Category: International Pop Overthrow

Power Popaholic Interview: David Bash

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David Bash (2025)

🎙️ It has been a few years since we last spoke with David Bash, CEO of the International Pop Overthrow Music Festival. In this interview, David looks back on decades of building one of the longest-running indie music festivals anywhere. He also shares where power pop stands heading into 2026 and what artists need to know right now.

You will also hear practical advice for musicians who want to play International Pop Overthrow, from standing out in submissions to understanding what the festival values most. This conversation delivers clear insight from someone who has seen it all.

International Pop Overthrow Vol.26 and more comps for a cause

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International Pop Overthrow: Volume 26

Various Artists “International Pop Overthrow: Volume 26”

Every December, readers tell me the same thing. You enjoy discovering new power pop bands here, yet the volume feels overwhelming. These compilations solve that problem. David Bash’s IPO festival releases an annual soundtrack on CD, and it works as a smart filter. You get a mix of familiar artists and new names without digging through hundreds of releases. The strongest moments come from bands I had never heard before. Those surprises make each disc feel like finding an overlooked record while digging through the bins at a local shop. Here are some highlights:

Disc one sets the tone fast. Forte Sterra’s “Jennifer Says” opens with clean, direct power pop. Thom Hell follows with “All Good Things,” leaning into an Andrew Gold style hook. The Flower Machine adds “Wensleydale Road,” full of clear Beatles influence. Micah Gilbert’s “Fly Away” channels Harry Nilsson in both melody and feel. Andras Jones wraps the disc with “Hating the Haters,” sharp and direct.

Disc two keeps the quality high. Miniscule 605 delivers a catchy beat on “I Cried All Night.” Joe Dilillo’s “When It Comes To Us” stands out through strong songwriting and structure. “On The Radio” brings together Danny Wilkerson, Lannie Flowers, and Nick Frater, blending Texas roots with British pop sensibility. A rare track you will not find anywhere else.

Disc three leans into variety. The Lemon Clocks’ “Seventh Wave” pulls from 1960s psychedelic pop. The Samurai Seven add energy with “Duck and Cover.” And Geez Louise with “Mexico,” adds a smooth bossa nova flavored beat. Overall, highly recommended (as usual).

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“Pop

Various Artists “Pop Aid: Volume 2 and 3”

Songs for a cause also deserve attention, and Pop Aid delivers. Any serious compilation discussion includes Kool Kat Musik. They stand as one of the strongest distributors of power pop and indie rock, and they back it up with action. Alongside quality music, they release compilations tied to real support efforts. The first volume focused on the Ukraine war. These volumes shift the focus to people affected by hurricanes and wildfires. You get strong songs while knowing the project supports people who need help. That combination gives these compilations extra weight and purpose.


IPO returns to NYC

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It’s been a long time, but it was great to get out and see live music again. The International Pop Overthrow festival returned to New York City this past weekend at Arlene’s Grocery. A lot of familiar faces were there over the weekend; Slybooks, The John Sally Ride, Wendy Ip, Bubble, Eytan Mirsky, Meyerman, The Anderson Council, and The Grip Weeds. The crowd was really into it this year, and as always David Bash was an excellent master of ceremonies. David continues to globe-trot with his festival, heading to Boston next week. If he comes to your town don’t miss it!

International Power Pop: The Innocents and Tommy Lorente

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The Innocents

The Innocents “Teardrop Kiss”

The Australian band the Innocents started out in Tasmania circa 1975. Originally called Beathoven, they achieved some fame and were considered the Aussie version of The Raspberries until they split up in 1981.  But now they are reunited and with producer Michael Carpenter onboard.  Teardrop Kiss proves that you can always come back home.

The original members & high school friends Charles Touber, Greg Cracknell and David Minchin form the core of the band, and because they have not broken through to US audiences, they remain a well-kept secret to many power pop aficionados. That might change, as the opener “Every Moment Matters” is a classic gem with jangling guitars and hooks similar to The Shoes recent comeback.  The styles shift slightly as “Strangers In The Park” has a rousing middle eight and “Teardrop Kiss” is led by a wicked bassline. The gorgeous ELO-like harmonies are a highlight on “You’re Not The Man” and “Change Of Scenery” boasts a very Jellyfish-like composition. The band seems to defy age until the weary final track “The Mouse That Roared.” This is a great album, highly recommended and worth seeking out!

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Tommy Lorente

Tommy Lorente “Tommy Lorente & La Cavalerie”

There are few pure power pop artists from France, but Tommy is so busy we may not need more. Lorente knows how to rock, and shows it with each riff filled song with his band The Cavalry (La Cavalerie.) Unlike his recent solo work, this is all in the French language.  I’ve compared him to Kurt Baker, as they both take from the same rock influences. Even “J’ai Connu Mieux” starts with a “Johnny B. Good” riff, and “Ne Paire Pas de Nous” sounds like a French version of the Ramones.

But the limitations to this approach are clear, as lyrics become more important if the melodies aren’t that distinguishable. And if you don’t understand French, it just feels less compelling. I found a few standout tracks (in particular at the albums second half) like “Conquistador,” “Katrine” and the fuzzy filled guitar solo on “L’Opportuniste.” This is a great LP for Tommy fans and Francophiles, others may find that Stupefaction is more to their liking.

International Pop Overthrow Vol.21

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Various Artists “International Pop Overthrow Vol. 21”

I’ve been reviewing IPO compilations since Volume Ten, and its tough to come up with any new superlatives for International Pop Overthrow CEO David Bash and what he means to the power pop genre. It’s also notable that in an age of disposable digital downloads, he stubbornly creates a great tangible CD product that is well designed, researched and curated. This year the geniuses at Omnivore Records will be distributing it, so don’t miss out! As is customary, we get lots of new talent alongside old favorites as they stretch the boundaries of what power pop is (or is not). Here are some of my favorite tracks on each disk:

Disc One
Some good introduction tunes start the set, like Kai Danzberg’s “Welcome To The Show” and the syrupy sweet “Together Forever” by Justin Levinson. The deep chords of the slide guitar open Danny Wilkerson’s “You Still Owe Me A Kiss,” and some new artists I liked here include “Read 1 For You” by Searching For Sylvia and “CC It’s Not Me” by The Paper Jets.

Disc Two
A great opener by The Caper Clowns “Pretty & Underwear” is followed later by French power popper Tommy Lorente’s gem “Arthur.” One of the most impressive tunes on this whole set “Come With Me Now” is from David Minchin of The Innocent, as he channels The Raspberries perfectly. You do get some modern influences like The Fulco’s “Tell Me” with a small rap verse and the girl-group pop with Irene Pena’s “Pieces Of You.” Other new bands I enjoyed include Razz Band “Time Marches On” and Hux & The Hitman “How Can They Do That.”

Disc Three
The baroque ’60s of Green Seagull’s “(I Used To Dream) in Black and White” start off the most retro-sounding disc in the set. I really enjoyed The Tearaways innocent mid-tempo love song “I Could Love You Forever” and Emperor Penguins “Jensen Interceptor” reminded me of Love & Rockets. The reliable Plasticsoul’s “Monkey On A Stick” and David Dattner’s “Pinned” shred the chords very well.

With so much good music here it’s easy to find your new favorite band, even though I’ve reviewed many of the artists here. Highly Recommended (as always).

Get it at Omnivore Records