IPO Chicago 2024
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Artists From Chicago
The 321’s – Influenced by the pioneers of classic rock as well as modern rock icons, The 321’s provide a captivating and energetic sonic experience. Fueled by Andrew’s commanding bass lines, Jared’s seething guitars, and Tommy’s thunderous drumming, and vocals that can range from gruff to angelic, they breathe new life into what it means to be a power trio.
6Kitty – Don’t let the name fool you: 6Kitty are a three-piece female-fronted indie rock band who share a commitment to creativity and a love of music ranging from Courtney Barnett to the Beths to hometown heroes, Local H. Their debut album, Tux, made it onto Fast n’ Bulbous’ Top 100 Albums of 2022, and ranked at #6 in the Art Pop/Dream Pop category. They fuse blended vocal harmonies, melodic forward bass lines, and hard-hitting drums into a dynamic sound that has been compared to Vanishing Kids, UV-TV, and the Pixies, and love to have fun and interact with their audiences when they play live, so come to see and hear them do their thing again at IPO!
Alpine Subs – Their sound is definitely jangle pop all the way: Ranging from the more Beatle-esque, Monkees-esque, or Folky/Soft Pop-esque of their previous albums, or the more organic lo-fi Grateful Dead-esque feel of their latest release, Come On Over To My House, if you like any (or all) forms of jangle, you will love Alpine Subs!
A.M. Slingers – Combining elements of gritty rock with the guitar-driven melodies, wistful meets hopeful lyrics, and catchy choruses of early ‘70s power pop, A.M. Slingers sound like your favorite 3AM hang at the local diner after a great night of booze and rock n’ roll. Check out their debut self-titled LP or their IPO showcase to hear what we mean!
Phil Angotti – The venerable musician is practically a household name in power pop circles, and especially in his home town of Chicago. Both he and his band The Idea have released a bunch of tremendous CDs, and Phil’s latest effort, Once Around Again, proves he just keeps getting better and better, and propelled him (tongue planted firmly in cheek) Once Around Again towards the top of several 2022 “best of” lists (including mine)! We were honored to host the debut performance of Material Re-Issue at IPO Chicago in 2011, and Phil Angotti’s lead vocals and guitar channeled the spirit of Jim Ellison as well as it could possibly be done.
The Band Calderisi – Led by singer/songwriter/musician/music teacher, Tony Calderisi, who was first brought to IPO’s attention by none other than Mike G. of The Valley Downs and Magnaphonic, and has previously played the festival under his Tony Calderisi Band and Telstar monikers, The Band Calderisi specializes in warm Americana-inflected power pop. Their latest album, Songs for the Years Gone By, is 11 pop rock songs consisting of heavy-handed guitars and drums with sweet harmony laden vocals.
The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club – Drawing from a diverse array of musical styles, The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club’s song arrangements are the product of technique, style and innovation with great attention to detail in the areas of tone, rhythm, harmony and song structure. Their style has been described as falling someplace between The Cars and Sloan, as well as a “sideways Cheap Trick” (by yours truly). Three years in the making, their latest album, Please Stand By, has the same “retro with an edge” feel of their previous work, and proves once again why they are a perennial favorite at IPO!
The Bon Mots – Once called “Chicago’s Best Kept Secret” by All Music Guide, The Bon Mots are certainly no secret to power pop afficionados, thanks to their impeccable songwriting and energetic performances. Elements of their songs have been compared to The Byrds and The Zombies, but their most recent album, Best Revenge, adds a few mind-bending twists to the classic jangle pop. They’re a perennial favorite at every IPO in which they’ve appeared, and have been working on some new and new-ish songs since their last performance at IPO Chicago in 2022, which we can hardly wait to hear and see them play!
The Braymores – A very promising new indie-rock quartet from Chicago, who take influences from The Backseat Lovers, The Districts, and more, and fuse it into their own brand of easy breezy angular jangle. Their debut EP, Talking To Trees, tells a classic story of coming of age, and has us very much looking forward to seeing and hearing them play at their first IPO!
Brother Derek – The solo project of singing bassist “Brother” Derek Wu (Recent Photo, Phenomenal Cat, Food, Peep, Mant, William Bing, etc.) whose mission remains to bring you songs with “good bones.” The songs on his recently released Parade Rest album draw from a deep well of genre-malleable tunes that are each more a roller coaster ride than a straight shot, at times weird but always groovy. Joining the fun live are guitarist/vocalist Guy Corl and on drums Barry Bennett, and we can’t wait to see and hear them do their thing again at IPO!
