Archie Powell & The Exports

Midwestern good-time rockers Archie Powell & the Exports join the likes of <a href="spotify:artist:0QldGXwclr0chJkP91RRWX">A.C. Newman</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:6dzueKMr7xesqFAZesqeSf">Ted Leo</a> in carrying the power pop torch into the aughts. Singer/guitarist Archie Powell, son of a <a href="spotify:artist:6TD08jYeuN128P2MZTbc8E">Chicago Symphony Orchestra</a> violinist, took up guitar by age 11 and began writing songs four years later, but it wasn't until he graduated college that he formed AP&E proper. Keeping it simple, the band name was inspired by the Export brothers who rounded out the lineup: bassist/singer Adam; keyboardist Ryan; and drummer RJ. Their first recording, the Loose Change EP, arrived digitally and for free in 2009, expanding their audience to a national level, followed a year later by the heartstring-plucking debut full-length Skip Work. The following fall they returned to the studio, this time with Justin Perkins (<a href="spotify:artist:1hOLd4ZgoKfd4EYmFK350J">Yesterday's Kids</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:671sBQXQM2vHSu0AGvpfDs">Screeching Weasel</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:5cPOt9MVRl0xCS1ZWeKvuO">the Obsoletes</a>), to record sophomore record Great Ideas in Action, which is scheduled for release in May 2012. ~ Chrysta Cherrie, Rovi