IPO Chicago 2018
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Artists From Chicago
Almond & Olive – Comprised of singer-songwriters Natalie Alms and Ollie Davidson, Almond & Olive creates inspiring songs that span the folk and Americana genres, while also incorporating Alms’ timeless vocals and the duo’s distinct songwriting. Together their voices lay down a solid base and tone, funneling you into succinct chorus melodies that build into a crescendo of rich and powerful harmonies. The end result of each song is satisfying and expressive, weaving together themes of love, fear, hope and loss. Check out their debut album, Standing At The Precipice, and their IPO showcase to see and hear for yourself!
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, Life and Rhymes, proves he just keeps getting better! 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.
Dina Bach – As a singer, songwriter, and pianist, Dina focuses on pop and country-pop where her warm vocals and playfully evocative lyrics entertain listeners and audiences alike. Her musical influences range from Sara Bareilles and Norah Jones to Carol King and Frank Sinatra, and she’s been gaining some rave reviews from a wide array of sources, such as this one from the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce: “Her lyrics and melodies are touching, seductive and thoughtful, and her piano and vocals are simply captivating.” Her latest project, started in late 2016 after the release of her Kiss Me Like That EP, has been to write and release an original song each week…stay tuned to her website and YouTube channel to hear them all!
Bad Bad Meow – Recognized in 2015 by Music Connection as one of their 100 Hot Unsigned Bands, Bad Bad Meow has not slowed down, and in fact just keeps getting better! Lead singer/songwriter Alen Khan is the eye at the center of a tornado of ever-evolving bandmates who deliver a fun, energy packed set with clever and edgy lyrics that you can’t help but find yourself humming later. Their latest album, BENGHAZI!, will appeal to fans of artists such as The B-52s, Zappa, and The Talking Heads, to name but a few!
Jason Batchko – Though some may be more used to seeing Batchko behind the drums in several local pop/rock acts – most noteably Caviar and Scott Lucas & The Married Men – he’s also a singer/songwriter/comedian in his own right. Come check out his IPO showcase for a dose of mirth, merriment, and music, as only he can do it!
The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club – Drawing from a diverse array of musical styles, The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club’s latest disc, cheekily named Don’t Buy This Record, has a bit of something for everyone. 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. The band’s instrumentation is largely guitar-based but includes a wide range of other instruments, such as keys, trumpet, synth, harmonica, percussion instruments and even occasionally a theremin or ukulele, to craft unique sounds, moods and tones. The result is a mix of indie rock, power pop new wave, and dance club R&B that is truly infectious!
Blameless Lake – Essentially the outlet for the songwriting talents of main man Matt Wilke, Blameless Lake’s songs are written to work in both full band and solo acoustic settings with a sound that can vary from guitar-based power pop similar to The Replacements, Elvis Costello, and The Who to duet-oriented alt-country similar to Neko Case and Patsy Cline when Wilke is accompanied by his wife Ruth. Blameless Lake released not one, but two, EPs last year, both of which are available from their bandcamp page and other fine music streaming services. Fans of the aforementioned artists should check them out!
The Blind Leaders – Jamie Bachmann all but swore off music following the dissolution of his previous band, Quiet Kid, in 2007. Impressed by the rawness and depth of tone he was able to wring from some “micro” amps he purchased, a concept evolved into proving that great music could be made with the cheapest and smallest equipment he could find, and all from his basement. The resulting album, 2016’s Tin Ears, is a mashup of songs ranging from grunge to heavy anthemic pop, to the power pop of Bachmann’s previous band, but times 10, and it’s all done with a message of urgency and action. Flash forward to 2018, and The Blind Leaders are fleshed out and ready to perform as an explosive live act that we can hardly wait to see and hear!
Blind Trust – An all-original rock n’ roll band whose four members are veterans of the Chicago music scene, Blind Trust’s trademark musical approach combines strong musicianship, catchy melodies, acerbic songwriting, and rollicking on-stage energy. Check out their recently released debut album, The Top End, and their IPO showcase to see and hear for yourself!
