IPO Portland 2014
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Artists from Portland
Beyond Veronica – This four-piece dub themselves “introspective power pop, with guitars”, but they might convince you that they’re extroverts at heart with their live performances and songs that will call to mind bands like Blondie and The Pandoras. Their latest fab disc (on vinyl!), Hard Times for Dreamers, will also appeal to fans of the Paisley Underground!
The Cool Whips – The Cool Whips (pardon the pun!) whip up a cool slice of old school rock ‘n soul reminiscent of the best of Mersey Beat, Sun Records, The Brill Building, and early Motown combined! We can’t wait for these guys to release a CD!!
The CRY! – It’s always cool to see such young men sporting ‘60s styled clothes and haircuts, but even more so when they can deliver the goods as well as these guys! Their self-titled debut CD is filled with lots of ‘60s and ‘70s inspired tunes spiked with in-your-face vocals and hooks galore, and their live show has enough energy to light up the city of Bend. Their recently released follow up, Dangerous Game, has been receiving more accolades than the first one!
The Dandelyons – Sibling harmonies and classic rock n’ roll jangle – mixed with just the right amount of soul – abound on Flowers ‘n’ Dirt, the debut disc from this dandy Portland-based trio. Imagine The Everly Brothers, The Beatles, and The Righteous Brothers all mixed together – or better yet, come to their IPO showcase and check them out!
Flurries – Just as the gently falling snowflakes from which they take their name can all at once grow into a raging blizzard, so too the warm ambient sounds of this unique band from “The PDX” can shift seamlessly into a full-on rock attack and shift right back again. Soaring vocals and the clash of psychedelic meets new wave effects complete the soundscape. Their self-titled debut is grittier than pop but peppered with hooks that will keep you humming along for days. Check them out!
Fun Yeti – A quirky alterna-pop quartet from Portland who combine upbeat guitar pop, inventive angular chord changes, juxtaposing girl-boy vocals, a touch of new wave punk garage..and everything in between, into their music. The songs on their recent The Future Will Never Last EP are in a word – fun! Fans of Devo, The Strokes, and The Pandoras (to name but a few!) should check them out!
Future Historians – Led by frontman Dave Shur (also of bubbly pop trio Crosswalks), Future Historians offer gently sparkling pop melodies wrapped in an inviting rootsy jangle. Fans of Paul Simon and Neil Young will surely enjoy their recent Somehow it is Now album!
Kool Stuff Katie – A garage/new wave/pop duo made up of Shane Blem and Saren Oliver. Their signature stylistic elements include electric synth hooks, heavy drums and guitar, intricate vocal harmonies, and brief but powerful songwriting…and their catchy punk-laced bubblegum choruses will stick in your head for days! Check out their debut self-titled CD and their IPO showcase, and hear for yourself what we mean!
Metropolitan Farms – A powerpop trio in the truest sense of the word! The songs on their Our Hero Pleads His Flimsy Case CD achieve the powerpop trifecta: catchy sing-along choruses, sparkling vocals, and energetic lightning quick chord changes! Fans of classic purveyors of the genre such as Jellyfish, The Posies, and Fountains of Wayne should sit up and take notice! Definitely a band after IPO’s heart!
Moon By You – Their recent Vacuum Dream Machine EP is full of those swirling psychedelic blues rock sounds so authentic that if you close your eyes, you might think you’re at the corner of Haight and Ashbury circa 1969! Think Janis Joplin meets Jefferson Airplane, and you get the idea. Pretty groovy!
The My Oh Mys – A veritable supergroup consisting entirely of former or current members of some of the NW’s most beloved bands (The Decemberists, Jive Talking Robots, Triclops Organ Trio, Rob Stroup & the Blame, The Minus 5, Curtis Salgado, The For Reals, Jeremy Wilson, Dr. Theopolis, Redray Frazier), The My Oh Mys play rock music for the people, with no regard to decibel level, grammar, or proper stage-attire. The songs on their recent A Howl Against The Wind CD will appeal to fans of their other projects, as well as fans of artists from Paul McCartney and ELO to Lenny Kravitz and Babyface!
Pacific Mean Time – For the past few years as lead guitarist for Portland Oregon’s Little Beirut, main man Edwin Paroissien, along with bandmates Hamilton Sims (Vocals, Guitar) and John Hulcher (Bass) enjoyed modest success bashing out deceptively shiny power pop in venues across the Northwest. Pacific Mean Time’s eponymous debut album finds them picking up where Little Beirut left off: The band’s knack for warm, catchy melodies remains intact, but their new incarnation boasts a lusher, more organic sound, augmented by electronic additives. Cool!
Pretend Sweethearts – With influences ranging from the traditional and anonymous folk songs of old to trip hop and classic rock, the Sweethearts’ blend is rich and delicious. Some fans liken them to Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, others to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. The two trade off on guitars, piano and pedal steel, while locking in tight harmonies reminiscent of the Jayhawks or The Civil Wars. Fans of harmony drenched Americana of all shapes and sizes should check out their I’m With You EP!
RAF – RAF was formed in 2011 with a simple goal – create punchy, danceable, music with as much style and attitude as possible. This is Mod music from Across the Pond. A full frontal assault of catchy 3 minute songs delivered in sharp suits and vintage instruments. No standing around. No Chavs. The foursome of lads includes Chris Rich (guitar & vox), John Crawford (bass & vox), Josh Millman (formerly of IPO Portland performers, The Superficials) (guitar & vox) and Brad Pharis (drums). Come be a part of “The British Inversion.” We are the Mods!
