Editor’s note:
Damon Pipitone is a talented indie artist. He’s a strong songwriter and incredible musician and Indietude's unofficial poster
child. He has some strong opinions regarding the L.A. Indie scene, (especially L.A.’s idiot club owners), possesses a
cynic's heart and plenty of attitude. So he fits right into our little party. Whether you agree with Pip or not - do not ignore
his music.
Damon Pipitone is a talented indie artist. He’s a strong songwriter and incredible musician and Indietude's unofficial poster
child. He has some strong opinions regarding the L.A. Indie scene, (especially L.A.’s idiot club owners), possesses a
cynic's heart and plenty of attitude. So he fits right into our little party. Whether you agree with Pip or not - do not ignore
his music.
The Indietude Interview: The Willies’ Frontman
Damon Pipitone Talks Independently
Interview and Photos by Sandra T. Molina
For Damon Pipitone, songwriter and founder of The Willies, the art of music
is a craft that he loves, but doesn’t take too seriously. He respects it but is not
intimidated by it. How else would he be able to continue plugging away and
making some of the most listenable and thought-provoking music in today’s
independent music world. Writing and producing well-crafted pop songs with
biting lyrics about relationships, the music industry or whatever is a blip on
his creative radar – Pipitone takes it all in stride and shares the experience
with his audience. He is not a lone soldier in this endeavor. He is joined by a
stalwart cast of musicians and singers including bassist Jim Bailey who has
been with Pipitone from the start; vocalist Zadra Rose Ibanez, drummer Jim
DeStefano and at various times musicians/vocalists Kim Kopp, Jon Dunmore,
Dawnia Carlson, Deena Rubinson and a cast of others.
The Willlies’ latest release, Low Ceiling, shows once again that Pipitone trusts
that pop music listeners are smart enough to take in highly listenable rock with
just a hint of tongue-in-cheek musings and a hearty but not too heavy dose of
reality. Indietude.com thought it would be appropriate to begin the new year
talking about the independent music scene with someone who lives it, is
cautious of it and wants it to thrive despite itself.
Damon Pipitone Talks Independently
Interview and Photos by Sandra T. Molina
For Damon Pipitone, songwriter and founder of The Willies, the art of music
is a craft that he loves, but doesn’t take too seriously. He respects it but is not
intimidated by it. How else would he be able to continue plugging away and
making some of the most listenable and thought-provoking music in today’s
independent music world. Writing and producing well-crafted pop songs with
biting lyrics about relationships, the music industry or whatever is a blip on
his creative radar – Pipitone takes it all in stride and shares the experience
with his audience. He is not a lone soldier in this endeavor. He is joined by a
stalwart cast of musicians and singers including bassist Jim Bailey who has
been with Pipitone from the start; vocalist Zadra Rose Ibanez, drummer Jim
DeStefano and at various times musicians/vocalists Kim Kopp, Jon Dunmore,
Dawnia Carlson, Deena Rubinson and a cast of others.
The Willlies’ latest release, Low Ceiling, shows once again that Pipitone trusts
that pop music listeners are smart enough to take in highly listenable rock with
just a hint of tongue-in-cheek musings and a hearty but not too heavy dose of
reality. Indietude.com thought it would be appropriate to begin the new year
talking about the independent music scene with someone who lives it, is
cautious of it and wants it to thrive despite itself.
Indietude: Would you say that you are as cynical about the music business as is evident in the new CD, Low Ceiling,
and what is your reputation? And would you differentiate between cynicism on the business of music and just the music?
Damon Pipitone: I tend to look at it as “grumpy realism” as opposed to “cynicism.” Many times when someone callously
slaps the “cynical” label on me, my explanation of the state of affairs in the music industry usually gets them to view it a
little differently. Or maybe they're just humoring me so I'll go away. Differentiating between business and music cynicism?
The music this time [on Low Ceiling] had a healthy dose of realism because that was the theme we were exploring, but it
doesn't always, does it? My love songs still make you swoon, don't they, Sandra? I suppose you should always be
suspicious in business dealings of any kind. There are plenty of business types out there who are waiting for an
innocent little lamb like you to come along so they can devour you and use your bones as toothpicks.
Indietude: Is it a fair label? Is it too easy to say, 'yeah, that Damon Pipitone is cynical?’
Damon Pipitone: I don't know if it's fair, but that's how society works these days, right? In sound bites? Quickly
labeling someone or something without thinking is easy – if you've noticed, gray areas aren't allowed to exist
anymore. Everything's been set up to be black and white, and you'd better hope you've picked the right side, boy!
