IPO London 2014
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Artists From London
The 286 – A seven-piece rock “orchestra”, The 286 dare to cross the genres of indie rock and classical music. By clashing rock n’ roll riffs with cellos and violins, The 286 create a unique sound that you expect to be reminiscent of a musical collaboration between The Beatles and Ludwig van Beethoven! Check out their A Victory for Battalion CD, and you’ll hear what we mean!
Apples I’m Home – Recently described as “The Mamas & The Papas meets Mumford & Sons”, Apples I’m Home are a pop/folk four-piece based in West London. Having started as a song-writing duo in the Scottish town of Ayr, they have received positive reactions for the solid song structures and layered harmonies that are a hallmark of their music since expanding to a four-piece, and can now be found writing and performing their original brand of catchy, melody-driven songs across the London folk scene. Check out their Last Week EP and their IPO showcase!
The Capers – An East London four-piece whose music is a blend of their various influences – from the ‘60s pop and mod of such artists as The Kinks, Small Faces and The Jam, to Motown and Northern Soul, to energetic ‘90s artists such as Nirvana, Blur, and Dave Grohl. There is a clear ‘60s pop theme with catchy riffs and a sometimes cheeky lyrical style, complimented by a combination of deep yet tuneful bass and powerful percussion. Check out their debut album, While Crooks Pull Capers, and be on the lookout for a new one which is currently in the works!
Cellar Door – Cellar Door are an acoustic roots duo comprised of Aimee Grinter and Mike Brown. Originally from a sleepy country village on the outskirts of the New Forest, they are now based in south London, enjoying the smoke and the sirens. With diverse influences including the Pixies, Radiohead, Nina Simone, Bright Eyes, Jenny Lewis and PJ Harvey, it is refreshingly difficult to find a convenient pigeonhole for Cellar Door. Consequently, they have been described as everything from ‘haunting and dreamlike’ to ‘swamp trash’.
James Clarke – -Though he now lives in London, fans from both Liverpool and Spain may remember Clarke as a member of The Cherry Boys, who were one of Liverpool’s top bands in the early ‘80s, and whose song “Kardomah Café” was a Spanish top 10 hit! He’s got a dazzling array of well-crafted pop tunes, sometimes annoyingly catchy, never predictable, and never far from the odd surprise or two. Just check out either of his CDs and you’ll hear what we mean! A new one should be available soon!
F.O.X. – Fans of pop divas from Donna Summer to Gwen Stefani will dig the catchy danceable hooks on Chimera, the debut album by this Essex-based synth/electro-pop band! Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode is a champion of the band and as a result personally invited them to support DM on their 2013 Delta Machine stadium tour resulting in the band playing to over 200,000 people across Europe. Since returning to the UK, they’ve been working on their second album, with the first part due out later this Spring, so watch for it!
Kareña K – A blue-eyed soul singer in the vein of Rickie Lee Jones or Carole King, Kareña K is currently working on several projects with Wily Bo Walker, working and performing as backing vocalist/second lead and backing vocal arranger for Madcap Festival favorites, Rattlin’ Bone, as well as working on material for her own forthcoming debut album, em>And This Heart Beats Again. Fans of Etta James and Billie Holiday should also sit up and take notice of this one!
The King Zoots – Influenced by the style and swagger of ‘60s England, The King Zoots create a sound unmistakably British. All four members of the band hail from the same small, suburban town on the outskirts of London, and they have been widely touted as the rock n’ roll saviours the music scene has been crying out for. Oozing the charm and charismatic style of such bands as The Jam, Small Faces, The Who, and The Sex Pistols, they will make you remember why you fell in love with rock n’ roll in the first place!
Mark & The Clouds – Mark & The Clouds is a London based four-piece band playing a blend of timeless, catchy and powerful pop with a twist of psych. Evolving from Instant Flight, a band described as one of the greatest pop / rock/ psychedelic bands in U.K. of recent years, they are fronted by vocalist and songwriter Marco Magnani. Mark & The Clouds’ new album, Blue Skies Opening, is full of pop/rock songs and powerful ballads that will send you floating through beautiful azure skies and will leave you wanting more!
Milky Onions – A London quartet who mix traditional European folk themes with ‘60s psych pop and quirky experimental elements into something competely unique that is a veritable feast for the senses! “… Fans of The Beach Boys, Fairport Convention, and Herman’s Hermits in particular will want to check out all of their EP releases!
New Electric Ride – They’re hotly tipped as one of the best new acts to emerge from the recent psychedelic resurgence. Chosen by prestigious French arts & culture publication, CRUMB Magazine,, as one of their “bands to watch – 2013,” the Sunderland and London based quartet have also landed recent support slots with The Pretty Things and airplay on UK, Spanish, Belgian and French radio. Check out their debut album, Balloon Ride, available on either CD or shiny aqua blue180-gram vinyl (!), and come to their IPO showcase to hear what the buzz is all about for yourself!
