IPO New York 2022
Click on artist name to go to their music page
CLICK HERE to see IPO New York 2022 Artist Yearbook Photos
Artists From New York/New Jersey
The Anderson Council – These Jersey boys have the most authentic, Creation-influenced mod-psych sound conceived by any band west of The Thames. All of their excellent albums, including their latest JEM Records release, Worlds Collide, deftly convey the sense of whimsy that defines late ‘60s British pop-psych. Recorded and produced by Kurt Reil of label-mates, The Grip Weeds (see below), Worlds Collide is their best album yet! But wait…there’s more: they’ve got a new one in work that is nearly done…so you’ll want to keep tabs on their Facebook and the JEM Records website for details, and be sure to catch their IPO showcase for a preview of some of their latest creations!
Bastards Of Fine Arts – They’re a “new band with old roots”, featuring IPO veteran Matt Keating, and Steve Mayone. “In a career spanning more than 20 years, Matt Keating has established himself as one of America’s great under the radar songwriters. His work is rife with clever and incisive tunefulness” (NPR). “The stark truth is Mayone is a master songsmith. He crafts and molds his stories eloquently and intelligently and there’s not many that you can say that about” (Americana UK). Their debut album, A Good Sign, is out now…check it out!
Joe Benoit – A New York based singer/songwriter who loves rock n’ roll in all its wonderous variety…and lets this love shine through in his music. His latest album, What Kind of World, was recorded at home during the pandemic, and weaves together jangly guitars with poignant lyrics into a beautiful and compelling whole.
Bubble – A tight, rugged power pop band whose 2000 CD, Bash Bish, sounds exactly as the title would imply. “Principal songwriter Dave Foster constantly gets it right, fashioning killer hooks into a collection of songs which demand the listener’s attention throughout and are guaranteed to provide a lot of pleasure to those of a pop inclination” (Luke Magazine). Their latest album, Other Broken Dreams, got Culture Sonar magazine to ask the musical question, “What if The Beatles were a 2020 indie band from NYC?”. How’s that for praise??
Changing Modes – The ensemble led by Wendy Griffiths and Yuzuru Sadashige, a pair of classically trained composers whose influences range from Bartok, Stravinsky to Nirvana, along with King Crimson & Sparks! Changing Modes creates unique, darkly complex art rock delivered with punk energy and prog-rock flair, all the while maintaining a melodic pop sensibility. Their latest album, Wax World, is wonderfully quirky with tons of angular changes and beautiful bursts of harmony. Fans of Zappa and The B-52s will love this band!
Circles – A mod-punk-pop band originally from Chicago (although main man, Ken Kurson, now makes his home in NYC) who were on their way to greatness, when college and the allure of pop stardom collided to end the band. Now they’re back, better than ever, and we’re all the better for it!
Eric Crugnale – A fixture on the New York pop/folk/alternative rock scene playing in a variety of bands, Crugnale’s own music, as can be heard on his latest album, Time Kills, will appeal to fans of early ‘70s radio, as he perfectly blends soul, soft pop, and gently orchestrated power pop. Don’t miss this extremely rare opportunity to see him play a set of his own flavor of power pop!
The Cynz – The newest addition to The JEM Records stable of artists, The Cynz take their inspiration from the late ’70s Lower East Side NYC chainsaw music of the Ramones and the tough, gritty vibe of The MC5, Alice Cooper and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, and have been called the closest thing to 1970s CBGBs for a band formed in 2011. Their latest album, Karmic Destiny, celebrates their 12 years as a band in ten tracks that will have you dancing your socks off! But don’t miss seeing them live, as frontwoman Cyndi Dawson is a visual full throttle rock tsunami!
the dt’s – Otherwise known as Tom and Dave, formerly of The Vaughns, this Springfield, New Jersey duo pens and performs “…some of the best Britpop you’ll ever hear from a non-British band” (Owen Redford, Robojack Records). Fans of artists from Fairport Convention to The Beatles, REM, Elton John, and ELO will dig their recent EP, You With Me!
The Grip Weeds – A long-time favorite of power pop, psych pop, and garage pop fans, The Grip Weeds just keep getting better and better. Jangly guitars and soaring harmonies combine with power-house drumming and inventive chord changes to make fans of The Byrds, The Who, and The Creation swoon with pleasure. Never ones to rest on their laurels, their latest JEM Records release, DiG, is an ambitious collection of heretofore lesser-known psych and garage tunes from the ‘60s and ‘70s that they make all their own. As great as they are on record, they are even better live – so don’t miss their IPO showcase!