Brontë Fall – The songs on Brontë Fall’s debut album, Silhouette Dances, are a musical potion of edgy pop-rock, Americana, and band founder Teri Bracken’s classical music training that allow all of the influences of Bracken’s personal journey to seep through as she continues to pursue this adventure of music and life. Bracken’s songs are unedited, honest, modern, and, at times, impolite. Outspokenly feminine and reminiscent of the Brontë sisters, who dared to have a voice in a time when women didn’t, Bracken’s voice has come to boldly define Brontë Fall. Fans of artists from Bonnie Raitt and Carole King to Alison Kraus and Gwen Stefani will dig it!
Tony Calderisi Band – Calderisi is known to many an IPO-goer as the main man of Telstar, who came most highly recommended by the estimable Mike G of local stalwarts, The Valley Downs. Calderisi specializes in a warm combination of power pop and Americana, and he and his new band are ready to rock…and what a voice he has!
The Cells – They proudly describe their sound as “high-decibel post-pop with catchy lyrics, big harmonies, and loud, loud guitars,” but that doesn’t take into account their chord changes, which are damned inventive and hooky! Their 2016 EP, Blood in the Tracks, features previously lost studio recordings which will stick in your head for days; we can’t wait to hear them play these songs live again at IPO!!
Claire and the Bears – A band whose influences run wide, from classic rock, to country, to punk, to pop, the sextet came together in January of 2017, with the goal of making music people can dance to…and we think they’ve succeeded quite nicely! The songs on their debut self-titled EP were made to make you tap your toes and swing your hips, and will appeal to fans of artists such as Johnny Cash and Lady Antebellum, or anyone with an appreciation for boy-girl harmonies, growling guitars, and great hooks!
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 have long been staples at IPO Chicago, Cohen is stepping out at IPO for the first time as a solo performer. He’s been cooped up for a while, playing guitar and amassing a new program of what he claims are 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)!
Larry O. Dean – Purveyor of songs and sardonica in equal measure, Larry O. Dean is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, band-leader, poet, journalist, educator, existentialist, and raconteur (and all-around great guy!), who has appeared at past IPO Chicagos in many guises. Whether performing as the main man of projects such as The Post Office, The Me Decade, or The Injured Parties, as the host of his monthly “Folk You!” series, or solo – as he will at this year’s IPO – Dean’s songs are filled in equal measure with melody and wry witticism, making him a perennial IPO favorite! Check out Good Grief, his 13th solo CD, and the first since 2001 to feature all new material!
The Devonns – A new band drawing on influences ranging from early ‘60s soul & Motown throught ‘70s funk, all the way to ‘80s R&B and dance, and featuring the vocal and keyboard talents of Mathew Ajjarapu, brother to Phil (see below) and uncle to Molly, who gets the award as the cutest four-legged side kick to ever appear at IPO! Fans of bands like The Isley Brothers, The System, and The Bar-Kays are in for a real treat!
Christopher Elam – A singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist currently putting the finishing touches on his third solo record. Past bands include Plains, Shelley Miller, and the Nashville Wreckers. His folky style and silky voice may remind one of Elliot Smith if he was part of the Canterbury scene in the early ‘70s!
The Francos – Long time Chicago power pop fans may remember these guys from way back in the late ‘80s, when their rule of the local scene was as short and sweet as their characteristic hook-laden nuggets of power pop with a dusting of bubblegum and garage. But fear not, friends, ‘cause they’re back, they’ve still got the hooks, and IPO’s thrilled to have ‘em!
Freetoed – They bring to the stage over ten years of playing music together around Chicago. With roots influenced by the likes of Wilco and Badly Drawn Boy, their songs climb and fall, peeling back and layering on both the melodic and dissonant. While these qualities are better emphasized nowhere else than at their live show, longtime fans and new converts alike will also want to check out their latest EP, Bubble Psychology//2//Elliptical Perimeters!
