Hi, how’s it going? For those people that haven’t heard of you before could you tell us a bit about your story?
Hello, my names Ian Lovell from the Leicestershire area. Have been doing music for a while now, started off as a singer (before I started playing the guitar) in an indie band in the mid-’90s playing around the Leicester area, was a good time, but then that went a bit south and I left. I still carried on writing and joined a singer-songwriter guild with which I would have my songs demoed and sent to record companies for other people to use, but nothing really came of it. So I got myself a guitar and did a lot of Open mic nights in Leicester and Northampton. Which lead to gigs in and around and then festival slots.
This year has been a difficult one for musicians, how have you been coping with all the lockdowns?
Not too bad, has given me more time to write, not only songs but I also write poetry ( have a poetry book out at present called “Realm of Reality Rhyme and Dream”) along with two albums “Open Road” and “Don’t Let Go” and a single “Walk Beneath the Moon”. Has been pretty frustrating on the gig front, with not being able to play for anybody, it did change a few weeks back, with a gig supporting a John Lennon tribute which was really good, sold quite a bit of merch so that was encouraging, also had a gig coming up but unfortunately got cancelled due to everything. I have been doing online gig’s Facebook live and stuff on Instagram etc so hopefully will get back to normal soon.
Who inspired you to get on stage and perform?
People like Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Ryan Adams etc. When I first went out doing the open mics I would listen to the Neil Young MTV unplugged album. Was very inspirational, gave me a sense of confidence just listening to that album.
Are there any particular artists or albums that have inspired you and stuck with you throughout the years?
The artists I have mentioned, plus others, too many to name. But mainly those guys. Listening to Dylan really set me off to read and write poetry and to delve into other forms of writing which I really enjoy doing.
Where do you usually write music, is there a set time/place/mood you have to be in?
Mainly at home, when I get a bit of quiet time I will get the guitar out and mess around with some chords, which sometimes lead to a melody then leads to a song I don’t have a routine or anything to write, just usually when I get some quiet time.
Could you tell us a bit about the writing/recording of the ReverbNation Competition winning track “Find a Better Place”?
Yeah, the place where I work, our old car park was close to a drop-in shelter for people with struggles, additions drug and alcohol, also the homeless. And would see them walk past. I would often think about how they got there and if they had a normal working life before. Because you hear stories about people with everything then lose it all. So I wanted to try and tell their story. I recorded it at a friends studio with other songs and became part of my “Open Road” album.
Over the years what have been some of your favourite places to perform?
In Leicester, we have The Musician and The Soundhouse they are great venues. I performed at a lot of pubs in and around Leicester and Northampton, also the festivals are always good. Unfortunately, we have lost a lot of venues over the years. Would be nice to get more places up and running again, because there is a real vibrant live scene. So really need more places.
Here at Artistic Echoes, we are always on the lookout for new artists do you have anyone to recommend?
Yeah, Neil Edge another Leicester musician really good, he has an album out at present can catch him on Facebook
A friend from the States Lance Turner, a really good singer-songwriter has a few albums out
Duncan Craven does mostly covers. Really good from Northampton
Also loads more on the Leicester and Northampton music scene
What plans do you have for the rest of the year?
I think mainly writing and more online gigs
Find out more:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ian-Lovell-Music-311065802623406
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ian_lovell_music/
