Featured IPO CD Artist: The PoZers
Featured IPO CD Artist: The PoZers
IPO Vol. 24 CD Song: “Two”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
Jim Richey: We chose the song “Two” for the IPO Volume 24 compilation CD. The song originally appeared on The PoZers’ CD, Crybaby Bridge. It is one of my favorite songs that I’ve ever written. We always try to do something special for the IPO CDs, so we decided to submit a different mix/version of “Two”, which we aptly titled “Two (IPO mix)”. This special mix features a mellotron, different guitars, and was more “retro” sounding than the original version that appeared on Crybaby Bridge
.
“Two” is one of the few songs from The PoZers that I struggled with deciding on the final musical arrangement determination. In my mind the song works on many levels ranging from an electric rock/pop perspective, to an acoustic arrangement. It was difficult to decide on what the final arrangement should or would be. This special version of the song for the IPO CD was cathartic for me to be able to showcase that new retro arrangement I heard in my head. And I absolutely loved how David and Rina played along with the “Two” theme by placing the song “Two (IPO mix)” on Disc “Two” in the spot twenty-“Two”! Awesome! Very clever!
2. If you had to pick only one artist (living or dead) as your musical hero, who would it be and why?
Jim Richey: Without question it’s Paul McCartney, but “hero” may be the wrong word. I think of McCartney (and other multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriters) more as kindred spirits. As a multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter myself, McCartney was probably the single greatest musical influence on me growing up. People who are capable of writing, arranging, and recording songs by themselves (while proficiently playing all of the instruments) are pretty rare. Most of the musicians I’ve played with do one or two musical things pretty well, and focused on that, but I was a little different. I started playing drums so young (age 3) that I was already proficient at it by the time I began playing guitar at 12, then piano and writing songs at 13. So there was an organic progression to my own personal musical evolution. I never set out to be what I became; it just happened naturally. For me it wasn’t about trying to be like or comparing myself to McCartney in any way, but I just always identified with him because I saw myself in many of the ways he approached songwriting and recording. McCartney’s melodic bass style is my favorite, and definitely an influence on my approach to playing bass and creating melodic bass parts.
Stacy Shew: Geddy Lee/Rush – A true innovator on the bass who plays with such a melodic and harmonic approach, yet is very technically proficient. He creates such a balanced, emotive style all his own.
Kirk Harper: Prince, because of his respect for the songs and his process for creating music that was wholly complete from inception to production to presentation.
Charles Praytor: For me it’s Sting. His songwriting and musicianship have spoken volumes to me over the course of my life. I love how he’s adapted over the course of his career, managing to stay effortlessly cool in all his iterations.
3. What advice you would give to the current generation of aspiring musicians based on your own experience thus far?
Jim Richey: I think it really depends on what the aspiring musician would ultimately like to be. If being “rich and famous” or working as a full-time professional musician is your ultimate goal, then realize going in that the odds are stacked against you. So, to increase your chances of “making it,” you must devote enormous amounts of time (several hours a day) on your craft. Also, move to where the action is. Try to live in a large city where there are a lot of musical connections and opportunities. Be versatile and open-minded about musical opportunities presented to you. Starting out, I did many musical things beyond just writing, recording and performing my own songs my way. I started teaching guitar, bass, and drum lessons when I was 19. I worked as a session musician in many recording studios over the years, and played as a live “hired gun” for all genres of music ranging from country, blues, jazz, rock etc. All of those experiences made me a better musician and created many contacts that helped me later on. If your only goal is to play for fun and create your own art the way you envision it in your head, that’s fine too. That’s actually what I did when I formed The PoZers. Always believe in yourself and your abilities.
Stacy Shew: Play as often, especially with other musicians, as possible. Don’t limit your options if you can make time to experience different genres. That doesn’t mean you aren’t true to what you love to play, and it will open your ears to new ways to approach your instrument. Listen – Don’t just “hear”…
Kirk Harper: Focus your energy on playing well and creating music that makes you happy and makes you feel whole. For the guns for hire folks, love playing everything the gig requires and ALWAYS STICK TO YOUR COMMITMENTS!! Unless you get offered the Slipknot gig or the Beatles reunion, have yourself at the gig you signed up for.
