The Cleveland-area band iPhonic will be bringing a fresh sound and good vibes to Timothy’s Bar Saturday, Sept. 29, at 10 p.m. Opening for iPhonic will be UD’s own hip-hop artist, Dave Zupkovich, a junior communication major and vice president of Street Sounds.
“The first time I saw iPhonic was in January 2009,” said Zupkovich. “They were opening for Kid Cudi at the [Agora Theatre in Cleveland] and it was awesome. Ever since then, they’ve been making noise in Cleveland.”
According to iPhonic’s website, the group makes “explosive pop-rock and hip hop” music, and “deliver a unique blend of sing-along pop songs and aggressive club hits.”
Zupkovich said that he was contacted by Blue Monster Entertainment, an Dayton-based entertainment company that is “all about the music” and was founded by UD graduate Nathan Pyle.
“I’ve worked with a lot of people in promotional companies, and a lot of them are about money,” he said. “I’m not about that, and neither is Blue Monster. They’re like, ‘What’s the best show we can put on that these kids are going to love? They’re all about music, and just fun, and for them to bring iPhonic to UD is great.”
He said when he was asked to be a part of Blue Monster’s fall show, he was consulted about who should be contacted as the headliner. Zupkovich said that someone from Ohio should be brought in, and iPhonic was an obvious choice.
“I feel that UD is their natural place to play,” said Zupkovich. “It’s a fresh sound that’s not just hip-hop or rock, it’s both. They’re down to party. The whole vibe of the Ghetto, they just get it. They’re perfect for it.”
Another Ohio hip-hop artist, Cali Kid Dubz, will be opening as well. He was runner-up for Best New Artist in the 2011 Ohio Hip Hop Awards and received a nomination for Power 107.5 WCKX-FM Columbus’ Best Artist of 2011, according to his website.
“His show is dope,” said Zupkovich. “The entire show is going to be a ton of good vibes.” He said he will be performing material from his new album, “The Olympic Club.”
“If you want to just get off campus, do something a little bit different, you should show up because literally you’re not going to have a full band at Tim’s for probably a long time. IPhonic is going to bring noise,” said Zupkovich.
He said that he realizes the artists from UD are getting bigger, but the school has something special.
“There are a lot of really cool, talented people here,” he said.
“I always like seeing new artists start to get more recognition for the work that no one really sees,” said Patrick Gill, a sophomore finance and marketing major. “I’m excited for them to come to Dayton.”
Tickets can be purchased for $7 at iphonicdayton.eventbrite.com or for $10 at the door. For more information, visit bluemonsterentertainment.com.