Spirit Lake – “Amid the abundance of indie rock and Americana folk that (somewhat) defines Portland’s music scene these days, Spirit Lake has emerged to offer the sweat, the swagger and the fuel of popular rock ’n’ roll spiked with a range of other genres.” (Yamhill County News-Register) Their songs on their recent The Biggening CD display the range of their influences – from the Brit Invasion rock of The Rolling Stones and The Who to the glam of T Rex or David Bowie to the psychedelic rock of Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, or The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Definitely something for everyone to love!
Cronin Tierney Band – Tierney and his band offer up original rock music, infused with flares from ‘60s British pop and ‘70s rock icons. This is pure hook-filled turn-it-up-loud-and-enjoy- it-over-and-over fare with a dash of psychedelia and harmonies on the side – so dig in!
Wilkinson Blades – Led by the singing and songwriting prowess of Steven Wilkinson, formerly main man of Mission 5, Wilkinson Blades “…fuse a vast melting pot of sounds and influences to create a truly absorbing sound that is both unique and hauntingly familiar at the same time.” (Rock n Reel Reviews) Their latest CD, 4AM, is a richly evocative and layered album, ruminating on past pleasures and loves, but firmly looking toward a bright future. Fans of The Jayhawks, The Replacements, Lee Hazelwood, and Steve Earle will dig it!
U.S. Artists From Outside Of Portland
302 – A band formerly based in Atlanta, but now relocated to Eugene, Oregon, who offer up guitar pop founded on The Beatles and legions of bands they’ve inspired, like ELO, Barenaked Ladies, and Coldplay. 302’s live shows feature originals from their debut CD, Platform Souls, as well newer tunes from their forthcoming sophomore CD.
Phil Ajjarapu – Ajjarapu is an Austin, TX based songwriter who’s played bass and pedal steel for many bands over the years, and was finally prompted to make his solo album after a near fatal accident in March of 2012. Said album, Sing Along Till You Feel Better, is an album made for people who like albums, by a person who adores albums. Fans of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Big Star, Jellyfish, and The Posies will dig it!
The Crush – A Seattle power-trio who weave strains of mod, garage, bubblegum, jangle-pop, paisley pop, and (of course) powerpop into their own intricate crafted brand of rock n’ roll! Fans of The Jam, The Rain Parade, The Pretenders, and The Rolling Stones will all find something to love in their Future Blimps EP! Fans of Portland darlings The Midnight Callers will remember main man Jacob Daniel Thiede! Check them out now!
Lannie Flowers – Although he and the band hail from the great state of Texas, they’ve done what no other artist in the history of the LA Music Awards has done…namely, taking home four awards from last year’s event in November! His latest CD, New Songs, Old Stories, picks up where his earlier disc, Circles, left off, but rocks even harder! Badfinger-esque in-your-face guitars and vocal harmonies blend with softer shifting harmonies more reminiscent of XTC, but that fans of artists from The Raspberries to The Velvet Underground will be sure to appreciate! We also appreciate that he and his band have played the IPO festival in many cities throughout the world and continue to do so, with no sign of slowing down!
Kathleen Parrish – A singer/songwriter from Seattle; as a classically trained singer, Kathleen has spent the past decade finding her voice. Immersed in an upbringing of classic rock and folk music, her formation of folk rock and classical techniques came naturally. Kathleen’s upcoming EP gives an honest voice to the experience of overcoming personal battles, self realization and finding inner strength. Honest and dreamlike, her songs should appeal to anyone who loves heartfelt pop music.
Phamous Phaces – A purveyor of those classic power pop stylings, this Salem, Oregon have released many a fine disc over the years, including their classic, Spider Ball. They’ve played many an IPO in many cities around the world, and we’re always glad to have ‘em!
Tae Phoenix – An independent singer/songwriter and pianist born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and currently residing in Seattle. She began playing the piano and singing at the age of eleven, and wrote her first song shortly thereafter. Using her three-octave range, she marries classical voice training with a heavy dose of jazz & blues influence, punctuated by a misspent youth imitating the great pop divas. If the songs on her new album, Outside The Lines, are anything to judge by, we at IPO are glad her youth was so misspent! Fans of Amy Winehouse, Adele, Davina and the Vagabonds, and Nell Bryden will dig it!
Runaway Symphony – The first band from Moscow (Idaho!) to ever grace the IPO stage, and we’re glad to have ‘em! Known for their meaningful lyrics, harmonies, and clean, glassy textures that sweep into mayhem, backed by hand-crafted stage lighting and an energetic/relatable on-stage presence, a recent Runaway Symphony show was named one of Spokane’s 10 Best Musical Moments of 2013 by Collect Spokane. “If these guys can continue to inject actual, heartfelt moments into their anthemic brand of indie pop-rock, they should have no trouble making it to a stage big enough to match their musical ambitions.” (Scott Ryan, Collect Spokane) Check out their newest full length, Running South!
Sea of Misinformation – They’ve got a high energy in-your-face alt-rock attack tempered by pop melodies that will leave you mesmerized and begging for more! Think Judas Priest meets The Beatles meets Death Cab for Cutie hanging out with David Bowie, and you begin to get the picture…or better yet, just come check out their IPO showcase! Definitely one of Seattle’s finest!
