IPO Atlanta 2019
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Artists From Atlanta/Athens
Chrome Castle – If dreamy psych influenced instrumental indie-rock is your thing, look no further! Chrome Castle’s sound combines sunny ‘60s psychedelic surf vibes with post punk angst, and gives it all a sweeping cinematic touch. Imagine the soundtrack of a David Lynch-directed version of Beach Blanket Bingo, and you get the idea!
Daniel & Bristol – Brent Daniel has been known for some time to IPO fans and the local pop cognoscenti as a purveyor of hook-filled “basement powerpop” reminiscent of The Replacements, Raspberries, or Big Star, combined with chord changes worthy of the likes of Jason Falkner. He and his partner in melody, Doug Bristol, have been a singing/songwriting/guitar playing duo off and on through the years in such bands as Shebang, MessMakers, Lucky Dogs, Ready Set Go, and Art House Cinema. They’re back in the studio working on Bane of Starflower, a brand new release set for later in 2019 – watch for it!
The Good Graces – Formed by singer-songwriter Kim Ware in 2006, The Good Graces have performed up and down the east coast, in California, and at such festivals as 30A, NXNE, Athens Pop Festival (not to mention a few IPOs). Their recent album, Close to the Sun, explored a variety of styles and genres, from folk and alt. country to ‘90s-inspired indie pop, and caught the attention of The Indigo Girls, who asked them to support some Midwest and Southeast shows during their 2015 summer tour! A brand new yet to be named album is in the works for a fall 2019 release, and we can’t wait to hear it!
Heart Hunters – Husband and wife duo, Drew DeMann and Brianna Blackbird, combine potent social and spiritual commentary with hooks and harmonies on their recent debut,
Kenny Howes & The Wow – Mr. Howes comes to IPO armed with his collection of Rickenbackers and six outstanding CDs. His style never fails to combine Matthew Sweet, Beatles, and Beach Boys influences in a new and imaginative way. Tornadoes Here & Past, his latest CD and the first with his current band, The Wow, was well worth the wait for his many delighted fans and critics alike! His latest single, “She Knows What I Mean” was recorded by Lee Flier of What The…? (see below) at her Radio Flier studios. Check it out!!
The Joe & Joe Show – The “other” band of Joe Scinta of The Soogs delivers hooky power pop with just the right touch of quirkiness, that will have you dancing and laughing at the same time! Their Faster Than A Married Man EP will appeal to fans of artists from Cheap Trick and The Knack to Zappa and Talking Heads!
Netherglades – The latest project of garage rock legend Bruce Joyner, who’s musical journey has taken him from the plantation streets of south Georgia in the mid-50s to the punk clubs of LA, San Diego (as the main man of The Unknowns) and Paris in the early ‘80s, and back again to the Atlanta rock scene of NOW. Netherglades offers down & dirty rock n’ roll and gothic swamp rock at its finest, and their show is guaranteed to be one helluva good time!
Orange Hat – An exuberantly quirky pop quartet led by Zeus Henderson, and featuring Lee Flier of What The…? (see below). They seamlessly blend influences from Zappa to Brian Wilson to The Beatles to The B-52s and elements of funk and ska into a heady psychedelic concoction of sound and sight (they’re known for their colorful stage shows) that is absolutely infectious! If you’ve ever wondered what it would sound like if Buckminster Fuller challenged Orange Hat to travel the world in a Dymaxion tour bus to teach his ideas to the world but got stuck on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta instead, then check out their latest album, Poncedelic!
The Raves – Part of the pop music revival spearheaded by punk and new-wave bands in the early ‘80s, The Raves are simply put a great power pop band. Featuring tight vocals, soaring and jangling guitars, powerful bass lines and a driving beat, they will appeal to fans of classic acts such as The Beatles, Badfinger and The Who. Their Past Perfect Tense and Inside Looking Out LPs have received wide critical acclaim and are considered essential listening for ANY fan of power pop, Brit Rock, or just good music. A box set of their music videos entitled As Seen on TV is also available, so check them out now! They were responsible for introducing IPO to Jean Catharell, who helped bring the festival to The Cavern Club in Liverpool, so we’re doubly thrilled to be have them play the festival again in their own home town!
