IPO Toronto 2023

 
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Artists From Toronto

 
Andy Butler & The Diplomats – Butler is known to many as the main man of IPO veterans, The 905s. He’s back with a new backing band and some new material from his recent solo EP, The Isolators, and an upcoming full-length, and we can hardly wait to see and hear him do his thing. If you love classic punk-edged rock n’ roll in the vein of Buddy Holly, Elvis Costello, and Dave Rave, you will LOVE Andy Butler & The Diplomats!
 
James Clark Institute – The musical outlet of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist James Clark, their last full-length release, The Colour of Happy, was produced by iconic Canadian musician/producer Moe Berg (The Pursuit Of Happiness). “James Clark is one of Canada’s songwriting treasures. His songs have a timeless quality born of a writer who studied the best and refuses to bow to the wind and rain of any current day. His lyrics never underestimate the audience’s intelligence and his melodies will stay with you long after the record has finished playing” (Moe Berg). Fans of intelligent quirky introspective pop artists, such as John Lennon, Neil Finn, and Elvis Costello, will also be thrilled to know that his IPO showcase is a special prelude to the official release of his brand new album, Under The Lampshade, the very next day!!
 
Clockwise – Check out their most recent album, This is now…and then, or any of their equally awesome earlier releases, and you’ll be instantly hooked! Their sound is influenced by Elvis Costello, The Kinks, Joe Jackson and Squeeze, tempered with more contemporary artists like Crowded House and The Beautiful South, and they efficiently crank out three and a half minute pop songs with hooks that will stick with you long after that initial investment in time has been spent. Their classic Toronto power pop style fit right in at The World Famous Cavern Club in Liverpool, where they joined us for IPO four years in a row, and we’re very glad they did! Those who attend their IPO Toronto showcase are in for a treat consisting of dusted off gems from their back catalogue, as well as some brand new soon to be classic Clockwise tunes!
 
Cool Blue Halo – An integral part of the ‘90s Halifax power pop scene, Cool Blue Halo released an independent cassette before being signed to No Records and releasing their landmark full length, Kangaroo, to great reviews. Their sound is classic power pop all the way, and their IPO performance marks their first Toronto area show in over 2.5 decades!! A show not to be missed!
 
Field Study – The musical musings of Caleb Stull and his comrades Adaline, Olivia Featherstonhaugh, Colin James Gibson and others, Field Study plays art-rock to tickle your cerebral cortex, with a gentle groove to get your ass shaking. Check out their recent LP, All Yr Rough Magic, or their latest single, “The Vegetable Forces,” or better yet, come to their IPO showcase to see and hear what we mean!
 
Just Jillian – One of Toronto’s most gifted singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalists, Jillian is the former lead guitar player for ADHD the band, and has played keys for Remote Wonder and bass for alternative synth pop band, All Dressed. Her debut solo album, What Day Is It?, makes subtle use of catchy pop choruses and pop-rock guitar riffs to put a lighthearted spin on thought-provoking lyrics.
 
Emily Mac – Inspired by rock’s greatest divas, Emily’s confessional lyrics paint the picture of a fierce woman speaking her truth with a rebelliously rock ’n’ roll spirit, in spite of all those who’ve told her to stay in her place. Her new single, “Kills Me To Love You,” “…is the ultimate female rage song with the smashing drums, driving electric guitar riffs, and Emily Mac’s gnarlingly good voice and thick timbre” (Naomi Joan, Illustrate Magazine).
 
Mr. Mouray – A man of impeccable 1950s style and taste, Mr Mouray has been reborn as a band a half-century later through modern words and music, and make their return to IPO with their debut full-length album, What’s The Stouray, in hand. One of the many musical projects featuring the ubiquitous Jaimie Vernon, founder of one of the best pop music labels in Canada, Bullseye Records, and one of the foremost authorities on all things Canadian music. Vernon is the author of The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia, a hefty two-volume treasure-trove of information about Canadian artists both well- and lesser-known, a story-teller of Bardic proportions, and a pop-meister of the highest caliber, so this is one show you will not want to miss!
 
The Nines – The band who exemplify everything you love about sophisticated three-minute pop songs! Two of their previous CDs, Properties of Sound and Wonderworld of Colourful were both instant favorites, and have earned comparisons to The Beatles, Jellyfish, and ELO. The Nines have collaborated over the years with power pop artists Jason Falkner (Jellyfish, the Grays), Bleu (L.E.O), John Adams (John Cage, Neil Young), Andy Partridge (XTC), and more! We’ve been honoured to have them at IPOs in LA and New York, but are especially honoured to have them play IPO in their home town, once again!
 
