Here’s one final series of reflections on the year’s past from Jambands.com and Relix contributors/staffers.
SAM DAVIS
What will you remember most about 2011?
Spending my first year living in New York (or the US for that matter). Meeting and interviewing Bert Jansch.
What album or albums received the most play?
War on Drugs – Slave Ambient, Woods – Sun & Shade, Pure X – Pleasure
What was your favorite show or tour in 2011?
Pat Metheny at The Blue Note
Phish at Bethel Woods
Woods at Bowery Ballroom
Prince at MSG
What emerging band(s) should readers watch out for in 2012?
Quilt, Jeffertitti’s Nile, Minerva Lions, Superhuman Happiness.
What’s your New Year’s resolution for 2012?
To stop playing blues licks.
*****
JOHN PATRICK GATTA
What will you remember most about 2011?
Personally, don’t look back, moving forward. Professionally, I recall feeling inspired during interviews with Mike Watt and Henry Rollins, and the wonderful atmospheres created by those who attended Bonnaroo, All Good and Pearl Jam Destination Weekend.
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
Still go old school for the most part by listening to cds — Bob Mould Workbook Deerhunter Halycon Digest Grateful Dead Europe ’72 Volume 2 The Jam Greatest Hits Swervedriver Mezcal Head
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Low Anthem. Black Dub. Joseph Arthur (live he blew my mind!)
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
Pearl Jam Destination Weekend due to community spirit of opening acts collaborating with the headliners.
Furthur, 11/16/11 Columbus
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
Hoping for new material from Tony Furtado, Holy Fuck, Deerhunter
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
Roger Daltrey with Pete Townshend.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
Moving forward at a FASTER pace.
*****
AMY JACQUES
What will you remember most about 2011?
Hurricane Irene and the earthquake in NYC; watching Jackson Brown & Dawes and David Crosby and Graham Nash play #OWS at Zuccotti Park; experiencing the head trip of “Sleep No More” and the Alexander McQueen “Savage Beauty” exhibit; visiting Nantucket; learning to ski; touring the country for music festivals and weddings
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
White Denim – D; Wood Brothers – Smoke Ring Halo; MMJ – Circuital; Thievery Corporation – Culture of Fear; Brett Dennen – Loverboy; Radiohead – King of Limbs; Bahamas – Barchords; Blitzen Trapper – American Goldwing; Wilco – The Whole Love; Stephen Malkmus – Mirror Traffic; M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming; Foster the People – Torches; Tune Yards – whokill
What was the best musical discovery of 2011? Who should readers look out for in 2012?
Tame Impala; Bahamas; Tennis; District Attorneys; Toro Y Moi; Greensky Bluegrass; Shannon Whitworth; Alabama Shakes, Gary Clarke Jr., Head & the Heart; Dawes; Superhuman Happiness;
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
LCD Soundsystem at MSG; Tedeschi Trucks Band at Highline; Wood Brothers at City Winery; Tom Tom Club at Irving Plaza; Phish at Bethel – Night 2; Punch Brothers at Belly Up; Marco Benevento/Bruce Hornsby at Beekman Beer Garden; Steely Dan at Jazz Aspen; SCI at United Palace – Night 2; John Fogerty at The Beacon; Cut Copy/Foster the People at Prospect Park
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
Attend at least 2 music festivals I’ve never been to before; see the Rolling Stones & Radiohead live; read more books and go to more museums
*****
TOM VOLK
What will you remember most about 2011?
Hurricane Irene, my kids demanding to listen to Akron/Family’s “Silly Bears” every time we got into the car, and bookending the year with Phish shows at MSG.
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
In no certain order:
Akron/Family ST II: The Cosmic Journey and Search for Shinju TNT
Umphrey’s McGee Podcast #105 UMBowl
The War on Drugs Slave Ambient
Ducktails Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics
J. Mascis Several Shades Of Why
Panda Bear Tomboy
Phish and Medeski, Martin and Wood are always present in one form or another.
Not necessarily music related, but the Comedy Bang Bang and Doug Loves Movies podcasts get a lot of play while I ping pong around the Hamptons in my car during the day.
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
This was the year of discovering music through Twitter. I never would have listened to albums like Braids Native Speaker or Shabazz Palaces Black Up if it wasn’t for the incessant ravings they both garnered regularly in my twitter feed. Both were excellent and I’m happy that they made it onto my radar.