Indietude: How would you describe The Willies and its ever-changing live roster to someone not familiar with the band?
Damon Pipitone: Hopefully a different but fulfilling experience every time. That's what it is for me. I hate describing
the band! That's YOUR job, Sandra! {Editor’s Note: Please read CD review in Year In Review].
Indietude: What are the pros and the cons of the rotating line-up? How does it work? Does it work?
Damon Pipitone: Pros: A song can take on a whole different sound from show to show. Some players bring out
something cool in the song that you hadn't thought of, or maybe some old song that you're sick of but they're not because
they're new to the band, and they'll add some energy to it. At least until they get sick of it, too. Cons: If I have to tell one
more player that the 3rd verse of “The Follow-Through” has a D chord in an unexpected place in the arrangement...ugh...
how many times do I have to re-teach these songs to people?!
Indietude: What is the state of the indie scene? What do you like about it and don't like about it?
Damon Pipitone: It's the same as it was before it was officially labeled “The Indie Scene” – some people are moving
up and moving out, and some people aren't. Only now the landscape is covered with indie “gurus” – folks who seem
to know a lot about helping a band “make it,” usually former musicians who were “in a successful band” but for some
reason “just got tired of it” and so now, for a very reasonable price, they're offering their wisdom to a bunch of suckers
who've been told that independent music-making is the wave of the future, despite the fact that the future promised
land is nowhere to be seen (whatever happened to all those people in Des Moines and Walla Walla and Baltimore
and Bombay and Tokyo and Mexico City that were going to start buying my albums via that worldwide music store,
the Internet?) I'm still waiting for these artists who came up through the indie self-help scene to quit their day jobs.
They're out there, I know, but you can't just read a book about “how to make fans” and go to a seminar about web
marketing and suddenly start making a living making music.
Indietude: What's been your experience in promoting your band, i.e. through the internet, publications, bookings?
Damon Pipitone: Too many bands, not enough ears.
Indietude: What is the vibe going on in the community of indie artists you have encountered? What are the
differences in the different areas in the So Cal scene?
Damon Pipitone: I get annoyed watching some great musicians I know get ignored in favor of soft, safe KCRW music.
There are many musical friends and associates I've worked with that have some incredible, catchy, different, crafted...
dare I say, “eclectic” music to offer, and they get shot down like everybody else. The vibe? Good-natured futility.
Indietude: How does it differ from other indie communities in the country that you are aware of like Buffalo, New York?
Damon Pipitone: Good question. I think other cities are different – L.A.’s an “industry town” and so it's a whole different
mentality here. Somewhere like Buffalo or even closer places like San Francisco – it just feels better. You may not be
packing the joint with people screaming for you – no scene is great – but the people elsewhere are just nicer...
Indietude: Would you or have you considered moving there like your sister, musician Alison Pipitone? Would you be
able to make a better living there as a musician?
Damon Pipitone: I've considered it, but only if you'll come with me, Sandra!
Indietude: What would you like changed about the L.A. music scene?
Damon Pipitone: If I could wave my magic wand (as the ladies like to call it...ha ha). If I could magically transform the
L.A. music scene, um, I guess I'd get rid of pay-to-play or pre-sale tickets or whatever they call that now and declare a
cap on drink prices and cover charges and try to get some fun put back in the scene, because people just don't seem
to want to go out to these clubs anymore. Some places seem to do well, but a lot of places make you feel like a dick if
you only brought 27 people on a Sunday night at 10 p.m. WHEN YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BRING 30, YOU
WORTHLESS FAILURE! You're never playing in this dank-smelly-ridiculous-cover-charge-expensive-drinks-no-
parking-available-asshole-bartender-incompetent-soundman establishment ever again!
Indietude: Finally, what do you think is the biggest threat to the indie community?
Damon Pipitone: Themselves.
For more on The Willies, visit www.willies.net.
and what is your reputation? And would you differentiate between cynicism on the business of music and just the music?
Damon Pipitone: I tend to look at it as “grumpy realism” as opposed to “cynicism.” Many times when someone callously
slaps the “cynical” label on me, my explanation of the state of affairs in the music industry usually gets them to view it a
little differently. Or maybe they're just humoring me so I'll go away. Differentiating between business and music cynicism?
