IPO Los Angeles 2019
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Artists from LA/OC
Alexx Magic – He’s relocated from Chicago, where he was one of the main men in Soft Candy, to make his fame and fortune in LA, and we’re glad to welcome him to his first IPO LA as a local! Soft Candy’s music was (as you might expect) pure soft pop ear candy, made up of Sgt Pepper-era Beatles, mixed liberally with influences from West Coast sunshine soft pop, bubblegum, and just a touch of garage, as can be heard on their awesome LP, The Lüvrs & The H8ers! We can’t wait to see and hear what Alexx will do in his new adventures as a solo artist, but we’re sure it will be “Magic!”
Anchor & Bear – Featuring the songwriting and vocal talents of Katy Pearson and Brian Bringelson, Anchor & Bear perform original folk/rock songs layered with lush harmonies and solid musicianship. Their debut album, Raincoats and Gold, will appeal to fans of Lindsey Buckingham, Elvis Costello, and Harry Nilsson, to name but a few, while their latest EP, Arrows, adds a cool Mamas and Papas flavor to the mix!
The Armoires – Led by the paisley-clad duo of Rex Broome and Christina Bulbenko and hailing from Burbank, CA, The Armoires have turned heads worldwide with their unique harmony-driven, jangly songcraft, blending the sounds of SoCal legends like The Byrds, X, and hits-era Fleetwood Mac with a lyrical sensibility that’s all their own. It’s on display on their acclaimed debut album Incidental Lightshow and their brand spanking new sophomore release Zibaldone. Renowned as community builders on the global pop scene, they’re also the founders of the Big Stir: Power Pop & More concert series, which has blossomed into a record label featuring some of the best power pop practitioners around! In fact, many of the artists on their label are featured as guest performers on Zibaldone…see how many you can recognize on the cover!
Benjamin R – After spending years on the road working on various projects and albums for others artists, Benjamin r (aka Robert Selvaggio), a Los Angeles based producer, engineer, mixer, songwriter, film composer and visual artist, has (thankfully!) turned his attention to his own music. His latest album, Disconnect, “…is a beautifully crafted album from start to finish….Robert has proven once again that he’s quite the songsmith… Memorable melodies swirl around layers of rich guitars with lyrics that lament tales of love, loss, and the need to let go…. Fans of Tom Petty, Bryan Ferry, REM, and Pink Floyd will especially love this record.” (Bandcamp)
Jason Berk – A critically acclaimed singer-songwriter who comes to the west coast (he splits time between Los Angeles and San Francisco) by way of New York, Berk has proven himself to be a musical tour-de-force, teaching himself guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, ukulele, mandolin, and banjo, and garnering nationwide radio-play. His classic musical style has drawn comparison to such greats as The Beatles, Randy Newman, The Beach Boys, and Elvis Costello, to name but a few! Check out his latest album, Everything Old Is New Again, and his IPO showcase to see and hear what we mean!
The Bognar Brothers – Nick & Bobby Bognar have long been known, both separately and together, for their clever lyrics, catchy hooks, and enthusiasm with which they play and interact with their audiences and debate which of them is the handsome one. They’re joined by Garner Knutson (the brother from another mother, and Bobby’s long-time band-mate in The Piper Downs), to bring you poignant yet hilarious pop you can actually dance to if you so choose…let the fun commence!
Brian Jones Was Murdered – IPO is proud to host a rare showcase by Bakerfield’s classic punk-pop quartet! Their debut album, Death of a Popstar!, was released on Sparkletone in 1997, and draws on influences such as The Jam, The Buzzcocks, The Plimsouls and The Beatles, (the reissue will once again be available at their IPO show!) but they’re even better when seen live as their in-your-face vocals really hit you…in your face, so don’t miss them!
The Brothers Steve – The latest project featuring the uber-talented Jeff Whalen, who’s previous projects include TSAR and his own solo releases. The bubblegum meets glam influences are still there in spades, along with a whole lotta jangly power pop, as can be heard on their recent Big Stir digital single, Angeline/Carolanne, as well as on their brand new full length album, for which their IPO showcase is the official release party!! As a live performer, Whalen always delivers 120%, so we can’t wait to see him and the band do their thing at IPO!