Bur – A quartet consisting of Jeremy Kush (Rhythm Guitar & Lead Vocals), Anthony Vaccaro (Drums), Chris Devlin (Guitar), and Troy Anderson (Bass), who make a joyous noise with their quirky brand of power pop. The songs on their latest album, We Are Bur, are sometimes angular, sometimes bouncy, sometimes breezy, sometimes buzzy, sometimes chimey…but always hooky and fun…and right up IPO’s alley!
Dolph Chaney & The Phins – Chaney’s latest release, Mug, like its predecessor, This is Dolph Chaney, was released on Big Stir Records, and continues Chaney’s journey in artful production, courtesy of collaboration with Nick Bertling (of Bertling Noise Laboratories) and a few other guests who appear on the album. “For all the depth on show here, there is something really special when Chaney lets rip. Mug is one of the great “Singer Songwriter” albums; lyrically adept, heartwarmingly melodic and a wonderful production of 13 special songs” (Don Valentine, I Don’t Hear A Single). Fans of Chaney’s prior “DIY” work, XTC, Jason Falkner, and other pop classics will dig it and his IPO performance with his kick-ass band, The Phins!
Michael Steven Cohen – Known to many an IPO audience as one of the main men of The Abbeys and The Pop Dollys, both of which had long been staples at IPO Chicago, Cohen stepped out in 2018 for his first time at IPO as a solo performer, and we’re thrilled to have him back again this year! He’s amassed an impressive repertoire of some of the most melodic, incredible, memorable love songs from the mid-20th century. Expect him to pull out some jazz and pop standards, big band stuff with just his voice & guitar, and to tell a little story about the song (when there is one)!
Ralph Covert and Panic at The Costco – IPO is thrilled to welcome back a veritable Chicago pop music legend! Covert has been a fixture on the Chicago pop rock scene since his heyday in the early ‘90s with The Bad Examples, when their single “Not Dead Yet” was tearing up the airwaves on local station WXRT, and was also heard across the country. He’s been nominated for a Grammy and featured in The New York Times for his kids’ project, Ralph’s World, for bringing a love and appreciation for melodic music to a whole new generation. With his latest album, Welcome To Deadsville, he returns to his singer-songwriter roots with a stirringly intimate collection of post-pop acoustic gems. The lyrics and melodies evoke comparisons to artists like Elliott Smith and Paul McCartney, arranged with sparse yet sparkling production. Check it out!
Dam Destroyers – Fun is still fun under any name, and that quirky art-pop-rock combo with horns we loved as The Red Wigglers are back as Dam Destroyers. Fans of artists such as The B52’s, The Talking Heads, or Chicago indie-popsters (and IPO veterans!) Beatnik Turtle should check out their 2018 album, Let’s Canoodle, and their ultra-entertaining live show at IPO!
Deep Cricket Night – A Post-Pandemic psychedelic roots rock combo who describe the sonic palette on their recently released album, Song of the Siren Saved, as “Joy Division meets 1970 Pink Floyd with Syd still in the room.” “…[F]ull of intrigue…[t]heir sound proves commanding with a balance of hypnotic and ferocious soundscapes” (Obscure Sound). Intrigued? Then come out and welcome them to their first IPO!
Steven Delisi – A Chicago-based musician and songwriter with a background in theater and film production whose former band, Phenomenal Cat, blended his pop/punk sensibilities with experimental music and the Russian folk influences of his band mates. In his current project, The Thin Cherries (who played for us at IPO Chicago in 2023), he’s teamed up with Mark Lofgren, one of the founders of psychedelic pop/rock mainstays The Luck of Eden Hall, who have toured Europe and released music on a variety of independent labels, including Headspin Records and Fruits de Mer Records. Their shared love for bands like Blur, The Replacements and the Smiths can clearly be heard on their latest release as The Thin Cherries, On Moose Island.
The Embryos – Their latest album, National Absurdatory, released on Kool Kat Musik, invites the listener to explore an alternate dimension of sound and mind. Psychedelic pop, funk pop, jangly folk pop and power pop meld and twist in compelling ways that somehow all work within the space of a single album. Think The Beatles meet The Grateful Dead at a Zappa concert, with Lou Reed joining in just for fun!
