Featured IPO CD Artists: The On and Ons, Fugitive Billionaire, Grand Drifter, Mr. Bruce Gordon, Eric Crugnale
Featured IPO CD Artist: The On and Ons
IPO Vol. 24 CD Song: “Don’t Wanna Talk About It”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
We chose “Don’t Wanna Talk About It” for the IPO CD because we felt as the second song on our Menacing Smile mini-album it had been perhaps overlooked and deserved another listen. It is pretty much the essence of The On and Ons distilled into under 3 minutes.
2. If you had to pick only one artist (living or dead) as your musical hero, who would it be and why?
Leaving aside the huge legacy and influence of The Beatles, without whom I doubt there would be any rock music at all, I would pick the Small Faces for their absolute gems “Itchycoo Park” and “Tin Soldier” which came at just the right time to guide a new generation on the quest for pop salvation!
3. What advice you would give to the current generation of aspiring musicians based on your own experience thus far?
It’s a long, hard road, but it’s the journey that makes it so much fun!
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)
I wish someone had told me not to stress in the short term, Rock and Roll will be here for a long time!
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
Being from Australia and not able to visit the US as a band at present, we relish the opportunity to have like-minded listeners introduced to our 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?
Music available to buy directly from the band at: http://theonandons.bandcamp.com
For gig details follow us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/TheOnandOns
Featured IPO CD Artist: Fugitive Billionaire
IPO Vol. 24 CD Song: “Mermaid Girlfriend”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
Russell: Anytime we played “Mermaid Girlfriend” for someone, they got it stuck in their head. When Rick first told me he had a song with basically the plot of the movie “Splash,” I was skeptical, but it really ended up resonating with people and turned out to be quite a banger.
Rick: We hoped to be the only band with a dolphin performing a count-off.
2. If you had to pick only one artist (living or dead) as your musical hero, who would it be and why?
Russell: I keep coming back to George Harrison. I mean, the choice sorta speaks for itself, but I think about how after the Beatles broke up, he had enough fantastic timeless material bottled up to release a triple-album that continues to be one of my all-time favorites.
Rick: A very tough Q, but I’ll have to go with Brian May for creating wonderful, enduring music while contributing to stereography and astrophysics.
3. What advice you would give to the current generation of aspiring musicians based on your own experience thus far?
Russell: Have fun. Surround yourself with good people who are better musicians than you are. Play live as often as you can.
Rick: Hmm well my advice would be “don’t stop playing when life gets busy” but I’m hoping someone else has better advice than that 🙂
Corbin: Don’t get too bogged down comparing yourself to others. Your main goals should be to compete with yourself by getting better at your instrument and to find other musicians whose styles complement yours and who you genuinely enjoy being around.
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)
Russell: Practice. I ended up having a pretty good ear early on, and got by on that for many years, but I’d be such a better musician if I’d actually put in more focused time on the mechanics of playing.
Rick: Listen carefully to your mistakes– clanky chords, wrong harmonies, etc– as they can often be the source of something compelling and new. And if you’re not making mistakes you’re probably in a rut.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
Russell: I’ve played at several IPOs in San Francisco and Liverpool, and always take great pleasure in the excitement of the bands and musicians, and in how everyone is supportive and happy to be there.
Rick: I loved so much of it… Being on stage at the cavern with friends and family is pretty tough to beat…..
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?
Fugitive Billionaire has a demo at:
https://soundcloud.com/russell-pickett/sets/fugitive-billionaire-demo
…and we can be found on Facebook, where we’ll post news and updates:
https://www.facebook.com/fugitivebillionaire/
Featured IPO CD Artist: Grand Drifter
IPO Vol. 24 CD Song: “Paradise Window”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
I chose “Paradise Window” – the title track of my latest album- as it probably represents the kind of song I have been looking to write for ages. It’s the most representative of the set for me but also a song that somehow opened a new path in my songwriting, that I will certainly follow and focalize into more new songs.
2. If you had to pick only one artist (living or dead) as your musical hero, who would it be and why?
It’s hard to choose one artist only. Too many come to my mind and each of them still has a consistent role in developing my songwriting. I’m thinking about Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney and Paul Simon. But if I think of someone who I considered a real hero since a teenager, well it’s John Lennon. And heroes never die, right?
