About Me
After years of playing in original and cover bands, Paul and Linda Ippolito decided to set out to form a band versatile enough to play coffeehouses,as well as rock clubs.Seasoned musicians, with extensive musical backgrounds;the two play a variety of instruments between them.Linda,who won many awards for music in school,including playing first chair violin,and winning the concert mistress chair competition for the NEW JERSEY STATE ORCHESTRA, is the featured vocalist;with a very sweet ,soulful, clear voice,possessing a great flair for harmony.Paul,who started with a little Emerson organ at 8 years old, and a guitar at 12,does the majority of the songwriting,is featured on guitar;and does some singing.It was at 12 years old Paul snuck into the midnite show to see "Gimme Shelter" and got his first records,Chuck Berry's Greatest Hits;and The Rolling Stones double album Hot Rocks,and The Allman Brothers,"Brothers and Sisters'.This early influence of the Rolling Stones found Paul later on gigging regularly with two national Rolling Stones tribute bands.Paul credits singing in school" the sisters had it going on,we were bringing guitars to school,singing in the Christmas show,all the hymns in church..I remember seeing Sister Mary..... with a guitar in the church for the first time,and it looked so odd..an hour later she would be yelling at me for not being able to repeat the right answer on 'What is Confirmation' ?!!' I feared her and loved her.In those days you were lucky to be able to loosen your tie,or open the first button on your shirt when it was 95 degrees in the classroom". Linda had it a little easier with CCD classes and Sunday School.
As a child Paul remembers,"those were great days,on AM radio you would hear everything..Bob Dylan,The Stones,The Beatles,Marvin Gaye,The Supremes,Smokey Robinson,The Temps,Carole King,Otis Redding,Isley Brothers,Melanie,Joan Baez,James Brown,John Denver,Van Morrison,The Byrds,Rod Stewart,The Band,Dr.John,Allmans,Chuck Berry,Simon and Garfunkel,Jim Croce to name a few..all them little one and two hit wonder bands too..and even Wolfman Jack!" When in public high school, Paul would cut classes to have a go on all the instruments in the band room when the band was out practicing on the playing fields.Paul recalls,"I remember running away from the screaming bandmaster many times..they wanted to throw me out of school for that!" After high school Paul started going to Greenwich Village playing at all the open mikes there were,and jamming with the locals in Washington Square Park.He banged around in the clubs,and pool halls with a bar band for a while with like minded folks.Hitch hiking across the country to New Orleans for Mardi Gras with a guitar and a friend was a memorable occasion,landing a fill in gig at a club on Bourbon Street."We didn't make a lot of money,but everybody bought us beers,and threw spare change in the guitar case.Back then you could still hitch a ride here or there,even though there was an element of risk.I met my fair share of nutters on the road" recalls Paul.Eventually between a day job and gigs,Paul managed to squeak out with a degree in horticulture going to school at nights.
Following high school,Linda opted out of going to Julliard School of Music,unsure of college at that time;a decision she looks back on with a little regret,..and sang in some local bands, plugged away with the violin and bass... years later she made the return to college.
The two met at one of Paul's gigs in 1990,got married on Valentine's Day in 1993; and took things from there, forming Ippy and The Project in 2001,performing as an electric/acoustic trio with Linda on vocals,fiddle and bass guitar,Paul on vocals and guitar,and original Project drummer,.. Ron Schnur on drums. Also at this point,Paul began volunteering setting up shows at Outpost in The Burbs,a wondeful coffeehouse in Northern ,NJ. Paul had various duties...sound checks, setting up wires and cables, taping things down;selling the artists cd's,setting up speakers,chairs ,tables ,whatever.Soundchecks could be fun,and the artists always had something to share whether a story ,a guitar riff,a special tuning,or letting Paul have a go on their guitar."I really looked forward to those nights...although very long,and packing away the equiptment could be tiresome,I was getting another education and reconnecting with acoustic/folk music. Many well known and well respected national acts came through.The people and the artists were very nice and supportive,and along with some new artists that were making the scene,it was all very inspiring.It was a good 2 or 3 years,and then I began to run with the ball Linda and I created, and playing with several different acts, eventually.,I didn't have time to stay with the coffeehouse".