Hannah Frank – She’s a rhythmic singer-songwriter thriving on groove and poetic cafe-style folk. Hear inventive stories, plus flavors of earthy gypsy jazz, mellow rock and mystical hypnotic blues. Her latest release, Comes Love, is a 7” vinyl on Random Chance Records celebrating two songs from the classic American songbook.
Golden Richards – Gil Golden and Billy Richards met at a midnight showing of Enter the Dragon starring their idol, bad-ass Bruce Lee. Sharing a thing for surfing, Borg and McEnroe, tetherball, Farrah Fawcett, Bubble Yum gum and the Trans Am, they started a band that features new wave power pop with big hooks. Just listen to any of their Bandcamp singles and check them out at their IPO showcase, and you too will be an instant fan of their “Rock N Roll Kung Fu”!
Half Catholic – Sparkling and energetic guitar pop just the way we at IPO love it: melodic, and catchy, with quirky shifts and hooks that just stick in your brain. Check out their recently released Art In Heaven EP, and their IPO showcase, to hear for yourself!
The Jerrys – Their sound may be reminiscent in all the best ways of ‘60s British Invasion, but this outfit sprung from the mind and pen of Jerry Schwartz (with a little help from his friends, Robert Porché and Jim Losby) are also firmly tied to their mid-western power pop roots. Their wide collection of singles and albums have been compared to Boyce & Hart, The Who, Matthew Sweet, and Shoes. We’re thrilled to welcome them to their first IPO!
Kerosene Stars – Independently rocking Chicago since 2010, the band has put out a slew of excellent EPs and singles over the years, including last year’s “A Pretty Good Year”. Noah Berlatsky of The Chicago Reader has described the band as a “[s]mart unpretentious Beatles-loving group with a sure hand for hooks… It’s perfect pop.” Who are we to argue? (Especially since he’s right!)
Brian Krumm and His Barfly Friends – IPO is pleased to welcome the front man for Chicago’s tortured Americana artists, The Great Crusades, who wrote the songs on his debut solo release, Just Fade Away (Pravda Records), while drinking whiskey and just trying to stay sane during the 2020 shutdown. His influences, such as Robyn Hitchcock, the Jayhawks, Warren Zevon and Dylan, shine through and Krumm’s captivating, taleteller lyrics are again at the forefront. The record gives listeners a sonic snapshot of remembrances from Krumm and a life lived observing a perplexing yet utterly inspirational world.
The Larvettes – A power trio who bring a few new twists to that girl group, Northern Soul, and surf-inspired old school rock n’ roll sound: 1. They’re not girls. 2. They’re not British. 3. They don’t live near a beach (Lake Michigan doesn’t count!) 4. They really rock. 5. Did we mention that they really rock? Come check out their appearance at IPO for the second year in a row (of what we hope will be many) to see and hear them for yourself!
Packy Lundholm – A fixture on the Chicago scene for quite some time, Mr Lundholm has lent his talents to many local acts, such as I Fight Dragons, Kory Quinn, and Gold Coast All Stars, but is an accomplished power popper in his own right! His debut album under his own name, American Soccer, combines Americana and classic rock elements with that heartland power pop energy that we love! Fans of Springsteen and Lou Reed will dig it! His latest masterpiece, Track Sabbath, is an eclectic three-part opus closely following Lundholm’s stream of consciousness in creativity with a little bit of something for everyone!
Mammals – Here to prove the “power-trio” format is alive and well, Mammals do that garage-y power pop thing with heart and soul, drawing comparisons to bands such as The Nerves, The Jam, Buzzcocks, and The Plimsouls. “They take bits and pieces of ’60s rock and roll, classic era power pop, and even some modern garage and punk and mold it all into something that’s uniquely theirs” (Lord Rutledge, Faster and Louder). Check out their latest EP, Look Around You, and their IPO showcase!
Miles Maxwell – Folk pop, jazz, Americana singer songwriter and producer Miles Maxwell has been performing and penning music since childhood. His varied influences can all be heard on his latest album, Red Ghost, and his more recent singles. IPO Chicago marks his return to live performance in a post pandemic world, and we’re glad to give him a warm welcome!
Modern Daybreak – A band on a mission to keep a positive outlook on life, and make current, relevant music to connect with people from all walks of life. Their vision is to inspire people to express themselves and be kind toward others, and shines through on their recent EP, Music For Love, a collection of uplifting songs blending catchy hooks with influences from folk rock, sunshine and harmony pop, designed to carry their message out to the world.
