INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW

 

IPO, THE WORLD'S ULTIMATE POP/ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL, WILL BE OVERTHROWING LOS ANGELES FROM  JULY 25TH  - AUGUST 9TH AT THE DERBY, SPACELAND, MOLLY MALONES, THE KNITTING FACTORY, FAIS DO DO, FITZGERALD'S, BORDELLO, GOOD HURT AND THE ORANGE COUNTY FAIR

International Pop Overthrow  exercises their desire to get dibs on the next superstar band emerging from the pop/rock underground as it makes a stop in  Los Angeles  from July 25th through August 9th. IPO will be overthrowing Los Angeles' pop scene at famous venuse including, The Derby ,  Spaceland , Molly Malones , The Knitting Factory, Fais Do Do , Fitzgerald's , Bordello , Good Hurt and The Orange County Fair.

Over 140 bands will be performing over the course of sixteen days and nights. Bands performing include Los Angeles based, Blackout 101 , The Piper Downs , Sextus , (featuring Eric Dover, formerly of Jellyfish and Imperial Drag) Teenage Frames , Carnie Wilson & Rob Bonfiglio , Comic Book Heroes , (17 year old kids from Reading, PA, who have opened for Foghat) and The Cherry Bluestorms (featuring guitarist Glenn Laughlin, also of The Dickies). Also playing at this years festival are national bands Blue Skies For Black Hearts , (Portland, OR) Jeremy , (Kalamazoo, MI) The Pranks , (St. Louis, MO) The Romeros , (Chicago, IL) and Topheavy (Boston, MA). International participants include Maybe Tonight , (Madrid, Spain) Strawberry Mud Pie , (Japan) and We Should Be Dead (Limerick, Ireland).

The IPO festival in Los Angeles consists of multiple shows throughout its sixteen day run. Admission for all shows ranges from $8-$10. See below for a full list of dates and show times.

Now in its 11th year, International Pop Overthrow (www.internationalpopoverthrow.com) lived up to its ambitious moniker from the get go, attracting acts from all over the world for its first few years at the hottest clubs in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. Now it's everywhere, running annually from February through November in cities across the U.S. and Canada: Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver and even (since 2003) at the famed Cavern Club in Liverpool, where the festival is prominently featured in the just released book, “The Cavern: The Most Famous Club in The World” by noted historian and BBC Merseyside host, Spencer Leigh.

Each IPO event varies in size, from smaller cities and scenes like Chapel Hill (30 bands) to the sonic melting pot of Liverpool (170 bands), but all of the IPO festivals feature some of the best pop and rock bands from around the world. Expanding on Bash's founding vision to unite a worldwide pop scene under one umbrella, the fest has quickly grown beyond its roots as a showcase for melodic pop bands and now invites artists from a wide variety of subgenres: indie pop, folk pop, garage pop, punk pop, psychedelic pop, modern rock.

Friday, July 25:

The Knitting Factory-Alterknit Lounge (All-Ages!)

7021 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA

323 463-0204

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10

www.knittingfactory.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Saturday Afternoon, July 26:

Fitzgerald's

19171 Magnolia St.
Huntington Beach, CA

714 968-4523

Start Time: 1:30

Admission: $8
www.fitzgeraldsoc.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Saturday Evening, July 26:

Fitzgerald's

19171 Magnolia St.
Huntington Beach, CA

714 968-4523

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10
www.fitzgeraldsoc.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Sunday, July 27:

Molly Malone's

575 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

323 935-1577

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10
www.mollymalonesla.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Monday, July 28:

Bordello

901 E. 1 st St.

Los Angeles, CA

213 687-3766

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $8
www.bordellobar.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Tuesday, July 29:

Molly Malone's

575 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

323 935-1577

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10
www.mollymalonesla.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Wednesday, July 30:

Molly Malone's

575 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

323 935-1577

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10
www.mollymalonesla.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Thursday, July 31:

The Knitting Factory-Alterknit Lounge (All-Ages!)