Paul Orwell – Purveyor of some of the most excellent and catchy psychedelic and mod garage sounds we’ve heard in quite some time. Fans of 13th Floor Elevators, ? and The Mysterians, The Monkees, and other fine farfisa and guitar-based pop will love this London artist! Check out his Like I Did Before EP, and you’ll be hooked!
The Peppermint Apes – Four young lads from Essex who are quickly building a worldwide fan base, and deservedly so! Their music calls to mind the best of George Harrison, Roy Orbison, and T. Rex, but also has a fresh modern sound reminiscent of The Fratellis. If you don’t believe us, check out their debut Against The Wall CD and their more recent demo EP and videos! They’ve also got a brilliant live show you will not want to miss!
Nathan Persad – Inspired by the likes of The Hollies, The Marmalade, The Move, The Beatles, ELO, Rolf Harris, The Beach Boys, Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry, Persad’s songs have a classic ‘60s garage/mod pop feel, but with a touch of whimsy, due in large part to the fact that he often tends to write songs about anything that happens to him or just happens to strike his fancy (he’s kind of the Jerry Seinfeld of pop!). Check out his latest CD, Nathad Persad in Colour, and you’ll hear what we mean!
The Provisos – A London-based five-piece who write and perform their own material which reflects a strong ‘60s Mod and soul influence plus late ‘70s and early ‘80s new wave, mixed with a healthy dose of contemporary social comment. Their big sound comprises guitars, keyboards, bass and drums; their songs are upbeat, energetic and melodic. Very cool!
The Reflections – Some glowing industry and press quotes have stuck with this four-piece London-based combo as words of encouragement and personal vindication in their pursuit of trying to create an element of melodrama and romanticism in their songs. Their debut self titled album has been called “A lolliping Spector kinda vibe made by people with probably impeccable record collections” (Simon Fraser, Fierce Panda Records). And if you like Gene Pitney, Del Shannon, or Scott Walker, The Reflections debut would make an excellent addition to your collection! Their upcoming album is going to retain those classic sounds, but with a lot more bite! Watch for it!
The Room – The Room is a progressive rock band hailing from the Southeast of England, whose five members bring together a rich musical range of influences and textures that have shaped the band’s sound. Great musicianship, catchy hooks and intriguing lyrics packaged into smart songs with great melodies are the essence of the bands material. Check out their debut album, Open Fire, and hear for yourself!
The Sha La La’s – They may be from modern day London, but their sound places them squarely somewhere between Detroit and Canvey Island in their heyday! Think Stiff, Stax, Tamla-Motown, The Twisted Wheel, and Blackpool Mecca, and you get the picture! We can hardly wait to see them rock out at their IPO London gig, and look forward to their forthcoming album, due out soon on Detour Records!
Steve Somerset: The Man From The Shadow Kabinet – “Steve Somerset, AKA The Shadow Kabinet, deserves to take his place among the distinguished company of several English ‘60s-inspired psych-pop troubadours. If you are so inclined you can detect in his music traces a bit of Bowie, Syd, Donovan, Ray Davies, Robyn Hitchcock, XTC, Martin Newell and a score of lesser lights… The songs are simply too good to be derivative.” (Phil Suggitt, Shindig Magazine). If this sounds intriguing, you owe it to yourself to check out his IPO showcase and to pick up a copy of his latest CD, Smiling Worlds Apart!
Spygenius – Inspired by bands like The Beach Boys, The Beatles and Robyn Hitchcock, Spygenius offer ultra-melodic music with a light ‘60s influence. The London-based four-piece play original guitar-based pop for people with an appreciation for harmonies and clever wordplay….and who among us can’t appreciate that!? Fans will also appreciate their latest CD, Comforting Suture
Nigel Thomas – The lead singer of indie pop band The Foxes appears at IPO London in his solo guise. Thomas’ solo music is heartfelt, original and passionate, with echoes of Elliott Smith, Paul McCartney and Graham Coxon. A debut demo acoustic album called Third Movement is available now for download, and a studio album backed up with session players is in the works, so watch for it!
Sonya Titus – A London-based singer-songwriter of alternative feelgood pop with summery sounds and great rhythms. If you like classic, though slightly quirky and unpredictable songwriting with innovative and hopeful lyrics then you may want to take a listen. If one must compare, her voice has the smooth, easy listening stylings reminiscent of Joni Mitchell and Sheryl Crow with slight Alanis hints. She’s been honing her live performance skills, so look out for her at IPO London!