Blair Packham – This singer/songwriter/producer/former long time vice president of the Songwriters Association of Canada may be best known to audiences as one of the guiding lights behind the late ‘80s/early ‘90s band The Jitters, but he’s a wonderful performer in his own right. His latest opus, The Impossible Dream, is being “slow released” on various streaming platforms…but don’t miss his live show; along with his very introspective tunes- he’s a great storyteller!
 
Standard Electric – Bass. Drums. Guitar. Vocals. Standard Electric, a four-piece formed in 2016 from alumni of Bluebird, Cedar, Snows and Swedish Fish, have perfected their style of jangly indie-rock in some of Southern Ontario’s finest venues, from the legendary Lee’s Palace in Toronto to the renowned Almonte Agricultural Hall. Lead singer Martha Bouchier’s unique voice is layered over concise songs characterized by subtle stories and clean arrangements. Their first EP was released in 2018; their first full-length album was released in spring 2020. Their next full-length album is expected to be released in Spring 2024.
 
Telejet – If you love classic Beatle-esque and harmony pop, orchestral pop, or prog pop, and a bit of everything in between (and let’s face it, who reading this doesn’t?), then you will LOVE Telejet! Check out their latest album, Spiritual Age, and their IPO showcase! This is a band that pop fans all over the world NEED to know about!
 
Carmen Toth – A Toronto singer-songwriter with a power pop sound reminiscent of the 80s and 90s who has recently released her debut full length album, Fix The World. Whether on acoustic guitar playing solo or on electric with a full band, her unique voice, relatable lyrics and catchy hooks have drawn comparisons to Stevie Nicks, Cyndi Lauper and Kate Bush. Fans of those artists should make a point of checking her out!
 
Neil Traynor – Characterized by the breezy jangle-pop feel of such bands as The Byrds or CSNY, Traynor’s songs also feature his Bolanesque vibrato as well as a very personal touch. Traynor’s dad is the inventor of The Traynor amplifier, one of the most popular amps in Canada (and one used by none other than Jason Falkner!)
 
Tara Van and The Vixens – Van is a lifelong singer-songwriter, and active participant in Toronto’s “Beautiful Breakdowns” singer-songwriter series. Her recently released debut album, Rise, showcases her catchy upbeat brand of soulful indie folk pop. We can’t wait to see and hear her do her thing live at her first IPO show!
 
Wasagas – IPO does not typically book instrumental bands, but when they’re this much fun, we just can’t resist! Canada’s original surf-punk instrumentalists, Wasagas had their original heyday from 1979 to 1982 when they played with many new-wave and punk bands, confusing audiences everywhere. They’ve had two #1 hits on the surf charts since reuniting and show no signs of slowing down, so come catch the wave!
 
 

Canadian Artists From Outside of Toronto

 
Noelle Hannibal – An award-winning actress/singer who appeared in the film Star Trek: First Contact, she has the unique distinction of portraying the first female Vulcan on Earth. Although she is originally from LA, Noelle currently resides in Montreal where she runs her award-winning, independent theatre company, In the Wings Promotions. She also performs regularly in concerts, cabarets and musical theatre productions as well as travelling the world to appear as a guest at Comic Cons and Pop Culture events. Her latest EP, Ain’t a Tourist, produced by Grammy Award winner and past IPO performer, Scot Sax (Wanderlust, Bachelor Number One) was recorded in Nashville, TN earlier this year and is set for release in conjunction with her IPO showcase. Whether she’s doing power pop or something more R&B flavoured, one thing is certain: Noelle Hannibal’s songs will put a smile on your face!
 
Roscoe GT – Main man Laurence Roscoe (who played several IPOs in the early and mid-00’s as the leader of The Roscoe Project) is back, and we’re mighty glad to have him! His new power trio really rocks and helps to showcase what Roscoe does best: radio-friendly roots-rock-influenced power pop with glorious harmonies. Case in point: their latest single, “Circle” is a radio hit on Motor City Radio WRIF!
 
 

International Artists

 
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.
 
Barry O’Brien (Slumberjet) – Dublin based singer/songwriter Barry O’Brien may be familiar to some IPO fans as the leader of Slumberjet, who’s debut CD earned some rather apt comparisons to the likes of Elvis Costello and XTC! He’s been doing the solo thing, but has also found time to record World of Sound, the second Slumberjet album, which was well worth the wait. Several tracks from World of Sound could have fit nicely on Jason Falkner’s Presents Author Unknown, which is about the best endorsement one could give a power pop album! Expect his acoustic set at IPO to include folked up versions of Slumberjet classics from both of their albums, and possibly a preview or two of the power pop goodness of what may eventually be a third Slumberjet disc!