Gal Gun – Understated complexity topped off by instantly accessible melodies make Gal Gun stand out from the crowded Chicago garage-rock scene. Drawing heavy influences from ‘90s behemoths like Weezer and Blur while balancing a softer sound influenced by Belle & Sebastian and The Shins, their sound is equal parts familiar and refreshing. The band’s music and lyrics hope to strike a chord between triumph and heartbreak, emulating the Mancunian bands of the ‘80s in their ability to hide a world-weary pessimism amidst a full pop stride and have fun doing it! Their debut full length album, Special Music of Emotion, was recently released on local music label, Dumpster Tapes, and is sure to find a home in the collection of many a fan of fuzzy rock hooks, clever chord changes, and sweet vocal harmonies!
The Jay Goeppner Band – He’s performed in over 15 countries, and has sung with Roger Daltrey, Dave Matthews and Cheap Trick, but local rocker Jay Goeppner is perhaps best known for his love of The Beatles. In fact, if you live in Chicago, you may have heard him on the Johnny B or Kevin Matthews radio shows as a Beatle Brother! You are therefore in for a real treat as he combines his penchant for penning Beatle-esque melodies with his considerable chops performing with the aforementioned power pop legends, and steps out as the leader of his own kick-ass band doing his own original material!
The Jades – An indie/folk duo who are taking Chicago by storm, The Jades are Katie Krenning and Kathleen Lieffers, two bad-ass chicks playin’ some folky tunes and singin’ some sibling harmonies around the Midwest. Their 2016 EP, Like Havoc, and recently released single, “That Sad Song,” will appeal to fans of artists such as The Dixie Chicks, Suzanne Vega, and Edie Brickell. Come out and welcome them to their first IPO!
Josefina – A singer-songwriter based in Chicago via Buenos Aires, Josephina’s simple, airy vocal stylings pair with alt-country production chock full of piano, B-Bender, Pedal Steel, and 12-string that would have found an easy home on Asylum Records in the 1970s. But this isn’t a throwback to Joni or Emmylou. This is a modern girl making music with a scant twang and an infectious lightness of being. Her recently released Starry Dome EP will also appeal to fans of ‘60s girl groups, Motown and ‘70s power pop…definitely a talent worth watching!
The Joy Poppers – Beloved among power poppers and indie-rockers “in the know” in the mid- to late- ‘90s, The Joy Poppers had the perfect blend of neo-psychedelic jangle and harmony combined with mind-bending chord changes. Their 1995 album,
The King of Mars – Shaking the foundation of traditional rock music with a combination of jazz, funk and soul musicalities alongside insightful lyricism, The King of Mars bring a modern twist on the old school sounds of rock n’ roll to delight your ear-holes. Each member of the band brings in different influences from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana to Flying Lotus and Modest Mouse. They’ve honed their craft of combining all these sounds into a beautiful sonic stew, which can be heard on their Cookie Cutter Dreams EP and at their IPO showcase!
The Lilacs – IPO is thrilled to host a rare performance by one of the classic Chicago power pop groups of the early ‘90s! Fronted by Ken Kurson and David Levinsky, and backed by a revolving rhythm section, the group was given their name by none other than Material Issue’s Jim Ellison, who produced their debut 7” record, The Lilacs Love You! Their debut full length, The Lilacs Rise Above The Fifth, garnered much play on college radio for its “witty, post-adolescent, rock and pop originals…[and]…sprightly ‘70s-styled youth-pop.” (Ira Robbins, Trouser Press) This is one show you will not want to miss!
The Long Lost – Led by Katie Burke and Andi Avalos, The Long Lost understand the power of harmonies and use their stylistic vocals to tell stories of loss, love, and all of the beautiful conundrums that confound real people in everyday life. The Long Lost blends classic American music with modern day tales. Raised on classic country such as Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton with a newfound love for contemporary folk artists such as The Head and the Heart and The Lumineers, The Long Lost have achieved a sound that evokes the rootsy feeling of growing up in the Midwest. Come check them out!
