What is your name?
I go by Pip, but my full name is Thomas Pipolo.
What is your genre of music?
Pop.
Give us a little bio about you.
I am a former Division I baseball player whose injuries and struggle with mental health derailed my dream of playing professionally. Little did I know that the struggles that put an end to my first love, baseball, became the catalyst for finding light in the darkness… I managed my anxiety by picking up a guitar and dusting off a piano for the first time at age 18. Now 7 years later, I am using the gift God gave me to try and inspire, uplift, and impact as many lives as possible through my music and story. Influenced by Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber, I strive to add a timeless flare to my genre-less songs that transcend generational tastes.
What made you go into music?
One Thanksgiving dinner at my aunt’s house around 7 years ago, I was taking a break after eating way too much food and happened to walk into a room in the house where there sat an old, dusty piano that no one ever touched. I don’t know what made me want to open it up and learn a song that day, but that’s exactly what I did. After never having touched or played a piano in my life, I was able to teach myself how to play a song in a few hours, and from that point on I was hooked. That day led to my parents getting me a keyboard for my birthday, and my sisters getting me an acoustic guitar for Christmas not too long after. I would head downstairs to my basement for hours every night to learn a new song on the piano or guitar, and eventually — still to my disbelief — started to (somehow) sing. I still laugh to this day about how I somehow am able to sing and play these instruments.
Who are your influences?
My biggest influences are Ed Sheeran, Ryan Tedder, and Justin Bieber. If I were to choose a trait from each artist that has influenced me it would be, Ed Sheeran’s ability to write timeless music that all generations can listen too, Ryan Tedder’s passion and ability to write hits for others, and finally the ability Justin Bieber has to write and sing over something that can make you dance and or something slower that can make you feel deeply.
Are you signed?
I am unsigned
You released your single ‘Sinatra Swag’, tell us more about the single.
What is the meaning behind the single?
“Sinatra Swag” is a reference to the confidence, style, presence, and swagger that Frank Sinatra strutted his stuff too back in the day. The song lyrically attempts to tell a girl, ‘Look, I’m more than just the average guy. I have the confidence of the king of swag himself and here’s why…’ There is also something to be said about the difference between new school and old school swag. The old school swag is missing in today’s music, and I’m here to bring it back!
What was the writing and recording process like?
Before my collaborators and I started the process of writing the song, we all as a group agreed that people were going to want to get their dancing shoes on all summer. Working back from there, we wanted to make sure the first song was something that really displayed our desire to infuse an old school vibe with the new school sound. The writing process was super fast. Gramz, 2AM, and Sam Sneed came to me with the beat and I instantly started writing the verses with a super talented singer-songwriter who I work closely with, EMME. After we showed Sam the verses, he hit me with the ‘I have an idea for the hook, let me show you.’ And that’s when “Sinatra Swag” was born.
Describe the track in two words.
Something different.
Who did you work with on the single?
I worked with a lot of people on this single! Sam Sneed (former artist and producer on Death Row Records), Gramz (producer), 2AM (producer), and EMME (Artist and Songwriter)
We also see a Music Video for the single, what was the creative process like?
We are still in the process of shooting the video, but the first few shots came out great on a beautiful rooftop in NYC! We are working with the insanely talented Christian Flores (@florescreates) on providing a visual that perfectly suits the concept behind the song.
Will we see an EP or Album and if so what can we expect?
You will definitely see an EP coming out by the end of 2021, but for right now, we are focused on releasing as many singles as we can this summer!
What else can we expect in 2021?
You can expect A LOT of music to be released. We are sitting on north of 30 completed tracks that we are ready to release as we see fit. As far as the summer goes, we are looking to release around 5-10 tracks that will be a perfect fit for the warm weather and happier times that we are all experiencing this summer!
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
In 5 years, I see my team and I performing our music in front of sold out stadiums and arenas across the globe. Not only will we be performing and putting out our own hits, but we will have several billboard topping songs that will have been written and produced for other major artists!
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Some people want it to happen, some people wish it would happen, others make it happen.” – Michael Jordan
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
I’ll give you three!
My ball cap!
My acoustic guitar
A hot tea (from starbucks
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Yes! Everyone can find me @pipmusic_ on all platforms.
Facebook
Instagram
