my website: GeezLouiseSongs.com. Also on Spotify, Apple Music, all of ’em…. I’ll be loud about it if I get a band formed or doing any solo gigs. I’m writing for the next album right now!
Featured IPO CD Artist: The General Store
IPO Vol. 26 CD Song: “Makes No Difference”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
2025 was a bit of an anniversary for The General Store – 25 years old – so, I felt an uptempo track would be appropriate to herald the band’s return.
2. Please describe your most fun or most rewarding experience thus far as a musician / band
Being able to make music that other people enjoy is such a huge gift. Since I was 13 – making shitty 4-track demos in my bedroom – it was always the goal to make my own records some day.
3. Please describe your worst or your most humorous experience thus far as a musician / band
In a recording studio bitching about another band member, not realising they were in the control room hearing every word. Awful.
4. What is it about music (yours or that of other musicians you admire) that inspires you to keep writing / performing?
I don’t think I’ve ever been completely satisfied with anything I’ve done. The curiosity to see if I can do better next time is what drives me.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with the IPO Festival / CD?
IPO Festival has waved the flag for so many great artists over the years and continues to do so. My introduction to IPO happened in 2001, just before the release of the first General Store album and, as a result, I was introduced to some excellent music and a very welcoming and supportive community.
6. Where can people who love your song on the IPO CD go to get more of your music / find out where and when you’re playing?
https://generalstoremusic.square.site
Featured IPO CD Artist: The Viewers
IPO Vol. 26 CD Song: “Around and Around”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
We selected “AROUND AND AROUND” as it is an up-tempo song and the first to appear on the band’s current album, IF NOT NOW WHEN.
2. Please describe your most fun or most rewarding experience thus far as a musician / band
Post Covid, our label ‘AWAL’ was bought out by Sony Music Entertainment and many of its roster artists were let go by the global parent label and distributor. I had personally battled bowel cancer through the same period and was very ill and not sure that I’d ever be able to continue with The Viewers. However, with new songs recorded and ready to release I was astounded to discover that Sony wanted to retain The Viewers which gave me (and the band) a magnificent lift and the impetus to complete a new album which has subsequently won us the most radio airplay of any recording thus far.
3. Please describe your worst or your most humorous experience thus far as a musician / band
Many years ago (in the mid-‘80s), the band I was a part of then ‘Love Among The Ruins’ played at the famous ‘London Palladium.’ Just before going on stage I’d forgotten something and ran back to our dressing room like a bullet. On the way back to the stage I literally knocked a person to the ground by mistake with some force. That person was none other than famous TV Presenter and journalist ‘Sir David Frost.’ He was not happy.
4. What is it about music (yours or that of other musicians you admire) that inspires you to keep writing / performing?
For us it’s never about the money. It’s never been about the ‘fame-thing’ or any ego trip either. It’s about the bond you make when you write and create original music with your fellow band mates. When that music takes you to another place… that’s IT!
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with the IPO Festival / CD?
IPO gives you an opportunity to see other independent artists, chat to them and be a part of a global community. The US exposure The Viewers have gained has given us a great deal of kudos too. And of course… David and Rina, who are an inspiration to so many.
6. Where can people who love your song on the IPO CD go to get more of your music / find out where and when you’re playing?
Visit YouTube (The Viewers Band) or our Facebook Page (same name) or, try most of the major streaming platforms. We’re there. We also have a BandCamp profile.
https://www.facebook.com/theviewersband
https://www.youtube.com/@TheViewersBand
Featured IPO CD Artist: Orbis Max
IPO Vol. 26 CD Song: “The Light From Other Windows”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
Oddly enough, this song was suggested by IPO for us! “The Light From Other Windows” likely would have been our choice independently, so everything seemed to point in that direction. Who were we to argue?
2. Please describe your most fun or most rewarding experience thus far as a musician / band
We’re still pretty indie, so it is a genuine thrill when we get comments and compliments from fans and peers. It reminds us of why we’re in this mad venture in the first place.
3. Please describe your worst or your most humorous experience thus far as a musician / band
We haven’t really had a “worst,” other than the usual push and pull of getting your work heard in a big, wide world. Part of the territory.
4. What is it about music (yours or that of other musicians you admire) that inspires you to keep writing / performing?
We’ve said it many times, but it deserves repeating. Making music is (and should be) compulsory to those who do it. Yes, we want to, but also feel we need to as it is a part of us and to avoid or deny that seems wrong. We keep doing it because the songs keep arriving and we can’t not do it!
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with the IPO Festival / CD?
As always, IPO is like Indie Pop’s “cool kid club.” To be a part of either the Festival or the CD is a sign that you have arrived. Orbis Max has been around the block for many years, and the recognition of our work and presence via IPO is gratifying.
Featured IPO CD Artist: Caper Clowns
IPO Vol. 26 CD Song: “Behind The Waterfall (Ayayahoo)”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
“Behind The Waterfall (Ayayahoo)” is a song from our latest album (2025), that we feel somewhat represents our current sound, and that we hope IPO enthusiasts will enjoy.
2. Please describe your most fun or most rewarding experience thus far as a musician / band
I think connecting with people at shows is probably the most rewarding for us. When we’re playing and people actually pay attention and react to the music or to what we’re saying between songs, it’s pretty cool. We do also quite enjoy getting played on the radio, and winning best live band of our region of Denmark in 2020 certainly didn’t hurt either.
3. Please describe your worst or your most humorous experience thus far as a musician / band
We have a recorded intro track that we usually play to walk on stage. At the end of this track we immediately start playing the first song of the set. The track is roughly two minutes long. A few years ago, we were playing a festival somewhere in Denmark, and as I often do, I had gone to pee before the show. The toilets were maybe 200 meters (650 feet) from the stage, and mid pee I suddenly heard this intro track start, about five minutes before it was supposed to start. So I obviously abandoned what I was doing, and started sprinting towards the stage. I made it with maybe 10 seconds to spare (Rick).
4. What is it about music (yours or that of other musicians you admire) that inspires you to keep writing / performing?
We think the creative parts are a lot of fun, so essentially writing and arranging the songs is always great.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with the IPO Festival / CD?
Having played quite a few of the different IPO festivals around the world in recent years, we can say that our favourite thing is hearing, and getting to know the other artists. There’s a great community around the IPO. Playing is great too, but it’s the community that makes it so special.
6. Where can people who love your song on the IPO CD go to get more of your music / find out where and when you’re playing?
Bandcamp: https://caperclowns.bandcamp.com/album/without-a-safety-net
Streaming services: https://caperclowns.lnk.to/WithoutASafetyNet
To find out where we’re playing, it’s best to follow us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/CaperClowns/