Unsigned Spotlight: The Ivory Piece
Stephen Webber is an emerging singer and songwriter based in Brooklyn, New York. He works in an evocative, neo-romantic art rock space and is now booking shows under the name The Ivory Piece.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
The Ivory Piece is a solo project for the time being, but I do rely on session musicians to play with me. They’re fantastic. Everyone gets along wonderfully, and is professional. I really lucked out finding these guys, though it has taken over a year to do so. Nothing about this project has ever moved quickly, and finding the right guys for this kind of music was no exception.
Eduardo Palacios is on synthesizers. He’s currently studying composition at the Brooklyn College Conservatory. I introduced him to the music back in October of 2016, and we managed to do our first show last summer. So, it took a while for us to get up to speed. He plays Rachmaninov with relative ease, but was surprised at the difficulty level of my material. Luckily, he loves it. I think that’s what has gotten us through to this point.
Darren Lipper is on bass. He’s great: another example of someone with the ability and desire. He’s a perfect fit for this project. It’s interesting to hear him dissect the basslines (don’t get him started unless you have about 20 minutes to spare ;)) I wish I could take all the credit for the basslines on these first five songs. My engineer/co-producer (and now partner in Newtown Recorders Studio), Chris Butler, wrote the lion’s share of them. He and I fine-tuned things together, but they’re definitely his baby. He also played them on the album. I did write the basslines on all the new material, however. I’m in the process of bringing them into the live set.
Alex Goldberg is on drums. He’s very soft spoken, and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him worked up over anything, ever! —a cool cat, and a fantastic drummer. I do give Alex a bit of freedom for his interpretation of phrasing; and he almost always kills it. He’s just got the right feel for the music. His would be some big shoes to fill, for sure! Not sure what we’d do without Alex.
I think I’m open to bringing in others as permanent band members. We would definitely have to see eye to eye on the direction of the music.
For starters, what bands were you part of prior to this project? How long has this project been around?
This is my first project, first band, first anything. I didn’t start playing guitar until I was 27 (I’ll be 42 in April). I slowly moved from practicing guitar to songwriting in 2008, and got serious about writing in 2010. I cut my teeth on these songs. But, again, prior to this project, I had no experience with any sort of musicianship.
What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
All my songs are love songs. From there, I branch into various sub-themes, having to do with any combination of the following: sexuality, obsession, sadism, masochism, fetishism, sadness, longing, tenderness and hope. I don’t see myself changing anything with my formula(s), aside from their variations. I mean, we’re humans; and these are all very human experiences. They’ve shaped history through art, literature, politics and war. There will always be more to write with love songs.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Hmm, not sure. I’m pretty out of touch when it comes to the music scene these days. I spend so much of my free time either working or working on my own material. When I do listen to music, its usually classical or pre-1955 Stage and Screen music. I mean, I get way more inspiration from Schumann, Chopin, Rogers and Hammerstein, and Jerome Kern, than I do from anything out right now. I guess I’m just outgrowing popular music--and that’s fine with me.
There’s a lot wrong with popular music these days, both in what they’re saying and how they’re saying it. I realize this point of view may actually make me less popular with the public, and that I may be alienating potential fans from the base I’m trying to grow, but it’s an important thing to say, and bears repeating.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
I moved to Omaha in 2001, that’s when I fell into indie music. I was all about learning new bands and reading Pitchfork on a daily basis (their lists were my bible back then). I think I visited Homer’s every week to buy a new CD. I was into My Bloody Valentine, Interpol, The Walkmen, Radiohead, The Flaming Lips, and Super Furry Animals, to name only a few. It was MBV’s “Sometimes” that actually made me want to learn the guitar. This was September of 2004, I think.
My girlfriend at the time said it was “pretty hot” that I wanted to learn the guitar. After the first 3 days of me spending 5 hours practicing, she quickly changed her mind. She dumped me a month later. I didn’t care: all I wanted to do was play that fucking guitar. My social life went almost immediately from clubs and bars with the boys to completely non-existent. This lasted for 8 years. That’s how you woodshed.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
I don’t really do much to prepare for a show, aside from some quick vocal and guitar exercises. But no alcohol; not till after. It’s bad for the voice and motor skills, both of which you need when you’re up there.
What has been the biggest highlight of you music career so far?
Well, since I’m less than a year in, just to get my music noticed and have people truly enjoy it is all I can really ask for, at this point.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Again, I’m just starting to get plugged back into the current music scene, at this time. Not really sure who’s out there and who’s “hot.”
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you'd like to keep up with The Ivory Piece, please follow along on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/TheIvoryPiece/