IPO Chicago 2023
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Artists From Chicago
6Kitty – Don’t let the name fool you: 6Kitty are a three-piece female-fronted indie rock band who share a commitment to creativity and a love of music ranging from Courtney Barnett to the Beths to hometown heroes, Local H. Their recently released debut album, Tux, made it onto Fast n’ Bulbous’ Top 100 Albums of 2022, ranked at #6 in the Art Pop/Dream Pop category. They fuse blended vocal harmonies, melodic forward bass lines, and hard-hitting drums into a dynamic sound that has been compared to Vanishing Kids, UV-TV, and the Pixies, and love to have fun and interact with their audiences when they play live, so come to see and hear them do their thing at IPO!
45 Souls – Led by Mike Petersen and Gibson Arlasky, who have made music together since their ‘90s band, We Are The Cats, 45 Souls’ will appeal to fans of hooks and harmony – whether of the classic pop or alt-country/pop variety. Their recently released album, Horizon, is eight catchy songs with the bang and pop to get you moving and they’ve already got their next one, Roundshot, finished and on the way soon – we can hardly wait!
The Joey Acopiado Band – A singer/songwriter/guitarist with a wide-ranging sound, Acopiado infuses his love and appreciation for musical heroes from the golden ages of rock and R&B into his mission for writing refreshingly unique pop/rock songs of his own. His love of the Blues – whether the urban-blues stylings of artists like Paul Butterfield to southern-fried guitar greats such as Freddie King – provides an infectious energy to his style of lead guitar. He and his band’s ability to switch seamlessly from indie-rock ballads to scorching hard-hitting blues numbers with ease is truly impressive!
All City Affairs – The AKA of Peter Andreadis, who also plays drums in Baby Teeth, All City Affairs is the music he wants to hear and the voice he uses to shout out across the world. The latest All City Affairs album, DoughNation, brings characters and scenes to life, always with tongue planted firmly in the cheek, using lyrics filled with satire and self-immolation and tunes awash in bright colors and bounce. “Very well-crafted pop songs with the singer bringing someone like XTC’s Andy Partridge, Neil Finn or Ray Davies to mind.” (Allmusic.com)
Alpine Subs – The latest album by these local Chicagoans, Through The Blinds, was released in 2022 on South Africa’s Subjangle label, and their sound – on this and their earlier releases – is definitely jangle pop all the way! Whether Beatle-esque, Monkees-esque, or Folky/Soft Pop-esque, if you like any (or all) forms of jangle, you will love Alpine Subs!
The Alright Maybes – Providing rock n’ roll with style, glamour, and grace reminiscent of a time gone by, The Alright Maybes have “…created a beautiful retro sound straight from the 60’s with a modern twist…It’s an interesting combination of old sounds and new that makes for a very rich listening experience.” (Josh Terzino, Music. Defined.) Their recently released EP, Blue Sky Thinking, will appeal to fans of artists from the Mamas & The Papas and Jefferson Airplane to Cher, Heart, and Garbage!
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, Once Around Again, proves he just keeps getting better and better, and propelled him (tongue planted firmly in cheek) Once Around Again towards the top of several 2022 “best of” lists (including mine)! 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.
The AnnaMaze – Comprised of two core members, Anna Maze and Jim Licka, with a rotating cast of other musicians, the band is a refreshing mixture of dark indie country, and the blues: think Johnny Cash and June Carter, if they were from Chicago. The soulful vocals of Anna Maze combined with the haunting cries of Jim Licka are sure to leave you wanting more. Their 2020 album, That’s What I Want ‘Em To Say, and 2022 single, I Am Gonna, are out now on all digital streaming platforms.
TAFKAVince Band – A fun new old school band whose latest record, On Display, is an actual record…on spiffy colored 12” vinyl no less! Main man Vince also recently released a classic single – recorded in Nashville in a single take at and named after Third Man Record Booth. Glitter glam garage and old school rock n’ roll all the way, baby!
Baby Money & The Down Payments – The brainchild of lead singer/songwriter Pamela Maurer, Baby Money & The Down Payments play original rock n’ roll with a twist: gritty, thought-provoking lyrics juxtaposed with an old school R&B/soul and ‘60s girl group vibe. They can do everything from stripped down ballads to roaring foot-stompers and are sure to get your hips a shakin’!