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
Umphrey’s McGee at the Great South Bay Music Festival. It’s an exceedingly rare treat for good music to cross the Nassau/Suffolk border going east so it was nice to see one of my favorite bands in my-sort-of backyard.
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
Illimanjaro, a three piece collective from Astoria that is sounds like what would happen if Devo and A Tribe Called Quest had a lovechild. They’ve got a new album coming out in the late spring that focuses more on their hip-hop side which brings out the best in them.
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
Marco Benevento and Joe Russo.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
To be present, which sounds kind of new-agey but is harder than it seems. I live in my head too often.
RANDY RAY
What will you remember most about 2011?
The twins started Kindergarten in August, and that was a bit of a game changer! Our oldest boy was placed in an accelerated 2nd/3rd grade, which presented new frontiers for him, as well. On a geo-political front, I’ll remember the Occupy movements as another reminder that often the city within a city, and its various occupants seeking more out of life than what is presently given, can shape and form the changes in a society. I’ll also remember that a band, noted for its breakthroughs in improvisation, can, in its own way, exist without any plans, or agenda, or ideas for growth, or a sense of reasonable forward movement, but can still produce an hour’s worth of magic in a shed.
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
John Coltrane – A Love Supreme – for pure bliss
Miles Davis – Bitches Brew – for pure genius
Widespread Panic – Light Fuse Get Away – for magnificent band conversations
Opeth – Heritage – for a completely unexpected and brilliant artistic left turn
Foo Fighters – Wasting Light – “It’s the balls, stupid.”
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Opeth’s Heritage was my favorite album of 2011, but their tour was even more of an eye opener. I caught them at the Marquee in Tempe, and the band played a truly memorable set that focused on progressive, folk, jazz, improv and subtle changes in music, rather than their patented metal riff-and-growl technique which made them famous. Clearly the best show that I saw in 2011, while proving that a band that became famous for doing one thing in an inspired and innovative way, can modify their art in a riveting and refreshing way as long as it is natural, organic, and part of their DNA. And it is.
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
Opeth by a landslide—intelligent progressive rock that transcends its limitations by including a variety of elements within sharp tunes and great musicianship.
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
I love the Barr Brothers new self-titled debut album and their quartet. I hope they allow this lineup some room to breathe on the road and in the studio. I had the chance to speak with Andres Vial, who plays everything from bass to vibes in the quartet, after a gig, and I can sense his passion for this collaboration, as well. I think the band has a unique chemistry that is worth exploring for the band and its potentially larger audience.
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
I would love to see Trey Anastasio collaborate with his fellow Phish mates in the studio on a complete group effort…and not leave the studio until that has happened.
And from my interview with John Popper in early 2011, I’d like to see this:
RR: What about the possibility of a return for the H.O.R.D.E. festival?
JP: Yeah, we’re talking about it. That would be H.O.R.D.E.’s 20th Anniversary, summer of 2012, so that would be very apropos. We’re looking at it. Everybody’s talking about Colorado, and that stuff is in the works. We’ll see if we can get everybody on board. There are a lot of entities you’ve got to juggle for that, but I think, so far, the reaction of everybody seems to be positive, so we’ll see what we can get going.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
I went ‘Back to the Basics’ with my listening last year, so I plan on going back to another approach in 2012: listening to much more new music. I also plan on writing more, while continuing to partake in some rather interesting conversations with others. And, bringing this all full circle, making sure the Rays at home always have what they need.
*****
GRACE BEEHLER
What will you remember most about 2011?
Graduating college and navigating the real world – and relocating from the suburbs to Brooklyn.
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
Local Natives Gorilla Manor
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
My roommate turned me on to Beyoncé. I have a newfound respect for her – she’s amazing on so many levels. And I finally discovered Van Morrison – it took me a while to hear something more than just “Brown Eyed Girl.”
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
So many: Bela Fleck and the Flecktones at the Town Hall in New York; the whole Umphrey’s McGee run at Brooklyn Bowl; every moment at Wanee Music and Arts Festival; Galactic at Lundi Gras in New Orleans
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
Alabama Shakes, Futurebirds
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
Warren Haynes and Brittany Howard (from Alabama Shakes); Mumford & Sons and Jerry Douglas; and Trey’s new project with the National should be awesome.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
Swim more, write more, relax more. Maybe cut back on those weekend brunches…maybe not.