7021 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA

323 463-0204

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $8
www.knittingfactory.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Friday, August 1:

Molly Malone's

575 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

323 935-1577

Start Time: 8:00

Admission: $10
www.mollymalonesla.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Saturday Afternoon, August 2:

Fais Do Do (All-Ages!)

5257 West Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

323 954-8080

Start Time: 2:00

Admission: $8
www.faisdodo.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Saturday Evening, August 2:

Fais Do Do (18+)

5257 West Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

323 954-8080

Start Time: 8:00

Admission: $10
www.faisdodo.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Sunday, August 3:

Orange County Fair (All-Ages)

88 Fair Dr.

Costa Mesa, CA

714 708-1500

Start Time: 10:30

Fair admission: $9 (adult), $7 (senior) and $5 (youth)

www.ocfair.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Monday, August 4:

The Derby (Girls' Night Out!!!)

4500 Los Feliz Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

323 663-8979

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10
www.clubderby.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Tuesday, August 5:

Spaceland

1717 Silverlake Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

323 661-4380

Start Time: 8:30

Admission: $8
www.clubspaceland.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Wednesday, August 6:

Molly Malone's

575 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

323 935-1577

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10
www.mollymalonesla.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Thursday, August 7:

Bordello

901 E. 1 st St.

Los Angeles, CA

213 687-3766

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $8

www.bordellobar.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Friday, August 8:

Fais Do Do (18+)

5257 West Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

323 954-8080

Start Time: 8:00

Admission: $10

www.faisdodo.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Saturday Afternoon, August 9:

Fais Do Do (All-Ages!)

5257 West Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

323 954-8080

Start Time: 1:30

Admission: $8

www.faisdodo.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Saturday Evening, August 9:

Good Hurt (Girls' Night Out!!!)

12249 Venice Blvd.
West L.A., CA

310 390-1076

Start Time: 8:00

Admission: $10

www.goodhurt.net

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

 

 

 

"GIRLS' NIGHT OUT!" IPO FEM MUSIC FEST WILL RAFFLE OFF DAISY ROCK GUITAR AT THE DERBY ON AUGUST 4TH

* * *

The International Pop Overthrow's (IPO) Popular "Girls' Night Out!" Is An Evening Of Pure Female-Fronted Underground Pop Music

The International Pop Overthrow Music Festival (IPO Los Angeles 2008) lands in L.A. with a dizzying array of pop music events around the Southland. Now in its 11th year, IPO lived up to its ambitious moniker from the get go, attracting acts from all over the world for its first few years at the hottest clubs in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. Now it's everywhere, running annually from February through November in cities across the U.S. and Canada, Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver and even (since 2003) at the famed Cavern Club in Liverpool. IPO Los Angeles 2008 kicks off on July 25th with events all over Los Angeles and Orange County through August 9th. Visit www.internationalpopoverthrow.com  for the complete schedule. 

One of the most popular nights of the festival is the all female-fronted event " Girls' Night Out! " at The Derby , on Monday, August 4th . On this night females rule the famous Derby stage as the best underground artists are presented.

"Girls' Night Out!" will raffle off a Daisy Rock ( www.daisyrock.com ) girl guitar to a lucky attendee be they female or male. Daisy Rock Guitars are known around the world as the first guitar manufacturer to cater to the needs of the female musician.

"Girls' Night Out!" performers include:

Tiffany Randol -The LA-based singer-songwriter has made a habit of writing songs littered with adventurous pop hooks and drive time lyricism.  A self-produced, self-recorded album is set for a 2008 release and promises much, if her recent five track EP, Kiss Me Kiss Me, is anything to judge by, as it's a breathlessly intimate sketch on unconditional love that's drawn comparisons to June Carter, Kate Bush and the sun-drenched harmonies of Lennon and McCartney. http://www.myspace.com/tiffanyrandol

Leerone -Over the course of her inspired career, Leerone has triumphantly upended pop conventions while hewing to the great singer-songwriter traditions of her Los Angeles forebears (think Tom Waits, Joni Mitchell and Randy Newman, to name a distinguished few). Her latest CD, Imaginary Biographies, is her most vivid and wide-ranging to date, featuring compositions where British pop, classical-tinged balladry, Euro-rock influences and theater sensibilities collide with Leerone's uniquely impressionistic lyrics. http://www.myspace.com/mynameisleerone