Anny Celsi Band – Combining Brill Building hooks with her “beatnik-cool” feel and a storyteller’s eye for detail, it’s no wonder Celsi has been hailed as “…one of this city’s smartest and catchiest pop songwriters” (LA Weekly), so we’re glad to welcome her back to the IPO stage for a special birthday/album release party/showcase! The album, Kaleidoscope Heart, features Anny’s most popular favorites, served up on a gold platter: Selections from Little Black Dress & Other Stories, Tangle-free World and January, remixed and re-mastered from the original recordings and pressed onto gold translucent vinyl, along with a brand new song recorded just for the album. Come on out and enjoy her easy breezy pop style and help her celebrate both the album release and her birthday!
The Cherry Bluestorms – After discovering their mutual love of ‘60s guitar-based melodic rock, guitarist/vocalist Glen Laughlin (formerly of The Dickies) and vocalist Deborah Gee immediately began working on what would become The Cherry Bluestorms. Their debut album, Transit of Venus, is a garden of unearthly delights for those who cut their teeth on the vinyl pressed between 1964 and 1970! Their sophomore album, an ambitious concept album called Bad Penny Opera, turned their classic style and psychedelic haze up a notch, and earned not only critical acclaim, but also inspired a 90-minute radio special in England! Their latest release, Whirligig!, ranked as the LA Weekly #4 Best Indie Release of 2018, and LA Weekly has gone on to name them as “Best Power Pop Band” in its 2019 “Best of LA Music” issue. Come see and hear what all the buzz is about, as you’re in for a psychedelic feast for the senses!
Cold Weather Kids – Made up of four young dudes originally from cold places, they’ve converged on sunny LA to rock your socks off with their own in your face brand of pop punk, blending influences from the likes of Fall Out Boy, Yellowcard, Taking Back Sunday, and My Chemical Romance. The video for their just released song, “Shaken,” stars Morty the husky, the official cold weather pup and band mascot. Check it out now!
Blake Collins – Whether you call it pop that rocks or rock that pops, there’s no denying that Collins has a gift for melody. His A Bell Locks In EP and singles that have graced several volumes of the IPO Compilation feature a mix of wistful harmonies and lush ornamentation that fans of Brian Wilson, Burt Bacharach, and The Millenium will love!
Danny De La Matyr – An LA artist by way of Dallas, TX, De La Matyr has been making a name for himself as an in-demand guitarist/singer (playing for Rhett Miller, Jesse Malin, Lukas Haas, and Luther Russell). His debut album, Crybaby, released on Pretty Olivia Records, has earned some heavy praise by pop greats Jon Auer and Jody Stephens. “Crybaby is a beautiful record. Danny’s voice is soft but emotive, in part because of his sweet melodies.” (Jody Stephens, Big Star/Golden Smog/Those Pretty Wrongs) With praise like that, how could you not check it out?!
Diary of Atticus – The term “cabaret rock band” doesn’t often apply to anyone who plays IPO, but it does with Diary of Atticus, and we’re very happy to have this clever band headed by Sam Johnides and Tony Gonzalez. High theatricality meets punk rock and metal, and of course, pop!
The Dons – A favorite of many in the local scene in the early ‘00s, The Dons were known for their solid live performances, pitch-perfect harmonies and excellent songs. Their debut album, Dawn Of The Dons, finished in the Top 20 of the Audities “Best of 2002” poll, which is no mean feat! Their reunion performance at IPO LA in 2017 after a dozen or so years apart proved they’re still just as good as you remember, so we’re thrilled to welcome them back to do their thing again!!
Double Naught Spies – IPO is proud to present a 20th anniversaryr show by one of the classic bands of the LA power pop scene in the late ‘90s! Double Naught Spies are led by none other than Rick Hromadka (more recently of Maple Mars and Ruby Free), so you know you can expect an earful of crunchy guitars, psychedelic harmonies, and Brit pop influences galore. Long-time fans of Double Naught Spies, as well as fans of The Move or any of Hromadka’s current projects will not want to miss this one!
Drool Brothers – They put the function back into dysfunction to create psychological pop soul with a slightly warped sensibility. Studio geek real brothers Chuck Mancillas and Tom Slik have had a long reckless relationship with LA’s music culture and have emancipated themselves within the walls of their laboratory where they amuse themselves and their fans with audio mutations. Their latest EP, Positive Reinforcement Cookies, is a 4-song treat baked in Los Angeles laced with teen fuzz, power pop, garage and ‘70s glam toppings. Imagine a funkier They Might Be Giants, a more soulful Frank Zappa, or what The Partridge Family might be like if they spent time hangin’ with The Beastie Boys…or better yet, just come out to see and hear them for yourself!