*****
MATTHEW SHELTER
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
Album: Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues ; Song: “Windows Are Rolled Down” (Amos Lee)
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Fleet Foxes, The Belle Brigade
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
Dispatch, Dawes/Blitzen Trapper, The Avett Brothers
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
Alabama Shakes, Band of Bees
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
Stop exercising, eat more, drink to excess.
*****
SAMUEL MARTIN
What will you remember most about 2011?
Personally: Proposing to the girl of my dreams and high school crush while at Superball IX, as well as becoming a father to a healthy baby boy named Trey.
Musically: In-spite of living in the middle of Montana and the state of the economy being able to see my 3 favorite performers: Phish, moe. and Jackie Greene.
(Also giving away all of my Gorge, Dick’s and VT Phish Lotto Tickets – to stay home with my then very pregnant fiance’)
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
TV on The Radio: Nine Types of Light, Jackie Greene: Gone Wanderin’, ALO: Man of the World, My Morning Jacket : Circuital
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Kurt Vile – talk about a musical game-changer. This is must hear music in a year full of great releases. Also anything that Danger Mouse touches- i.e. Broken Bells, ROME, El Camino etc.
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
Jackie Greene – Big Sky, MT 9/2/2011 (Jackie Greene must have one of the brightest futures in jam/folk music today- everyone seams to want a piece of him.) or moe. – Seattle 1/21/2011 -The Showbox (IMO the last 3 years have been some of their best)
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
Dawes, The Stone Foxes, Radio Moscow, Moon Taxi
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
How about Phish and Pearl Jam collaborate. PJ20 really opened my eyes into the evolution of such an important band- well done Cameron Crowe!
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
Cut back on the bluegrass shows- this past year was saturated, so 2012 I hope to focus on quality not quantity.
Find a balance between music and family.
MIKE GREENHAUS
What will you remember most about 2011?
Musically, it was the year two very different musical subsets—modern rave culture and non-jamband psychedelic rock—returned to the mainstream without really changing their style or approach. I guess if you listen to underground music for long enough you will eventually find yourself back in the mainstream. And a bit closer to home, it was the year that core bands like moe. and the Disco Biscuits returned to making great, straight-ahead studio albums after years of concept recordings.
Personally, it was the year many of my good friends transitioned from wedding tour to baby tour
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
Real Estate- Days
I’m probably a half-tweet away from turning my handle into a full-on Woodsist/Real Estate fanzine at this point, but it has been a real treat to watch this band grow over the last 3 years. Their recipe couldn’t have hit a more perfect during my 30th birthday year: take a bit of Yacht Rock nostalgia, a few key jamband grooves and a good dose of indie songwriting, set it against Zach Braff’s Garden State coming of age experience and add a few key Seinfeld references and you’d got yourself an album full of tomorrow’s next, great yearbook quotes. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Alabama Shakes, the only non-indie buzz band to draw 400 people to the Bowery Ballroom…at 8 PM…during CMJ...on their first trip to New York…without an album…or stylist…and with a sound that mixes the best elements of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings with Drive-By Truckers. Also, shout outs to the Colorado psych-rock band Woodsmen and my perennial favorite band to name drop, The Well-Dressed Groomsmen
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
LCD Soundsystem’s Final Show, MSG, 4/2
The perfect mix of The Band’s Last Waltz concert and Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense video, this one had it all: guests (Juan MacLean, Reggie Watts, most of Arcade Fire), rarities, ticket controversy and an overall heroic vibe that managed to cut between genre divides. I’m already excited for the reunion run.
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
James Justin & Co, a great Americana band from South Carolina and War on Drugs, who manage to sound like both Woods and Tom Petty. Also, Big Gigantic, The Barr Brothers and Col. Bruce.