Billy Nixon – A singer-songwriter whose music is steeped in the rock ‘N roll, rockabilly, and rhythm & blues of the 1950’s and 60’s, who has just released his brand-new album, Late Fees. The album and its predecessor, C’mon Let’s Rattle, will appeal to fans of The Everly Brothers, Tommy James & The Shondells, and The Teenagers!
Otter Petter – Formed in Chicago in 2005, Otter Petter’s members create their own unique sound by blending the sugary pop confections of artists like Matthew Sweet with the more obtuse constructions of indie-rock bands like Death Cab For Cutie. They’ve got two excellent full-length albums to their credit, as well as some more recent singles on which “…[t]he abundant hooks and sugar-buzz energy speak for themselves” (Miles Raymer, Chicago Reader). They’re the five-piece rock outfit you’d hate to follow!
Penthouse Sweets – The members of Penthouse Sweets (who include Eric Chial of The Bon Mots, see above) have a combined 100 years of experience doing everything from pop rock/psych rock/folk rock and – well, basically anything that rocks! If you like big guitars, loads of jangle, and heaps of harmonies, you will love Penthouse Sweets!
The Pickpockets – The band’s debut, By The Time We’re Through, contains thirteen tracks where distinctive vocals relate indelible narratives, while guitars alternately dignify and rub dirt on the agreeable melodies. The band’s sound is influenced by British and American post-punk and indie music of the ’80s and ’90s. With a pandemic-induced break from their devotion to their live shows, they’ve also begun releasing a series of EPs showing off their range; the latest, The 1 Dream, includes everything from horns to strings, as well as their own quirky brand of theatrical punk pop. We can’t wait to see them do their thing live again!
Rolling Numbers – A local quartet who deliver original songs in a style they’ve dubbed “American Cosmic.” The lyrics are heart-felt, the vocals (both male and female) are rich and soulful, and the musicianship is tight and inventive. Their recently released second LP, Killer Machines, is a 10-song shape-shifting collection of tracks that takes you on a journey across the musical spectrum. The distinctive sonorous vocal harmonies, inventive lead guitar, and super-groovy drums and bass of the band are vibrantly present throughout. Fans of Neil Young and Fleetwood Mac will dig it!
Rollo Time – They describe themselves as just a bunch of guys who’ve played music together over the years, who finally got together and recorded a bunch of songs. Said songs can be heard on their full-length CD, Victims of the Crown, and a slew of more recent singles, and will rock you out in the classic power pop tradition. Think Matthew Sweet, Cheap Trick, Guided By Voices and XTC all rolled into one, and you get the picture! A new album is in the works…and if the singles they’ve been releasing as teasers are anything to judge by, it’s gonna be great!!
Routine Faces – Meet Sahara: She put herself through college by working two jobs to earn her Master of Music degree in vocal performance. While studying classical singing and piano by day, she was performing in bar bands on weeknights, Cleveland Opera on weekends, and Ohio Light Opera in the summers. The result is a bluesy mezzo-soprano voice that’s influenced by the rock theatrics of Ann Wilson and Cyndi Lauper. Meet Rob: A former post-punk drummer in love with Fugazi and MF Doom, who spent plenty of time living in vans and playing in bands you’ve never heard of. Together they are Routine Faces. Their music takes cues from Journey, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, ABBA, Imogen Heap, My Bloody Valentine, and Radiohead, fusing alternative rock, indie dance, 60’s pop, disco, and shoegaze. Every song on their upcoming album, Us vs. Them, is a character study about a different experience: pain, overconfidence, revenge, jealousy. The mixture of moods and styles is utterly captivating, but defies all attempt at genre classification.
Satellite Union – A Chicago-based rock band inspired by the sound waves coursing through their parents’ car radio and the launch of MTV, the vinyl spun over transistors and what streams in the cloud. They draw power from the sounds of classic rock, punk, blues, folk and Americana, telling tales of heartache and triumph, ghosts of the past and hope for the future. Their debut EP, Far Cry From The Place We Met, sounds like Tom Petty meets Cheap Trick!