Electric Machines – Originally formed in Long Beach, CA in 2013, Electric Machines blends a variety of styles including rock, folk, world music, and alternative. Their single, “Don’t Lift Me”, is currently on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and Deezer!
Evil Maria – After releasing and touring behind three CDs on his Spill Records label, singer/songwriter and guitarist Evren Goknar formed Evil Maria. Their sound evolved into what Goknar describes as maximum garage pop, infusing ‘60s-influenced farfisa and edgy rock elements with pop and early new wave. Their latest release – a limited edition 7” on colored vinyl called The El Dorado Seven Inch – is totally hip!
The Ex Teens – Featuring former members of 20/20, The Geraldine Fibbers and Spanish Kitchen, The Ex Teens describe their sound as “new wave by old geezers”…but those geezers have still got it! Mixing influences from ‘70s and ‘80s punk and power-pop with ‘60s psychedelia and garage, they sound like a human mix-tape of Bowie, The Move and Joe Jackson! Check out their recent Get on an Ice Floe EP and their IPO showcase!
Michael Faherty – He’s recently relocated to LA from Portland, where his band Cartoon Spirits battled the grey skies and drizzle with their trifecta of hooks, fuzzy guitars, and raspy harmonies. An R & B singer in rock clothing, he’s also a prolific songwriter whose song “Bridges” was in the 2014 documentary Riot on the Dance Floor (featured on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart), and has performed in supporting acts nationally for Goo Goo Dolls, Buzzcocks, The Posies, Ween and many more. We can’t wait to see and hear what he has in store for us in this special solo performance!
Fire Chief Charlie – An LA band made up entirely of mid-west natives, Fire Chief Charlie’s music is an eclectic mix of traditional folk/rock songwriting and genre-hopping arrangements. Fans of Cat Stevens, George Harrison, and Frank Zappa should check them out!
Baz Francis – Having toured the world as both the front-man/chief song-writer of London pop-art combo Magic Eight Ball and as a solo performer, Francis now makes his home in LA, and London’s loss is definitely LA’s gain! His recent Face That Launched A Thousand Shipwrecks album has a bit of something for all lovers of classic pop and rock from ‘70s radio-inspired pop and soft rock ballads to ‘80s glam and new wave, to ‘90s alt rock – it’s all in there and Francis makes it his own!
Frank Shirts – A new LA super-group featuring the talents of Aaron Tap (Matt Nathanson, ex-Betty Goo, etc.), Paula Kelley (The PKO, ex-Boy Wonder, ex-Drop Nineteens), and Eric Skodis (ex-Imperial Drag and many more). They like chorus pedals, synthesizers, and strings & horns. A must see and hear for any power pop fan!
The Galaxies – With all the power of Pop and all the edge of Rock, The Galaxies’ music is a unique mix of melody, harmony, beat and full-out fun that really rocks!! Each member brings with him knowledge and love of ‘60s pop, ‘70s rock, and today’s energy and excitement! After just one listen, we dare you to try getting the songs on their latest CD, Here We Go!, out of your head!
Irene Greene – Raised on greats like Joni Mitchell, The Beatles and David Bowie, Irene uses a vintage foundation mixed with modern influences from indie, electronic and modern R&B to create a unique musical cocktail. Vastly interested in dystopian novels and poetry by sad women, Irene uses her dark, metaphorically dense music to tell humanistic stories about love, agony, and female fueled courage. Check out her recent “Platinum Baby” single and her IPO showcase!
Danny Henry – Voted as The Deli Magazine’s New England Readers Artist of the Year in 2015, the ever-colorful Danny Henry is a jukebox hero, a sexual visionary, and the last bastion of rock and roll. Born and raised in Milford, Connecticut, Danny Henry has been known for his vibrant energy, whimsical hair, and dance hypnosis. Now making his home in LA, he continues to write and perform his unique brand of pop, blending influences from the likes of The Beach Boys, The Kinks, Elton John, and Billy Joel. Check out any of his recent singles (many of which were recorded at Reseda Ranch Studios with the ubiquitous Fernando Perdomo – see below) and his IPO showcase, and you too will become an instant fan!
Hollow Fortyfives – Stemming from roots of sixties rock n’ roll, garage rock and a DIY punk mentality, Hollow Fortyfives formed in the summer of 2013. Noted for their mod and psychedelic song sensibility, the songs consist of driving drums, booming bass, and swirling guitars all held together by three part harmonies. Their recent full-length album, Strange Times, took them out of their home recording environment and into a professional studio. This allowed the band more time focus on the creative side of making a record, the result being a more polished album from start to finish both musically and lyrically. Classic California-pop cool-ness!