Harrison Clock – Harrison Clock is beyond category. Big hand, little hand, second hand, everyone shake a hand. The music speaks for itself, as always, literary and current. Something unique is a special way to conceive it. Come one come all and enjoy….and watch for the new album, 2072, which is set for digital release just days before their IPO showcase!
Wendy Ip – This very impressive New Yorker (by way of the Canadian prairies) writes some of the coolest songs around, with eccentric hooks that sneak up on you and hit you hard! Her latest full-length CD, A Different Kind Of Life, is replete with unforgettable melodies that linger in your head even if you’ve heard them only once. Her IPO performance is sure to feature some new songs and surprises which we can hardly wait to hear!
Joy Buzzer – Bringing together the talents of Kevin Lydon (vox), Jed Becker (guitar), Chris Peifer (bass), and Mark Brotter (drums), Joy Buzzer describe their music as “power pop for wow people.” Their debut single, “I Wanna Scream” will appeal to fans of classic bands such as The Beatles, The Rubinoos, and The Knack!
Karma Gambit – An Asbury Park foursome who take inspiration from bands such as Fountains of Wayne, Weezer and Oasis in creating their own brand of hooky indie rock. You can get your fill of catchy lyrics, wry humor, and bursts of harmonies on their new album, When Does Rock ‘n’ Roll Start to Get Sad?
Steve Katz – One of the main men of The Wind and Tan Sleeve, Katz goes it solo for his IPO performance! Beautiful and rich melodies along with his own distinctive style of guitar work compliment Katz’s soulful voice. His style can be likened to Cat Stevens, Damien Rice, David Gray and James Blunt. His recent EP, Barricades, is a confident five-song debut…[and] should serve as a perfect demo to intrigue any record company interested in this breed of pop.” (Wes Britton, Blog Critics)
Lester Luster & the Molasses Disaster – Rising from the ashes of Brooklyn based Overlord, who were one of our favorite new bands at IPO New York in 2018 & 2019, Lester Luster bring out the glam, the harmonies, and the showmanship like nobody’s business! We can’t wait to see them rock IPO in their latest incarnation!
Michael Lynch – Whether truly solo, or with his invisible band (courtesy of modern technology), Lynch sets mayhem to melody in the form of 2-3 minute ‘60s pop garage and bubblegum inspired ditties. He comes to IPO prepared to rock the night away…in the middle of the afternoon!
The Midnight Callers – Whether you call it power pop, pop rock, alt-rock, or just pure and simple rock n’ roll, the Midnight Callers are it! Their debut album, Red Letter Glow, produced by none other than Kurt Reil of The Gripweeds (see above), channels their love for huge guitar riffs, lush harmonies, sticky hooks, and Bonham beats, and was released to critical acclaim around the time we last saw them at IPO New York in 2019! We can hardly wait to see these rising stars on the JEM Records stable of artists again!
The Midnight Confessions – A Brooklyn-based band who are obsessed with everything from ‘60s girl groups to rock n’ roll and country, ‘70s power pop and glam and garage rock spanning the decades…and artfully mix all of these influences in their music! Check out their self-titled EP and their IPO showcase to hear for yourself!
Dan Miraldi – Best known for his power-pop and retro rock-inspired works, the two-time John Lennon Songwriting Contest Finalist has shared show bills with an eclectic bunch of performers such as J. Roddy Walston & the Business, Nelly, Wiz Khalifa, the Wailers, the Trews, Wally Bryson of the Raspberries, Beatle offspring James McCartney, Family of the Year, Blackalicious, the Cool Kids, Fiery Furnaces, and even Wang Chung. His latest full-length album, Radio Friendly Darling, has just been digitally released on his Bandcamp page, and is quite aptly named. We are very much looking forward to seeing and hearing him do his thing at IPO!
Eytan Mirsky – A New York City-based singer/songwriter best known for the songs he contributed to the indie films “Happiness,” “American Splendor” and “The Tao of Steve,” Mirsky’s talents and rather extensive catalog (he’s got eight full length albums…and counting!) go far beyond Hollywood. “He’s the lord of deadpan cool. He’s Ben Vaughn meets Chuck Prophet. He’s Eytan Mirsky and he’s back with a fabulous new LP…Lord, Have Mirsky delivers what we need right now: some wry wit, a bit of earnest self-reflection, and melodies that will make you smile (Dennis Pilon, Poprock Record).”