Charles Praytor: Learn as many aspects of the music business as you can. Realize the music business encompasses more than just songwriting and big label record releases (or even indie releases). There are plenty of niches where you can create a career, you just have to be curious about what’s out there, and willing to work at things that might not make you famous.
4. What advice do you wish someone had given you when you were just starting out as a musician/band? (can be same or different than above)
Jim Richey: Advice is a funny thing. Depending on who was giving me the advice when I was a kid, I’m not sure I would have listened anyway. Some things we have to learn on our own, which is why they say that “experience is the greatest teacher.” But one thing I think we all learn the hard way is that bands come and go. Like Bryan Adams said “Me and some guys from school had a band and we tried real hard. Jimmy quit and Jody got married; I should’ve known we’d never get far…” Almost all of my musician friends I grew up with are now completely out of the music business. So be true to yourself and try not to rely on others to do things for you that you can do for yourself. Don’t make excuses for why you can’t do something. Figure out a way to do it. I love Henry Ford’s quote: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” Never forget that you control your own destiny and don’t let critics and your own internal doubts bring you down. I learned some of the aforementioned the hard way. I have always been a stubbornly optimistic person. I hate when people tell me I can’t do something. I always believed in myself and that got me through a lot of tough times and made me who I am today.
Stacy Shew: Please see above!
Kirk Harper: Same as above.
Charles Praytor: I wish someone had told me to move to a music industry city early in my life and career. It always felt too risky and unknown for me to do it without that encouragement. Risk taking is never easy, but it also doesn’t get easier as you add responsibilities.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
Jim Richey: I love everything about playing the IPO Festival; it’s like a power pop reunion every time The PoZers play. Of course, playing live with Stacy, Kirk, and Charles is always an honor and a blast. They’re three of the best musicians I have ever had the pleasure to share a stage with. The chemistry is perfect! We chose the IPO Festival in Arlington, Texas in September 2023 as our official release party for The PoZers new CD, Something Pop. Our good friend Elaine McAfee Bender was the model on the cover art for the CD and t-shirt. Having Elaine there that night was amazing! It was such a memorable night. I love seeing our friends from the other bands playing. Our good friends Danny Wilkerson and Lannie Flowers joined us on stage to close the show with “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes).” I also love hanging out and talking music with our friends/fans that attend and support us and the other acts. Of course, it’s always great to see David and catch up on everything. The IPO CD is just the “cherry on top” and a terrific companion piece of the IPO festival. I always love hearing the contrasts of how artists sound live, versus the controlled element of the studio.
Stacy Shew: Seeing and hearing so many great bands I would have never been aware of otherwise.
Kirk Harper: Honestly, I enjoy the entire community of the IPO Festivals. I absolutely love all the other artists, David’s graciousness, and the different venues. It’s just such a humbling and unique experience playing The PoZers tunes in a CBGB kind of atmosphere and format and IPO lets us do it!!
Charles Praytor: I really enjoyed making good live music with good friends and musicians. And the best thing about the IPO is that people are attending for the music! So, you can fully immerse yourself in the performance, knowing that people share your passion for live music!
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?
Please Follow and Like The PoZers on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepozers/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepozersband
Twitter: http://twitter.com/thepozers
Email The PoZers at: thepozers@gmail.com
Watch videos from The PoZers at: https://www.youtube.com/user/6thfloorrecords/videos
Purchase The PoZers CD’s at:
Kool Kat Musik: http://shop.koolkatmusik.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?
Jam Records: https://www.jamrecordings.com/catalog.php?inventory_id=3174
Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/artist/1220125-The-Pozers
Purchase, stream, add to playlists, or simply listen to songs from The PoZers:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-pozers/89893248
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B00GPI4IFO/the-pozers
YouTube Audio: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5_aLdcOr_W0QoFOBKBKpuQ
Bandcamp: https://thepozers.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ICJfzuS1yrSSBuuAwVpHK
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thepozers
Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/the-pozers/AR25f3ZPw5ZXzZm
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/4651926
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/thepozers