Jed’s A Millionaire – Led by the vocal and song-writing talent of R Shawn Harrington, Jed’s A Millionaire casts a wide musical net; setting crisp layered guitars and keys on driving pop rhythms. Their soaring melodies propel Harrington’s personal and unabashed lyrics of passion, heartbreak and hope; twin guitars lead the way while stark piano, swirling organs complete their modern yet classic dynamic rock sound. Fans of Coldplay and Radiohead should definitely check them out!
Norman Kelsey – IPO’s favorite soul-man is back doin’ the solo thing, and we’re glad to have him! His latest album, On The Rebound, produced by his Pacific Soul Ltd band-mate, Adam Marsland, is a continuation of his journey into disco-pop that began with A Talent For Loving, taking cues from the Brothers Gibb and James Brown, along with the usual Motown suspects. His new EP, Sun Rose, delivers a trifecta of sound: one soulful ballad, one inspirational anthem, and one funky rallying cry. Hailed by Liverpool Sound and Vision as “[p]erhaps the most exciting American Soul singer/musician since the days of the irreplaceable Marvin Gaye,” Kelsey will make you think it’s 1978 all over again, but without the polyester!
Charlie Kogen – He may look like a Jewish Kennedy, but (luckily for us!) he sounds much more like a cross between The Oneders, Fountains of Wayne and Jason Falkner, raised on a diet of Brian Wilson! Check out his spotify album, Sabbatical Delusion, and his IPO showcase to see and hear what we mean!
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, as is his recent, and (at least if there’s any justice) somewhat prophetic single “I’ll Make It in Hollywood”!
The Living Dolls – Mix power pop, rock, psychedelic, garage, mod, and punkv arena rock from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and ‘00s, and you’ll get an idea of the sound of The Living Dolls! They’re an alternative blend of old and new; somehow familiar yet strangely unrecognizable. Their self-titled CD has garnered rave reviews from their home in the beautiful San Fernando Valley to Ohio to Sweden, and points in between!
Maple Mars – A dash of Pink Floyd, a sprinkle of Cheap Trick, some Jellyfish on the side, and a big dollop of the Beatles describe this Los Angeles band. If they never did anything but their debut CD, Welcome To Maple Mars, we could have all been satisfied, but thankfully they keep cranking out their psychedelic pop perfection! The fourth and latest CD, Galaxyland, weaves a dreamy Bacharach meets Rundgren element into the mix, and is definitely their best yet! They’re back in the studio working on a fifth album, and we can hardly wait to hear it!
The Matter – Featuring Michael Hamilton and Dennis LeBlanc on guitar and vocals, with Rick Gerardi (drums) and Eric Duke (bass), the Matter are a young group of old rockers who have come full circle. Gerardi and LeBlanc were part of the ‘80s SoCal punk scene and played together in a band called The Factory; their 45 single is a widely sought collectible as far away as Malaysia! They later played with Hamilton in a band called The Cinematics, before Hamilton took off for the bright lights of New York City. Now all back in Orange County once more, The Matter’s sound is an electric pastiche of familiar shared influences and past and current fever dreams and hallucinations.
Davey Meshell & The Transatlantics – Starring Davey Meshell, Colin McGuinness, Zach Jones,Tony Horkins,Preston Edmundson & Luca Fredericksen, this half American/half British band bridge the cultural divide with Love Is For Lunatics, a soul album written for today but recorded like the soul classics of yesterday. Fans of Marvin Gaye, Solomon Burke, and other Motown & Stax faves will dig both the album and their IPO showcase!
New Maximum Donkey – “New Maximum Donkey is poised and ready to make a charge at the world of music with a brand of power-pop that is all their own, fueled by a wry sense of humor and rich melodies that have you singing along by the 2nd time through the disc.” (Jeff Johnson, CDReviews.com) Said disc, Square Root of All Evil, will appeal to fans of artists as diverse as The Ramones, UB40, Frankie Lymon, Jet, and The Banana Splits! One of the most entertaining bands we’ve ever had at IPO!
JOE NORMAL & THE ANYTOWN’rs – Rising out of the factories of “Anytown, New Jersey” and arriving in Los Angeles, where his band The Hutchinsons made quite a name for themselves, JOE NORMAL formed his explosive new band The ANYTOWN’rs with Bassist Tony Babylon and Drummer Tony Snow. Their combination of both East & West Coast attitude and finesse is a lethal dose of power and pop that will surely win over the rest of the states between “Joisey” and DTLA whom are craving real, honest, no bullshit rock n’ roll. They effortlessly blend the melodic sensibilities and brilliance of classic British Pop and the roots and urgency of early American rock n’ roll with the heart and insight of a singer-songwriter, drawing comparisons to Paul Westerberg, Paul McCartney, and The Who.