Once Ibex – The Neo-Psychedelic Rock project from multi-instrumentalist Hunter Somogie, who delivers a musical experience that reverberates with his audience, whether he performs solo or with a band. The debut Once Ibex album, Live From Madison’s Qual Garden, will appeal to fans of Bowie, Zappa, Lennon, McCartney, and ELO, to name but a few!
The Peaces – Concentrating on the three-minute song and the six-part harmony, The Peaces are here to refresh, renew and remind you that tunes that make you feel good are a reward. Their latest CD, Is, Are, Was, Were was one of the best of 2007, and we can hardly wait for their next one!
Leo Sawikin – A talented singer/songwriter whose previous work was released under his band name, The Chordaes, he’s released his latest album, Row Me Away, under his own name. Lush, soulful, and cinematic are just some of the adjectives that leap to mind. “Row Me Away is excellent, pushing out piquant sonic aromas, contagious rhythms, and the plush, swanky voice of Leo Sawikin.” (Randy Radic, The Young Folks).
Miles Stenhouse (of The Road To Ruin) – The band’s brand new album, Original Cynic, has just been digitally released on Spotify! Offering hook-filled psychedelic garage with a nod here and there to country-twang and Brill Building production, quirky chord changes, and witty lyrics, there’s something here that almost any pop fan will love!
Zombies of The Stratosphere – The duo of J and A Zombie follow in the tradition of their idols Ray Davies, Elvis Costello, and Brian Wilson, i.e., churning out gem-like compositions with maddeningly infectious tunes and obscure lyrics – songs built to last by nerdily obsessive craftsmen with big record collections. Their fifth – and most recent – release, On The Wing, features them at their jangly lush “AM Gold” ear-candy best!
U.S. Artists From Outside of New York/New Jersey
The Airport 77s – This Silver Spring, Maryland trio is power pop all the way: tight harmonies, chunky guitars and a relentless beat that will get you up and dancing before you realize what’s happening! Their recently released JEM Records album, We Realize You Have a Choice, is – to put it succinctly – all killer / no filler. It’s therefore no wonder that there’s already quite a buzz about it as a strong contender for making many a year-end top ten list.
Vincent Frederick of The Singles – The main force behind a respected Los Angeles band (by way of Detroit), whose “Beatles meets Buddy Holly meets Chuck Berry” brand of power pop was so well thought of that they became part of the Rainbow Quartz stable of artists in the early ‘2000s! They’re still going strong, having released several albums and, most recently, a few…well…singles, as a preview to an upcoming album! We’re very fortune Mr. Frederick is presently on the East Coast and is available to play IPO!
The Chris Listorti Project – Some IPO’ers may recognize Listorti as the leader of New London Connecticut’s Oberon Rose, who have drawn comparisons to such greats as The Posies, The Zombies, The Kinks, Thin Lizzy, and Big Star, and whose music has been described as “…grand retro pop/rock replete with nostalgic aromas of Beatlemania and psychedelic progressive rock of the ‘60s and ‘70s. The melodies shimmer with coruscating energy, while the vocals exude nuanced textures and pastel hues (Randy Radic, Thriveglobal.com).” Their eagerly awaited new album, Purple, Blue & Crimson, is due out in January. Listorti’s project under his own name is a bit more Laurel Canyon than London, but still really rocks!
Sonny Lee & The Layovers – Get ready for a rare and special IPO New York reunion show! Sonny Lee and the boys are back to make a little noise, rattle some glasses, pound some tables, and tip some chairs…and in the process, put a smile on your face with their brand of indie rock meets twangy power pop. Fans of artists such as Steve Earle, The Rolling Stones, REM, and The Smithereens will be sure to enjoy their Tell The Tales EP, and their IPO showcase!
International Artists
Dave Rave – The venerable Mr. Dave Rave began popping very powerfully indeed a near quarter century ago as part of the legendary Canadian bands Teenage Head and The Shakers, has often been referred to as “The Canadian Nick Lowe,” and is now an inductee in the Canadian Indie Music Hall of Fame!! (Congratulations, Dave!!) A recent CD, Live With What You Know was nominated for a Grammy, as was one of its songs, “Anne Marie.” His latest album, January and June, is his sixth release with his Minnesota-based backing band, The Governors, and showcases him at his in your face twangy garage pop best! From 2010 to 2014 he played 50 IPO festivals in a row (yes, you read that right), and he still plays many of them…and we look forward to many more. Thank you, Dave!!