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
My collaborative we dream already came true, just last week: Trey Anastasio and The National. In terms of non-jamband Phish sit ins, this one has to be one of the best. Trey didn’t so much solo as he added some cool, atmospheric textures that fit in perfectly with The National’s sound. Plus, his man-hugs with the Dessners should end any and all debates about the divisions between indie rock and jambands
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
Finally trying to remember the differences between then and than and trying to keep the Jambands.com comment section free off all NBA jersey adds that Robert Randolph is not personally endorsing. I am also looking forward to regularly sorting through my awkward, lingering angsty suburban memories through continuous trips past my prep school on the way to the new and awesome Capitol Theatre.
*****
SAM ROBERTSON
What will you remember most about 2011?
The Occupy movement and worldwide protests. Though protesters’ organization and goals have been vague and questionable, it’s encouraging to see young people announce their concern for the future and attempt to change the world.
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
Dawes- Nothing Is Wrong, Marco Benevento- Between Needles & Nightfall, The Barr Brothers- The Barr Brothers, Dead Man Winter- Bright Lights, Nathan Moore- Dear Puppeteer
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Dead Man Winter, Jonathan Wilson, James McMurtry (better late than never)
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
Dawes at Webster Hall in New York. Nothing better than seeing a young band with limitless talent deliver a scorching performance in front of one of the biggest crowds they’ve ever performed for. Dawes seemed to transform from a hungry young band into a rock and roll powerhouse in front of my eyes.
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
Joe Pug, Christopher Paul Stelling, Yellowbirds, The London Souls, These United States
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
Joe Pug and Nathan Moore, Nels Cline and Marco Benevento, Steve Winwood and Warren Haynes, Ryan Bingham and Taylor Goldsmith
*****
LINDSAY HURD
What will you remember most about 2011?
Getting hired at Relix, of course!
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
Widespread Panic in general, but specifically Widespread Panic Live at Red Rocks Sunday, 6-26-11! Killer show!
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Dawes
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
Widespread Panic (can you sense a theme here?). I would say Sunday Red Rocks, but sadly, I wasn’t there. So I’ll say Panic’s summer tour closer, Las Vegas July 15th and 16th, 2011. What an awesome time!
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
Turbine! Their new album Blue Light City came out this fall and it rocks!
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
Too many to think of. This will drive me crazy. I will have to get back to you on that.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
I don’t do resolutions as I find myself constantly breaking them! I just always hope for bigger and better things!
*****
VERNON WEBB
What will you remember most about 2011?
Gratefulfest
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
7 Walkers
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Lettuce
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
GratefulFest
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
Orgone
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
7 Walkers/Soulive/Lettuce
Do you have any New Year’ resolutions?
See more festivals
*****
JEN MERGOTT
What will you remember most about 2011?
I guess musically it would be festival season. Most festivals I’ve ever gone to in one summer. In general, I guess it would be graduating college.
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
Bon Iver, Brett Dennen
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Real Estate, White Denim
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros at Electric Forest
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
Blouse, Radical Dads, Basia Bulat
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
See more unknown bands, save more $, do more yoga.
JOSH BARON
What will you remember most about 2011?
My son Blake Mo Baron being born.
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
If I had to guess, probably the newest releases from Wilco, Stephen Malkmus and Ryan Adams with plenty of spins of older Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate albums… and plenty of classical and jazz. When I’m writing or researching, I can’t listen to music with words (unless I don’t understand the words).
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Probably Real Estate. While it’s hip “indie rock,” it sounds all warm and yellow like it came out of a 1970s stereo in car parked by the beach.
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
If I was forced to choose one, probably Prince. I’d never seen the little man in purple. I’m here to tell you: go see him. He delivers.
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
First Aid Kit- two very talented Swedish girls. Howlin Rain- ’70s-style Allmans crunch with a lil’ more psych. The Punch Brothers- they ain’t just doin’ bluegrass.
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
Sam Altman and Conspirator. Trey Anastasio and The National (oh, wait that happened!)
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
Be the best dad I can be.
*****
RACHEL BARON
What will you remember most about 2011?
My son Blake being born
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
Adele, My Morning Jacket – Circuital, Gillian Welch, Bon Iver Bon Iver
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
I never make discoveries, my husband does
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
Ryan Adams, U2 in Jersey and Phish at Bethel (with my son)
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
Trixie Whitley and Lissie
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
I really want to become a CSI agent, am I too late?
*****
GLENN H ROTH
What will you remember most about 2011?
