The International Tastemaker Fest Thesis 2024

IQCF nonprofit corporation Founder and Treasurer

https://www.haileywhitters.com
https://www.dollyparton.com
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/hailey-whitters-everything-she-aint-jimmy-kimmel-live-1234668835/
https://www.internationalqcf.org

Live Music Element

Grayson Jenkins

Mom Rock

the Rust Belt https://www.therustbeltqc.com

Codfish Hollow https://www.codfishhollowbarnstormers.com

Kadrea

https://www.soundcloud.com/kory-gutierrez https://www.rozztox.com

the Speakeasy https://www.circa21.com

Vibrant Arena https://www.vibrantarena.com

Barcelona, Spain

Greentea Peng

TRAVIS

Dublin, Ireland

Marta Del Grandi

Hamburg, Germany

Knust https://www.knusthamburg.de

Logo https://www.logohamburg.de

Mojo https://www.mojohamburg.de

London, England

Roundhouse https://www.roundhouse.org.uk

Reykjavik, Iceland

Dillon https://www.dillon.is

Glasgow, Scotland

the Garage https://www.garageglasgow.co.uk

Brussels, Belgium

Botanique https://www.botanique.be

Squirrel Flower & Hurray for the Riff Raff @ the IQCF 2024

Squirrel Flower¹ is the stage name of Ella O’Connor Williams and she develops her sound with brilliant songwriting and lyrics. Hailing from Grinnell, Iowa she is well versed in Midwest etiquette. The crowd at the Raccoon Motel was alert and her set was wonderful, specifically a solo performance describing the house where she grew up. “Williams is 27, and started recording music when she was 18…Williams’ new record Tomorrows Fire…is a searing record and Williams channels listlessness and desperation into sweltering explosive rock songs.² Hurray for the Riff Raff was the headliner and the audience was mesmerized. Every song was professionally written and performed flawlessly. Alynda Segarra is from the Bronx, New York and formed the band in 2007. “Hurray for the Riff Raff stakes claims to American myths while inherently critiquing them. Segarras first great song was 2008s, “Daniella” “a feminist anthem about protecting your friend from an abuser.”³. Hurray for the Riff Raff⁴ is a band worth admiration from every music genre and the IQCF encourages you give Alynda a listen.

Mike Clark and the Sugar Sounds & the Righteous Babes @ the IQCF 2024

Mike Clark and the Sugar Sounds³ was one of the headliners at the 2023 Alternating Currents⁴ festival. The Raccoon Motel was full and Mike Clark and the Sugar Sounds entertained the audience with aplomb. “Mike didn’t start playing music until he was 27, and it appears to have been a fairly intense slavic experience for him….”⁵. The crowd certainly liked the performance. The sound might not be mainstream top 40, however, you can hear influences that come from chart toppers. “The Righteous Babes are a supergroup of powerhouse female artists, banded together under Ani DiFranco’s legacy label, Righteous Babe Records.”⁶. Gracie and Rachel, Holly Miranda, Jocelyn Mackenzie were jovial and lively on stage and always smiling. You could see and hear the skill of the musicians and the cover of Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Maps” was a highlight of the set. The Righteous Babes carved a niche in modern music that can’t be denied.

Todd Day Wait @ the IQCF 2024

Todd Day Wait⁷is a Nashville musical artist with a peculiar country western style and deep baritone voice. The songs are all well written and his band provided superb support. “Todd is a Missouri native with an easy-going, good humored nature that will have you singing along faster than you know the words. “⁸

The Orwells & Just a Mess @ the IQCF 2024

Just a Mess⁹ is a rock band from Chicago with tight songs that are alternative chart friendly. Listeners can get a good idea of band from viewing the official Just a Mess documentary on their youtube channel. The band was a good opener that helped the Orwells¹⁰ continue their comeback following controversial allegations from female fans that derailed their career back in 2018. The crowd was certainly almost all 20-30 year old males that most likely started following the band in their youth. Musically speaking the band is tight and the songs, like Just a Mess, are alternative chart worthy.

Warmtapes & Sarah Walk @ the IQCF 2024

Warmtapes¹¹ is the music project of David Upp. He is a singer songwriter with strong acoustic guitar skills that at times become percussive. “Warmtapes is my project for the past two years but I’ve played music since I was a teen.”¹² Sarah Walk¹³ is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music. Her songwriting skills are professional. “I grew up listening to a lot of different music and I just try to incorporate the things that I love from music into mine in an honest way.”¹⁴ Each artist possesses unique perspectives that come alive on stage.

Mountain Swallower & Nova Sunshine @ the IQCF 2024

Mountain Swallower¹⁵ is a local Quad Cities band with a large following. The sound is alternative rock with hints of psych. The sound isn’t necessarily mainstream alternative charts, however, the instrumentation is marvelous. Each band member commands their instrument and they can really entertain a crowd. You might see Mountain Swallower as a festival band ala Chillicothe. Whatever the genre, Mountain Swallower are largely entertaining. Nova Sunshine¹⁶ is a psych rock band from Peoria, Illinois. The lush guitar arrangements are classic psych rock. The crowd at the Raccoon Motel was entranced and the light show provided an experience that fans of psych rock like. The scene is underground, however, the venue was very full.

