IPO Chicago 2025
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Artists From Chicago
45 Souls – Led by Mike Petersen and Gibson Arlasky, who have made music together since their ‘90s band, We Are The Cats (who did a wonderful reunion show at last year’s IPO Chicago!), 45 Souls’ will appeal to fans of hooks and harmony – whether of the classic pop or alt-country/pop variety. Their latest 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 321’s – Influenced by the pioneers of classic rock as well as modern rock icons, The 321’s provide a captivating and energetic sonic experience. Fueled by Andrew’s commanding bass lines, Jared’s seething guitars, and Tommy’s thunderous drumming, and vocals that can range from gruff to angelic, they breathe new life into what it means to be a power trio.
The Alpine Subs – Their sound is definitely jangle pop all the way: Their new double album, Up With The Geese, ranges from the more Beatle-esque, Monkees-esque, or Folky/Soft Pop-esque of their early work to the more organic lo-fi Grateful Dead-esque feel of their more recent albums, and adds in some indie pop angst and hooky radio pop fizz. If you like any (or all) forms of jangle, you will love Alpine Subs!
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, 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.
Barry and The Fountains – Barry Jean Fontenot is a Louisiana-born, Chicago-based Soul musician. Raised in the “Deep Soul” and “Delta Blues” musical traditions, Barry’s vocal style brings to mind the strong, rich tenor notes of legendary singers such as Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. The band provides the perfect smooth jazz and blues instrumental background to complement Barry’s songs and voice.
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 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 again at IPO!
Bur – A quartet consisting of Jeremy Kush (Rhythm Guitar & Lead Vocals), Anthony Vaccaro (Drums), Chris Devlin (Guitar), and Troy Anderson (Bass), who make a joyous noise with their quirky brand of power pop. The songs on their brand-new Kool Kat album, Snowy Chloe, maintain the quirky angular changes and bouncy, breezy hooky goodness of their prior work, and adds a dash of new wave radio pop fun. Definitely a band right up IPO’s alley!
Cigarette Supernova – A Fuzzy alt-rock combo, born as a side project of long-time IPO veterans, The Unswept. If you love The Unswept for their jangly, punchy power pop, think of Cigarette Supernova as their louder, moodier twin—somewhere between Sonic Youth and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Come on out and hear them make some noise!
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)!
Ralph Covert– IPO is thrilled to welcome back a veritable Chicago pop music legend! Covert has been a fixture on the Chicago pop rock scene since his heyday in the early ‘90s with The Bad Examples, when their single “Not Dead Yet” was tearing up the airwaves on local station WXRT, and was also heard across the country. He’s been nominated for a Grammy and featured in The New York Times for his kids’ project, Ralph’s World, for bringing a love and appreciation for melodic music to a whole new generation. With his latest album, Welcome To Deadsville, he returns to his singer-songwriter roots with a stirringly intimate collection of post-pop acoustic gems. The lyrics and melodies evoke comparisons to artists like Elliott Smith and Paul McCartney, arranged with sparse yet sparkling production. Check it out!
The Embryos– Their latest album, Selling What You Want To Buy, emphasizes their power pop roots, while maintaining their penchant for twisting in some psych, jangle, and fuzzy angular pop surprises in all the right places. Fans of The Beatles and Cheap Trick to Yo La Tengo and Zappa will dig these guys!
Aaron Fox & The Reliables– IPO is thrilled to host a special reunion show by these guys who were a fixture on Chicago pop scene in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s! Fronted by Fox’s engaging voice and clever songwriting, The Reliables’ sound is propelled by driving guitars, sweeping bass lines, and infectious hooks that will stick with you for days on end. Their IPO showcase is planned as a “best of” from both of their excellent albums, with every song a should have been huge radio hit.
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. We’re very grateful that she deigns to play IPO Chicago almost ever year!
Freetoed– They bring to the stage more than 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.