Carla Olson & Todd Wolfe – We’re proud to welcome these two industry heavy-weights, who toured Japan together some 20 or so years ago, and are back performing live together, for a special IPO set! Olsen is one of the few active female producers in the industry today; her 1984 debut album, Midnight Mission, featured the likes of Gene Clark, Ry Cooder, and Don Henley as guests! She and Clark then went on to create the sound now known as Americana on their album, So Rebellious a Lover. Her recent duets album, Have Harmony, Will Travel, featured Richie Furay, Rob Waller, Juice Newton, John York and James Intveldt. Wolfe spent several years touring, writing, and recording with Sheryl Crow, and has spent the past 15 years touring the world performing his own music and releasing nine(!) solo albums. We can’t wait to see and hear their combination of virtuoso guitar wizardry and beautiful harmonies!
Fernando Perdomo – Re-located to LA from his former home of Miami Beach where he led Dreaming In Stereo, whose churning style of music was coined by band and press alike as Progressive Pop, an eclectic mix of ‘70s Progressive Rock and ‘90s power pop! He’s also a label head (Forward Motion Records) and producer extraordinaire (the latest album by pop legend Andy Pratt, among others – including a few fellow IPO performers!), and a member or guest of more bands than we can count, who has been dubbed “The millennial answer to Todd Rundgren” by The LA Weekly! His latest album, Out To Sea 2, showcases his talent as a prog rock arranger and instrumentalist!
Leslie Pereira & The Lazy Heroes – A four-piece punk/pop/pub rock band from Los Angeles whose tight catchy melodies have drawn comparisons to artists such as The Pixies, The Pretenders, Throwing Muses, The Breeders, and Sonic Youth. Their debut full-length album, Fight For Now, was recorded and produced by world renowned producer, Earle Mankey, who has produced artists such as Sparks and The Quick, among many others. They’re also a lotta fun live, so don’t miss their IPO showcase!
Plasticsoul – Celebrating the much-anticipated release of their third and most rocking album, Therapy (on Big Stir Records), LA & Crockett California-based Plasticsoul are a hook-propelled American spin on the history of British rock from The Beatles to the Bunnymen to Oasis, blessed with the powerful voice and sharp-edged tunes of front-man Steven Wilson. Their prior releases both won multiple Album of the Year awards and garnered rave reviews. With a formidable and propulsive live act that’s pure rock and roll energy and a deep catalogue of finely crafted and emotive songs, Plasticsoul is currently at the height of their considerable powers. Check them out and pick up a copy of the album!
Punch Punch Kick – An energetic dose of power-punk-pop ear candy is in store for anyone who attends their IPO show! “What The Kids Don’t Know,” the single off their debut self-titled EP, which was produced by Linus of Hollywood, was recognized by The Deli LA as “…all-around likable, boasting a straightforward hook that morphs to the rhythm of their vocal harmonies like a good old-fashioned pop rock song should. Think of a more bubbly Surfer Blood mixed with the tight guitar dynamics of the Cars and, of course, the youthful, self-referential naivete of early Fountains of Wayne.” Since then, they’ve taken the scene by storm, playing to sold out crowds at The Troubadour, backing national acts such as Ozma and Nerf Herder, and releasing a debut self-titled full length that is just as catchy as the EP!
The Reflectors – A quartet of young rockers who stormed onto the scene last November and have been gathering enthusiastic fans ever since! The combination of power pop hooks and harmonies with punk and garage energy will make you feel like it’s 1977 all over again!
Luther Russell – Folk-rocker extra-ordinaire, Russell was the leader of the seminal roots-rock band The Freewheelers, and is also an acclaimed solo artist and producer, and can twang and jangle with the best of ‘em, as he is also one half of The Pretty Wrongs, a duo he formed with long-time friend Jody Stephens of Big Star fame. His new album, Medium Cool, is way cooler than its title suggests!
School of Rock Venice’s House Band – They’re comprised of some of the most talented and dedicated musicians at Venice School of Rock. Ranging between the ages of 13 and 18, these kids are thriving musicians who have developed their rad skills through School of Rock and know how to rock a stage!