3. What advice you would give to the current generation of aspiring musicians based on your own experience thus far?
Have a clear idea of who you are and where you are. The sooner your ideas are clear the better the result. Then, work daily to get solid songwriting and a good skill in an instrument. Find your way of singing, the right range of voice that suits you and allows you to express the real you. I would also say never feel too pressured: you are a lucky person if you can write a song, think about that. Make music to be a happier person and to make other people happy.
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)
I wish I had had someone who had told me how to go straight to the point, without losing time and energy wandering around too many dead ends.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
I feel part of a bigger world, made of people like me, who love Pop music in its highest expression. It’s really a great achievement for me.
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?
Go to my Linktree, where you can find everything: e-mail, Facebook and Instagram, Spotify and every streaming link, and the latest reviews:
https://linktr.ee/granddrifter
Check out Bandcamp:
https://granddrifter.bandcamp.com
And I will be more than pleased if you wish to get in touch via Instagram or Facebook, or e-mail.
Featured IPO CD Artist: Mr. Bruce Gordon
IPO Vol. 24 CD Song: “Genie In A Bottle”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
My manifesto, I suppose, and the rockin’est new thing I’ve got to hand.
2. If you had to pick only one artist (living or dead) as your musical hero, who would it be and why?
I would have to say CSN&Y, mostly Y. That was the most influential music of my formative teen years, and all four of those guys taught me to write about what matters to you, whether it’s big or small, personal or political.
3. What advice you would give to the current generation of aspiring musicians based on your own experience thus far?
Dive right into it, carry on, be yourself, and don’t be denied. Yeah, I got nothin’.
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)
Instead of what advice I wish someone had given me, I’d like to relate some advice someone *did* give me. Back when I was a hopeless teenager, I had an encounter with a singer/songwriter named Ross Ryan. I desperately wanted to be a singer/songwriter myself, but I was really “woefully unformed” at that point. But Ross was very kind and supportive to me, and very generously allowed me to send him my demo tape. I cringe at the memory of how bad it was — seriously amateurish and inadequate, not even completed songs — but he listened, and gave me good encouraging advice about the basics of how to go about becoming a proper, serious musician.
But while the advice was invaluable, what meant the most was the kindness and generosity he showed me; he didn’t blow me off, he didn’t yada yada his response. He was the first person who ever told me I had some ability, and I never forgot it.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
It’s David’s and Rina’s Happening, baby, and it freaks me out!!!
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/profile.php?id=100089335020890
Featured IPO CD Artist: Eric Crugnale
IPO Vol. 24 CD Song: “It Must Be Love”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
I chose the song “It Must Be Love” from my Time Kills album since it’s my attempt at creating a Beatlesque Pop track, and I thought it would fit well on the Compilation.
2. If you had to pick only one artist (living or dead) as your musical hero, who would it be and why?
Hmm. That’s a tough one since there are so many artists that have inspired me. I think I’d have to pick Brian Wilson just because of how his work as a producer and arranger was such an early inspiration as well as his amazing 60’s vocals.
3. What advice you would give to the current generation of aspiring musicians based on your own experience thus far?
I would just encourage anyone to pursue their passion and stay committed to achieving whatever it is you’re setting out to accomplish. With the loss, in most cases, of a viable revenue stream from album/song sales, it’s just important to figure out how you can sustain yourself financially, but there will always be a place for talented artists, musicians, songwriters, and you’ll find your way as long as you stay committed. In addition, I’d also encourage them to learn the technology because it’s amazing what you can do with a decent computer, a couple of microphones and some DAW proficiency.
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)
I think the industry was very different back then, but I’d imagine the advice would be similar. Maybe just to be willing to take some more risks and be willing to live out of van for a year to make it happen!
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with The IPO Festival/CD?
It always been a fun, supportive experience to play the IPO Festival, and I enjoy meeting the other bands, and also listening for nuggets on the CDs.
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?
You can go to my website, www.ecru.band or look me up on your favorite streaming/download service. You can also buy CDs of my albums at Kool Kat Musik, www.koolkatmusik.com .