GeezLouise– The musical outlet of Louise Dimiceli-Mitran, singer-songwriter, guitarist, lyricist, counselor and music-therapist. The songs on their recent Dancing In The Storm album are an elixir for the storms of life we all experience: good love, long love, love gone wrong, joy, getting fired, vacation, losing a loved one and surviving, as told from a strong female perspective. The music is born from acoustic roots, and sensitively expands into hooky rhythms and melodies with layers of background vocals that bring energy to the tracks. Fans of Traveling Wilburys, Carole King, and Carly Simon will love this!
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”!
The Jerrys– Their sound may be reminiscent in all the best ways of ‘60s British Invasion, but this outfit sprung from the mind and pen of Jerry Schwartz (with a little help from his friends, Robert Porché and Jim Losby) are also firmly tied to their mid-western power pop roots. Their wide collection of singles and albums have been compared to Boyce & Hart, The Who, Matthew Sweet, and Shoes. As an homage to their roots, their latest album, appropriately titled Cover Songs, is a collection of some of their favorite classic covers.
JOPECO– The band incarnation of Chicago singer songwriter Joe Wylie, their songs combine everything from classic power pop to fizzy angular indie rock to soul with cerebral thought-provoking lyrics and unforgettable hooks. Check out their latest EP, Frontal Lobe Development, and their IPO showcase to see and hear what we mean!
Kristin Rose Kelly– Emmy nominated Kristin Rose Kelly is a self-taught artist who has developed her unique sound as soon as she had her hands on her first guitar at age 12. She has since toured the US, opened for Lou Gramm of Foreigner, and has sung and written for Al Krause. Her strong passionate voice and dynamic songs have also created a buzz much closer to home, where her recent single “Pantyhose” has been featured on Chicago’s “Rock The Fox”, and her albums tend to sell out wherever they are sold.
Kerosene Stars– Independently rocking Chicago since 2010, the band has put out a slew of excellent EPs and singles over the years, including 2023 “A Pretty Good Year”. They’ve been hailed as “the standout artist of the 2024 IPO festival in Liverpool” (Ken Kurson, Rock and Roll Globe) and Noah Berlatsky of The Chicago Reader has described the band 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!)
LaRue DeVille– Appearing for their first IPO under their new name, that lovable sextet of Erica, Dan, Patrick, Ned, Mike and Todd are sure to spread the love and the joy with their irrepressible hooky pop and quirky instrumentation. Whether you knew them before as The Red Wigglers or Dam Destroyers, they are here to prove that under any name, they’re still just as good….and maybe even better!
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. They really rock. 5. Did we mention that they really rock? Their brand-new EP, Here Come The Larvettes, adds a touch of mid ‘70s classic punk pop. We can hardly wait to see them rock IPO again!
The Loan Jetts– The songs on their recent A Nice Chunk album are classic pop rock all the way – power pop hooks, with hints of new wave, glam and Mersey – with gallons of guitars and heaps of harmonies. If you miss the variety of late ‘70s AM radio, you will love these guys!
Modern Daybreak– A band on a mission to keep a positive outlook on life, and make current, relevant music to connect with people from all walks of life. Their debut album, Sound of Nothing, is a journey through darkness toward peace. These nine songs are Modern Daybreak’s expression of love, trauma, rebirth, and renewal. Blending influences from folk rock, sunshine and baroque pop, it’s an uplifting and peaceful shout out to the world.
Monte Carload– Main man Tyler White moved from Texas to Chicago, and Grand Prairie’s loss is definitely Chicago’s gain, as he brings his penchant for penning modern indie pop rock hooks with operatic storytelling sensibility to the Windy City. Check out Monte Carload’s recent Hit The Max album, and their first IPO showcase to see and hear what we mean!
Mrs. Smith and The Present– They’ve come from all over the Midwest, the South, and the West Coast, and are now united by their mutual love of Chicago and rock n’ roll. Their debut EP and more recent singles bring to mind the all the joy and adolescent angst of our favorite ‘80s and ‘90s radio hits. We can’t wait to welcome them to their first IPO!
Night Baby– Bringing you old songs that sound new again and new original songs that you swear you’ve heard before, Night Baby’s debut album, Never Gonna Work In This Town Again, is an Americana feast for the senses. Fans of The Byrds, Tom Petty, and Cream will dig it!