Linda and Paul began recording demo's of the songs they had written and had been performing live. Playing all of the instruments in their makeshift home studio, and working out the preliminary tracks, the two headed into the studio to rehearse the material, enlisting a well chosen group of friends and fellow musicians.Eventually the debut EP 'Pocketful of Singles' was ready to go,and was recorded and mixed by Tom Storms at CCM Studios,and Fidelian Studios in New Jersey.Self-released and published by Ippy Earth Music/BMI,the cd has received good reviews, radio and internet airplay.Famed writer Al Muzer described the song 'Falling Down' as an "alt-country gem." The song 'One Foot In Front of The Other' has been added to the spinning classes in a popular gym in several cities,and was featured on the WDHA FM Radio Program'New Jersey Home Grown Spotlight'. Aquarian Weekly writer ,Tim Louie gave the EP a wonderful review in his column North Jersey News;praising the EP saying it brought him back to his early music roots.This little spark of success has proved to be a stepping stone to opening for national acts,getting studio work,and making the rounds in coffeehouses, rock clubs, fairs and festivals.Speaking of the recording process, Paul adds " Linda and I found recording to be very exciting,very hard work,but extremely rewarding. A dream come true.WE were blessed to have such a great support group of friends and musicians,and the education one could get from such a project from start to finish is immeasurable". The band members which really,... are one big extended family ( The Project), are well known on the club circuit, and in the studio. Linda notes, " a very talented bunch of guys and gals, that bring so much to the table".
Ippy and The Project have finished their brand new cd titled 'Come On Down'. Much like their debut EP; which spans a bit of everything, and was inspired by summer trips to West Virginia, and the muse of daily living,.. the new album will most likely be the defining sound of the group. Performing these songs live, they have received good audience reviews. "With their earthy lyrics, feel and rhythm , and genuine heart and soul performances, the band shows their versatility and ability to perform country blues,rock and roll,folk, bluegrass,pop, and some jazzy ballads". Currently, the band are performing in their usual haunts, some new venues, and putting together their schedule for 2009..including a return trip to West Virginia, and a tour with stops in the southern regions of the states.
Working as a duo, trio, and full band, Ippy and The Project are prepared and available for any venue or party, etc. in a acoustic or electric setting.MORE about the IPPY and THE PROJECT MUSIC FAMILY.. ROBIN BADDERS :harmony/backup vocal/guitars.."I've been singing since I could talk,and playing guitar for 35 years. Having loved music and being impacted by soo many artists-I would be hard pressed to name some one specific.I have this useless bit of talent for remembering every word of every song I've ever heard! If there is a game show for this,I think I would win big! Having family and friends that love music,..I keep up with current bands,and enjoy going to concerts with my daughter.It is nice to be able to share this with family members". Robin re-connected with Paul after 15 years by fate,meeting up in a local pet store.Paul and Robin played in several popular club bands through the 80's and early 90's. The two were the nucleus;with other musicians coming and going. It is at one of these shows that Linda and Paul met up. "Now we are all together,..and I couldn't be happier with the 2 and 3 part harmonies,and rhythm guitar playing Robin brings",. says Paul.'We have it all going on ,right here and now". SIMON BURKE:bass guitarist...hailing from the south coast of England,Simon now calls Budd Lake, NJ his home. Originally a guitarist ,Simon switched over to bass guitar after his friend had bought a Fender Strat and they started to get a band together."It was the only way for me to get into the band!" says Simon. Playing bass guitar for over 20 years now has kept him moving around,living in England,Belgium and Saudi Arabia before arriving in the US at the end of 2005.Simon's influences range from the blues of the 50's and 60's,through the classic rock of the 70's and 80's,to the current day indie rock groups. Having been in many bands over the years covering rock,pop,blues and R&B,Simon brings a lot to the table with Ippy and The Project. Finding the same cover music being played by almost every band he became involved with here in the US,.." they are all playing the same crap,from one end of NJ to the other" Paul remembers Simon saying."With his British accent,and his wit I really had a good laugh,..because he is right," says Paul.'I knew we had something in common already with an immediate mutual respect for music,and his desire to do something different,..and along with his great attitude and positive energy,Simon is a great team player." Dave D'Alessio:drummer..a seasoned veteran versed in many styles,having played with cover and original projects ,Dave provides that back beat engine for Ippy and The Project,..pushing the live performances over the top.Dave has lived on both coasts,performing live and getting some studio session work. Paul remembers..''Dave expressed how much he liked the music of Ippy and The Project at our first meeting, and noticed immediately what we were trying to achieve in terms of originality,.. in making music that is recognizable and interesting,.whilst holding appeal for music fans of all ages and genres."