The Band Calderisi – Led by singer/songwriter/musician/music teacher, Tony Calderisi, who was first brought to IPO’s attention by none other than Mike G. of The Valley Downs and Magnaphonic (see below), and has previously played the festival under his Tony Calderisi Band and Telstar monikers, The Band Calderisi specializes in warm Americana-inflected power pop. Their latest album, Songs for the Years Gone By, is 11 pop rock songs consisting of heavy handed guitars and drums with sweet harmony laden vocals.
The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club – Drawing from a diverse array of musical styles, The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club’s 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. Their style has been described as falling someplace between The Cars and Sloan, as well as a “sideways Cheap Trick” (by yours truly). Three years in the making, their latest album, Please Stand By, has the same “retro with an edge” feel of their previous work, and proves once again why they are a perennial favorite at IPO!
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 debut album, The Top End, and their IPO showcase to see and hear for yourself!
Brother Derek – The solo project of singing bassist “Brother” Derek Wu (Recent Photo, Phenomenal Cat, Food, Peep, Mant, William Bing, etc.) whose mission remains to bring you songs with “good bones.” The songs on his recently released Parade Rest album draw from a deep well of genre-malleable tunes that are each more a roller coaster ride than a straight shot, at times weird but always groovy. Joining the fun live are guitarist/vocalist Guy Corl and on drums Barry Bennett, and we can’t wait to see and hear them do their thing at IPO!
Bur – A quartet consisting of Jeremy Kush (Rhythm Guitar & Lead Vocals), Colin Burns (Bass & Backing Vocals-also of Gal Gun-see below), Anthony Vaccaro (Lead Guitar), and Will Panoutsos (The Drums), who make a joyous noise with their quirky brand of power pop. The songs on their recently released album, We Are Bur, are sometimes angular, sometimes bouncy, sometimes breezy, sometimes buzzy, sometimes chimey…but always hooky and fun…and right up IPO’s alley!
Dolph Chaney & The Phins – Chaney’s album, Rebuilding Permit, earned him acclaim as Woody Radio’s 2020 Artist of the Year. His latest release, This is Dolph Chaney (on Big Stir Records), is both a career retrospective and a leap forward in production, courtesy of collaboration with Nick Bertling (of Bertling Noise Laboratories). Fans of Chaney’s prior “DIY” work, XTC, Jason Falkner, and other pop classics will dig it and his new kick-ass band The Phins!
Paul Coady & The Edsel Brothers – A fixture on the Chicago music scene for many years, Paul Coady specializes in straight up rock n’ roll with a storyteller’s ear for lyrics. They often draw comparisons to Springsteen or The Rolling Stones, but “…there’s also some power pop/bar band/Americana/rootsy/Midwest alchemy going here (that no Brit band could fake, no matter how many trips to Chess Studio they took)…” (Jake Austen, Roctober Magazine). Their recently released disc, Sixty Cycle Hum, was recorded in the basement they lovingly call Loud Cottage, and is 10-tracks of rough-hewn rock-n-roll goodness. Storytelling garage rock with a bit of punk energy.
Corduroy Cat – Guided by an awareness of music in all its infinite variety and lore, Corduroy Cat has torn apart the singer/songwriter format with an improvisational flair that draws on the human need to dance, to fly and to dream. Their debut album, 10% Hopeful, is a genre-defying, modern-day song cycle depicting a journey emerging from a dream, into darkness then back into the light.
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 had long been staples at IPO Chicago, Cohen stepped out in 2018 for his first time at IPO as a solo performer, and we’re thrilled to have him back again this year! He’s amassed an impressive repertoire of some of 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)!
Matt Derda & The High Watts – A Folk Rock group who combine storytelling with resonant melodies. Blending Rock n’ Roll riffs with Eastern Kentucky roots, they’ve created a unique sound that captures the essence of Johnny Cash’s Nashville and the grit of rock acts like The Replacements. Their latest album, You Didn’t Know?, will also appeal to fans of Matthew Sweet and Tom Petty.
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 Elliott Smith if he was part of the Canterbury scene in the early ‘70s! Check out his latest Notes From The Borderline album and his IPO showcase to hear for yourself!
The Embryos – Their latest album, National Absurdatory, released on Kool Kat Musik, invites the listener to explore an alternate dimension of sound and mind. Psychedelic pop, funk pop, jangly folk pop and power pop meld and twist in compelling ways that somehow all work within the space of a single album. Think The Beatles meet The Grateful Dead at a Zappa concert, with Lou Reed joining in just for fun!