Rob Schulz – IPO audiences may recognize Schulz as one of the main men behind Swinger, but he’s also put out a couple of fine CD’s under his own name. Influences from The Kinks to The Beach Boys to Elvis Costello abound, but he brings his own unique personality and sensibilities to the fore. His work displays a wealth of hook-packed classic power pop that is earnest, tuneful, sincere, dynamic and accessible. His latest album, Something to Believe In, an exciting 13-song collection of older material that never really got its due, was recorded with Brad Jones at Alex The Great Studios in Nashville, and was well worth the wait!
The Second Summer – A classic style power pop band after IPO’s heart…they love nothing more than big guitars on overdrive, tight drums, melodic bass lines, and huge hooks and harmonies. Their recently released debut album, undertow, is about life’s triumphs and tragedies, and everything in between. Although (as they say), they’ve been around the block, they (and we) continue to believe that wherever you are in life, even if it seems summer has passed you by, there is always a chance at a second summer. We can’t wait to see and hear them play at their first IPO!
Secret Forest Service – A Chicago five piece who do intricately arranged indie pop/folk rock that can be both melancholy and uplifting at the same time. They’re also known to throw in a few covers, so you never know what’s coming next, but you know it’ll be good!
The Sonnets – The Sonnets were (and are) much loved for their trademark glitter glam power pop sound, and even took the show on the road to join us for IPO Liverpool one year! Main man, Vee, has done a few solo shows for us over the years, but we’re super excited to have him back this year with the full band!
The Spindles – The Spindles feature original melodic power pop and classic covers. Their 2018 release, Past and Present, mixed and mastered by Grammy-Award Winner Blaise Barton, ranked #12 on Goldmine Magazine‘s Top 30 Power Pop albums of 2018, #4 on Pop Rock Record‘s Must Have Top 20 Power Pop albums of 2018, and #38 on David Bash’s Top 125 Best Power Pop Albums of 2018! “The Spindles Are Here To Bring Power Pop (Back) To The People!” (Goldmine Magazine)
TAFKAVince Band – A fun new old school band whose latest full-length record, On Display, is an actual record…on spiffy colored 12” vinyl no less! Their new EP, A Problematic Opera, is reminiscent of the in-your-face harmony and fun of a late-night Rocky Horror Picture Show screening. Glitter glam garage all the way, baby!
Things That Fly – Moms who rock, Heidi Serwer and Karen Salmon, met when their daughters were in pre-school together. Both accomplished solo artists (Heidi has three solo albums and Karen has a solo EP as well as an album due out later in 2024), they started strumming together during play dates, and Things That Fly was born. Their music is a juxtaposition of pretty harmonies and gritty distorted guitars, and we can’t wait to see them do their thing at IPO!
Matt Tiegler – A songwriter, actor, and playwright who takes a guitar-driven power pop approach on his recently released album, Hands Free Downhill. The album was produced by past IPO veteran, Tommi Zender, who also contributed a variety of guitars, keys, and vocals to the mix. The result is a hook-filled confection that fans of both Tiegler’s and Zender’s past work, as well as artists such as Matthew Sweet, Big Star and Brian Wilson will love!
The Unswept – Charlie and Ryan O’Brien relocated from sunny Sheffield, UK to a small but tiny apartment in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, where they write and record power pop tunes. With their hook laden songs featuring cowbell, handclaps, and sibling harmonies, we think they fit right in with Chicago’s power pop heritage! On their highly anticipated fourth full length album, Fast Casual, they shake it up and deliver some ’70s classic Chicago-Style Power Pop with a twist of UK Pub Rock, an alt-country departure, a visit to glam rock & a quick field trip to Britpop. Their brand-new live album, The Unswept in Concert, captures the energy of their live performance for those who just can’t get enough of the experience. Fans of The Monkees, The Beatles, and The Beach Boys will really dig them!
Mark Watson – Otherwise known as the leader of the Mark Watson Band, whose now classic coulda…shoulda…woulda… CD earned rave reviews and international airplay for its modern pop rock sound, full of hooky choruses, big guitars, smart lyrics and a heaping helping of harmonies. The band is back in the studio with a new line up and some new music, featuring bigger guitars and more bite, while retaining all the tunefulness of their previous work, as their 2021 single, “When Two Still Feels Alone”, will attest. Watson and Band have treated us to a sample of their new material for the last few years at IPO Chicago, and we can’t wait to hear some more this year!