The Nobodies– A classic pop combo of two guitars (Bobby Quatro and Tommy Velenzano), bass (Bob Mesec) and drums (Steve Glover), the Nobodies serve up quirky pop with humorous lyrics like nobodies’ business! They’ve started recording with the great Ellis Clark, so a physical product could be on the way soon, but for now, you’ll have to catch them live at IPO!
Billy Nixon– A singer-songwriter whose music is steeped in the rock ‘N roll, rockabilly, and rhythm & blues of the 1950’s and 60’s, who released his latest album, Late Fees, just in time for last year’s IPO. The album and its predecessor, C’mon Let’s Rattle, will appeal to fans of The Everly Brothers, Tommy James & The Shondells, and The Teenagers!
The Oh Boys– A vintage-inspired powerhouse of pop, rock, folk and doo-wop, whose songs feature tight harmonies, inventive arrangements, and poignant lyrics. Veterans of the stage, their live show engages and entertains with a sense of humor, spontaneity, and melodic storytelling. One listen to the songs on their Listen to The Oh Boys EP, and we knew these guys just had to come play IPO…they were a hit last year in Liverpool, and we can’t wait to see and hear them do their thing back in their Chicago home!
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 on which “…[t]he abundant hooks and sugar-buzz energy speak for themselves” (Miles Raymer, Chicago Reader). They’re the five-piece rock outfit you’d hate to follow!
The Pickpockets– The band’s debut, By The Time We’re Through, contains thirteen tracks where distinctive vocals relate indelible narratives, while guitars alternately dignify and rub dirt on the agreeable melodies. The band’s sound is influenced by British and American post-punk and indie music of the ’80s and ’90s. With a pandemic-induced break from their devotion to their live shows, they’ve also begun releasing a series of EPs showing off their range; the latest, The 1 Dream, includes everything from horns to strings, as well as their own quirky brand of theatrical punk pop. We can’t wait to see them do their thing live again!
Quasar Wut Wut– Never taking themselves too seriously and continuing to do their thing more than 30 years, including a collection of full lengths and soundtracks and a move from their start as teenagers in Detroit to an adult band in Chicago, Quasar Wut-Wut continue to write and perform their quirky brand of baroque pop to the delight of cerebral pop fans who take the time to seek them out. Intriguing and nearly impossible to define, they are also just as impossible not to appreciate.
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, Stop Putting Me On, were well worth the wait! As they say in Liverpool, “These are too good!”
The Emily Chloe Quinn Ensemble– A baroque pop artist / pianist/ oboe-ist who has been singing and performing since the tender age of eight! Fans of Kate Bush or Tori Amos are sure to appreciate her Wave Of Sound EP and more recent singles.
Refestramus– A prog rock feast for the senses, their latest album, Infotourist, is a journey through time, echoing ‘70s prog rock greats, with each song weaving a tapestry of sound and mind. This is not just music—it’s a portal to a time when rock was a revolution, and every note promised a journey into the extraordinary.
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. Their latest LP, Killer Machines, is a 10-song shape-shifting collection of tracks that takes you on a journey across the musical spectrum. The distinctive sonorous vocal harmonies, inventive lead guitar, and super-groovy drums and bass of the band are vibrantly present throughout. Fans of Neil Young and Fleetwood Mac will dig it!
Satellite Union– A Chicago-based rock band inspired by the sound waves coursing through their parents’ car radio and the launch of MTV, the vinyl spun over transistors and what streams in the cloud. They draw power from the sounds of classic rock, punk, blues, folk and Americana, telling tales of heartache and triumph, ghosts of the past and hope for the future. Their debut EP, Far Cry From The Place We Met, sounds like Tom Petty meets Cheap Trick!
The Second Summer– A classic style power pop band after IPO’s heart…they love nothing more than big guitars on overdrive, tight drums, melodic bass lines, and huge hooks and harmonies. Their debut album, undertow, is about life’s triumphs and tragedies, and everything in between. Although (as they say), they’ve been around the block, they (and we) continue to believe that wherever you are in life, even if it seems summer has passed you by, there is always a chance at a second summer. We can’t wait to see and hear them play IPO again!