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!
Kurt Michaels Continuum – Michaels has enjoyed a successful career as a musical contractor and bandleader for well-known legendary rock acts such as Spencer Davis, Joey Molland (Badfinger), Wolfman Jack, Otis Day, The Temptations, The Platters, New Colony Six and many others. Soaring Back To Earth, his third CD with his current collective covers a diverse musical landscape—from early English pop influences to virtual tone poems, with smoky ambient arrangements, and will appeal to fans of The Beatles, Todd Rundgren, Yes, and Porcupine Tree.
The Mixture – Blending the raw power of early rhythm ‘n blues with tomorrow’s space-age stomp rock, The Mixture brings a unique vision of high energy rock n’ roll to the world! Their 2017 debut album, The Perfect Relationship, features P.P. Arnold (legendary mod/soul singer), Lenny Kaye (The Patti Smith Group/”Nuggets” fame), Steve Cradock (Ocean Colour Scene/Paul Weller), and Paul Mertens (wind instruments and string arrangements of the Brian Wilson Band). Come to their IPO showcase to see and hear why they are quickly making a name for themselves as Chicago’s favorite psychedelic-soul garage trio!
Drew Neely & The Heroes – Neely has long been a Chicago favorite for his quirky brand of power pop with folk-pop-styled story-teller lyrics, punk pop sensibilities, and sticky hooks. With his current band, The Heroes, he takes his penchant for intelligent lyrics and catchy melody to a whole ‘nother level! Watch for their forthcoming album, This Could Be You, due out soon!
Andrew Robert Palmer – He’s a home-grown solo pop/punk artist with a penchant for quirky chord changes and grunge pop choruses. Fans of artists from Drew Neely (see above) to Blink 182 to Nirvana will enjoy his latest EP, Emo Supremo!, and will want to stay tuned for more music to come later this year!
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, and over the last several years the foursome has displayed its devout allegiance to tunefulness through its vigorous live shows – so be sure to catch their IPO showcase!
The Queue – Building a reputation for their roaring guitars and unforgettable hooks, The Queue have found a way to fuse solid melodies, indelible harmonies and gritty rock to produce a sound their fans have identified with and called their own. With a distinctive British pop influence, interlaced with an American alternative sound, their style (which can be heard on their Turn It Up, Turn Me On EP) singles them out from the traditional. Their recent singles, “Strawberry Moon” and “Take Me Down” provide a tantalizing taste of their newest EP, for which we can hardly wait!! As they say in Liverpool, “These are too good!”
Steve Ramone – Known to many an IPOer as the leader of Steve Ramone & The Pensioners, who also feature Chip Z’Nuff and made their debut at IPO in 2015 – for which we are truly grateful – Ramone is a midwest born and bred singer songwriter with a love for all kinds of sounds, and who proudly proclaims on his Soundcloud page that a three minute pop song with a great hook really does the trick…a sentiment with which we at IPO could not agree more, and which is clearly evident on his band’s Snowballs In The Summer EP! He’s doing the solo singer/songwriter thing this year, but can still rock it up whenever the mood strikes him!
Reaction – Active in the Chicago scene throughout the ‘80s, Reaction put out several demos and sparked some major label interest, but alas broke up without ever releasing their songs…Luckily for us, they remained friends and have not only reformed and put out their original material, but have also followed it up with not one, but two additional CDs of new songs! Their latest release, Edison Park, will appeal to fans of ‘80s college radio rock and Britpop as well as modern fans of modern indie rock – think REM and Echo & The Bunnymen meet Interpol and Arctic Monkeys!
The Red Wigglers – A quirky art-pop-rock combo with horns! Fans of artists such as The B52’s, The Talking Heads, or Chicago indie-popsters (and IPO veterans!) Beatnik Turtle should check out their ultra-entertaining live show at IPO!
