IPO Boston 2024

 
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Artists From Boston

 
Corin Ashley – A singer/songwriter who for several years was the driving force behind Boston’s hyper mod-pop band, The Pills. Ashley’s first solo album, Songs From The Brill Bedroom, is a stripped down, organic and homegrown affair which falls halfway between Neil Finn and Neil Young. His latest, Broken Biscuits, is “…filled with deep rewards for Anglophiles and power pop fans” (Pop Matters); no wonder it found its way towards the top of a 2017 “best of” list or two.
 
Sal Baglio – A fixture on the Boston scene since his days as the leader of The Stompers, Baglio never fails to entertain, whether solo or in any of several band configurations in which he has graced the IPO stage from Boston to Liverpool. Blues, poignant melancholy pop, Lennon-esque ballads, glitter-glam, pub-rock, balls to the wall rock n’ roll, or pure ear-candy power pop – Baglio does it all…and often does it in the space of a single album or live set! Don’t miss a chance to see him for yourself!
 
Tom Baker – The leader of local bands The Snakes and The Dirty Truckers is also a fine solo artist, having put out a wealth of music in all of his many guises. His latest album with The Dirty Truckers, The Tisbury Joneser, is “…a really lean set of chorus driven rockers…Extant fans can expect this album to become a firm favourite in record time, while the retro sound and love of huge choruses has an even bigger potential to bring new ears into the fold” (RealGoneRock.com).
 
The Brigands – The latest incarnation of this band of brothers (known as The Bouncers in the ‘80s) has been going strong under their family name since the late 1990s, rocking it up with their pulverizing mix of ‘70s and ‘80s Mass Ave. scene covers, as well as Brigands originals. A totally fun band who will appeal to fans of The Clash, The Ramones, and The New York Dolls! While their self-titled CD totally rocks, this is one band you will want to see live, so don’t miss their IPO showcase!
 
Dave Charles – Brother of Boston musician/producer extraordinaire Brian Charles; if you come to Dave’s IPO show you can see that the apple hasn’t fallen far from the genes, as he delivers song after song of sparkling pop/rock! His latest single, Sideways, is a collaboration with Corin Ashley (see above).
 
Cold Expectations – A jangly dark indie-rock band whose songs convey the joy beneath the darkness. On their debut full-length album, Static Reactions, “[y]ou’ll hear ten melodic songs that shift back and forth between twee pop and power pop, with a few indie rock and new waves outbursts… the entire LP is 37 minutes of warm and moving enjoyment, with vocal harmonies just as beautiful as the poetic lyrics” (AddToWantlist blog).
 
Dave Finney and The Procrastinators – Featuring members of The Spicolis, Powderhouse, The Rotary Prophets and The Generous Poor, they play tasty original roots rock and “artisanal” covers that they make all their own. Fans of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bob Seger, and CCR will dig their recently released Procrastination Songs, Vol. 2 EP!
 
Girl With A Hawk (acoustic) – An American rock band formed in 2021 and led by musician Linda S. Viens. Band lineup includes Boston Rock veterans Richard Lamphear, Daniel Coughlin, Nancy Delaney, and Dan Bernfeld. Their digital singles and live performances sound like Linda Ronstadt fronting Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, and they totally rocked their IPO debut last year. This year, Linda, Richard and Daniel are back with a more intimate acoustic version of the band, which we can hardly wait to hear!
 
Hi-End – A five-piece, high octane Rock & Roll band straight outta Boston, their music is to the point, with memorable hooks and swagger, complete with confident vocals, dual rhythm-guitar interplay, and a tight bass and drum combo holding it together by the throat. One listen to their Class Kicks album is all it takes to become and instant fan! But their gritty cross between Brit pub-rock, proto punk, 60’s soul and straight up rocking stomp is best experienced live, so don’t miss their IPO showcase!
 
Hummingbird Syndicate – The Mamas and the Papas led to The Archies led to ABBA. The Byrds led to Buffalo Springfield led to The Flying Burrito Brothers. The Velvet Underground and Nico led to Eno and Roxy. Ray Price led to George Jones. Hummingbird Syndicate is the love child of all of the above – one great big orgy of jangle and harmony that you have got to hear! Check out their latest album, Sound & Light, and their IPO showcase!
 
Kelly Knapp – IPO is proud to present a special solo performance from the leader of all-girl rock band, The Bristols, who were a fixture on the local area club scene back in the ‘80s. Their songs range the gamut from in-your-face punk-edged rock n’ roll to ‘60s retro garage and alt-country. If you ever asked yourself the question “Can girls really rock?” Come see Knapp in her IPO showcase for an emphatic demonstration of “oh yes, they can!!”
 
