IPO Portland 2019

 
Click on artist name to go to their music page
 
CLICK HERE to see IPO Portland 2019 Artist Yearbook Photos
 
 

Artists From Portland

 
Phil Ajjarapu – Ajjarapu 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!
 
Aura Weaver – Melodic rock project with psychedelic chamber-pop influence, featuring “angelic yet angular” three part vocal arrangement. “Listening to [Aura Weaver] is reminiscent of reading a Tolkien novel in the best way possible. The band’s chamber pop style imbues every song with a tone that is both romantic and inspiring. The lead vocals are melodramatic, tinged with a delightful ethereal quality. Their elegiac and abstract lyrics often sound more like poetry than song lyrics” (The Deli Magazine)
 
Steve Barton – Most of you know Steve as the man behind the awesome ‘80s band Translator (you know you can sing “Everywhere That I’m Not” in your sleep…and you probably have!). His Charm Offensive CD, with his LA band, The Oblivion Click, earned three stars from MOJO Magazine – which ain’t easy, and his latest release, Tall Tales & Alibis, has been receiving rave reviews as well! If you love Barton’s music, you’ll also want to check out Different Time, a Translator double-CD set of outtakes, demos and live tracks hand-picked by the band!
 
The Contestants – For those who love the harmonic and kinetic, the melodic and energetic, you have found the perfect sphere for your ears to orbit. The Contestants love what they do and it’s absolutely audible. They are a band of music fans and of friends. The members hold varied, though not incongruous, ideals. The Beatles are there, of course, as are Broken Social Scene, The Zombies, Pinback, Guided By Voices, XTC, a little Big Star, New Pornographers, Sloan, and The Cure. Great stuff!
 
Deadbeat Cavalry – They craft genuine, accessible songs carried by the vocals and guitars of Jason Scott, and enmeshed with the syncopated rhythms of Dan Schrom (bass) and Ian Gustafson (drums). The band also features Phil Ajjarapu (see above) on pedal steel!
 
Fir – A four piece folk/surf/pysch band whose indie-rock sounds are very engaging! Their new digital-release, Year One, will definitely keep you transfixed via angular lead vocals and oft kinetic arrangements.
 
The Gentry – An American Electronic Rock band formed in Hillsboro, Oregon in 2000. The band consists of producer and multi-instrumentalist Gino Mari, drummer Andrew Carreon, guitarist Jeremy Seitz and synthesist Marcus Warner. The Gentry has released 3 singles, and have a soon to be released album called And Now… The Gentry sing hedonistic commentaries about the consumption of pop culture… and stuff, and one of their songs is on the IPO Vol. 22 compilation!
 
Joanne Hodges – Joanne Hodges is a singer-songwriter from Portland, OR and she released her debut album, World of Time, produced by Ken Stringfellow, in 2018. Her love of music began as a child listening to AM radio in the ‘70s, and this led her to learn guitar and to write her own songs. Her influences include The Beatles, Tim Buckley, Asia, and R.E.M.
 
Lee & The Bees – Lee & The Bees are a folk & pop band whose music bends from one genre to another, channeling the likes of Rilo Kiley. Lee Aulson is the front woman who writes, sings, and is also from the band, Bevelers. Members of Lee & The Bees also include Jeremiah Brunnhoelzl (guitar), Ben Dahmes (Drums), Anden Oquendo (bass) from popular Portland talk show, Who’s the Ross?, and Skyler Hamler on keys. Check out their latest album, Feel Feelings, as well as their IPO show!
 
Magnetic Health Factory – They began life in 1995 as the home recording project of multi-instrumentalist Eric O’Connor. Crafting lo-fi indie rock anthems that are at once fragile and bombastic, O’Connor follows in the footsteps of DIY misfits like Guided by Voices and Pavement. A passion for melody, incisive lyrics, and dangerous levels of rocking has kept the music flowing long beyond the boundaries of good judgment. Their latest album, Western Medicine, features the most cohesive and compelling collection of songs O’Connor has produced to date. Believe that.
 
Malderine – A one girl band with a knack for creating hauntingly poetic melodies. Her sixth album, Looking Through, was released May 2015, along with her first music video “Who Are You”. Her diverse and multifarious musical style blends together many different influences of music from indie to electronic, sonic to cartoons, and sometimes even a little outer space.
 
Metropolitan Farms – A power pop trio in the truest sense of the word! Their songs embody the perfect power pop 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! Their latest disc, Oafish Twist, also adds cool mod vibe that fans of The Who and The Kinks will also love! Definitely a band after IPO’s heart!
 
Panthervision – The new project of Bonnie Veronica and Kirk Larsen, formerly the main force behind the awesome power pop band, Beyond Veronica! Panthervision’s sound is influenced by The Avengers, Blondie, Cheap Trick, MC5, Redd Kross, Shangri-Las, Sweet, Three O’Clock, X, Yardbirds, to name but a few.
 
RAF – 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 three-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!
 
David Stoops – Acoustic British pop in the vein of the Rolling Stones, Kinks, Replacements, Squeeze & XTC. None other than Bruce Brodeen had this to say about Stoops’ Spill Your Drink EP: “Much of the material sounds like the long, lost World Party album that fans have been waiting for…this is a release that I will be pulling out in 20 years. It’s that cool…Extremely Highly Recommended!” (NotLame .com)
 
Streetcar Conductors – Originally the brainchild of Jonathan Moore, Streetcar Conductors have branched out into a full-fledged ensemble. Their style can be described as power pop with elements of garage rock, ‘60s pop, ‘90s alternative rock, and ‘80s new wave. Catchy melodies, overdriven guitars, male-female sing-along vocals, and analog synthesizers lend a timeless appeal to their songs. This is not the flavor of the month; it’s a classic pop sound that will never go out of style. This streetcar is rolling. Hop on board, and see where it takes you!
 
Tilly and The Flowers – The solo project of Steph Buchanan. Retro-flavored pop that goes down like a candy-coated razor blade. Come for the bouncy melodies, stay for the soul-crushing lyrics. If you like pop, indie pop, bubblegum, powerpop, sunshine pop, soft rock, AM gold, and psych pop, and who among us doesn’t, then this is definitely for you!
 

U.S. Artists From Outside of Portland

 
Broth – Founded in 2017, Broth, from Eugene, Oregon, is built off the passion and dreamscape of Christopher Blondeau, lead vocalist and keys. Following the way of the “Tao”, Broth is a kaleidoscope of sound; by combining synth, bass, horns and drums you are presented with a cross-genre euphony. Somewhere between indie, synth-pop, alt-r&b and reggae, Broth will make you dance. There’s one goal in mind, to bring back the heart of live music to the mainstream.
 

International Artists

 
Star Collector – IPO is always thrilled to welcome these stalwarts of the Vancouver, Canada scene back to IPO, whether it’s been several years since they last played or only one! Their patented blend of decadent hooky Americana, British power pop and glam influences and powerhouse vocals will knock you off your feet! If you don’t already own them, their Flash Arrows & The Money Shot and Hundred-Bullet-Proof CDs are a “must have” for any true power pop fan, and well-worth seeking out –their IPO show is a rare live performance (particularly in Portland), which you will not want to miss!