IPO Hamilton 2021

 
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CLICK HERE to see IPO Hamilton 2021 Artist Yearbook Photos
 

Artists From Hamilton/Toronto

 
Andy Butler & The Diplomats – Butler is known to many as the main man of IPO veterans, The 905s. He’s back with a brand-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 (see below), you will LOVE Andy Butler & The Diplomats!
 
James Clark Institute – The musical outlet of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist James Clark, their latest 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, should check it out!
 
Checkerboard Floors – Aside from their energy-packed live shows that have crowds singing and dancing along, nothing more clearly demonstrates the band’s drive than the songs they’ve been releasing independently, which includes their latest and very aptly named EP, Music You Dance To. Their sound might be called alt-rock; however, it’s not hard for one also to hear varied styles and influences within, including – though not limited to – blues, funk, motown, and jazz. In other words, there’s something about them for everyone to love!
 
Los Chukos – The musicians in Los Chukos grew up Hamilton, Ontario and bonded over their shared passions for sound, rhythm and beats. Each member brings a unique musical aesthetic to the band, and over the years they’ve grown comfortable jumping genres and mashing up influences. The result is quirky, inventive, and fun – just check out any of their recently released singles and their IPO showcase to see and hear what we mean!
 
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 Hamilton 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!
 
CODA FACTO – Influenced by a wide array of artists from Paul McCartney and The Beatles to Arctic Monkeys, Queen, Talking Heads, Paul Simon and Ed Sheeran, CODA FACTO fuse melodic Brit-Rock and Americana with modern vocals and lyrical stories. Their recently released Jamesville EP will appeal to fans of all these, and more!
 
Danger!! Death Ray – And now…something a bit different, but also quite cool: a southern Ontario instrumental rock trio who describe themselves as “Dick Dale meets Nirvana.” Taking their influences from third wave surf, ‘60s So-Cal garage bands, prog rock, grunge, circus metal, video games, movies, and lots of whammy bar, they promise a wacky and fun live set you will not want to miss!
 
EyeRollers – Purveyors of melody and loud guitars replete with hooks and harmonies, EyeRollers’ music epitomizes what great power pop is all about. One listen to their Hidden Holidays EP is all it will take for you to become and instant fan. We can’t wait to see them rock their first IPO show!
 
Andy Griffiths and The Lost Groove – Whether you call it folk rock, roots rock, or power pop, Griffiths has been doing it for a good long while, with several albums – including one targeted to kids – to his credit and a new one in the works. Comparisons have been made to artists from Crowded House, Tom Petty, and The Beatles to Fred Penner and Raffi. His live band, The Lost Groove, is made up of some of the finest musicians in the Toronto/Hamilton area, and together they really rock!
 
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 recently released 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.
 
Linebeck – Lying somewhere in between indie rock and shoe-gazer pop, Linebeck is a relatively new band emerging from the pandemic to take over the world with their haunting melodies and wall of layered guitars!
 
Moondoggy – A band from Collingwood, comprised of members Jack Courtemanche, Johnny Contini, Nick Wyant and Jakob Matanowitsch, the lads have released their first self-titled EP, and have a brand new single, “Lucy, Do You See?”, set to drop at the end of November. Their sound is hard to pin to a single genre, mixing everything from folk to jazz to indie rock…in other words, there’s something in here for everyone to love!
 
My Flying Machine – Otherwise known as Brandon P. General, in the guise of his new solo project, My Flying Machine offers “…[s]ad songs from the basement. Resulting in a sound that is somewhere between Ryan Adams and M. Ward” (Melodic Pixel Media). His latest album, Running Out of Things To Lose, offers subtly orchestrated folk pop that perfectly blends melancholy themes with uplifting melodies, and it’s pretty damn good; I said so in my Bash On Pop column!
 
Naked House – Essentially the nom-de-plum of Damon Alexander Mitchell Guyett, the multi-intrumentalist/singer-songwriter and former keyboardist/vocalist of the psych-rock band Dizzy Spells. The name “Naked House” is meant to convey comfort in one’s own skin, abnormalities and all. Fans of quirky shimmery uplifting experimental pop with unexpected twists and turns will love his most recent album, Waves Goodbye. His IPO showcase also promises to be something truly special, with the addition of Crystal Lee on violin, so don’t miss it!
 
Dave Rave – The venerable Mr. Dave Rave began popping very powerfully indeed a near quarter century ago as part of the legendary Canadian bands Teenage Head and The Shakers, has often been referred to as “The Canadian Nick Lowe,” and is now an inductee in the Canadian Indie Music Hall of Fame!! (Congratulations, Dave!!) A recent CD, Live With What You Know was nominated for a Grammy, as was one of its songs, “Anne Marie.” His latest album, Adventureland, is “… [j]am-packed with the melodic, catchy pop rock that Dave’s best known for, this ferocious recording captures the rambunctious, boundless energy he always displays on stage.” (Hamilton Blues Lovers) From 2010 to 2014 he played 50 IPO festivals in a row (yes, you read that right), and he still plays many of them…and we look forward to many more. Thank you, Dave!!
 
Royal Seas – As can be heard on their 2020 self-titled album, Royal Seas play a mixture of indie-rock, synth-pop and new-wave stylings. Some new songs are in the works, which we can hardly wait to hear them play, as they emerge from their pandemic-induced hiatus to rock IPO!
 
Erika Werry and The Alphabet – With five albums already to her credit, Erika Werry brings deeply personal, uncompromising and new perspectives to the age-old themes of life and love. The songs are short and fun, often with tongue-in-cheek lyrical humour, and sometimes with devastatingly poignant lyrics on relationships. “An observant poet, a cliche distorter, a fearless traveler, a band leader – Miss Werry is all of the above…” (Mary Beth Carty, Penguin Eggs). Her faster songs are also incredibly catchy, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself dancing!
 
 

Canadian Artists From Outside Hamilton/Toronto

 
Mark Sander (of Cone of Silence) – The main man of Edmonton’s Cone of Silence, who have played IPO’s in both Vancouver and Liverpool, joins us for a rare solo set at IPO Hamilton. The band’s critically acclaimed album, Sixty Grit Sandpaper & Other Delights, has been compared to artists such as Cake, The Pursuit of Happiness, and even The Who, and has been hailed by Vue Magazine as “…pure pop genius”! With praise like that, how could you not come out to see him do his solo thing?!