Trambeat – Trambeat started as a studio project heavily influenced by a love of Northern Soul, Tamla Motown and old-school Hip-Hop/RnB, but it quickly ballooned into a collective of local musicians and vocalists from a diverse range of backgrounds but sharing a love of the classic northern soul sound. Their debut EP, Walk A Mile, will appeal to all fans who love that classic sound as well as anyone who loves to dance!
UpperField – A London-based trio who play an eclectic mix of powerpop and modern alt rock, with touches of funk, ska, and other styles, which lend a distinctive voice and groove to their music. Fans of everything from anthemic rock to smooth R&B ballads to funk, and (of course) powerpop will want to check out their debut eponymous EP and their IPO showcase!
West Of The Sun – A psychedelic rock combo from Camden, who combine shimmering guitar jangle with quirky chord changes, sparkling vocal harmonies, and all out ROCK into a delectable concoction to delight the senses! Fans of The Doors, The Animals, The Yardbirds, and The La’s (to name but a few!) should check out their Fountains of Fire EP!
UK Artists From Outside Of London
Evette Judge – Judge has graced IPO stages in both Liverpool and Nashville as the leader of DreamCapture, and has played both IPOs Liverpool and London with her more recent project, Evaney. In whatever guise she plays under, her songs blend all kinds of cool country-folk-pop-rock sounds that fans of artists from Fleetwood Mac to Kate Bush to Annie Lennox are sure to enjoy. Her debut solo album, Strange Charles, is available now! Definitely one of Ayelsbury’s finest!
The Parkas – The Parkas are a band who believe in giving people what they truly deserve out of modern day British music; a powerful sound, catchy melodies and meaningful lyrics. They’ve played everywhere from beer festivals to Battle Of The Bands contests (they won their first!). They also performed outside the Lambretta clothing store in Carnaby Street and were quoted as being “the best band that had played” by the store’s manager! Fans of Oasis, The Jam, The Beatles, The Kinks, and T Rex will want to watch out for their demo disc and an ever growing base of new material by this band from Hadlow!
The Sound Of Pop Art – Though they sometimes perform as a ‘60s psych and soul pop cover band, their original music is just as good as many of the classics they sometimes perform. Their debut album earned a coveted four stars from Uncut Magazine (which ain’t easy!). “Cambridge’s T.S.O.P.A. update riffs and attitudes and pour sunny harmonies all over them. Influenced by The Beach Boys and The Kinks…. Infectiously enthusiastic, this is classic boho pop: plenty invigorating.” (Chris Roberts, Uncut Magazine) They have a second album due out in June, so watch for it!
International Artists
Lee & The Lovedaddies – Mix a little Blondie, some Buddy Holly & a shot of Lou Reed – shake firmly with the love for poppy melodies: that’s what you get when you put together Lee & The Lovedaddies. Fans of Shocking Blue will also dig their self-titled LP (vinyl-only, folks!), featuring the song “Sugar Baby,” which was chosen by Belgian national radio 1 in November 2012 as the “Vibe Track of the Week,” giving it daily airplay! Definitely one of the coolest bands from Gent, Belgium!
Lovely – Lovely was formed in Linköping, Sweden, in the winter of 2006, and that summer their first four songs were recorded for the most part in main-man Jens’s living room. Their influences are planted firmly in the soil of ‘60s pop, with songs reminiscent of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Byrds, The Hollies, and Tages (!). In other words, they were born to play The Cavern, but we think they fit in at IPO London just as well…check them out and we think you’ll agree!
The MonaLisa Twins – With 19-year-old twin girls from Vienna named Mona and Lisa being the core of the band, they write original songs in the 60’s Beat music tradition, reviving the genre with a fresh twist without sounding pop-ish or trivial. On their debut album, When We’re Together, they present the finest Rock n’ Roll and Beat music, skillfully venturing out in Psychedelic, Folk and even Latin genres, inspired by the likes of The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel. Their signature features are polyphonic harmonies and a wiry, bright guitar sound. Their newest album is entitled The MonaLisa Twins Play The Beatles & More…so you know they will be at their best for their UK tour, which IPO is proud to be part of!
Dave Rave – He began popping very powerfully indeed a near quarter century ago as part of the legendary Canadian bands Teenage Head and The Shakers, and has often been referred to as “The Canadian Nick Lowe.” In addition to being one of the most entertaining and hardworking powerpoppers around, he’s also been known to display his jazzy side on several collaborations with fellow Canadian singer/songwriter, Mark McCarron. His recent CD, Live With What You Know, was nominated for a Grammy, as was one of its songs, “Anne Marie”!! He’s played nearly every IPO for over three years running (including as many as 50 in a row!), and we look forward to many more. Thank you, Dave!!