Featured IPO CD Artists: Elephonic, Mansfield, The Pozers
Featured IPO CD Artist: Elephonic
IPO Vol. 23 CD Song: “Rapid Transit”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
After some discussion, it was determined that this particular song, “Rapid Transit,” was a bit more rockin’ and so, it was determined that this may be a good fit for the CD. It chugs along nicely with some cool harmonica thrown in for good measure.
2. Please describe that pivotal moment when you first realized you wanted to create music or become a band.
While playing Nerf basketball, “I want to hold your hand” came on the radio and I stopped dead in my tracks. This was probably 1977. I knew right then and there what I had to do 🙂 Been broke ever since.
3. Which other artists (living or dead) do you admire most and why?
David Fenton from the Vapors–fantastic writer who influenced me tremendously. Impossibly catchy songs. Plus he’s a super sweet guy. Paul Weller for great songs and sheer energy. Steve Kilbey for more gentle, melodic songs with anything but ordinary lyrics. Of course, John Lennon.
4. How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact you and your music?
Interestingly enough, Elephonic was birthed in the Fall of 2020 so while clubs were out of commission, it felt like we had all this time to rehearse and hone our craft. I wouldn’t trade the timing for anything.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
I think the camaraderie is what I enjoy most about IPO. It’s a wonderful celebration of great music with like-minded people and bands who get to hang out and enjoy each other’s company. And if you make a fan or two, all the better.
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 currently have a FB and Instagram page where people can get in touch with us. Our debut will be released on all virtual platforms toward the end of April 2023. Hard copy CDs will be released 5/13/23 and hopefully distributed to where folks can buy it. Or they can always reach out via one of our websites.
Featured IPO CD Artist: Mansfield
IPO Vol. 23 CD Song: “A Place In The Sun”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
We picked the song “A Place in the Sun” to pay homage to the Merseybeat tradition which has inspired us greatly. “A Place in the Sun” sounds like it could have been recorded in Liverpool back in the 1960s because of its very Beatles-esque vibe. The song is our most successful single from our debut album Star-Crossed Lovers released in 2020 and it is still in rotation on Danish National Radio. Also, John Hassall from the British band The Libertines says that it is his favourite song from the album.
2. Please describe that pivotal moment when you first realized you wanted to create music or become a band.
The four of us grew up listening to bands such as The Beatles, The Kinks, Abba and The Who, who really had a knack of writing great songs. Experiencing how music can move you even at an early age was very impactful for all of us and as we grew up, we started playing different instruments to recreate that feeling. When we first got to know each other in 2015, we decided to form Mansfield. Our vision was to create music inspired by our roots, and when we work on music together, we often look to The Beatles as a frame of reference. We all love The Beatles and what they represent as a band.
3. Which other artists (living or dead) do you admire most and why?
Obviously, Paul McCartney is a living legend who has written some of the greatest songs ever, both with The Beatles and as a solo artist. Simon and Garfunkel are outstanding because of their vocal harmonies. U2 have always had a unique sound and demonstrate integrity as a band, which is admirable. Today there are so many great and inspiring artists out there. Worth mentioning are Arctic Monkeys with their prolific songwriter Alex Turner, innovative masterminds Radiohead and American indie rockers Death Cab For Cutie. They all produce a high quality of songwriting which is something we admire.
4. How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact you and your music?
Mansfield signed a deal with record label DME right before the pandemic and our debut album came out during lockdown when it was impossible to do gigs. This also meant that many radio stations were closed and music blogs were not doing reviews, so it was extremely difficult to break through and achieve our goals. After some time however, the situation become more stable and our album was rewarded Album of The Week on Danish National Radio. In 2021 we could finally start touring and promoting our music. By now, Danish National Radio has played 9 out of 11 album tracks as well as our two singles released in 2022. This is an achievement that we are very proud of.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
One of the best things about performing at The IPO Festival Liverpool was meeting so many different artists and getting to know inspiring people from the music industry – at the very cradle of British rock tradition. The IPO Festival Liverpool was very well planned, and it was a true pleasure and honour for all of us to be part of such an iconic event alongside many great artists. Our shows at The Cavern Club really marked Mansfield’s entry on the international music scene. Consequently, Mansfield are now working with PK Management and The Songbird HQ Promotion in the UK who are promoting our new releases. Upon our return to Denmark, the band did a live interview on Danish National Radio sharing our experiences of The IPO Festival and giving a shout out to David Bash for inviting us.
Networking is important in the music industry, and we were happy to receive a lot of praise and acknowledgement from the people who saw us perform at the IPO Festival Liverpool. Ken Kurson from Rock and Roll Globe described us as “gorgeous pop songwriting with great vocal harmonies.”
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?
Mansfield’s music is available on all digital streaming services and the music videos are found on our YouTube channel called www.youtube.com/mansfieldband
Our album can be purchased on vinyl via https://mansfield-band.bandcamp.com/album/star-crossed-lovers
In addition, we have our own website and are active on social media.
www.mansfield.dk
www.facebook.com/mansfieldband
https://www.instagram.com/mansfieldcph/
https://twitter.com/mansfieldband1
Featured IPO CD Artist: The Pozers
IPO Vol. 23 CD Song: “The only Girl”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
We chose our song “The only Girl” for the IPO Volume 23 CD. The song originally appeared on The Pozers’ 2019 CD, Crybaby Bridge. It’s funny, because originally “The only Girl” wasn’t even supposed to be on Crybaby Bridge. We had some last-minute changes in the original song lineup for that album, so “The only Girl” was actually the last song added to the CD. We knew we liked the song, but it wasn’t until Crybaby Bridge was released that we realized it was special. It actually became one of our most played songs on indie radio. Also, whenever Crybaby Bridge was reviewed by journalists, “The only Girl” was always mentioned as a standout song on the album. For whatever reason, the song seemed to resonate with our fan base, the power pop audience, and DJs around the world. So we hope the IPO audience will enjoy it as well.
