International Pop Overthrow - Chicago started last Friday night with a packed house at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side. CFO/Founder David Bash, who introduces each each act, looked thrilled. The festival continues there through April 29, with more 60 acts scheduled to perform. Here’s a look at the Tuesday night showcase, which means this is a proper preview, and not one posted mere hours before it starts. All of the Tuesday night acts are from Chicago.
Singer-guitarist Christopher Elam kicks off the showcase at 7:30. His 2018 album Notes From The Borderline leaned toward easy-going, melodic tunes such as “Madeline” and “Hello Reality,” and in 2020, Elam channeled Jeff Beck on the rousing instrumental “Cliffs Of Dover.” French Casino recently noted on Facebook that their IPO gig will be their first performance as a trio. Their 2017 EP Tricky Tiger finds them working in low-key indie rock mode on tracks such as “Physics” and “Tiger Park.” Matt Derda And The High Watts (pictured above) are a folk rock band that draws inspiration from Johnny Cash and The Replacements. The combination makes sense on the rollicking songs “Betsy Layne” and “Doing Time.”
The Artist Formally Known As Vince is actually a quintet that describes its freewheeling performances as “glam trash rock n roll.” Vocalist-guitarist TAFKAVince and vocalist Lauren Kurtz make for a flamboyant Rocky Horror Picture Show style duo, rising above the energetic arrangements. Country and Western duo The Anna Maze captures the heartache of broken relationships and lonely barflies via Anna Maze’s emotionally charged vocals. She and Jim Licka are supported by various musicians on their recordings, the latest of which is That’s What I Want ‘Em To Say.
Check the official International Pop Overthrow website for the full schedule. You’ll also find links for just about all the acts who’ll be participating in Chicago this year. Even if you can’t attend in person, it’s a great way to discover new music. A number of the acts have a Bandcamp page, so it’s possible to have a few favorite songs before you even see the band.
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