Timmy Sean & The Celebrities – Sean has always had an ear for melody and harmony – whether as the leader of his old punk pop outfit, Luzer, or backing Al Jardine of The Beach Boys. Both solo and with The Celebrities, Sean indulges a wider range of his influences. Said influences – from Brian May of Queen on guitar, to Paul McCartney on bass, to Ben Folds on piano – can often be heard in the course of just one song, along with a heavy dose of classic California sunshine pop. He’s got a killer Celebrities line-up for his IPO showcase, including Mr. Art Webb from Sean’s other project, Sir Video, and the true star of Echo In The Canyon himself, Fernando Perdomo (see above) on lead guitar. Don’t miss it!
The Seven & Six – The latest project led by the dynamic duo of Elsie (Lisa) Mychols (of The Masticators and NuShu) and Tom Richards (of The Waking Hours), The Seven & Six are upbeat bubblegum, Brit pop, and mod garage influenced power pop fun at its finest! Fans of The Jam, The Ramones, or any of Richards’ and Mychols’ current and former projects will want to keep an eye out for their soon to be released debut album!
Morty Shallman – Creator of the world’s first Novel with Songs, Last of the Zacharys, this dapper, affable Angelino is known for his cutting-edge mashups of pop songs and pulp fiction. Fusing elements of disco, dance pop, indie pop, alt-rock and EDM, with soaring melodies, intelligent lyrics and classic pop song craft, Shallman serves up a glowing succession of catchy tunes and infectious beats that will brighten the playlists of listeners, dancers, youtubers and radio programmers alike, and was named LA’s #1 Indie Artist (February/March 2018) by Reverbnation! Check out his latest single, “Children of the Light,” and his IPO showcase!
The Shamus Twins – Yeah, you’re right, there aren’t any real twins in this band, but their sibling-like harmonies, intelligent lyrics, unique arrangements and infectious songcraft will make you forgive their nom de faux pas. If you like loud guitars, harmonies, jangle, and twang, you’ll want to pick up both of their excellent CDs!
Shplang – They’ve long been mainstays of the L.A. music scene, have lots of excellent CDs, including their most recent release, My Big Three Wheeler, and have a very cool, unique sound as well, with swirling psychedelics meeting solid pop sensibilities. One minute they’re sounding like the Strawberry Alarm Clock, the next: The Stranglers. Intrigued? Check ’em out!
Sofa City Sweetheart – It’s been a few years since they’ve played IPO, but they’re back and we’re glad to have ‘em! The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter J. Lopez, Sofa City Sweetheart sounds like the musical love child between The Kinks and Elliott Smith. Their brand new album, Super(b) Exitos, is a combination of lush arrangements and ballsy rockers. Check it out!
Sparkle*jets UK – We’re very eagerly looking forward to somewhat of a reunion performance by one of our all-time favorite local acts! It’s been a while since they’ve played, as leaders Mike Simmons, Susan West, and Jamie Knight have been focusing their efforts on passing on their vast musical and production knowledge to the next generation at the Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts, which they founded and Mike still runs, while Knight enjoys a well-deserved retirement and (some fun) playing in cover bands. Their combination of unabashed playfulness with rockin’ toughness, courtesy of a mash-up of influences from ELO and Teenage Fanclub to The Jackson 5 and Stiff Records-style new wave/punk, brings out the kid and music lover in all of us! Their first new music in over 18 years, The Ballad of El Goodo/You And Your Sister, has just been released by Big Stir Records on oh so cool 45 rpm blue vinyl!! Check it out!!
Mason Summit – Summit has been playing around LA since the tender age of 13, and has developed a sound blending an eclectic group of influences such as Elliott Smith, The Beach Boys, Wilco & Elvis Costello. He’s released four full length albums of original material, including his latest, Summer Cold, to growing acclaim and recognition. Revered Americana authority No Depression describes him as a “pop prodigy,” while Parcbench names him “one of the most exciting songwriters out there,” so be sure to catch him at IPO!
Trotsky Icepick – The latest project led by Vitus Mataré of The Last, and featuring several fellow classic ‘80s LA pop punk scene stalwarts: John Frank (also of The Last) and John Talley-Jones and Kjehl Johansen (both of The Urinals/100 Flowers). Trotsky Icepick’s latest album, I Haunted Myself, inhabits the space between existential art pop, punk pop, shoegaze, and power pop, and will appeal to fans of all of those and more!