We The Cats – Those who remember the Chicago music scene in the early 1990’s may well remember these guys, who tore it up with three well-received releases and scores of high energy shows. From early irresistible pop classics like “Deanna” and “Get a Little Girl,” to the wild punk attack of “Kennedy” and the soulful, anthemic drive of “Don’t Walk Away,” to the explosive and lyrical song-cycle, Rosary, the band experimented both musically and lyrically, blending four very different personalities into one of Chicago’s most beloved acts. IPO is thrilled to host a special 30th anniversary reunion performance that you will not want to miss…come on out and re-live all the fun!!
Who’s This Mary? – Chicagoland’s Premier Power Pop Sons, Who’s This Mary? perform original groovealicious pop gems and a tastefully curated selection of Britpop and Mod classics. Their live performance is an extravaganza not to be missed!
Phil Yates & The Affiliates – Yates is an indie power pop artist formerly based out of Burlington, VT, who for the past several years has made his home in Chicago, and Vermont’s loss is definitely Chicago’s gain! With his hooky sound that’s “too folky for the rockers and too rocky for the folkers,” Phil has played with artists such as The Mountain Goats, The Babies, Cave Singers, Holly Golightly, and Mary Prankster. A Thin Thread, his latest album with The Affiliates, is the first featuring the Chicago lineup of the band, and showcases the band’s ability to do everything from frenetic Britpop to bubblegummy ear candy confections!
U.S. Artists From Outside of Chicago
Custard Flux – Many long time IPOers may recognize Curvey, the leader of Detroit’s Custard Flux, as one of the driving forces behind Chicago’s The Luck of Eden Hall. He’s back and we’re mighty glad to have him, as he and the band have honed their Prog Pop perfection to a T! Their first two albums, Helium & Echo made the Top 10 on the Reviews Editor of PROG Magazine‘s 2018 & 2019. Their latest opus, Einsteinium Delirium, is a little bit different, and is no holds barred electric! The songs blend into each other on both sides of the LP to create one nuclear based relativity, with a conceptual narrative of our historical atomic madness in variable time signatures, rests and pieces. Very cool!
Einstein’s Sister – IPO is proud to present a rare reunion show from one of the quintessential mid-west power pop bands of the late ‘90s and early 2000s! Their Humble Creatures CD has been described as “Like early Elvis Costello taking tea with Squeeze’s Glenn Tilbrook, while Lennon and McCartney fuss over the scones in the kitchen.” (CD Baby). Definitely one of Moline, Illinois’ finest, and a show not to be missed!
Elephonic – IPO is thrilled to welcome the latest project led by Mike Jarvis, who has been a fixture in the Milwaukee pop scene for quite some time. His albums with his previous bands, The Blow Pops and The Lackloves, are considered by many to be underground power pop and psychedelic pop classics. Elephonic veers more towards symphonic and roots rock, while losing none of the classic pop sensibilities. Their performance at IPO Chicago in 2022 was truly impressive and their debut self-titled album received many accolades and 2023 year-end “best of” list nods for its symphonic blend of a wide spectrum of pop and rock influences from the past half-century. We can hardly wait to see and hear them do their thing live at IPO again!
High On Stress – Comprised of Nick Leet (vocals/guitar/piano), Mark Deveraj (drums), Jim Soule (bass/backing vocals/organ), and Chad Wheeling (guitar/piano), High On Stress have been getting rave reviews for their latest album, Hold Me In. “High on Stress carry on in the grand tradition of Minneapolis music – great rock ‘n’ roll with a rootsy slant; cheeky at times, consistently well written and played.” (Peter Jesperson, New West Records)
The Incurables – Headquartered right in the Heart of the Ann Arbor/Detroit Metropolitan Area, The Incurables provide guitar driven high energy harmonic indie garage rock, at your service! Their fun and energetic songs are reminiscent of artists such as The Clash or The Ramones, with clear nods to their local hometown heroes, The Romantics, The Stooges, and MC5, and are borne out of 30 years of friendship and a determination to never get too grown up to rock (a sentiment with which we wholeheartedly agree!) Check out their recent Big Stir Records release, Inside Out & Backwards, and their IPO Showcase to see and hear what we mean!
The Jeremy Band – The eponymous band led by one of the most genuine, unique people on the pop scene, as well as one of the most prolific pop artists around. Jeremy Morris’ John Lennon-influenced pop is as spiritual as it is melodic, and has been rocking a lot more lately, which you can hear this for yourself on any of his recent CDs (he’s released over 60 of them, so it’s hard to keep up with which is the latest!) This Kalamazoo, Michigan resident and his band can stake their rightful place in the IPO Hall Of Fame!