The Shut-Ups – A five-piece new wave and power pop band whose music will instantly put a smile on your face and set your toes to tapping! “The Shut-Ups have songs that could instantly be BIG HITS all around the globe. The tracks on the humorously-titled Just Another Generation remind us of a whole host of classic acts from the past including The Records, Marshall Crenshaw, Split Enz, and Devo…The Shut-Ups are easily one of the best Georgia-based power pop bands ever. By keeping things simple and playing straight-from-the-hip, these guys manage to succeed where so many else fail… Totally mesmerizing stuff. Top pick.” (babysue) Fans of artists such as They Might Be Giants, Sparks, Randy Newman, Adam Ant, and The Cars will also dig ‘em!
Keith Slettedahl – Known in his former home of Los Angeles as one of the main men of ‘00s indie pop darlings The 88, Slettedahl has relocated to Atlanta and is building up an excellent repertoire as a solo artist! The McCartney meets Brill Building feel of his recent EP, The First Time, is to die for! Atlanta audiences are in for a real treat!
The Sunset District – An indie-rock collective led by John McNicolas, The Sunset District will appeal to fans of Elliott Smith, Superchunk, and all cool purveyors of nerdy indie-pop with intelligent lyrics and catchy melodies. Check them out and hear for yourself!
Sunshine Slowdown – A band of young psychedelic rockers who’s sound is crafted by nuances of the ‘60s with a youthful modern twist. Fans of artists from Allah-Las and Bacharach to Zappa will dig their recent EP, Moonshine Speedup. They’re working on a new one, which we can hardly wait to hear…but in the meantime, we’re very much looking forward to their first ever IPO showcase!
Rob Vincent and The Accents – The latest project featuring native Atlanta singer/songwriter (and recovering engineer), Rob Agocs, with a bunch of his closest friends. Their sound lies somewhere between power pop and funky country rock (think Tom Petty, Springsteen, or Ryan Adams, with a dash of Roy Orbison), and their aim is to create good music that will leave a good impression and put a smile on your face. Come check them out to see and hear for yourself!
What The…? – Atlanta-based trio What The…? takes you on a journey that runs the length and breadth of rock ‘n roll, from classic Brit Invasion to roots-rock/rockabilly to finely crafted power pop to practically punk, as can be heard on their latest CD, You Have No Idea. They have also been instrumental in helping to organize IPO in Atlanta in each year that we’ve held it here, for which we are truly grateful!
Artists From Outside of Atlanta/Athens
Leisure McCorkle – We’re always grateful when this gentleman makes his way to IPO, which he’s done in several cities around the world, all the way from Charlotte, North Carolina! Fans of Joe Jackson and Graham Parker will love his sturdy rock n’ roll, as he possesses a voice so strong that he really doesn’t need a microphone! Check out his classic CD, Jet Set Baby, and his recent disc, 5000 Light Years Beyond The Speed Of Sound, and you’ll know what I’m talkin’ about!
The Raving Knaves – Fans of The Kinks, The Ramones, and The Clash take note: this Greensboro, North Carolina combo is a classic power trio in every sense. Their songs are usually under three minutes long with about four chords, a hook line and a rhythm and blues backbeat played quickly. Who could ask for more?!
The Ringos – Quirky, psychedelic, alternately revered and under-appreciated, The Ringo’s are a timeless band from Greensboro, North Carolina, made up of entirely Ringos. If you feel your inner Ringo calling out to you, come join them at their IPO showcase, and become the Ringo you were always meant to be!
David Ryan – After playing in several Boston area metal bands, and stints as a drummer for power pop icon Andy Pratt and Grand Ole Opry legend Colene Walters, Ryan has settled in Nashville and morphed into a singer/songwriter in his own right. In the tradition of great Americana music, Ryan plucks nostalgic heartstrings with every track on his debut, David Ryan: The EP. Reminiscent of famed poets and artists Bob Dylan and Neil Young, the EP focuses on positive changes in the world. His combined love for Americana with his roots in Rock and Metal, results in an alternative EP that’s sure to please listeners of all genres, and we’re glad to welcome him to the IPO family.