Ultra IV– Cover band featuring Jerry Juden of The Shamus Twins (see above). We don’t normally feature cover acts at IPO, but they specialize in obscure but very cool ‘60s tunes, and we guarantee that any ‘60s fan who comes to see this performance will have a groovy, psychedelic time!
Velvet Starlings – A group of young indie rockers poised to take the scene by storm, Velvet Starlings blends indie blues based rock with British Invasion era influences and focuses on tight harmonies and catchy arrangements, which is all the much more impressive given that many of their influences stem from when their grandparents were their age! Check out their new EP, Love Everything, Love Everyone, and their IPO showcase to see and hear what we mean!
The Walker Brigade – Made up of members from just about everywhere – NYC, Philly, Ann Arbor, and Chicago – who converged in LA, The Walker Brigade’s music is a catchy combination of anthemic despair and savoir faire: Punk, art-pop, and some clever harmonies. Their latest album, Therapy Animal, has been hailed as “[a]n instant classic” (Ralph Brown, The Guardian UK)!
Winter Grain – Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, but now making their home in LA, Winter Green is a folk pop group fronted by Kate and Secily Anderson. Their self-titled EP was recorded with Grammy award winner Ryan Hadlock (The Lumineers, Vance Joy) at Bear Creek Studio, Seattle, and will appeal to fans of The Indigo Girls, Janis Joplin, Edie Brickell and Sheryl Crow, to name but a few.
Wolf Circus – Led by songwriter/producer Leslie Price, Wolf Circus embodies quintessential light-hearted California indie psychedelic pop at its finest! The band’s latest EP, We’re Alright, blends influences from Brian Wilson and the Sarah Records stable of twee soft-pop bands to ‘70s disco-lounge electronica into something all their own!
The Yellin’ Bells – IPO is proud to welcome this band, featuring the combined talents of singer/songwriter Arwen Lewis and her dad, Peter Lewis, who was one of the main men of San Francisco psych legends, Moby Grape, whose self-titled album was ranked as number 121 in Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” in 2003! Look for their set to include a collection of Moby Grape classics, as well as some of Arwen’s own brand of psychedelic, folk, and jazz inflected rock n’ roll.
U.S. Artists From Outside of LA/OC
Abelfish – Hailing from north San Diego County, and more commonly known as Suite 100, their music is a mix of sing-a-long melodies, lush arrangements, thoughtful lyrics and pure pop sensibilities. Exploring intricate, lavish and sometimes haunting territories, Suite 100’s sophomore album, The Only Cure For Gravity, harkens back to the days when you would throw on headphones and listen to an album in its entirety. Seamlessly crafted, each song is led into the next with a vignette that enhances or foreshadows the ensuing track. Eschewing the theory that lush harmonies and arrangements are for critics alone, they back up their songwriting with an energetic live act that is not to be missed. They are also back in the studio, with more great new music to follow! We can hardly wait!
Billy & Dolly – After five years fronting San Francisco band The Monolith, Billy and Dolly traded in the Moogs and elaborate orchestrations for an acoustic guitar and a piano, and went into two years of song-writing hibernation in Dolly’s basement. They wrote songs about love and loss, old friends, Gene Clark, the Garden of Eden, and anything else that struck their fancy. Now, out of hibernation, they are ready to rock again, backed by The Monolith’s former drummer Alex DeCarville (The Mountain Goats and John Vanderslice) as well as guitarist and producer Nils Erickson and bassist Adam Cunha (20 Minute Loop). Their latest album, Five Suns, will appeal to fans of artists from ABBA to Belle & Sebastian to Tommy James & The Shondells and just about everything in between!
Kerry Kompost Chicoine – Long time IPO-ers will likely remember Chicoine from his days doing power pop with LA pop stalwarts such as The Dons (see above) and Receiver. He now makes his home up in Crestline, where he leans a bit more towards the prog pop and folk pop end of the spectrum, but his melodies will still resonate with many a fan of all sorts of pop sounds. We’re glad to welcome him back to LA for his first IPO performance as a solo artist!
Chris Church – A prolific North Carolinian gentleman, Church has penned many a rock, power pop, hard rock, progressive rock, folk rock, and experimental pop song over the years. His previous bands/projects include: The Jones, Flatearth, Junkflower, Frank Burns, Jack Sabbath, Chalky, The Automatic Pilots, Echoism, Darling Please, Däng, and The Freds. His latest album, Limitations of Source Tape, available on SpyderPop Records, is pure sweet power pop jangle, that fans both old and new will love. He’ll be joined on stage at IPO by some of his SpyderPop label mates as part of the SpyderPop showcase, so this will be a very special performance you will not want to miss!