My nephew Jake’s Bar Mitzvah, my dad’s 70th birthday, and taking my nephew Ethan to Yankees Old Timer’s Day.
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
Thanks to Sirius Radio, I started getting into Outlaw Country music. From listening to the Trailer Park Bash and the Moonshine Matinee every Saturday morning, I have a collection of 83 country songs.
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Tortugas Rock, a Costa Rican Pink Floyd cover band. By luck, I saw Tortugas Rock perform in CR over the holiday break and they were amazing. The first set included a variety of songs from various Floyd albums, highlighted by a second set where they covered Dark Side of The Moon in its entirety.
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
My Morning Jacket, Dec. 14, 2011 at MSG. It was the first time I saw MMJ live and they are one of the true bands that are keeping rock n ’roll alive and well. Jim James has incredible energy and his voice is cathedral-like, if that makes any sense.
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
Strangefolk. The news of this reunion has stirred up my original love for the jamband scene. I’m hoping they come to play in NYC area.
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
Phil Lesh and Jim James; Gregg Allman and Patterson Hood; Dave Matthews and Rodrigo y Gabriela; Jack Johnson and Trey Anastasio; Nate Wilson and Page McConnell.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
See Wilco and STS9 in concert. And keep growing as a person, a teacher and as a writer.
*****
BRENNAN LAGASSE
What will you remember most about 2011?
Ringing in NYE with music is always the choice, but a full Phish show on 1/1/11 was an amazing way to kick off the year. Hometown gigs are special (Phish in Tahoe). The Gorge is my favorite venue on earth (I already knew that though). Taking my mom to see her first WSP show. Furthur helps keep the the GD spirit alive!
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
Sirius Grateful Dead Channel
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Couch Tour! (so grateful to the providers!)
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?7/11/11 and 9/16/11 (my mom’s first show!)-WSP. West Coast Phish Run: Gorge to Outside Lands (couch tour’d L.A. from the car via 3G). Further 2011 NYE Run.
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
The Dead Winter Carpenters
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?From a production standpoint, the lighting crew from TOOL and CK5. Whoever makes it to Terrapin Landing+ Phil Lesh
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
Keep the trajectory of life on the up. Keep growing and give thanks.
BRIAN ROBBINS
What will you remember most about 2011?
Having my disappointment in our leaders being replaced by hope for folks taking things into their own hands.
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
No iAnything for me; still the faithful old Onkyo changer and weigh-a-ton KLH speakers – survivors of the last glacier.
At the horrible risk of leaving out many others, some fave 2011 albums: Middle Brother, The Drive-By Truckers’ Go-Go Boots, Confederate Buddha by Jimbo Mathus, Warren Haynes’ Man In Motion, Mike Doughty’s Yes And Also Yes.
Older stuff:
Spring-is-here album: Stir Fried – Electrifried
Sunday morning go-to music: Jon & Roy – Home
Get-lost album: Keith Jarrett – The Koln Concert
Let-‘er-rip album: Neil Young – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Apart from the DN-3 Taylor that became my go-to guitar, two artists that have been around for a while, paid their dues, and are really, really good:
The band Glossary deserves the same attention as the world gives Wilco. Everyone should have a copy of their latest album, Long Live All Of Us.
And they don’t come any more real or talented than Grayson Capps. His Lost Cause Minstrels album was another great release from 2011.
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
David Crosby & Graham Nash up here in Portland, ME at the State Theater on 5/21/11. Say what you will about the historic ego clashes and the wretched excesses of CS&N/CSN&Y’s past – these two are friends and soul brothers. The band hit the stage in Portland with a drifty, spacey jam – and Crosby suddenly dug into his old Strat and began chugging out a rhythm that exploded into a cover of The Byrds’ “Eight Miles High”. An evening of amazing passion.
When the two of them showed up to play for the Occupy folks on Wall Street, that wasn’t a career move – that was powered by heart and soul.
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
The Alabama Shakes – Just look up the video for their tune “Hold On” and you’ll be blown away – guaranteed. There’ll be a new album this spring.
Des Horsfall’s Kuschty Rye – Chock full of the spirit of the great, late Ronnie Lane’s solo work, Horsfall will break your heart and leave you smiling about it. His album The Good Gentleman’s Tonic is only available as an import at this point, but it’s worth laying hands to. And if he makes the States this year, go listen to him.