Rob Schulz Band – 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!
Soft Candy – Take Sgt Pepper-era Beatles, mixed liberally with influences from West Coast sunshine soft pop, bubblegum, and a touch of garage, and you get some of the sweetest ear candy around! These songs need to be heard and this band needs to be seen!! IPO was honored to host a special reunion show from these guys in 2015, and we’re thrilled to have them back for another rare performance! Also, check out their new awesome LP, The Lüvrs & The H8ers!
The Spindles – They cover decades of the best power pop music and original music, too… sweet harmonies with jangly, chiming Rickenbacker 12-string and no-nonsense powerhouse drumming – who could ask for anything more?
Jimmi Steinkraus & The Rockin’ Aces – A band who aim to deliver rock n’ roll music with a shot of whiskey twang, their five-song EP is somewhat appropriately named Whiskey, and will appeal to fans of Material Issue, Gin Blossoms, and Tom Petty. Another fine example of the great heartland power pop for which Chicago is known!
Catherine Tecktiel – IPO audiences may remember Tecktiel as the lead vocalist and keyboardist of Magatha Trysty, but she’s also a fine singer/songwriter in her own right! Her piano-driven melodic style is a mix of folk and indie pop, and her vocals have been compared to Aimee Mann and Chrissie Hynde, so fans of those artists should come check her out!
Too Much Saturn – Classic Midwest power pop served up with loads of crunchy hooks, soaring harmonies, big drums, 12-string bass, swirling keyboards and a liberal mix of crunchy, ambient and jangly guitars. Fans of artists from Cheap Trick to The Gin Blossoms to Fountains of Wayne should sit up and take notice of these guys! Check out their Moving Forward Sideways CD and their latest single, “AfterGlo”!
Thrift Store Halo – An American indie power pop band, who got their start in the mid-‘90s and are back with a vengeance after a nearly 20 year hiatus! Their recent EP, Pop Rocket, is six “[c]atchy tunes that fit well within the classic power pop template used by bands such as Cheap Trick, Fountains of Wayne and early Tom Petty…” (Richard Rossi, Power Pop News), and sounds remarkably fresh; like a new band hell-bent on putting the POWER back in power pop, consistent with their Midwestern power pop roots!
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! Their latest EP, Fake It, is a spiffy stereo/mono combo! Fans of Teenage Fanclub, The Beatles, and The Beach Boys will really dig these guys!
Mike Vanderbilt & The Suburban Garage Sound – Vanderbilt has graced many an IPO stage from Chicago to LA as the leader of the super-fun power pop/punk band, The Romeros, who have sadly called it a day. But main man Mike is still going strong with his latest project that blends his pop-punk heritage with a slice of alt-country which has been compared to the likes of Nick Lowe, Rhett Miller, Ryan Adams, and Paul Westerberg.
Sam Vicari – The quintessential nerd-rocker, Vicari’s “heartfelt delivery and sunny melodies continue to be anchored by killer power-pop arrangements” (
Waiflike – Main man Rich Miller (who has graced the IPO stage both solo and with band, as he will this year) writes moody music that is catchy and clever and lyrics that are both interesting and intense, as can be heard on Waiflike’s debut CD, Fifty Pence Piece of Mind. Their sound will appeal to fans of The Beatles, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, and classic Chicago area power pop. The new Waiflike rhythm section is an amazing band called Right Rongly, and we can’t wait to see and hear the material they’ve worked up together!
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. They’re 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. Watson and Band have treated us to a sample of what they’ve been up to at the past two IPO Chicago’s, and we can’t wait to hear some more this year!