Cromm Fallon and The P200 – They hail from modern day Las Vegas, Nevada, but their brand of driving psychedelic garage makes them sound like they could easily have come out of Topanga Canyon or San Francisco, circa 1969! Check out their recent Rum Bar Records single “Scars To You” split with The Laissez Fairs (see below) on orange vinyl!
Lannie Flowers Band – Although the band hails from Kennedale and Ft. Worth, they’ve done what no other artist in the history of the LA Music Awards has done…namely, taking home four awards in a single year in 2013! Flowers’ latest studio 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! We greatly appreciate that Flowers 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! Case in point: they’ve got too many great songs that they won’t all fit on the next album, Home, so Flowers is giving them away as free downloads on his Facebook and on the SpyderPop Records site up until the official album release later this year! Pretty cool, huh? Their appearance at IPO LA as the stars of the SpyderPop Records Night is just the first show of an entire West Coast tour with many other favorites on the label!
Scott Gagner – Originally from Minneapolis, Gagner began his musical career in San Francisco, writing songs with hooks both surprising and inevitable. He’s released three LP’s: the sprawling debut Rhapsody in Blonde, the lush Rise & Shine, and his latest LP, Pins & Needles, which was released in late 2017 and seamlessly blends power-pop, psychedelia, alt-country, rock, and heartfelt balladry into a cohesive whole. “His potential is limitless!” (Powerpopaholic) He’ll be releasing his next album, Hummingbird Heart, at IPO San Francisco, but don’t be surprised if he treats us to a preview of some of the new songs at IPO LA!
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!
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! Definitely something a little bit different!
The Laissez Fairs – Maximum Mod Psych from Las Vegas: John Fallon and Joe Lawless craft the songs in the studio and then take ‘em on stage. Current lineup also includes Cromm Fallon (see above) on bass and Aaron Archer on drums. Their brand new 4th full length album, Marigold, has been described as “pretty psychedelicotic” by none other than “Count” Peter Zaremba of The Fleshtones! Check out their IPO showcase and pick up a copy!
Bill Lloyd – Although he’s best known as half of the late ‘80’s RCA country-rock duo, Foster and Lloyd, he has also had an illustrious career as a songwriter, sideman, producer, session player (working alongside greats such as Ray Davies, Glenn Tilbrook, and Martina McBride, to name just a few), and non-so-secret pop-meister. His 1994 album, Set To Pop, was even named one of the 200 top power pop albums of all time by acclaimed writer and pop aficionado John M. Borack! His latest release, Working The Long Game, is a collection of 12 great new songs from Lloyd and co-writers such as Freedy Johnston, Buddy Mondlock, Graham Gouldman, Tom Petersson, Pat Buchanan and more. Come check out this Nashville legend as part of the SpyderPop Records night at IPO!!
The Tearaways – They’ve been putting out sweet harmony-filled ear candy and crunchy power pop gems since 1981, and are still going strong! They performed on the Arsenio Hall Show after their 10th year performing at the Mathew Street Festival in Liverpool, where they’ve become a much anticipated regular act. They combine the influence of the British Invasion with the California Sound with a touch of the Ramones, Clash and Blondie thrown in to deliver high energy performances wherever they perform. Anthems and Lullabies, their fifth full length release in the past four years, was produced by Earle Mankey, and features Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Clem Burke of Blondie, on drums. Another new album is due out soon, and includes their song “The Wrecking Crew,” which also appears on this year’s IPO CD, and has been getting radio play on over 200 stations! As good as they are on CD, they are even better live – definitely one of Santa Barbara, California’s finest!
Danny Wilkerson – Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, Danny Wilkerson (veteran singer/songwriter/musician) is touring in support of his debut solo album, Wilkerson. Don’t let the deceptively simple album title fool you: Wilkerson’s music is truly an uplifting feast for the ears, brilliant mature power pop veritably exploding with inventive musical and lyrical twists and turns and featuring a boatload of pure pop melodies to die for. Featuring contributions from pop masters Bleu McAuley and Roger Joseph Manning, Jr., Wilkerson was awarded “Album of the Year” by multiple music journalists and magazines including Goldmine, Hooks and Harmony, and Discussions Magazine. Additionally, scores of critics, bloggers, radio DJs’, and the like around the world included Wilkerson in their “Best of 2018” list, calling it “pure pop bliss” and “an absolute masterpiece.” Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate an evening of fun positive power pop with Wilkerson in an intimate live setting.
