Featured IPO vol 26 Artists: Sue Hedges, Minuscule 605, Kimberley Rew & Lee Cave-Berry, Forre Sterra, The Sonny Wilsons
Featured IPO CD Artist: Sue Hedges
IPO Vol. 26 CD Song: “Yesterday You Loved Me”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
I put “Yesterday You Loved Me” on the current IPO CD because I feel it is one of the strongest on the album and it showcases me as a song writer.
2. Please describe your most fun or most rewarding experience thus far as a musician / band
Gosh! That’s a hard one as I’ve had a lot of rewarding experiences over the years, but one of them might have to be the 1st time I played with Elvis’s guitarist James Burton. The band had been practising hard and we’d all bonded well. Paul Hayes from the British antiques themed TV show “Cash in the Attic” was sharing vocals along with myself. It got to the week or so before the gig and we were all coming down with flu or cold type bugs. I was feeling so rough but somehow managed to pull it off on the day and as I walked off, James said to me, “you were cooking!”
I guess another one would have to be going up the escalator in HMV and hearing my album being played over the PA.
3. Please describe your worst or your most humorous experience thus far as a musician / band
I can think of a particularly embarrassing moment.
I was performing on BBC Radio Merseyside and I was doing a song that I’d written about Jerry Lee Lewis as I admire his piano playing and resilience. I said “I know there’s a lot not to admire about Jerry Lee…..” What I didn’t realise was, his sister Linda Gail and his niece Mary Jean were both in the front row. They both laughed though but at the time I wanted the ground to open and swallow me up!
4. What is it about music (yours or that of other musicians you admire) that inspires you to keep writing / performing?
Ever since I recorded my 1st album of nearly all my own songs when I was 13, I’ve always loved hearing a track build from a simple piano and guide vocal to adding and layering instruments over it until I’m satisfied with the finished song. This is what helps me keep writing. I also try and listen to as many genres of music as possible as I never know where an idea might come from. My parents have always encouraged me to listen to different types of music ever since I was a kid. Because I didn’t really have any sighted friends growing up, I would always be in my room listening to or playing music.
With regards performing, I love it because I like it when people appreciate what I do. Even when there is not much in the way of applause and the crowd are quite subdued or there isn’t many there, it’s good to talk to them after and I feel grateful when they come over and say things like they liked a particular song or they liked my voice. We all have stressful moments in our lives so it makes me happy if I’ve made someone happy even just for a moment.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with the IPO Festival / CD?
I love meeting old friends and also making new ones. For me, over the years, the IPO has developed into a community. I love hearing tracks from people I don’t know and others who are really good friends.
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?
Go to http://www.suehedges.com to find out more about me and where I’m playing. You will also find links to the stores where you can stream and download more of my music.
Featured IPO CD Artist: Minuscule 605
IPO Vol. 26 CD Song: “I Cried All Night Long”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
For us, “I Cried All Night Long” is the most complete and enjoyable song by Minuscule; it has a rhythm and atmosphere that makes you want to dance, and it’s a declaration of intent to be happy regardless of what your surroundings think and the indications of society.
2. Please describe your most fun or most rewarding experience thus far as a musician / band
We went to Abbey Road Studios to master the album, and sitting in the canteen, walking through the corridors and visiting Studios 1 & 2 was an unforgettable moment as Beatles fans.
3. Please describe your worst or your most humorous experience thus far as a musician / band
For me, as the band’s composer and lyricist, it was while playing at The Cavern Pub that the audience understood my lyrics and cheered them!!! It made me laugh nonstop!! When composing in English, few people in Spain understand the meaning of my songs.
4. What is it about music (yours or that of other musicians you admire) that inspires you to keep writing / performing?
For us as a band, it’s very important to have a vintage sound, because the 60s and 70s are our favorite decades musically speaking. We love current bands that sound in that style, like The Lemon Twigs.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with the IPO Festival / CD?
The sheer number of musical talents that David has managed to bring together, both at the IPO Liverpool festival and at IPO CD, makes us think there’s hope for our music. The whole experience in Liverpool, and being able to say we played at the Cavern Club and The Cavern Pub, is a gold medal for us.
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?
Miniuscule 605 is on social media (Facebook, Instagram) and our music can be heard on all available platforms (Spotify, iTunes, etc.). We also have a Bandcamp page (minuscule605.bandcamp.com) where you can purchase all our LPs and EPs. We look forward to you following us on social media and receiving your emails!
Featured IPO CD Artist: Kimberly Rew & Lee Cave-Berry
IPO Vol. 26 CD Song: “Listen in Colour”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
It was our current single at the time
2. Please describe your most fun or most rewarding experience thus far as a musician / band
Kim: Playing with the Band of the Royal Marines, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Aged 72 – I’d never heard them before!
3. Please describe your worst or your most humorous experience thus far as a musician / band
Lee: I once had a residency in a nudist colony in a duo I was in (not with Kim). We were in the middle of a song when the other half of the duo just stopped playing. When I asked him what was wrong he said with his eyes shut “All I can see is jiggling willies”
4. What is it about music (yours or that of other musicians you admire) that inspires you to keep writing / performing?
The spirit of rock and roll never dies.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with the IPO Festival / CD?
The wonderful friends we have made and the great music.
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?