Karen Nash -Born in Texas and raised in Southern California, Karen Nash plays alt-country roots music with the skillfully crafted turn of phrase and topical content of a great folksinger. Known for her impassioned songs of loneliness and broken love, Ms. Nash has captivated audiences all over the US, and was equally well-received in the UK where she played IPO Liverpool.  Her CDs are evocative of Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Rogers, and Emmylou Harris.  http://www.myspace.com/karennash

Hayley Taylor -Hailed by Entertainment Tonight as “a rising star of the indie music scene,” singer-songwriter-guitarist Hayley Taylor is currently one of the top artists on XMU's Radar Report and on Indie 103.1 Suicide Girls' Radio.  With an unmistakable new voice full of passionate intensity, she is already drawing in comparisons to top artists such as Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple, and Bright Eyes.  Her new album, One Foot in Front of the Other, is set for release in Fall 2008.   http://www.myspace.com/hayleytaylor

Kori Withers -Accompanying herself on piano and guitar, Kori presents a no-frills, soul-in-your-face, acoustic style reminiscent of her favorite female artists, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack and Joni Mitchell.  This April, the uniquely crafted lyrics of Kori's song “I Am A Book” won Second Place (competing against over 15,000 other entrants) in the International Songwriting Competition.  Kori is also the daughter of Bill Withers, whose huge early '70s hits “Ain't No Sunshine” and “Lean On Me”, among others, are still beloved by many. http://www.myspace.com/koriwithers

Gaby Moreno -This soulful new songwriter is a transplant from Guatemala City, Guatemala. It was there that Gaby first learned to speak English by playing and singing along with such greats as B.B. King, Robert Johnson and Nina Simone, inflences that can still be heard in her music today.  Her debut album, Still The Unknown, captures the organic feel of her favorite old records, and is sure to be a favorite for her fans, both old and new!  http://www.myspace.com/gabymoreno

Nikki O'Neill Band -“Nikki O'Neill is like listening to Chrissie Hynde singing to John Lennon in Otis Redding's kitchen.” (Will Ray of The Hellecasters, Solomon Burke, Steve Earle).  What sets her apart is her prominent lead guitar playing, soul shouter vocals, and a band sound that blends Memphis soul, Beatlesque pop and an Austin-style twang. http://www.myspace.com/nikkioneillmusic

The Anna Troy Band -Though only twenty two, guitarist Anna Troy already has a lifetime of experience when it comes to music. A respected guitar instructor, multiple San Diego Music Award Nominee and former Elektra Records recording artist, Troy has seen the ups and downs the music business can offer- perhaps the perfect introduction to the blues.  Jumping between solo acoustic tracks and full band workouts, the range on her Ain't No Man CD is impressive, but most impressive of all are her scorching vocals and live performance!  http://www.myspace.com/annatroy

Monday, August 4
The Derby (Girls' Night Out!!!)
4500 Los Feliz Blvd.
Los Angeles
323 663-8979
$10 - Doors 6:45PM


7:30 Tiffany Randol
8:00 Leerone
8:30 Karen Nash
9:00 Hayley Taylor
9:30 Kori Withers
10:00 Gaby Moreno
10:30 Nikki O'Neill Band
11:00 The Anna Troy Band

About Daisy Rock
Daisy Rock ( www.daisyrock.com ) is the world's first and only company successfully supplying and marketing pro-quality guitars for females. The company is led by both President/Founder Tish Ciravolo and co-owner/publisher Ron Manus of Alfred Publishing. Daisy Rock's ongoing mission is to provide females of all ages with whatever it takes to learn to play guitar and enjoy music. Daisy Rock has established and continues to strengthen its reputation as " THE female guitar company."