Weekend Vinyl – The latest project of Swinger (and Ginger Records) main man, Mike McLaughlin! As their name might imply, their sound is as pleasant as a lazy weekend listening to some of your favorite old vinyl records. The jangling guitars and crisp hooks and harmonies on their brand new album, Beguile Me, are “…[l]ike chocolate, one might say, some of these songs are downright addictive. And after consuming it one just wants more…” (Evanston RoundTable). A band sure to appeal to fans of The Replacements, Wilco, and The Jayhawks, to name but a few!
Phil Yates & The Affiliates – Yates is an indie power pop artist formerly based out of Burlington, VT, who now makes 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. Party Music!, his brand new album with The Affiliates, is pure crunchy power pop ear candy! Enjoy!
Young Distractions – An alternative garage power trio who combine power pop hooks, passionate (and ironic) punk pop vocals, and just a touch of twang to rock their way into your heart! Their latest release, The Radiation EP, sounds like your ex still has all your favorite records: All your Husker Du and Replacements records; all your Ramones and Sam Cooke records, leaving you with no recourse but to grab your guitar and write a killer song!
U.S. Artists From Outside of Chicago
Phil Ajjarapu – Ajjarapu currently makes his home in Portland (by way of Austin), and has 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! Don’t miss his IPO show, where he’ll have Molly (his dog and sidekick) in tow!
Certain Stars – Forwarding the melodic sound and power pop of bands such as Superchunk and Big Star, a Certain Stars hook can take up space in your head for days. All members of this Milwaukee combo take on songwriting duties that uniquely add to the whole. Their latest CD, The Great Destroyer, adds a classic album rock feel that’s impossible to resist! They’ve also recently completed recording and mixing for a brand new album due out in late spring/early summer this year – we can hardly wait to hear it!
Gordy Garris – The Review Magazine of Garris’ home town, Saginaw, Michigan, proclaims “Pop-rocker Gordy Garris established himself firmly as a singer with a gift for writing “hooks.” Said hooks, along with his gentle folk pop melodies, and anthemic uplifting lyrics on his latest release,
The Jeremy Band – The eponymous band led by one of the most genuine, nicest people on the pop scene, as well as one of the most prolific pop artists around. His gentle, John Lennon-influenced pop is as spiritual as it is melodic, and you can hear this for yourself on all of his CDs. This Kalamazoo resident and his band can stake their rightful place in the IPO Hall Of Fame! Note: we dedicate this IPO Chicago to the memory of Jeremy Band bass player and friend, Todd Borsch, who sadly passed last week.
Love Lies Bleeding – Milwaukee modern rockers Love Lies Bleeding have a wide array of influences which they blend into some amazingly powerful and catchy tunes! Fans of Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, and Smashing Pumpkins, in particular will dig this stuff!
Rainy Day Crush – With songs that are too catchy to be “indie” and too honest to be “pop,” Rainy Day Crush inhabit the wasteland between genres, much as they inhabit the space between Chicago and Milwaukee. They take their craft seriously without taking themselves too seriously, and are constantly evolving. Check out their latest EP, I’m Still Alive, and their IPO showcase!
Tommy Sistak – The Illinois River may not have much in common with The Mersey, except perhaps for the quality of the music generated on their shores, as Mr. Sistak (who makes his home in Ottowa, IL) is here to prove! His latest album, Ready Set A Go-Go, is 28:30 minutes and ten songs of melodic ‘60s styled rock goodness reminiscent of the beat The Mersey made famous! Fans of The Beatles and other bands from that era will love it!
U International Artists
Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold – She sings like Benatar, plays like Jett and has a penchant for writing ‘90s-inspired anthems. Acclaimed one of the Top #10 indie talents across Canada, within a mere six months of forming, Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold conquered audiences of over 25,000, performing at notable festivals and winning over crowds of twenty-somethings and baby boomers alike. 2018 is already off to a running start for the award-winning trio with scheduled performances at Vans Warped Tour (Toronto), Yellow Springs Street Fair (Ohio), Waterfront Festival (Barrie), and other fine festivals, including (of course) IPO Chicago. Definitely a band to watch for big things to come!