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House Blend
Phil Parlapiano
aka "Mr. Squeeze"
Episode 18b • May 2011
©2011 SCVTV & Stephen K. Peeples
[SEE ALL EPISODES]
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Phil Parlapiano is a versatile musician whose musical journey has followed several unique
directions. Born in New York City and raised by his musical parents, Phil learned to play the
piano at the age of 4 from his talented grandmother, who also played mandolin and guitar.
Growing up in Los Angeles, Phil first toured in 1983 with folk icon Joan Baez to support her Live
in concert: Europe release playing piano, synthesizer and singing background vocals. As the tour
progressed, his talent led him to being named musical director.
Parlapiano followed his musical path as a founding member of The Brothers Figaro. Signed to
Geffen Records after a bidding war, the seminal folk rock duo began to record their full length
album, Gypsy Beat, with veteran producer, Pat Moran. Though critically acclaimed, the year was
1989, a full five years before the "acoustic Americana" explosion occurred. "They didn't even
have a format for us at the time," explains Phil. "We were promoted on alternative radio with
bands like Danzig and Guns N' Roses."
After opening for John Haitt, Billy Bragg and Jill Souble, the Brothers called it quits but
continued playing together backing folk legend, John Prine. This led Phil to a nine year stint with
Prine, touring and recording CD's including the Grammy award winning release The Missing
Years and co-writing "Leave the Lights On" for the CD Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings. In 1993,
Phil was asked to play on the Rod Stewart's pivotal Unplugged and Seated album, which led to a
one and a half year touring stint with the rock icon. Parlapiano continued to work in the studio as
a first call accordionist and keyboardist with the likes of Jon Bon Jovi, Toad the Wet Sprocket,
Lowen and Navarro, Alanah Myles, Iris Dement, Carlene Carter, and Jude Cole.
In 1996, Phil was drafted into the smooth jazz world by saxophonist, Dave Koz, which
culminated in co-writing a Chanukah song, "Eight Candles," featured on the Grammy nominated
December Makes Me Feel This Way. Movie goers saw Parlapiano in the blockbuster film The
Titanic as an accordion player during the memorable scene in the lower decks when Kate and Leo
are dancing. In 1999, Parlapiano and Bill Bonk from the Brothers Figaro were called on board to
join alternative faves, Grant Lee Buffalo, for their Jubilee tour. GLB toured America, part of
Europe and Australia promoting their alternative radio hit, "Truly, Truly." When their bags were
barely unpacked, Parlapiano and Bonk began touring with Shawn Mullins, also crossing America
and Australia. Arriving home, the pair then started to write and produce the Bill Bonk CD,
Eveningshade which included songs that were featured on the TV shows: "Alias," "Felicity,"
Dawson's Creek" and "Joan of Arcadia."
As the new millennium began, Phil started to tour with Americana sweetheart, Lucinda Williams.
This led to a featured spot on the famed Martin Scorsese documentary, The Blues as well as a
VH1 Crossroads program backing up Elvis Costello on keys and accordion. As 2003 rolled
around, Parlapiano was asked to join the Let It Rain tour with Tracy Chapman, touring around
Europe and the states concluding with the well-known Austin City Limits program. Through the
present, Phil continued to tour and record with folk rockers, Lowen and Navaro and seminal
punkers, Social Distortion, and is featured on the soundtrack of the movie, Lords of DogTown.
Parlapiano was featured on John Prine's Fair and Square which was
number one on the Americana charts and number 2 on Billboard's independent release chart the
first week it was released in April 2005.
ABOUT THE HOST
"House Blend" host, writer and co-producer Stephen K. Peeples is a
Grammy-nominated record producer ("Monterey International Pop Festival,"
1992), award-winning radio writer-producer ("The Lost Lennon Tapes,"
1988-1990) and veteran record company executive (Capitol, Elektra/Asylum,
Rhino). A Canyon Country resident since early 1988, Peeples wrote about the
SCV music scene for The Signal newspaper in 2004-2006 and was Managing
Editor of the My Santa Clarita community website in 2006-2007. He was The
Signal's Online Editor and social media manager from October 2007 to May
2011. In 2009 he was honored when The-Signal.com was named "Best Website"
by the California Newspaper Publishers Association. A jazz and rock drummer
since he was 12, Peeples was a member of the underground West L.A. garage
band Peaking Duck from 1977-2008. In 2010, he co-founded the SCV-based jazz
quartet RainTree.
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