Andrew Stess - Bass on 'Take Away(The Drama)' & 'As Far As I Can See'.
Torquil Munro - Piano & Organ bits on 3 songs
George Merrill - Producer, Editing, Programming, Mixing, Keys, Dolcima, & WWII Funeral Organ
PRODUCED BY:
George Merrill & Ian Hopkinson
WRITTEN BY: Ian Hopkinson & George Merrill
Exceptions being: 'The Dust At My Feet' (Hopkinson/Richmond), 'Always With You' (Allsopp/Hopkinson), & 'Chaos' (Hoarau/Hopkinson)
RECORDING ENGINEERS:
George Merrill & Mitch Rellas (Drums & Bass)
MIXING ENGINEERS: Daniel Phillip Golightly & George Merrill
STUDIOS:
Boy Meets Girl Music Studios - Petaluma, California.
Ghost Recording - Los Angeles, California.
Andrew Synowiec - North Hollywood, California.
Torquil Munro - Studio City, California.
Spencer House - Sydney, Australia.
Leon Gaer - Sydney, Australia.
Tim Davies - West Hollywood, California.
Hopkinson's Laptop - Hollywood, California.
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Marco Bok (Taken at Bondi Beach, Sydney)
COVER DESIGN: PUNIAF (Hollywood)
Influences
NOT: Barry Manilow, Perry Como, Al Jolson, Neil Sedaka, or Neil Diamond.
BUT SERIOUSLY:
Train, Cold Play, U2, Crowded House, Neil Finn, Live, David Gray, Goo Goo Dolls, Jeff Buckley, Seal, Powderfinger, & Travis.
If 'Train', 'Green Day', & Neil Finn got together to write & record a song it would be mayhem...in case you had that same thought and were wondering.
Check out Hopkinson's music for yourself & make up you're own mind.
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."
Hopkinson's influences are worlds apart. Classically trained from the age of nine, he started a grunge/rock band just out of 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.
The album, Strangers To Ourselves, 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.”
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, House of Blues, and the Viper Room.
In addition to his own songwriting and performing, Hopkinson is also the founder of Oz City, an 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's Oz City regularly collaborates with the Viper Room to run quarterly Aussie Band nights at the famous club on Sunset.
The official album launch date of Strangers to Ourselves will be announced shortly.
Hello Hopkinson Thanks very much for da Add :) Delighted to be friends & Nice to meet you through cyberlink! Luv your tunes & keep up da Great Work! Wishes you All da Best in 2009!
Thanks I love it too!!! Oh cool I have been waiting for it to come out, I cant wait to finally hear it when it is all finished... Good luck, and when ya make it big come play in Astoria Oregon...Please? lol jk.
Merry Christmas, Ian! I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. ;) Just thought to say hello and keep in touch. Be safe. 2009 is knocking at our door soon. hehe.
Crumbs! I haven't checked your page for a while and didn't know you were here in L.A! Fantastic. I will definitely get to one of your shows. Hurrah! Have a great day.