2. Please describe that pivotal moment when you first realized you wanted to create music or become a band.
I’m not sure if there is an exact moment or rather a series of moments. Two specific early moments that come to mind are:
a. Being about eight years old and watching KISS perform on television. I was at just the right age to transition from liking superheroes, to liking “superheroes that played music.” I knew at the age of eight I wanted to do music.
b. December 9, 1980, the day after John Lennon was murdered, that sad moment actually exposed me to The Beatles for the first time. That moment led me into exploring a career in songwriting—and the never-ending quest for catchy melodies and thoughtful lyrics.
3. Which other artists (living or dead) do you admire most and why?
There are so many great artists whom I admire. Obviously, Lennon and McCartney are at the top of my list, but here are a few songwriters/artists, who are no longer with us I admire/influenced me.
Although he was before my time, Jim Morrison (RIP) merging rock lyrics with poetry and philosophy was a huge influence. He made elements of academia “cool.” One could be educated and still be a rocker/artist.
A couple of guys from my home state, Texas, who were great songwriters that we lost way too soon were Elliott Smith (RIP) and Joey C. Jones (RIP). Elliott was my age. The Pozers actually wrote a tribute song for Elliott, “The Obvious Ledge” that appears on our Crybaby Bridge CD. Joey C. Jones produced The Pozers first CD and was a friend, mentor, and collaborator since 1991. Sadly, Joey passed away March 15, 2022. His version of “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” was always my favorite version of the song, including the original.
Doug Hopkins (RIP) was a phenomenal songwriter and wrote half the songs (and all my favorites) on Gin Blossoms’ New Miserable Experience album.
Richey James Edwards (RIP) songwriter/guitarist from Manic Street Preachers was a true talent. Presumed dead, Richey disappeared in 1995. An interesting side note about Richey, at least a few times a year I get emails from his fans asking if I [Jim Richey] am Richey! I guess it’s because The Pozers released our first CD a few months after he disappeared, and I spell my last name [Richey] the same. I supposed they think they’ve discovered some kind of Eddie and Cruisers conspiracy/cover-up! LOL! Of course, I am NOT Richey James; I’m Jim Richey. But if I were Richey James, I probably would have not picked an “alias” that was just the reverse of my real name! LOL!
3a. Same question, but for any contemporary/living artist.
There are so many great ones, but I’d like to focus on some of the perhaps less universally known songwriters/artists, who either influenced me, or I really appreciate and admire their work. Many of these I am proud to now call friends. In no particular order, Andy Sturmer, Roger Joseph Manning Jr., Jason Falkner, Donnie Vie, Jonathan Daniel (Electric Angels/The Loveless), Adam Hamilton (Songwriter/Musician/Producer), Les Farrington, Norman Blake, Gerard Love, Raymond McGinley, Butch Walker, Johnnie Holliday (Star Star/Scream Idol), Matt and Brandt Huseman, Ira Katz (The Greenberry Woods) Robert Schneider (The Apples in Stereo), Johnny Andriani (The Dwellers), Bobby LaRoche (The Sighs), Jason Bieler, Billy McCarthy (Author/Musician) Rudy Sarzo, Punky Meadows, and the list goes on….
When independent/underground music became more accessible, it was painfully obvious (for most of us my age) there were some phenomenal CDs released that were just as good (or better) than anything ever released in the history of music. However, they were not selling millions of copies. For example, Jellyfish’s Spilt Milk is literally one of the greatest albums ever released in terms of songs, production, performance, and artwork, but sadly was not received that way by most of the critics or the masses. It just confirmed what many already knew: Fame is not a measurement of talent and quality. Some of my favorite songs few have ever heard.
4. How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact you and your music?
The Pozers had just released Crybaby Bridge a few months before the pandemic, so it completely ended all of our bookings and live promotion for that album. We had to alter how we promoted it, so we turned more toward digital avenues. On the positive side, it gave me some much-needed time to write and record some new songs. Sometimes forced isolation can lead to creativity and productivity, or at least it did in my case.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
As far as the IPO Festival, The Pozers played our first one in 2011 and it was truly the beginning of a beautiful relationship. I love the camaraderie and friendships we’ve developed over the years with the other artists (and people associated with the festival), and of course working with and becoming friends with David. The IPO CD is a wonderful component of the festival. We get to play live with our friends at the festival, and later hear studio versions of everyone’s songs on the IPO CD. It’s a perfect bookend to the festival.
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?
The Pozers are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on our upcoming NEW 2023 CD, scheduled to be released in the summer 2023. We’re proud to announce that we’re working with our friend (and Beatles’ expert) Elaine McAfee Bender on the cover art for the CD, so we are very excited!
Email The Pozers at: thepozers@gmail.com
Purchase CD’s and Songs from The Pozers:
iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-pozers/89893248
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=%22the+pozers%22+cd&ref=nb_sb_noss
Jam Records: https://www.jamrecordings.com/catalog.php
Kool Kat Musik: http://shop.koolkatmusik.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?
Follow The Pozers on these official websites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepozers/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/thepozers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepozersband
YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/6thfloorrecords/videos
YouTube Audio: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5_aLdcOr_W0QoFOBKBKpuQ
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ICJfzuS1yrSSBuuAwVpHK
Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/the-pozers/AR25f3ZPw5ZXzZm
Bandcamp: https://thepozers.bandcamp.com/