Andras Jones – Purveyor of melodic witticism extraordinaire, Jones has toured the US and Canada both solo and with his band, The Previous, and is also the host/creator of Radio8Ball, author of Accidental Initiations: The Kabbalistic Tree of Olympia (from Sync Book Press) and an actor who has appeared in several motion pictures and TV shows, including A Nightmare On Elm Stret 4: The Dream Master and Saved By The Bell. His brand-new solo album, Recognize, De-Escalate, and De-Code, is sure to contain several melodic and lyrical twists in Jones’ inimitable style, and will be released just in time for his IPO Chicago showcase…but don’t miss his live show, as the banter and interaction with his audience are often even better than the songs!
Blake Jones & The Trike Shop – Hailing from the unlikely hamlet of Kingsburg, California, this ensemble uses just about every instrument under the sun to create some bizarre, witty, quirky, yet ultimately melodic sounds, and have become an IPO fan favorite from LA to Liverpool! The Trike Shop’s “The Turtles meets Frank Zappa” stylings never fail to be delightful enigmatic and quirky, and their latest album, Make, released on Big Stir Records, showcases them at their delightfully zany and melodic best! And we’re delighted to learn that they are nearly finished recording the next Trike Shop album, and can’t wait to see and hear what they do next! Definitely something a little bit different!
Tim Kish – If you like your pop quirky and catchy with unexpected twists and turns, you owe it to yourself to check out the music of this gent from Ferndale, MI! Whether performing solo – as he will at IPO Chicago – or with his current 4-piece band, Swingset, his inventive mix of guitars and drums with toy pianos, beat boxes, and classical string elements in melodies filled with pastoral/nostalgic pop whimsy one minute and with intense new and dark wave dance elements the next is sure to bring a smile to your face. Just listen to his brand-new solo EP, Drawn to Light, or come to his IPO show to see and hear what we mean!
Scott Samuels and Friends – Samuels has played IPOs in both San Diego and LA under his own name and with his previous band, Roxy Monoxide. His flair for fine melodies and ability to turn just about any thought or experience into a hook for a great song lyric – as well as his support and help with IPO San Diego – are very much appreciated! His sixth and newest album, Starlight and Sunshine, showcases his love of ‘70s power pop and glam, and we’re excited to welcome him to his first IPO outside his home state!
The Seagulls – These rockers from the city by the bay (San Francisco, that is) pour their hearts into every song, and it shows! Their latest album, This Time Next Year… is chock full of hooks, anthemic rockers, Britpop bangers, psychobilly stompers…and that’s just the first few tracks! We can’t wait to see them do their thing at IPO Chicago!
The Shake Ups – Combining elements of power-pop, indie-rock and alternative, The Shake-Ups are one of Indianapolis’ most engaging bands! Their songs run the gamut from melodic indie-rock to sun-kissed power-pop, stuffed to the brim with honeyed harmonies, meaty guitar runs, chiming acoustics, and new wave-y keys. Their latest album, Meddling Kids, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Scooby Doo franchise!
Status Foe – Whether you call it indie-rock, angular pop, or prog, the music of this Indianapolis four -piece will captivate and intrigue you. Returning to performing live in the summer of 2023 after a hiatus imposed by both COVID and personal tragedy, the band opened for Geoff Tate of Queensrÿche at Watseka Theater in September. New fans from the show described Status Foe’s sound as “eclectic and refreshing.” They are currently back in the studio, working on their next album to be released later in 2024, but in the meantime, you can hear what all the buzz is about by checking out their 2022 album, Falling Awake, and their IPO showcase!
International Artists
KTG – A passionate songwriter and musician from Windsor, Ontario who loves to rock out on her pink guitar and bass. She has been a part of the Canadian music scene for over a decade creating new music about feels and food. Her latest album, Realitease, is about personal growth, exploration, realization, and figuring out the truth from the tease. Fans of artists from Cyndi Lauper to Nina Hagen and Grace Jones will dig her.
Mark Ripp – Self-described as a taller Canadian version of Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and John Hiatt, Ripp got his start as a folk singer in the coffee houses of Toronto, but is better known to Canadian audiences as the front-man of roots rockers, The Bel-Vistas. As a solo performer, his songs range from melodic roots rock to folk and even to surf! His latest album, The Joyful Hope, is his all-instrumental debut!