How Much More? An Interview with Music
Collective Ivory Tower Project
By Heather Paige
For Ivory Tower Project, How Much More, is so much more than just the title of an album, it is
the story of overcoming incredible adversity to pursue their passion for music. Their story is
real. It is genuine. It is inspiring.
Ivory Tower Project is a self-proclaimed vintage rock band whose mission is to stay true to the
roots of classic rock. They are a collective of soulful musicians who are bound by their passion
for music, rousing guitar instrumentals, and killer beats that are meant for rocking out and
rocking hard. They initially formed in the 1980’s, and have been hitting it hard ever since.
Their story, their joy for music, their love of song, is not simply one of triumph. They have had
more than their fair share of tragedy as well.
Mark Rugala, Johnny Jace, and Sal DiAngelo formed the original core of the music collective.
In 1983, Sal DiAngelo died. But the collective continued on. Then, in 2003, Johnny Jace
followed suit. And still they persevered. As if that were not enough heartache for a band to
bear, in 2003 Mark Rugala suffered a car accident which left him barely able to walk and
constantly battling chronic pain. If there is beauty in pain, then there music is a stunning
masterpiece of triumph.