 

 

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW

IPO, THE WORLD'S ULTIMATE POP/ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL, WILL BE OVERTHROWING LOS ANGELES FROM  JULY 25TH  - AUGUST 9TH AT THE DERBY, SPACELAND, MOLLY MALONES, THE KNITTING FACTORY, FAIS DO DO, FITZGERALD'S, BORDELLO, GOOD HURT AND THE ORANGE COUNTY FAIR

International Pop Overthrow  exercises their desire to get dibs on the next superstar band emerging from the pop/rock underground as it makes a stop in  Los Angeles  from July 25th through August 9th. IPO will be overthrowing Los Angeles' pop scene at famous venuse including, The Derby ,  Spaceland , Molly Malones , The Knitting Factory, Fais Do Do , Fitzgerald's , Bordello , Good Hurt and The Orange County Fair.

Over 140 bands will be performing over the course of sixteen days and nights. Bands performing include Los Angeles based, Blackout 101 , The Piper Downs , Sextus , (featuring Eric Dover, formerly of Jellyfish and Imperial Drag) Teenage Frames , Carnie Wilson & Rob Bonfiglio , Comic Book Heroes , (17 year old kids from Reading, PA, who have opened for Foghat) and The Cherry Bluestorms (featuring guitarist Glenn Laughlin, also of The Dickies). Also playing at this years festival are national bands Blue Skies For Black Hearts , (Portland, OR) Jeremy , (Kalamazoo, MI) The Pranks , (St. Louis, MO) The Romeros , (Chicago, IL) and Topheavy (Boston, MA). International participants include Maybe Tonight , (Madrid, Spain) Strawberry Mud Pie , (Japan) and We Should Be Dead (Limerick, Ireland).

The IPO festival in Los Angeles consists of multiple shows throughout its sixteen day run. Admission for all shows ranges from $8-$10. See below for a full list of dates and show times.

Now in its 11th year, International Pop Overthrow ( www.internationalpopoverthrow.com ) lived up to its ambitious moniker from the get go, attracting acts from all over the world for its first few years at the hottest clubs in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. Now it's everywhere, running annually from February through November in cities across the U.S. and Canada: Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver and even (since 2003) at the famed Cavern Club in Liverpool, where the festival is prominently featured in the just released book, “The Cavern: The Most Famous Club in The World” by noted historian and BBC Merseyside host, Spencer Leigh.

Each IPO event varies in size, from smaller cities and scenes like Chapel Hill (30 bands) to the sonic melting pot of Liverpool (170 bands), but all of the IPO festivals feature some of the best pop and rock bands from around the world. Expanding on Bash's founding vision to unite a worldwide pop scene under one umbrella, the fest has quickly grown beyond its roots as a showcase for melodic pop bands and now invites artists from a wide variety of subgenres: indie pop, folk pop, garage pop, punk pop, psychedelic pop, modern rock.

Friday, July 25:

The Knitting Factory-Alterknit Lounge (All-Ages!)

7021 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA

323 463-0204

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10

www.knittingfactory.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Saturday Afternoon, July 26:

Fitzgerald's

19171 Magnolia St.
Huntington Beach, CA

714 968-4523

Start Time: 1:30

Admission: $8
www.fitzgeraldsoc.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Saturday Evening, July 26:

Fitzgerald's

19171 Magnolia St.
Huntington Beach, CA

714 968-4523

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10
www.fitzgeraldsoc.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Sunday, July 27:

Molly Malone's

575 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

323 935-1577

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10
www.mollymalonesla.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Monday, July 28:

Bordello

901 E. 1 st St.

Los Angeles, CA

213 687-3766

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $8
www.bordellobar.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Tuesday, July 29:

Molly Malone's

575 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

323 935-1577

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10
www.mollymalonesla.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Wednesday, July 30:

Molly Malone's

575 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

323 935-1577

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10
www.mollymalonesla.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Thursday, July 31:

The Knitting Factory-Alterknit Lounge (All-Ages!)

7021 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA

323 463-0204

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $8
www.knittingfactory.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Friday, August 1:

Molly Malone's

575 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

323 935-1577

Start Time: 8:00

Admission: $10
www.mollymalonesla.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Saturday Afternoon, August 2:

Fais Do Do (All-Ages!)