Mike Viola & Dusk @ the IQCF 2024

Mike Viola¹⁷ is an alternative pop rock singer songwriter. His music industry experience is legendary. He is the voice of the theme song from the Tom Hanks movie “That Thing You Do.” “With eight full-length albums over the past two decades, Viola re-established his music on his own terms. Paul McCarthy, his latest endeavor, is a sort of personal renaissance.”¹⁸ His set at the Raccoon Motel was chock full of his best material. His backing band are all the best music industry professionals. You could hear the enthusiasm from the audience and Mike Viola and band delivered a marvelous set. Dusk¹⁹ is a rock n’ roll band from Appleton, Wisconsin. The band consists of six members and you can hear the large sound of six instruments. “Dusk offers just a really straight-up rock ‘n’ roll — or maybe pop in an older sense — sensibilities, where it’s just trying to write really good songs,” said Julia Blair, who sings and plays keys. “It’s really fun to write country rock ‘n’ roll songs because it’s a really satisfying genre, especially with the arrangements we have with the keys and the pedal steel.”²⁰ The crowd at the Raccoon Motel was receptive of the bands rollicking set.

Ariel McReynolds & Erin Rae @ the IQCF 2024

Ariel McReynolds²¹ is a Quad Cities native residing in Nashville with exceptional singer songwriter skills. Her set at the Raccoon Motel was full of local supporters. The country songs are mainstream top 40 and her set was cool. Her backing band helped give her sound a huge lift and you could hear the potential of her becoming a country music radio star. “They play a mix of Pop and Country covers along with Ariel McReynolds originals. Ariel McReynolds Band adds a unique flare to your favorite songs from artists like Paramore and Miley Cyrus to The Killers.”²² Erin Rae²³ is a folk singer songwriter with a sweet whispy singing style. Her set at the Raccoon Motel was wonderful and her backing band was tight. “…Rae has written countless songs, and they’ve taken her to many more stages, from Newport Folk Festival to Red Rocks and the Ryman Auditorium.”²⁴ You can’t readily identify her influences, however, her sound is imminently familiar. Erin Rae is a folk star and her career will stand the test of time.

The McCharmlys & Surf Zombies @ the IQCF 2024

The McCharmlys²⁵ is an awesome surf pop band from California. The sound isn’t traditional surf ala Dick Dale, rather a hybrid sound that is at once modern yet throwback rock n’ roll and doo wop. “…The McCharmlys make music charming and nostalgic…oldies and everything 60s is…evident in their album art and sonic palette finding themselves on that bridge in music between doo-wop and right before the British invasion revamped popular music.”²⁶ Lead singer Angie Monroy is a powerful band leader and stage presence. The band is well rehearsed and completely entertaining. Surf Zombies²⁷ is very much traditional instrumental surf music that delves into bubble gum punk and garage rock. The Iowa based four piece from Fort Dodge “…were recognized by the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a Spirit Award in 2017.”²⁸ The pairing of Surf Zombies with the McCharmlys was a brilliantly planned bill.

TsuShimaMire & Kate Clover @ the IQCF 2024

TsuShimaMire²⁹ is an all female art punk rock band mixed with eclectic rhythms that veer in several directions of noise rock. “Their blasts of guitar distortion sync up with the bass and drums like a sledgehammer. Beyond that, there are myriad subtle touches that distinguish them from other screaming punk purists.”³⁰ The crowd at the Raccoon Motel was enthralled cheering with enthusiasm. Truly unique, well rehearsed and reflects their long career spanning back to 1999. TsuShimaMire is a band you must give a listen. Kate Clover³¹ is a rock n’ roll bandleader like Debbie Harry with a guitar. The sound is huge with lyrics that express her world view. “Growing up within the fringe cultures of skating and surfing, Clover has always been attracted to the otherness of west coast counter-culture– the gritty innocence of the saintly barbarians and dissatisfied kids around her.”³² Her new album “The Apocalypse Dream” features one of her best songs “Here Comes the Love Bomb” that is an example of the Kate Clover “sound.” The IQCF encourages giving Kate Clover a listen. TsuShiMaMire and Kate clover are bands that command the stage and each with large fan support.

Mom Rock & Waltzer @ the IQCF 2024

Mom Rock is a rock n’ roll band from Nashville, TN with a singular panache and stage presence. The band members are alumni of the prestigious Berklee School of Music and you can see the skill of the musicians and songwriters at the live concerts. “…The group…uploaded songs on streaming services…they recorded with help from…other Berklee students.”³³ Mom Rock is a cool band with a large following of genuine fans. “…The musicians bonded over a shared obsession with The Cars and Weezer and quietly buzzed in the local scene. The group performed at the kind of house parties you’d see in turn-of-the-century R-rated comedies….”³⁴ Waltzer is a cool band from Chicago, IL. The lead singer Sophie Sputnik is a marvelous singer songwriter with brilliant guitar skills. “…Sputnik…emerged with Waltzer’s debut album, Time Traveler, that…bundles together 50s doo-wop melodies, weathered blues riffs, and surging rock climaxes….”³⁵ The bands are huge on talent and never lack the enthusiasm that is the sign of all the best rock n’ roll bands. You will most likely see these bands on tour entertaining their large fan bases.

Pony Bradshaw & Grayson Jenkins @ the IQCF 2024