Forbidden Kingdom – If their debut single “I’ll Make It By” and their follow up “Over” are anything to judge by, Forbidden Kingdom is well on their way to being a new-found favorite of many a power pop and indie pop fan alike. Hooks galore, Beatle-esque melodies, and bouncy indie pop vocal inflections…we were blown away by their debut live performance at IPO Chicago last year, and can’t wait to see and hear this talented band of fathers (Ellis Clark and Eric Chial) and sons (Andrew Clark and Gustaf Drake Chial) and Jared Drake Eisenmann do their thing at IPO again!
Hannah Frank – She’s a rhythmic singer-songwriter thriving on groove and poetic cafe-style folk. Hear inventive stories, plus flavors of earthy gypsy jazz, mellow rock and mystical hypnotic blues. Her latest release, Comes Love, is a 7” vinyl on Random Chance Records celebrating two songs from the classic American songbook.
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 release, Cure for the Common Sound. Written by their 15- and 16-year-old selves in 2000 and 2001 and finally recorded (remotely, during the pandemic) in 2020 and 2021, Cure for the Common Sound provides yet another reminder of what makes them so dynamic and special.
French Casino – Comprised of Pat Winters (guitar/vocals), Pete Bush (guitar/vocals), Fran Tuminello (bass) and Ed Fee (drums), French Casino have been writing and playing together around Chicagoland since 2014. Their indie/pop-rock sound on their latest EP, Tricky Tiger, has been described as Guided By Voices meets The Bats, and they have a slew of cool new songs that we can hardly wait to hear!
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 latest album, Critical Hit, will be exactly that in the collection of many a fan of fuzzy rock hooks, clever chord changes, and sweet vocal harmonies!
Golden Richards – Gil Golden and Billy Richards met at a midnight showing of Enter the Dragon starring their idol, bad-ass Bruce Lee. Sharing a thing for surfing, Borg and McEnroe, tetherball, Farrah Fawcett, Bubble Yum gum and the Trans Am, they started a band that features new wave power pop with big hooks. Just listen to any of their Bandcamp singles and check them out at their IPO showcase, and you too will be an instant fan of their “Rock N Roll Kung Fu”!
Go Time! – A prolific band offering power pop with a hard-edged groove and a touch of soul that will appeal to fans of artists such as Frisbie, Guided By Voices, and The Clash, to name just a few! Their recently released ninth (yes, you read that right…ninth!) album, Anything Could Happen, was named as a “pick of the week” by IndieShark Magazine for good reason! “The guitar work is top-notch, with each riff and solo perfectly crafted to fit the songs. The rhythm section is tight and precise, driving the music forward with an unrelenting force. And Niekelski’s vocals are a force to be reckoned with, ranging from a gritty growl to a soaring falsetto…. It’s not just one or two standout tracks; it’s a cohesive, well-crafted album that showcases the band’s musical prowess and emotional depth. These guys know how to rock, but they also know how to write songs that are both catchy and meaningful” (Mark Druery, IndieShark Magazine).
Human Errors – An old school rock n’ roll quartet who do everything from gritty twang a la Johnny Cash to energetic guitar pop a la Chuck Berry to surf-inflected punk pop a la The Ramones to almost anything in between on their recent album, Super Hits. If they’re even half as fun live as there are on the record, this is one show you will not want to miss!!
Kerosene Stars – Independently rocking Chicago since 2010, the band has put out a slew of excellent EPs and singles over the years, including last month’s “A Pretty Good Year”. Noah Berlatsky of The Chicago Reader has described the band as a “them as a [s]mart unpretentious Beatles-loving group with a sure hand for hooks… It’s perfect pop.” Who are we to argue? (Especially since he’s right!)
Kobanes – “Self-described as the ‘Most Hated Pop-Punk Band’, Chicago’s punk rock trio Kobanes serve as a portal back to a time when four-chords, fast tempos and heartfelt lyrics were all that mattered to the punk rock world. Their style is a throwback to the amazing transitional period in time when punk went pop” (The Pop-Punk Dad). Their latest full-length CD, Lethal Injection 2.0, is available on the UK’s Back From The Dead Records, and is a fun-fest of in-your-face pop-punk with lyrics that will have you rolling on the floor laughing. We can’t wait to see them do their thing live at IPO!