5257 West Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

323 954-8080

Start Time: 2:00

Admission: $8
www.faisdodo.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Saturday Evening, August 2:

Fais Do Do (18+)

5257 West Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

323 954-8080

Start Time: 8:00

Admission: $10
www.faisdodo.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Sunday, August 3:

Orange County Fair (All-Ages)

88 Fair Dr.

Costa Mesa, CA

714 708-1500

Start Time: 10:30

Fair admission: $9 (adult), $7 (senior) and $5 (youth)

www.ocfair.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Monday, August 4:

The Derby (Girls' Night Out!!!)

4500 Los Feliz Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

323 663-8979

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10
www.clubderby.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Tuesday, August 5:

Spaceland

1717 Silverlake Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

323 661-4380

Start Time: 8:30

Admission: $8
www.clubspaceland.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Wednesday, August 6:

Molly Malone's

575 S. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA

323 935-1577

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $10
www.mollymalonesla.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Thursday, August 7:

Bordello

901 E. 1 st St.

Los Angeles, CA

213 687-3766

Start Time: 7:30

Admission: $8

www.bordellobar.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Friday, August 8:

Fais Do Do (18+)

5257 West Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

323 954-8080

Start Time: 8:00

Admission: $10

www.faisdodo.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Saturday Afternoon, August 9:

Fais Do Do (All-Ages!)

5257 West Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

323 954-8080

Start Time: 1:30

Admission: $8

www.faisdodo.com

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

Saturday Evening, August 9:

Good Hurt (Girls' Night Out!!!)

12249 Venice Blvd.
West L.A., CA

310 390-1076

Start Time: 8:00

Admission: $10

www.goodhurt.net

www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/schedule-Los-Angeles-2008.htm

INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW

DUBBED BY ONE CRITIC AS “SPEED DATING FOR THE ROCK & ROLL SET,” THE WORLD'S ULTIMATE POP/ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL FEATURES HUNDREDS OF HOT UNDERGROUND BANDS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD JAMMING FEBRUARY THROUGH NOVEMBER FROM L.A. TO CHICAGO, SAN
FRANCISCO TO VANCOUVER AND (SINCE 2003) LIVERPOOL'S FAMED CAVERN CLUB

* * *

Now In Its 11th Year, IPO—Launched As Southern California-BasedEvent in 1998—Expands Its Reach Across North America
To Atlanta , Chapel Hill, Detroit , Milwaukee and Portland ;
Promoter David Bash Is Setting His Sights Next On Stockholm ,
Madrid , Tokyo and Sydney

Keyed up by their desire to get dibs on the next superstar band emerging from the pop/rock underground, passionate fans of everything hip, cool and melodic all over North America and across The Pond have been going crazy (and joyfully so!) these past few years trying to keep pace with the dizzying expansion of International Pop Overthrow.

Now in its 11th year, IPO (www.internationalpopoverthrow.com) lived up to its ambitious moniker from the get go, attracting acts from all over the world for its first few years at the hottest clubs in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. Now it's everywhere, running annually from February through November in cities across the U.S. and Canada : Chicago , New York , Boston , San Francisco , Toronto , Vancouver and even (since 2003) at the famed Cavern Club in Liverpool .

Fans that can't make the gigs at the historic venue where The Beatles first met Brian Epstein and ultimately played 292 shows will have other options closer to home thanks to all the new cities on IPO's burgeoning agenda in 2008. In February, the event took over Atlanta (February 13-16) and Chapel Hill , North Carolina (21-24). Its first stops in Detroit (April 9-12) and Milwaukee (May 1-4) sandwich a marathon run in Chicago April 15-27. Before overthrowing the pop scene in Portland , Oregon for the first time from August 20-23, IPO will hit Liverpool (May 20-26), return to its roots in L.A. (July 25-August 9) and head up to San Francisco (August 12-16).

IPO is also scheduled for Vancouver August 26-30, with dates to be announced for November shows in Boston , New York and Toronto . Festival creator and promoter David Bash now has his eyes set on expanding the event's global reach and in coming years hopes to “set up shop” in cities like Stockholm, Madrid, Tokyo and Sydney.