The music this time [on Low Ceiling] had a healthy dose of realism because that was the theme we were exploring, but it
doesn't always, does it? My love songs still make you swoon, don't they, Sandra? I suppose you should always be
suspicious in business dealings of any kind. There are plenty of business types out there who are waiting for an
innocent little lamb like you to come along so they can devour you and use your bones as toothpicks.
Indietude: Is it a fair label? Is it too easy to say, 'yeah, that Damon Pipitone is cynical?’
Damon Pipitone: I don't know if it's fair, but that's how society works these days, right? In sound bites? Quickly
labeling someone or something without thinking is easy – if you've noticed, gray areas aren't allowed to exist
anymore. Everything's been set up to be black and white, and you'd better hope you've picked the right side, boy!
Indietude: How would you describe The Willies and its ever-changing live roster to someone not familiar with the band?
Damon Pipitone: Hopefully a different but fulfilling experience every time. That's what it is for me. I hate describing
the band! That's YOUR job, Sandra! {Editor’s Note: Please read CD review in Year In Review].
Indietude: What are the pros and the cons of the rotating line-up? How does it work? Does it work?
Damon Pipitone: Pros: A song can take on a whole different sound from show to show. Some players bring out
something cool in the song that you hadn't thought of, or maybe some old song that you're sick of but they're not because
they're new to the band, and they'll add some energy to it. At least until they get sick of it, too. Cons: If I have to tell one
more player that the 3rd verse of “The Follow-Through” has a D chord in an unexpected place in the arrangement...ugh...
how many times do I have to re-teach these songs to people?!
Indietude: What is the state of the indie scene? What do you like about it and don't like about it?
Damon Pipitone: It's the same as it was before it was officially labeled “The Indie Scene” – some people are moving
up and moving out, and some people aren't. Only now the landscape is covered with indie “gurus” – folks who seem
to know a lot about helping a band “make it,” usually former musicians who were “in a successful band” but for some
reason “just got tired of it” and so now, for a very reasonable price, they're offering their wisdom to a bunch of suckers
who've been told that independent music-making is the wave of the future, despite the fact that the future promised
land is nowhere to be seen (whatever happened to all those people in Des Moines and Walla Walla and Baltimore
and Bombay and Tokyo and Mexico City that were going to start buying my albums via that worldwide music store,
the Internet?) I'm still waiting for these artists who came up through the indie self-help scene to quit their day jobs.
They're out there, I know, but you can't just read a book about “how to make fans” and go to a seminar about web
marketing and suddenly start making a living making music.
Indietude: What's been your experience in promoting your band, i.e. through the internet, publications, bookings?
Damon Pipitone: Too many bands, not enough ears.
Indietude: What is the vibe going on in the community of indie artists you have encountered? What are the
differences in the different areas in the So Cal scene?
Damon Pipitone: I get annoyed watching some great musicians I know get ignored in favor of soft, safe KCRW music.
There are many musical friends and associates I've worked with that have some incredible, catchy, different, crafted...
dare I say, “eclectic” music to offer, and they get shot down like everybody else. The vibe? Good-natured futility.
Indietude: How does it differ from other indie communities in the country that you are aware of like Buffalo, New York?
Damon Pipitone: Good question. I think other cities are different – L.A.’s an “industry town” and so it's a whole different
mentality here. Somewhere like Buffalo or even closer places like San Francisco – it just feels better. You may not be
packing the joint with people screaming for you – no scene is great – but the people elsewhere are just nicer...
Indietude: Would you or have you considered moving there like your sister, musician Alison Pipitone? Would you be
able to make a better living there as a musician?
Damon Pipitone: I've considered it, but only if you'll come with me, Sandra!
Indietude: What would you like changed about the L.A. music scene?
Damon Pipitone: If I could wave my magic wand (as the ladies like to call it...ha ha). If I could magically transform the
L.A. music scene, um, I guess I'd get rid of pay-to-play or pre-sale tickets or whatever they call that now and declare a
cap on drink prices and cover charges and try to get some fun put back in the scene, because people just don't seem
to want to go out to these clubs anymore. Some places seem to do well, but a lot of places make you feel like a dick if
you only brought 27 people on a Sunday night at 10 p.m. WHEN YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BRING 30, YOU
WORTHLESS FAILURE! You're never playing in this dank-smelly-ridiculous-cover-charge-expensive-drinks-no-
parking-available-asshole-bartender-incompetent-soundman establishment ever again!
Indietude: Finally, what do you think is the biggest threat to the indie community?
Damon Pipitone: Themselves.
For more on The Willies, visit www.willies.net.
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