The Larvettes – A power trio who bring a few new twists to that girl group, Northern Soul, and surf-inspired old school rock n’ roll sound: 1. They’re not girls. 2. They’re not British. 3. They don’t live near a beach (Lake Michigan doesn’t count!) 4. The really rock. 5. Did we mention that they really rock? Come check out their first IPO showcase to see and hear them for yourself!
The Locals – An alt-pop/indie rock trio who have been part of the Chicago scene for the past quarter century, and show no signs of slowing down. The Locals have toured all over the US and UK, and we’re honored to have them back again at IPO! The music is bright, guitar-laden, ultra-catchy, alt-pop, that delivers tasty ear-bits from each song’s start to finish. Front-woman Yvonne Doll has also been named as one of the “Top Female Guitarists You Should Know” by Guitar Player Magazine. Their just released album, The Retelling of a Dream, is a 25-year anniversary “best of” retrospective of their career from 1997 – 2003, showcasing both their enduring appeal and evolving sound. Fans of The Pixies, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Silversun Pickups will not be disappointed.
Magnaphonic – IPO is thrilled to host a special reunion show by these guys and gal, who – prior to our last “pre-pandemic” IPO Chicago in 2019 – had last played IPO as Magnaphonic in 2004!! The band features Mike Galassini (92 Degrees [aka The Violet Time]), and Marianne Shimkus, who were also the leaders of The Valley Downs. They burst onto the local scene near the turn of the century with a cache of beautiful songs and enchanting live performances, and took their show on the road to several IPOs we did in the early 2000’s, including Liverpool! They charmed crowds wherever they went, and their last IPO Chicago appearance was no exception, so we’re excited that they’ve returned to do it again!
Mammals – Here to prove the “power-trio” format is alive and well, Mammals do that garage-y power pop thing with heart and soul, drawing comparisons to bands such as The Nerves, The Jam, Buzzcocks, and The Plimsouls. “They take bits and pieces of ’60s rock and roll, classic era power pop, and even some modern garage and punk and mold it all into something that’s uniquely theirs” (Lord Rutledge, Faster and Louder). Check out their recent EP, Look Around You, and their IPO showcase!
Billy Nixon – A singer-songwriter whose music is steeped in the Rock and Roll, Rockabilly, and Rhythm & Blues of the 1950’s and 60’s. His debut 10-song album, C’mon Let’s Rattle, was released in 2021. The album and his recently released single “Want You” will appeal to fans of The Everly Brothers, Tommy James & The Shondells, and The Teenagers!
North of Stuntman – A Chicago indie-rock outfit made up of Jamie Bachmann (whose band, Quiet Kid, played IPO Chicago back in the day, and had a cool track on the IPO Vol. 8 compilation!), Chet Hartin, Greg Newman, John Jungblut, and Drew Weir, who deliver driving edgy rock with a psychedelic groove on their recent Sin Shine EP. Fans of LOVE or Spacemen 3 will dig it!
Old Joy – “Channeling alternative rock of the ‘90s and early 2000s, Old Joy brings a nostalgic euphoria to the stage, just as their name suggests…Chicago’s greatest dive bar band…” (Isabelle Earl, WBEZ) themselves call their sound “pop impressionism aka scum pop/power trash.” Their latest EP, Go Away Evil, was written during the pandemic, and is a beautiful juxtaposition of angular chords and pretty melodies to suit the mood of the lyrics.
Nikki O’Neill Band – O’Neill is a singer/songwriter, guitar player, and writer who comes to Chicago by way of LA and Sweden. Her songwriting – the latest examples of which can be heard on her recent World is Waiting album, has always been inspired by soul, gospel, and classic rock, with colorful harmonies and great melodies, reminiscent of her favorite writers, such as Sly Stone, Jerry Ragovoy, Dan Penn, Paul McCartney, Carole King, Burt Bacharach and even ABBA’s Bjorn and Benny. She also writes regularly for Guitar Player Magazine and The Chicago Tribune, and has even authored an instruction book called The Woman’s Road to Rock Guitar (available on Amazon and iBooks). We’re excited to welcome her to her first of what we hope will be many IPO Chicagos!
Otter Petter – Formed in Chicago in 2005, Otter Petter’s members create their own unique sound by blending the sugary pop confections of artists like Matthew Sweet with the more obtuse constructions of indie-rock bands like Death Cab For Cutie. They’ve got two excellent full length albums to their credit, as well as some more recent singles, and we’re excited to welcome them back to IPO after far too long an absence! They’re the five-piece rock outfit you’d hate to follow!
