IPO San Diego 2025

Artists From San Diego

 
Tamar Berk – Having established herself as a fixture in several bands in both Chicago and Portland, with releases on Kill Rock Stars and Minty Fresh, Berk has settled in San Diego and is recording and performing under her own name. Her music showcases both her indie darling edgy riot grrrl roots, as well as her ear for a fine pop melody. Her brand-new album, OCD (her fifth in five years!), has been released just in time for her IPO San Diego showcase!
 
The Colour Monday – Creating meaningful and impactful music, The Colour Monday continues to evolve and push boundaries in their sound, promising to deliver even more exciting music in the future. With a unique blend of eccentric and innovative art rock, they deliver a modern sound with thoughtful lyrics. The Colour Monday continues to defy expectation in the art rock world, constantly experimenting with new sounds and styles to create music that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. Their music has been described as dreamy, easy-listening, with great rhythm. They recently recorded with Emerald Age Studios and you can find them streaming on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music, just to name a few.
 
The Nephews – Longtime underground favorites of the San Diego scene, The Nephews blend everything from classic California sunshine harmony pop to folk, psych, garage, ska, and angular indie pop into their own quirky fun brand of power pop. The songs on their latest digital album, John’s Fishing Village, and their IPO showcase are sure to put a smile on your face.
 
The Scott Samuels Band – Samuels has played IPOs in both San Diego and LA under his own name and as the leader of Roxy Monoxide, as well as in Chicago with a reunion of his high school band! His flair for fine melodies and ability to turn just about any thought or experience into a hook for a great song lyric – as well as his support and help with IPO San Diego – are very much appreciated! His sixth and newest album, Starlight and Sunshine, showcases his love of ‘70s power pop and glam!
 
Super Buffet – Inhabiting the nexus of driving garage rock and earnest indie sensibility, Super Buffet evokes a spirited pillow fight between King Kahn and Jonathan Richman, while “96 Tears” plays in the background. Super Buffet is about bringing short, sharp, sing-able songs to the masses or whomever shows up. Check out their IPO showcase and latest digital EP, Laundry Money, to see and hear for yourself!
 
True Stories – A classic styled pop group, featuring four music scene veterans: Manual Scan and Shambles main main Bart Mendoza (vocals,guitar) , David Fleminger (keys,vocals, guitar) , Danny Cress (drums) and Orrick Smith (bass). Collectively the members of True Stories have been in every type of combo, from mod to country, and this band is the culmination of that experience. Their Mendoza-penned originals range from bluesy keyboard workouts to plaintive ballads, the unifying factor being a real dedication to hook filled songcraft. They are also known to have a lot of fun with a wide range of classic tunes, so don’t be surprised to see them throw a cover or two into their set! Which one(s) will they do??…you’ll have to come to their IPO Showcase to find out!
 
Vurv – A few years ago, Sidney Merritt played IPO San Diego with her band, Swive, and they impressed the hell out of everyone with their ambient indie-rock sounds! She’s now back with her newest project, the all-female Vurv, featuring Sidney, Alessandra, Noura, & Christina! Everything I’ve heard from them online suggests that Vurv will impress everyone in the same fashion, so don’t miss their IPO show!
 
 

Artists From Los Angeles

 
Bat Country – They re-united for IPO Los Angeles last year after a 25-year hiatus, and have been back together ever since, for which we – and hosts of other power pop fans – are extremely grateful! Bat Country were darlings of the L.A. pop scene in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s and features members of Norman Kelsey’s previous band, The Idle Kings and his (other) current band, The Canyon Band (who played IPO in 2023). Known for rockin’ and fun live sets, their debut album, Entertainment Now, is one of the more aptly titled discs you’ll come across from the New Millennium!
 
Michael Culhane – As the leader of Circle Sky, Culhane rocked the Boston nightclub scene and college radio, and conquered the crowd in New York as the opening act for Tin Machine’s debut after being hand-picked by none other than David Bowie himself. His NYC band Circus Guy sold out Mercury Lounge and toured the world following the release of the acclaimed CD The Lovely Luna. Now based in LA, this fine singer songwriter is performing and recording under his own name, with several singles and a recent acoustic EP, entitled Present Perfect (Hence), to show for it. We look forward to welcoming him to his first IPO San Diego!
 
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!
 
Courtney McKenna – A talented young LA-area indie-folk artist, with songs that combine poetic lyrics with the sounds of classic rock, Americana, and country…in other words, they will appeal to a very wide range of audiences. A charismatic and powerful performer, with a Stevie Nicks meets Pat Benatar style, she is always seeking new ways to engage her audience and to use her unique voice as a platform for empowerment.
 
The RAZ Band – A band who proudly proclaim they are older than your parents, and who have been rocking and rolling for over 40 years! The band is built around Michael Raz and Jeff Hutchinson, who have been playing together since their high school days in New Jersey, but are now based in LA, and has from time to time included some of their long-time pop and rock heroes, such as the dearly departed Joey Molland (of Badfinger) and Jim Vitale (who has toured with Joe Walsh)! Their recent CD, Madison Park, was named 2015 Album of the Year by Roadie Crew Magazine Editor Airton Diniz, proving that – like fine wine – some things only get better with age! Never ones to rest on their laurels, a new single, recorded with Joey Molland just before he passed, and their brand-new rollicking album, Copy This, are both due out later this year, with an updated remastered version of their classic Razfinger album to follow!