ROX-TV catches up with Kentucky native Ipcus Pinecone. We talk about his music, background, and much more.

Welcome to the ROX-TV website. Can you introduce yourself to the readers and let them know what town or city you’re representing tonight?

My name is Demi Demaree (AKA, Ipcus Pinecone) I was born in Louisville, KY. In this incarnation anyway. 

I always like to talk to artists about their own journey with music. There is a point in each of our lives where we become aware of music, but what I really dig is that initial “wow” moment, when an artist, group, or song really gets a person’s attention. Can you remember exactly when that moment hit for you and why the artist or song moved you?

I’d say that happened many times, as far back as I can remember.  Michael Jackson really had me loving music early on. Then a bit later I found myself embracing Metallica, The Misfits, Nirvana and Alice In Chains. Then boom, I was obsessed with Outkast. I’m sure there’s many more artists that did it for me, but these always seem to come to mind first. I guess you could say they spoke to my soul at the time more so than others. I feel like these artists came along at the perfect moments in my life. 

How long did it take for you to go from being a “fan” of music, to wanting to “create” it for yourself and others? What did that look like in the early years?

I wanna say around 10 or 11 years old. My father was an amazing piano player. He tried to get me into it very early on, but I wasn’t feeling it. Around 10 years old, I found myself playing air guitar with a broom in my friend’s basement. We’d turn up the music and imagine we were the band. I blurted out some vocals at some point, and my friend was like “Hey, you should be a singer!” By 13, I found myself in a studio with my friends recording our first demo. The song was called Economic Slime lol. This was in my punk rock phase. 

I understand that you recently dropped a new album called “The Pinecone Parable”. For the first time readers getting turned onto your music, can you talk about the album and why people should check it out?

The Pinecone Parable is the fourth album I’ve put out under Ipcus Pinecone. It has somewhat of an early Outkast feel to it. Each song is lyrically in a different mood or genre if you will. There’s party vibes, Conscious hip hop, battle rap flows, some good ole “keep your head up” real life songs as well. Sometimes I find myself talking myself out of dark places in these songs. I think the actual music flows nicely from start to finish on this one.  Music is my medicine. At one time, it was other artist music that helped get me through hard times. But over the years, I have become the one creating the medicine for myself and others. I created this over the past year and a half or so. During the lockdowns etc. Hopefully I can do for others, what music has done for me over the years. 

The album features some guest appearances. Can you talk about some of the artists that are on the new album and how that came about?

Shevy Chase and Manfred are both from a group called Elephant Room. We’ve been working together and collaborating for years. Nacirema and Touch A.C. are also friends of mine that have been in the Louisville music scene for quite some time.  When I create a song, I can hear the style and cadence that I’d like to get out of a feature to add to it. They all delivered what I felt was missing. Same goes for Twan Mack and Jahred from HED PE. Twan became my friend after playing some shows in WI. We had talked about doing a track, so when I created Knock’em, I knew it was right up his alley. I toured the country with HED PE back in 2006 with my old band Villebillies. Always thought it’d be dope to do a song with him. He was offering features during lockdown, so I reached out. The rest is history. 

In 2020 you received an award from the IIMVA for “Limb”. Can you talk about that a little bit?

So I was actually going to play a music festival with them, but the lockdown happened. The guy I was in contact with told me he really liked my video, and that I should enter it in their contest. I did, and I won! We created the Limb video before the lockdown. In fact, I was doing the whole Plague Dr theme before the virus came about. Not really sure why honestly. Just kinda came to me. I’ve strayed away from all that now though. I think people would rather move past all that. Plus, I’ve had people think I was playing off the actual virus etc with that theme. Which is bogus, but whatever. Just check the dates people, HAHA!

You participated in the Seattle Hempfest last year. I guess it’s safe to say that you’re a friend of the “green lady”. What are your own personal thoughts on legalization? The commercialization of marijuana by big business? And your favorite strain?