And Ray Wylie Hubbard’s been around for years – but he just as easily could’ve died a long time ago. A true survivor, Ray Wylie’s music is what Charles Bukowski might’ve cranked out if he’d played a wicked guitar and hailed from Texas. New album in March.
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
I have a New Monsoon show from San Francisco on 5/11/06 that features Steve Kimock and Tim Carbone sitting in on a 18:59 version of “Mountain Air”. It’s simply beautiful. I’d love to hear those two play together again with anyone.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
Finish the next book.
Make more outdoor time – especially get back out on the water more. It gets harder to do as you get older … but it’s needed. You could die at this desk.
*****
KEVIN LONG
What will you remember most about 2011?
All things considered, I would have to say Superball IX. I felt like a kid losing myself in the music for three glorious days. Phish delivered in every way, taking me to a place I forgot I missed.
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
I would have to say easily, Grateful Dead and Phish shows. As far as albums from this past year, Paul Simon’s “So Beautiful or So What” definitely got the most play.
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Catching the Quixotic Fusion shows at Wakarusa blew my mind. I had heard nothing about this act prior to stumbling upon their hypnotic sound. I look forward to seeing them again.
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
I really enjoyed seeing Bela Fleck and the original Flectones at Harvest Festival. When the entire band sat in with Yonder afterwards, things got out of hand. That is a perfect memory.
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
Leftover Salmon is due for a big year. They seem to be reinvigorated with this line-up and have ambitious plans. Second, for a band not everybody is aware of, I believe Slip Lip Rayfeild is due to break out. They seem to be picking up steam every time I see them.
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
Steve Kimock with anybody, although I prefer Grateful Dead projects. Kimock has the uncanny ability to sit in with anybody and add to the performance. I am convinced he could make a Barry Manilow show smoke.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
To become a better husband while still catching a hundred shows.
*****
EVAN MANN
What will you remember most about 2011?
#OWS #DBG
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
Dawes – Nothing is Wrong, Meagafaun- Self Titled, War on Drugs – Slave Ambient
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Jonathan Wilson….where have you been all my life?
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
LCD Soundsytem’s last show at MSG or Ryan Adams at Carnegie Hall. Talk about variety…
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
Spirit Family Reunion
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
Tough one….would love to see a Middle Brother follow up
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
To start smoking cigarettes again (JK, going against the grain here).
*****
DAN WARRY-SMITH
What will you remember most about 2011?
The incredible lineup and unusually great weather at Camp Bisco X
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
From 2011:
Wilco – The Whole Love
Radiohead – The King Of Limbs
M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
Holy Ghost! – Holy Ghost!
Death Cab For Cutie – Codes & Keys
From History Times:
Portishead – Dummy
DJ Shadow – Endtroducing
The Notorious B.I.G – Ready To Die
Dr. Dog – Fate
OK Go – Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Amon Tobin’s ISAM Live (holy shit!)
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
Show I attended: Camp Bisco X
Show I wish I had attended: LCD Soundsystem at MSG
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
Union Duke
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, & Jerry Harrison
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
Get a record player, see more concerts.
*****
DEAN BUDNICK
What will you remember most about 2011?
Beautiful family moments aside…watching John Scher and Eric Baker engage at 92YTribeca, joining Josh Baron on the dais at Ticket Summit, great nights with old friends at Sonny Rollins, Phish, Todd Rundgren, Widespread Panic, Soulive, The Slip and Tedeschi Trucks Band.
What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?
Tedeschi Trucks Band Revelator, Dawes Nothing Is Wrong, Sidony Box Pink Paradise, Warren Haynes Man in Motion, Miles Davis Tribute To Jack Johnson, Grateful Dead Europe 72, 4/8/72, Wes Montgomery Smokin’ at The Half Note
What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?
Baboon Moon, Middle Brother, Futurebirds.
What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?
Del McCoury Band/Preservation Hall Jazz Band Combo at Bonnaroo. Just inspiring on many levels
What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?
You’ve heard this already: Alabama Shakes, Real Estate, The Barr Bothers
Also: Sidony Box, Diamond Rugs
Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?
Jack Black and Kyle Gass.
Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?
See more music at venues within 30 miles of home.
