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.
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