Andrew Robert Palmer – He’s a home-grown solo pop/punk/rock artist with a penchant for quirky chord changes and grunge pop choruses. Fans of artists from long-time IPO artist, the dearly departed Drew Neely (who played his last ever show at IPO Chicago last year) to Blink 182 to Nirvana, Jonathan Richman, and Ben Folds will all find something to love in his collection of fine EPs. Quite the eclectic entertainer!
Penthouse Sweets – The members of Penthouse Sweets (who include Eric Chial of Forbidden Kingdom, see above) have a combined 100 years of experience doing everything from pop rock/psych rock/folk rock and – well, basically anything that rocks! If you like big guitars, loads of jangle, and heaps of harmonies, you will love Penthouse Sweets!
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 follow up EP, Get Out Of Now, and latest single, Love Save Us All, were well worth the wait! As they say in Liverpool, “These are too good!”
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 2018 album, Let’s Canoodle, and their ultra-entertaining live show at IPO!
Rent Party – Starting out as a duo without a garage, they’ve grown to a sometimes four-piece / sometimes trio with a garage full of guitars, hooks, and harmonies. They’re your cool neighbor’s band, your English teacher’s band, your new favorite feminist folk rock garage band, and we’re glad to welcome them to their first IPO! Check out their recent Burn It Down EP!
Rolling Numbers – A local quartet who deliver original songs in a style they’ve dubbed “American Cosmic.” The lyrics are heart-felt, the vocals (both male and female) are rich and soulful, and the musicianship is tight and inventive. Fans of Neil Young and Fleetwood Mac will dig their self-titled LP, as I certainly did!
Rollo Time – The describe themselves as just a bunch of guys who’ve played music together over the years, who finally got together and recorded a bunch of songs. Said songs can be heard on their full-length CD, Victims of the Crown, and a slew of more recent singles, and will rock you out in the classic power pop tradition. Think Matthew Sweet, Cheap Trick, Guided By Voices and XTC all rolled into one, and you get the picture! A new album is in the works…and if the singles they’ve been releasing as teasers are anything to judge by, it’s gonna be great!!
Secret Forest Service – A new Chicago six piece who do intricately arranged indie pop/folk rock that can be both melancholy and uplifting at the same time. They’re also known to throw in a few covers, so you never know what’s coming next, but you know it’ll be good!
Vee Sonnets – The Sonnets were (and are) much loved for their trademark glitter glam power pop sound, and even took the show on the road to join us for IPO Liverpool one year! It’s been a while since Vee has last done a solo show at IPO, but we’re honored to have him back, and we’re sure he’ll still really rock!
The Spindles – The Spindles feature original melodic power pop and classic covers. Their 2018 release, Past and Present, mixed and mastered by Grammy-Award Winner Blaise Barton, ranked #12 on Goldmine Magazine‘s Top 30 Power Pop albums of 2018, #4 on Pop Rock Record‘s Must Have Top 20 Power Pop albums of 2018, and #38 on David Bash’s Top 125 Best Power Pop Albums of 2018! “The Spindles Are Here To Bring Power Pop (Back) To The People!” (Goldmine Magazine)
The Thin Cherries – The newest musical project founded by scene vets Steven Delisi and Mark Lofgren. Delisi is a musician and songwriter with a background in theater and film production. His former band, Phenomenal Cat, blended his pop/punk sensibilities with experimental music and the Russian folk influences of his band mates. Songwriter/musician Lofgren is one of the founders of psychedelic pop/rock mainstays The Luck of Eden Hall, who have toured Europe and released music on a variety of independent labels, including Headspin Records and Fruits de Mer Records. Their shared love for bands like Blur, The Replacements and the Smiths can clearly be heard on their latest release as The Thin Cherries, On Moose Island.
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, “Stop Thief”, which is dedicated to Guy Sheldon, their bass player who passed away last year.
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! On their highly anticipated fourth full length album, Fast Casual, they shake it up and deliver some ’70s classic Chicago-Style Power Pop with a twist of UK Pub Rock, an alt-country departure, a visit to glam rock & a quick field trip to Britpop. Fans of Teenage Fanclub, The Beatles, and The Beach Boys will really dig them!