For sure! I’ve always wanted to play that festival! But again, the lockdown.. But, I was glad to do the live stream at least. I don’t smoke nearly like I used to. As I got older, it got stronger, and my tolerance went down. I do think it should be legal. Alcohol is, and that’s so much worse. I used the green lady to get through my nausea back when I was going through chemotherapy back in 2001. Without it, I couldn’t eat. It helped save my life. I also think about how many veterans have injuries and PTSD etc that can’t smoke or they could lose their income. It’s just wrong. Big pharma and the good ole government out here ruining lives to stay powerful and wealthy. Then there’s the whole big business taking down all the little guys. This happens in literally everything.  Greed man… Greed…People can just really suck. Probably why my alter ego is an alien. Get me out of here! I don’t really have a favorite strain. Just give me the mild stuff. I don’t need that Snoop Dogg or whatever. 

 When I see your name, I can’t help but think about a reference to the pinecone representation of the “pineal gland”. Am I far off?

You’re right on track, man. Third eye, Pineal Gland, Window to the Soul, etc. I’m deep into all things unknown, weird, paranormal, alien, spiritual, consciousness based, afterlife, ancient etc. Probably my most researched topics. The more you listen to my music, the more references you’ll find. 

You’re going to be performing at Hallowbleed II coming in October. What can you tell me about that?

So Hallowbleed is a concert that the horror rap artist Bukshot started. He’s also a Louisville native that I’ve known and worked with for years. In fact, I’ve probably done about 15 hooks for him. Mostly under Demi Demaree. He’s done well in that scene, and has gotten me tons of new fans through working with him. I am a sucker for all things monster / Halloween based, so I really get to enjoy shows like this. Performing as of now is Boondox, Bukshot, Gibby Stites, Cody Manson, Ipcus Pinecone and Ritual Of Either. It’s Saturday Oct, 16 at Diamonds on Barret Ave in Louisville, KY.

Any news or upcoming projects you’d like to tease out to the readers tonight?

 

Well, I did just spend a month and a half out in Costa Mesa CA working with some really talented folks. Lewis Richards, who produced some past Villebillies albums as well as worked with bands like Sublime, Dirty Heads, Slightly Stupid and Long Beach Dub Alstars to name a few. I literally went out there not knowing what we’d create. I ended up writing with Stan Frazier from Sugar Ray, Dick Bright, and Nick Scapia mainly, but had a few instrumental features from the locals as well. I came back with six completed songs and a whole lot of memories! I’m still not sure when or how I will release this project. When the time is right, I’ll know. 

For the readers out there that want to hear more or buy your albums or merch, where can they go to do that?

If the readers would like to really take a look at my catalog, I have created a YouTube page under Demi Demaree. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFb3xUyCQ3rioy0xcg-N9oQ

For the Ipcus Pinecone material, I like to send people to my bandcamp page, but you can find it on most platforms. They can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, twitter and Spotify! 

https://ipcuspinecone.bandcamp.com

Your Instagram account lists “alternative hip hop with funk, blues, rock, and psychedelia”. Can you talk a little about that?

I think it was more of a whole experience I was attempting to describe. It’s mainly alternative hip hop, but depending on the song and album, it has elements of these things. The psychedelic aspect is more so referring to my LIVE visuals at shows. When the venue can accommodate, it’s a whole vibe. I was actually thinking about changing that account info soon though. It can be a bit confusing. I’ll probably just leave it as alternative hip hop and be done with it. 

Shout outs brother? Who are you shouting out tonight? Anyone or Anything?

Tonight I’m gonna shout you out first for interviewing me! Then I’d like to shout out the homie Zack Dziak for passing me your way! Lastly I’d like to give a big shout out to everyone who has managed to keep their heads above water the last couple years! It has not been easy, but congratulations, you made it! Hope this interview finds you well. Peace.

Well, that about does it for this interview. I’d like to thank Ipcus Pinecone for rocking it up with the readers tonight. Please check out his music and keep an eye on this cat. He’s doing some dope things. At ROX-TV we enjoy giving artists a chance to introduce themselves to the readers, so keep coming back for more artist interviews and lots of other shit we find interesting. Until next time….catch you on the flipside.

Mike Shepard

ROX-TV Head Writer

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