Little Billy Lost – A quartet of a combined 250+ years of rock and power pop experience, unleashing a megaton of musical bliss and passion! Fred Pineau (The Atlantics), James Melanson (Pop Gun), Robert “Desi” Desautels (Third Rail), and Smitt E. Smitty (Figures On A Beach and IPO solo project performer– see below), mesh to create a band of rock brothers that MUST be experienced.
 
Smitt E. Smitty & The Fezztones – The ubiquitous fez-topped drummer for many a band, including several that have played and are playing IPO, steps into the spotlight as the star of his own “solo” project…which is often punctuated with an entire cabaret cast of supporting players and glammed up backup singers. We don’t know exactly what he’s got planned, but we know it will rock like heck and be more fun than a barrel of monkeys!
 
Speedfossil – Built on a foundation of strong songwriting, catchy melodies, and pop hooks, Speedfossil is Boston angular power pop at its finest! Their latest album, No Anesthesia, will appeal to fans of The Smithereens, The Kinks, and The Replacements. Check it out!!
 
Karen Zanes – A New England based singer, songwriter, guitarist, recording artist and performer, previously affiliated with projects that include the electronic-experimental collective, Violet Nox, and the surf-psych-noir outfit, The Freeways, both of which she co-founded and contributed to as a writer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. Her recently released album, Rockets of Desire, “…contains 10 beautifully crafted acid folk ballads which may bring you in mind the beauty of Bridget St. John or the late Judee Sill. A lovely, beautiful record” (Mimmo Caccomo via London Calling – Shades of Rock).
 
 

U.S. Artists From Outside of Boston

 
The Glad Machine – Formed in the fall of 2012, The Glad Machine set out to write some of the catchiest rock songs on the vibrant Western Massachusetts music scene. Drawing influence from Cheap Trick, The Posies, Jellyfish, The Beach Boys and Superdrag, The Glad Machine has honed their sound into a hook laden, toe tapping, power pop force to be reckoned with, complete with crunchy guitars and soaring vocals! Their recent EP, Hey!, was hailed almost instantly upon release as “…one of the best EPs of the year among a crop of treasures (Powerpopaholic).” We can wait to see and hear them do their thing live again at IPO!
 
Brian Larney – A singer-songwriter from Black Rock, CT, who is as directly accessible as he is enigmatic. His music ranges from the simply beautiful to the complex and artistic. He claims to be haunted by hooks and his music promotion company, Zenabi, describe his songs as “…spoonfuls of classic pop and folk, naturally sweet, non-GMO, without the sugar crash; his style harkens back to the days of Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles, and maybe a bit of Partridge Family.” Check out his latest album, Mythical Creatures, or his recent single, “Heart Full of Regret” …or better yet, come to his IPO showcase!
 
Justin Levinson – Inspired by the music of ‘60s greats such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and The Zombies, Levinson’s music offers a unique blend of Beatlesque melodies and modern indie rock/pop. His songwriting prowess has earned him quite a few accolades, including Billboard Song Contest Winner, International Acoustic Music Awards (Best New Male Artist), and a nomination For Sirius Songwriter Discovery of the Year. His 2017 album, Yes Man, is a “must have” for lovers of classic California sunshine pop. Returning to his Vermont roots after several years playing around Hollywood (including several appearances at IPO), he’s recently released his much anticipated fifth full length album, Collamer Circle, in a partnership with fellow Vermont musician Ben Patton “…that brings out the best of both. Although Levinson is back home, the album still sounds very West Coast. Collamer Circle sounds as though it was produced in the ‘60s, yet fits equally with the Not Lame of the ‘90s. This is great melodic harmonic Pop Rock, wonderfully produced and performed…”(I Don’t Hear A Single blog).
 
The Pretty Graves – The latest project led by Christopher Listorti, who some IPO’ers may know as the leader of New London Connecticut’s Oberon Rose, who drew 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. (Randy Radic, Thriveglobal.com).” His latest project draws inspiration from the rebel spirit of The Velvet Underground, the raw verve of Pavement, and the enigmatic essence of Jonathan Fire Eater. We can hardly wait to see and hear them in their first IPO appearance!
 
Alan Walker and the Accomplices – Walker was the lead singer/keyboard player for NYC’s rootsy/melodic pop band, The Brilliant Mistakes, and is now a solo artist (with a few accomplices joining him for a full band experience). His second full length album, A Little Too Late, just released on Aunt Mimi’s Music, blends roots rock, soul, and orchestrated pop in a seamless confection!
 
 

International Artists

 
David Minchin from The Innocents – One of the founding members of The Innocents, those Tasmanian power pop devils whose combination of sweet vocal harmonies, punchy melodies and catchy hooks earned them a permanent home in the hearts of many a pop fan. Minchin has been going it alone for the past few years, now living in Germany, with a bit more of a folky edge that lends a more heartfelt feel to his sparkling pop melodies.