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. The band is 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, as their 2021 single, “When Two Still Feels Alone”, will attest. Watson and Band have treated us to a sample of their new material for the last few years at IPO Chicago, and we can’t wait to hear some more this year!
Wheel Of Giants – Drawing from a multitude of influences old, new, and in-between, the indie/alt rock quartet will appeal to fans of R&B, Prog, Jazz, and Psychedelic Alt-Rock. Their goal in all they do is to try to produce music with strong melodies, meaningful lyrics, and interesting arrangements, but most of all, to have fun and share their passion with whoever cares to listen. Check out their debut EP, The Fiction We Make, and their IPO showcase!
Phil Yates & The Affiliates – Yates is an indie power pop artist formerly based out of Burlington, VT, who for the past several years has made 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. A Thin Thread, his latest album with The Affiliates, is the first featuring the Chicago lineup of the band, and showcases the band’s ability to do everything from frenetic Britpop to bubblegummy ear candy confections!
U.S. Artists From Outside of Chicago
Custard Flux – Many long time IPOers may recognize Curvey, the leader of Detroit’s Custard Flux, as one of the driving forces behind Chicago’s The Luck of Eden Hall. He’s back and we’re mighty glad to have him, as he and the band have honed their Prog Pop perfection to a T! Their first two albums, Helium & Echo made the Top 10 on the Reviews Editor of PROG Magazine‘s 2018 & 2019 lists, and their latest, Phosphorus, is just as good!
Einstein’s Sister – IPO is proud to present a reunion show from one of the quintessential mid-west power pop bands of the late ‘90s and early 2000s! Their Humble Creatures CD has been described as “Like early Elvis Costello taking tea with Squeeze’s Glenn Tilbrook, while Lennon and McCartney fuss over the scones in the kitchen.” (CD Baby). Definitely one of Moline, Illinois finest and a show not to be missed!
The Incurables – Headquartered right in the Heart of the Ann Arbor/Detroit Metropolitan Area, The Incurables provide guitar driven high energy harmonic indie garage rock, at your service! They host a weekly Power Hour on KB Radio, where each week they reveal a different side of their many influences, and their latest album, Live At The Tempermill, provides a taste of what you can expect to see and hear live from these motor city madmen! They’ve also recently displayed their humanitarian side with the release of their latest single, “Stop The World”, from which all proceeds go to the Ukranian relief effort.
The Jeremy Band – The eponymous band led by one of the most genuine, unique people on the pop scene, as well as one of the most prolific pop artists around. Jeremy Morris’ John Lennon-influenced pop is as spiritual as it is melodic, and has been rocking a lot more lately, which you can hear this for yourself on any of his recent CDs (he’s released over 60 of them, so it’s hard to keep up with which is the latest!) This Kalamazoo, Michigan resident and his band can stake their rightful place in the IPO Hall Of Fame!
Le Bon Ton – Le Bon Ton, or “The Ton” (French) are a new band hailing from Omaha, NE. Wearing their influences on their sleeves, The Ton are a mix of Power Pop, Pub Rock and Britpop, with a nod to Northern Soul R&B!
The Shake Ups – Combining elements of power-pop, indie-rock and alternative, The Shake-Ups are one of Indianapolis’ most engaging bands! Their songs run the gamut from melodic indie-rock to sun-kissed power-pop, stuffed to the brim with honeyed harmonies, meaty guitar runs, chiming acoustics, and new wave-y keys. Their latest album, Meddling Kids, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Scooby Doo franchise!
Jesse Vaz and The Velvet Reign – Vaz was the lead singer and co-founder of LA’s Tramps In Stereo, whose Perfectly Broken CD melded ‘80s new wave influences with classic guitar rock. His solo project with his new band, The Velvet Reign, is even better, offering up an unabashedly retro feel-good blend of power pop and glam that fans of T Rex, The Beatles, and ELO will surely enjoy! Check out their debut EP, One, and their IPO showcase to hear what we mean!
Your Academy – If you don’t think of Memphis as a hotbed of power pop, one listen to Your Academy may well change your mind! Featuring members of The Scruffs, Dwight Twilley’s band, and Crash Into June, the band’s debut self-titled album (available on CD and limited edition fluorescent green vinyl) is a treasure trove of jangly guitars, wistful melodies, subtle chord shifts, chunky bass lines and heaps of harmonies that any fan of the genre is sure to appreciate!