Each IPO event varies in size, from smaller cities and scenes like Chapel Hill (30 bands) to the sonic melting pot of Los Angeles (170 bands), but all of the IPO festivals feature some of the best pop and rock bands from around the world. Expanding on Bash's founding vision to unite a worldwide pop scene under one umbrella, the fest has quickly grown beyond its roots as a showcase for melodic pop bands and now invites artists from a wide variety of subgenres: indie pop, folk pop, garage pop, punk pop, psychedelic pop, modern rock. The thousands of fans who attend every year treat themselves to a complete rainbow of pop sounds, and on occasion, have witnessed the early development of future

superstar bands. A few years after a three-year run at IPO (1998-2000), the popular SoCal group known as Kara's Flowers evolved into superstar, multiple Grammy winning band Maroon 5.  Not long after L.A. buzz band The 88 had played their third IPO, they got signed by Island Records, and the swarm of industry folks who descended upon the venue Southpaw at the second IPO in New York in 2002 to see the Nashville-based band The Features proved fruitful for them as they were soon inked to Universal.

Despite the exciting diversity, each participating band shares a common foundation of great melodies, what Bash calls “pop music with hooks and harmony driven music that harkens back to the spirit of the 60's and 70's.

“These are not retro bands,” he adds, “but bands and artists who evoke that spirit, the kinds of hooks and choruses we heard in that era. It's very contemporary, guitar driven music. Our goal is to offer showcases for these bands, to get this kind of music in the hearts and minds of not only mainstream listeners but record company executives as well. These kinds of acts need to be signed and fans should be buying records by artists like these. The industry likes trends, but there's nothing more enduring than a great pop hook.”

In addition to its growing success as a unique diamond in a sea of rough-edged rock festivals, IPO has received glowing critical acclaim over the years. Kevin Bronson of the L.A. Times calls it “a musical whirlwind.” Amplifier Magazine has raved, “Each day was filled with surprises and pure excitement.” Mary Huhn of the New York Post perfectly defines the love affair pop and melodic rock fans are having with IPO when she adds, “The IPO is like speed dating for the rock and roll set!”

Bash launched IPO in response to a question the lifelong pop music lover has asked himself since childhood: “What can I give back to the musicians who bestow their gifts upon us?” In the mid-90s, he began writing for pop music fanzines like Yellow Pills, Audities and Amplifier.  Bash then developed working relationships with several of the bands whose CDs he'd been reviewing, many of whom told him of their desire to play in Los Angeles , but the frustration they'd had in trying unsuccessfully to make that happen.  In order to answer these thinly veiled pleas, he started IPO in 1998.

“I created IPO as a festival which would emphasize an international flavor, hoping to include bands from L.A. but also from all over the country and world,” he says. “I've always believed that there are people in the mainstream who would love this kind of music, but might not be aware of just how many incredible artists there are out there playing it. A lot of our audience is made up of pop underground fans that love this kind of music but aren't attracted to the stuff they hear on contemporary radio. The name of the festival came from not only this concept, but it was also the name of the debut album by the early 90's major label power pop band Material Issue, whose leader Jim Ellison committed suicide. The name is a tribute to him. ”

The explosion of artist friendly promotional sites like myspace and Sonicbids over the past few years has increased Bash's ability to find IPO-type artists from around the globe with a few clicks of a button. He's partnered with www.sonicbids.com, which has an IPO page where bands can submit their materials for consideration in different cities. They can send links to their Sonicbids pages, which are essentially electronic press kits complete with song samples. Bash has always had a huge communication network that has helped him stay current on great developing bands in the U.S. , and myspace has enhanced his ability to discover even more of those, as well as several international acts.

“One of the keys to IPO's success,” he says, “is our concept of having likeminded bands performing on the same slate. A lot of acts, hoping just to get out there, book clubs more randomly and hook up with festivals where the crowds may not be into their specific vibe. It's almost like a crapshoot. At IPO, they know they're among fans and artists who share a love of great songs and pop oriented music. We've really developed into an incredible, artist and fan friendly pop music network and international community. No matter which city we're in, it's such a great, friendly environment for people to share their love for pop music--sort of like Woodstock without the violence and drugs.”

 

 

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