Hopkinson
"Hopkinson's record sounds like U2 and Crowded House smoked a big doobie together and then rolled out a whole new sound." (Impressionable spaced out myspacer after smoking a doobie).
Australia Day at The Hotel Cafe – January 26, 2009 – was the sneak-preview gig for the first full-length release from singer-songwriter Ian Hopkinson. An early demo version of the record, Strangers to Ourselves, won first place in Hollywood’s DIY Festival, where judges called Hopkinson’s “dreamy, sophisticated sound” a “compelling blend of influences that’s uniquely Hopkinson.”
In addition to winning DIY Album of the Year, Hopkinson’s album single (Take Away) The Drama topped the American Idol Underground Rock Chart, while Angel (Wanted You To Be There) was nominated for best alternative song in the LA Music Awards.
The album is co-written and produced with George Merrill, best known for writing Whitney Houston’s hit songs I Wanna Dance With Somebody and How Will I know.
“Hopkinson has a lovely knack for the memorable lyric and melody,” says Merrill. “(Life After) No. 5 is a stand-out. He’s an astounding and gifted writer.”
Hopkinson's influences are worlds apart. Classically trained from the age of nine, he started a grunge/rock band in high school, eventually finding his voice in the modern pop and rock sound, with much loved bands like U2, Pearl Jam, Live, Travis, Cold Play, Portishead, Train, and Crowded House.
Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Hopkinson spent many years crossing the Pacific Ocean between Australia and America, suitcase in hand, writing and performing his music, before eventually relocating to Los Angeles in 2006.
"I came to America not really knowing who I was, but in time I began to find all the missing pieces, says Hopkinson. “Strangers To Ourselves is a story of self discovery that hopefully many people will relate to."
Another key creative addition to the album was mastering engineer Tom Durack, whose prolific career has included collaboration with the B-52s, Lou Reed, They Might be Giants and Diana Ross. “This project was my favorite this year,” said Durack.
Hopkinson has already performed in some of LA’s most iconic music venues, including the Whiskey, Key Club, Hotel Café and House of Blues.
In addition to his own songwriting and performing, Hopkinson is also the founder of Oz City Song Circle, a regular event showcasing the best Australian songwriters living in, or passing through, Los Angeles and New York. Featured artists have included Australian Idol winner Natalie Gauci, MiG Ayesa (Rock Star: INXS finalist), Tex Perkins and the Beasts of Bourbon, Cameron Daddo, Aya Larkin and Porcelain.
Hopkinson and Oz City will be collaborating with the Viper Room to run quarterly Aussie Band nights at the famous club on Sunset starting April 30, 2009.
The official album launch date of Strangers to Ourselves will be announced shortly.
Pre-orders of the album can be made via MySpace.
Australia Day at The Hotel Cafe – January 26, 2009 – was the sneak-preview gig for the first full-length release from singer-songwriter Ian Hopkinson. An early demo version of the record, Strangers to Ourselves, won first place in Hollywood’s DIY Festival, where judges called Hopkinson’s “dreamy, sophisticated sound” a “compelling blend of influences that’s uniquely Hopkinson.”
In addition to winning DIY Album of the Year, Hopkinson’s album single (Take Away) The Drama topped the American Idol Underground Rock Chart, while Angel (Wanted You To Be There) was nominated for best alternative song in the LA Music Awards.
The album is co-written and produced with George Merrill, best known for writing Whitney Houston’s hit songs I Wanna Dance With Somebody and How Will I know.
“Hopkinson has a lovely knack for the memorable lyric and melody,” says Merrill. “(Life After) No. 5 is a stand-out. He’s an astounding and gifted writer.”
Hopkinson's influences are worlds apart. Classically trained from the age of nine, he started a grunge/rock band in high school, eventually finding his voice in the modern pop and rock sound, with much loved bands like U2, Pearl Jam, Live, Travis, Cold Play, Portishead, Train, and Crowded House.
Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Hopkinson spent many years crossing the Pacific Ocean between Australia and America, suitcase in hand, writing and performing his music, before eventually relocating to Los Angeles in 2006.
"I came to America not really knowing who I was, but in time I began to find all the missing pieces, says Hopkinson. “Strangers To Ourselves is a story of self discovery that hopefully many people will relate to."
Another key creative addition to the album was mastering engineer Tom Durack, whose prolific career has included collaboration with the B-52s, Lou Reed, They Might be Giants and Diana Ross. “This project was my favorite this year,” said Durack.
Hopkinson has already performed in some of LA’s most iconic music venues, including the Whiskey, Key Club, Hotel Café and House of Blues.
In addition to his own songwriting and performing, Hopkinson is also the founder of Oz City Song Circle, a regular event showcasing the best Australian songwriters living in, or passing through, Los Angeles and New York. Featured artists have included Australian Idol winner Natalie Gauci, MiG Ayesa (Rock Star: INXS finalist), Tex Perkins and the Beasts of Bourbon, Cameron Daddo, Aya Larkin and Porcelain.
Hopkinson and Oz City will be collaborating with the Viper Room to run quarterly Aussie Band nights at the famous club on Sunset starting April 30, 2009.
The official album launch date of Strangers to Ourselves will be announced shortly.
Pre-orders of the album can be made via MySpace.
Genres:
Rock, Singer-Songwriter (male), Soft Rock
Members:
None Listed
Setup Requirements:
None Listed
