Featured IPO CD Artists: Sue Hedges, The Parlophonics, Eric Crugnale
Featured IPO CD Artist: Sue Hedges
IPO Vol. 23 CD Song: “Songs In A Different Light”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
I chose the song I did because it’s the title track of my latest album, Songs in a Different Light. I also chose it because I believe it’s the most catchy and commercial on the album. Another reason I’ve picked it is in the hope that people who liked what they heard would explore more of my music.
2. Please describe that pivotal moment when you first realized you wanted to create music or become a band.
When I was six, I was on holiday in Tenerife. The compere was testing his mic so I went over and asked him if I could say something into it. He handed the mic to me and I started to sing. He told me that there was a band on that evening and for me to come back down later that afternoon to discuss with the band what I wanted to sing with them. I came down and we found a song that I knew and they could play well. That evening when I was singing in front of a packed function room, the applause I got at the end made me want to pursue a career in music. It was that moment where I thought “this is what I really want to do.”
3. Which other artists (living or dead) do you admire most and why?
The artists I really admire are actually not legends or superstars, I actually admire people like Tom Russell and David Olney who’ve played to small but appreciative audiences and who’s songs are far better than any of those coming out in the mainstream charts today. Artists like these still keep going and never give up.
4. How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact you and your music?
It was horrible! Particularly when we had the first lockdown back in March 2020, I couldn’t even listen to music let alone write it or play it. I just couldn’t settle at all. When I got into a ‘lockdown groove’, if you like, I started writing songs again but I also came up with a game which involved other musicians online called ‘Play Your Chords Right’ which was a lot of fun and proved very popular but I stopped running it when things returned to normal.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
I love playing the IPO because I love to meet bands and artists from all over the world. I particularly enjoy the Cavern Club gigs in Liverpool, as you get many different nationalities mixing together. It’s great meeting old friends and making new ones. Apart from the gigs themselves, that’s why I love playing the IPO every year. I love listening to the CD when it’s done too as there is a great mixture of different types of pop genres on there.
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?
Head to my website which is www.suehedges.com Here you will find links to various digital platforms and stores where you can listen to my music. You’ll also find links to my Facebook and Twitter pages so you can keep up with me.
Featured IPO CD Artist: The Parlophonics
IPO Vol. 23 CD Song: “Feel The Light”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
“Feel The Light” is a very traditional Pop Song rooted in the 70ies with a distinct George Harrison and Pete Ham feel. This kind of music will stand the test of time and inspire many generations of musicians to come.
2. Please describe that pivotal moment when you first realized you wanted to create music or become a band.
There was no moment of realizing this force that has always been in me. It was just there, part of my days from the day I could use my voice.
3. Which other artists (living or dead) do you admire most and why?
Beside the Fab4 there are Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher and to a certain extend I love Eric Clapton’s songwriting. But in fact there are too many to mention.
4. How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact you and your music?
The C19 lock down was the start of The Parlophonics. We met online, started to collaborate online, to write and to record songs online, without ever having met in person. Currently we are finishing our second album and we have still not met.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
I noticed the IPO first, when I read about concerts at the Cavern Club 2019 and started dreaming, how it would be to play that venue. We are a more virtual band, but the dream is still alive.
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 cannot do live gigs but our music is all around the net. parlophonics.com can be a good point to start and google can help too.
Featured IPO CD Artist: Eric Crugnale
IPO Vol. 23 CD Song: “Unreliable Friend”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
I chose the song “Unreliable Friend” for the IPO CD. It’s certainly one of my most “Power Pop” songs, so I felt it would fit in well. Also, it’s Dave Bash’s FAVORITE song (well, of mine at least)!
2. Please describe that pivotal moment when you first realized you wanted to create music or become a band.
When I was a kid, I recall it being kind of a big deal that A Hard Days Night was going to be on broadcast TV on a Saturday night, so watching that and then specifically the concert at the end of the movie did it for me!
3. Which other artists (living or dead) do you admire most and why?
Beatles – What can I say that hasn’t been said before?
The Beach Boys – Brian Wilson’s production (and his pre-1976 voice) are still my favorites.
George Harrison – Always my favorite solo Beatle. I love all of his ‘70s albums. They were big influences on me.
Elvis Costello and the Attractions – Great songs and a great band.
Matthew Sweet – Those 3 great albums were amongst my favorites back in the ’90s. Lloyd/Quine guitar work was great.
The Who – Greatest visuals and Keith Moon
The Jam/Paul Weller – Melodic Punk, prolific, Weller still brining it
Current Favorites: Dawes, Vulfpeck (and spin offs) – Two of my all-time favorite bands, great live, great songs.
4. How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact you and your music?
Definitely screwed up the promotion for my Time Kills album which was released at the end of 2019.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
There are a lot of great bands represented, so just to be included in that company is enjoyable.
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?
Website: www.ecru.band
Social: www.facebook.com/EricCrugnaleMusic
All streaming platforms, just search for Eric Crugnale