Sensational Gnus– A band of students (grades 5 – 7) and teachers (featuring a few familiar faces from LaRue DeVille, see above) who will be taking the stage by storm as your newest quirky orchestrated pop sensation. A fun and talent-filled afternoon sure to impress and amaze you and put a smile on your face.
Steve Slagg– Spiritual, folky, and orchestrated, Slagg’s recent album, I Don’t Want To Get Adjusted To This World, has been described as “[a]nother fine example of how ‘Americana’ would be so much richer if it centered more diverse production aesthetics, and Slagg’s narratives find the fault lines in America’s heartland, foregrounding queer perspectives in his anxieties and uncertainties” (Country Universe). No wonder they gave it a very well deserved 4 out of 5 stars. Check it out!
The 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! Main man, Vee, has done a few solo shows for us over the years, but we’re super excited to have him back this year with the full band!
Space Age Zeros– A band who have been putting punk, post punk, and power pop into a blender and serving it to you shaken not stirred, since 2022. Their recently released full-length album, Strange New World, is full of carefree catchy should-be radio hits that take us back to the early days of IPO!
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! Their long-awaited follow up, Wavelength, has finally been released and is already hailed as a favorite by many a power pop afficianado. “The formula is simple – memorable melodies, big hooks and killer harmonies. It’s everything we love about power pop” (Richard Rossi, Power Pop News).
Finn Swingley– A Chicago based musician and songwriter, Swingley has been playing and recording music since the early 1990s both in bands and as a solo artist. His latest album, Pet Hates, will appeal to fans of artists from Burt Bacharach to The Turtles and Fountains of Wayne. Pretty Cool!
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 The Thin Cherries album, On Moose Island.
Things That Fly– Moms who rock, Heidi Serwer and Karen Salmon, met when their daughters were in pre-school together. Both accomplished solo artists (Heidi has three solo albums and Karen has a couple of solo EPs), they started strumming together during play dates, and Things That Fly was born. Their music is a juxtaposition of pretty harmonies and gritty distorted guitars, and their debut EP was released on Mother’s Day. We can’t wait to see them do their thing again at IPO!
The Transference– An indie rock/power pop band from Chicago, led by vocalist and keyboardist Laura Hollingsworth (Thistle Eater, Burn the Barn, The Moon and Her Mother, Richard Bandini, Silver Age). Dark themes get paired with playful lines and reflections on inter- and inner-connectedness. Evocative lyrics layer over pop rock rhythms from drummer Alex Karan (6Kitty, Richard Bandini) and MJ Johnson’s driving bass. Lush harmonies and melodic lines from lead guitarist Justin Wheeler (Modern Daybreak) and vocalist Andrea Santiago weave in and out between synths, vibraphone, harmonium, pedal steel, and more. The care and attention to detail make the songs on their 100 Mirrors EP worthy of an extra listen…or two…or three! A full-length album is in the works for release later in 2025, so watch for it!
The Walkdown– A Brit-inflected indie rock band featuring a few familiar faces from the Chicago pop rock scene: Walter Kiefer (bass, keyboards), Erica Loftus (vocals), Michael Mazza (vocals, guitar), Taylor Morse (guitar) and Phil Valenti (drums). Influenced by iconic bands such as Blur, Buzzcocks and Cheap Trick, the group’s songs feature infectious grooves and catchy melodies, anchored by a guitar centric approach. Their Superior Street Sessions album is due out imminently…but this is one group you’ll want to catch live, particularly at their IPO reunion show!
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!
Who’s This Mary? – Chicagoland’s Premier Power Pop Sons, Who’s This Mary? perform original groovealicious pop gems and a tastefully curated selection of Britpop and Mod classics. Their live performance is an extravaganza not to be missed!