Www.kimandlee.co.uk
And some nice videos here 🙂
Featured IPO CD Artist: Forre Sterra
IPO Vol. 26 CD Song: “Jennifer Says”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
Forre Sterra’s “Jennifer Says” is a celebration of the heart and spirit of festivals such as IPO. It’s a love letter to places where undiscovered talent get the chance to shine and create unforgettable memories. Where music lovers and concert goers get to share their passions. Where the haze and smoke of cigarettes and alcohol create magical atmospheres. It’s sad to see these places decline, as cafes and venues have more and more difficulty making ends meet. Therefore, the lyrics in “Jennifer Says” raise the question: “Where did all the cool places go?”
2. Please describe your most fun or most rewarding experience thus far as a musician / band
After having performed at various cafes, stages and venues throughout The Netherlands, the most mesmerizing experience was getting invited to IPO Festival 2025 and performing there. Given that Forre Sterra is very much a Beatles-inspired outfit, performing in The Cavern Club was and remains a dream come true. The thrill of performing abroad gave us the confidence to keep pushing the band forward and inspired us in our attempts to reach new heights.
3. Please describe your worst or your most humorous experience thus far as a musician / band
It was one of those nights where after everything subsided, we collectively decided to deny that the gig ever took place, a running gag to this day. All the cliches imaginable can be ticked off: from making people leave, rather than pulling them in, to falling equipment, and a stage manager asking us to cut the setlist short in the middle of a song.
We. Don’t. Speak. Of. Boxtel.
4. What is it about music (yours or that of other musicians you admire) that inspires you to keep writing / performing?
Why Forre Sterra enjoys making music so much and has done so consistently over the last six years (with two albums, numerous singles and a new album in the works), is that we’re always looking to grow as an artist and develop our sound. After each release, we have thorough discussions about new approaches to songwriting. Once new song ideas are written, we let creativity decide what it’s going to be, without judgements. This way, we aim to keep our music fresh and reinvent ourselves with each release. Furthermore, Forre Sterra is a project that emerged when we were in elementary school and continues to touch our very souls with each performance, further realising the dreams we had when we were kids.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with the IPO Festival / CD?
IPO is a celebration of the legacy that the Beatles left behind. Performing at IPO means to us that we get to honour The Beatles, one of our greatest inspirations. Being part of the IPO CD indicates that we get to be part of the long-lasting history associated with The Cavern Club. Obviously Forre Sterra are in no way, shape or form as great as The Beatles, but playing even the smallest role in the history of The Cavern Club, is both inspiring and prideful.
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?
The Forre Sterra family is always looking for new members! In case you want to know more about the band, we share the latest news and behind the scenes content on Instagram. Should you want to find out where we’re performing next, we have got an official website called www.forresterraofficial.com. And of course, our entire music catalogue can be found on our Spotify page. Likewise, if you’re an artist, fan, or just love to have a chat, try our DMs on Instagram or send an email to forresterraofficial@gmail.com. After all, community is a big part of our motivations for being an artist.
Featured IPO CD Artist: The Sonny Wilsons
IPO Vol. 26 CD Song: “Miss Kinetic”
1. What was the reason you chose the song you did for the IPO CD?
“Miss Kinetic” featured a little bit of everything. Powerful harmonies (thanks to our producer and collaborator Jon Auer), 3 guitars (!) and a driving beat.
2. Please describe your most fun or most rewarding experience thus far as a musician / band
That changes every time we take the stage. Most of the band is comprised of middle-aged, white collar professionals. Music may be our passion, but it’s not our day job. That usually means live gigs are far and few between. However, the quality of the gigs tends to be outstanding. In addition to starting our band, Adam and I founded the annual Memphis PowerPop Festival. We’ve had the unbelievable privilege to open for and meet Matthew Sweet, members of R.E.M., The Posies, Big Star, The Replacements, The Dream Syndicate, Young Fresh Fellows and The Connells. And all of that will be topped this spring as we play at IPO Liverpool. It’s been the best midlife crisis ever!
3. Please describe your worst or your most humorous experience thus far as a musician / band
That might have been last summer at IPO Los Angeles. Everything is on a super tight schedule and just as we were plugging in for a brief sound check, one of our guitarists’ rig failed. For a moment it appeared we were going to get bumped which would’ve been a huge bummer as we had come at great expense and sacrifice “All the way from Memphis” as David is fond of saying. In the end it worked out and we only had to ditch one song from the setlist, which was my least favorite anyhow!
4. What is it about music (yours or that of other musicians you admire) that inspires you to keep writing / performing?
The aforementioned PowerPop Festival brought us into the Big Star orbit. Adam and I volunteer as guitar techs whenever they are in town. It’s intense! The Big Star quintet is made up of members of R.E.M., Wilco, The Posies, The dB’s and of course, original member and drummer Jody Stephens. The combination of those classic songs and preeminent musicianship is something to behold. Can’t say we’re even close to emulating them, but seeing it up close and personal sure is inspiring.
5. What do you most enjoy about being associated with the IPO Festival / CD?
We’re just grateful for the exposure and opportunity to play with such a diverse lineup of musicians.
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?
Streaming: https://thesonnywilsons.hearnow.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonnywilsons/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_sonny_wilsons/
CD’s and downloads: https://thesonnywilsons.bandcamp.com/