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
Captain Easychord– AKA Tom Despres, Captian Easychord is a keyboardist/singer/songwriter who’s been playing his quirky yet entertaining songs – think Zappa meets Elton John – in public since 2002. He’s been a fixture at various open-mic and singer/songwriter events in the artist-rich Somerville/Cambridge, MA music community, and we’re glad to welcome him to his first IPO outside the Boston area.
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. Their latest opus, Einsteinium Delirium, is a little bit different, and is no holds barred electric! The songs blend into each other on both sides of the LP to create one nuclear based relativity, with a conceptual narrative of our historical atomic madness in variable time signatures, rests and pieces. Their upcoming album, Enter Xenon, drops this summer, and we can hardly wait!
Draped Apes– A new art garage rock group out of Nashville, led by multi-instrumentalist Timoscles, building on his last project, Andre Salvador and the Von Kings, whose final album reached the top 40 on the UK Independent Album charts. Draped Apes revolves around a steady core of longtime collaborators, which expands and contracts according to each song’s needs; the result has the vulnerability of a singer/songwriter but the bravado of rock ‘n roll.
Einstein’s Sister– IPO is proud to present a rare 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!
Free Joel– A group from the Northwest Indiana Chicagoland suburbs, they bring a breath of fresh air to the historic rock scene by utilizing heavy riffs, blues, and psychedelic elements into their music. Further inspired by upbeat dance tunes from the seventies and onwards, Free Joel explores everywhere between good ol’ rock and blues, as well as funky grooves that you can’t help but dance and bob your head to. As cool as they sound on their No Future EP or more recent singles, with a frontman known for jumping around on stage and into the audience and members who feed off each other’s energy, this is one band you will want to catch live!
High On Stress– Comprised of Nick Leet (vocals/guitar/piano), Mark Deveraj (drums), Jim Soule (bass/backing vocals/organ), and Chad Wheeling (guitar/piano), High On Stress have been getting rave reviews for their latest album, Hold Me In. “High on Stress carry on in the grand tradition of Minneapolis music – great rock ‘n’ roll with a rootsy slant; cheeky at times, consistently well written and played.” (Peter Jesperson, New West Records). Also be sure to watch for Nick’s soon to be released first ever solo record, Detours, at a fine record emporium near you!
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! Their fun and energetic songs are reminiscent of artists such as The Clash or The Ramones, with clear nods to their local hometown heroes, The Romantics, The Stooges, and MC5, and are borne out of 30 years of friendship and a determination to never get too grown up to rock (a sentiment with which we wholeheartedly agree!) Check out their latest Big Stir Records release, Inside Out & Backwards, and their IPO Showcase to see and hear what we mean!
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!
Modafferi– Singer-songwriter, Brian Modafferi, fronts the band with his powerful, soulful voice & guitar; Tamaralee provides vocals that reflect her years of vocalizing with big bands, jazz combos, soul-funk party bands, swampy blues bands and indie rock groups, while keeping it down on the bass; Todd Swenson, has played everything from classical and world music to rock and jazz fusion; drummer Scott Donahue adds a dynamic blend of energy, and experience to the creative mix of Modafferi. Together, they are one of the hottest acts out of Rochester, NY. Their recent album, The Production, and their live show offer a funky melodic lyrical pop rock treat for fans of artists from Elvis Costello to Tom Petty and Sly & The Family Stone!
Scott Samuels and Phaze– Samuels has played many IPOs in both San Diego and LA under his own name and with his previous band, Roxy Monoxide. 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, and we’re excited to welcome him back for his 2nd straight IPO in his original hometown of Chicago, featuring his high school band, Phaze!
Status Foe– Whether you call it indie-rock, angular pop, or prog, the music of this Indianapolis four -piece will captivate and intrigue you. Returning to performing live in the summer of 2023 after a hiatus imposed by both COVID and personal tragedy, the band opened for Geoff Tate of Queensrÿche at Watseka Theater in September. New fans from the show described Status Foe’s sound as “eclectic and refreshing.” They are currently back in the studio, working on their next album, but in the meantime, you can hear what all the buzz is about by checking out their 2022 album, Falling Awake, and their IPO showcase!