The third installment in our annual year in review features reflections from one of our most diverse mix of artists, promoters and other members of the Relix/Jambands.com community. What guitarist thinks Jack White “makes cool rock music without being cliché?” Which banjo player has Queens of the Stone Age in constant rotation? And just how did Nelly nestle up next to Radiohead, Wilco and the Boss? Continue reading to find out…
Also, be sure to read Part One and Part Two of our Auld Lang Syne series to see what Widespread Panic, Drive-By Truckers, moe., Tea Leaf Green, Railroad Earth, Rouge Wave, Dodos and a number of other musicians have to say about the past twelve months.
JEFF RAINES (GALACTIC)
What will you remember most about 2009?
For me 2009 was all about making the new Galactic album Ya-Ka-May.
What album or albums appeared most often in your iTunes?
The album that appeared most often in my iTunes was Serge Gainsbourg Histoire De Melody.
What was your favorite show or tour in 2009?
My favorite show of 2009 was the one Galactic played in Buenos Aires. We had Chali 2na and his brother Laid Law with us. We didn’t know what to expect in Argentina but the audience went crazy when we hit the stage. At the end of the concert the crowd broke out in a soccer chant as we left the stage.
What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2010?
I would tell people to keep an eye out for the band Tbird and the Breaks out of Austin in the coming year.
What artist or artists will be most synonymous with the past decade?
I think Jack White did some great stuff the last couple of years. The guy seems to make cool rock music without being cliché. That ain’t easy.
*****
SCOTT METZGER (RANA, BUSTLE IN YOUR HEDGEOW, AMERICAN BABIES)
What will you remember most about 2009?
The inauguration of Obama.
What album or albums appeared most often in your iTunes?
James Brown Say it Loud and Live
Glenn Gould Bach: The Complete Goldberg Variations
Louis Sclavis Lost on the Way
MelvinS Bullhead
What was your favorite show or tour in 2009?
3/23/09—Monte Good and the Honky Tonk Heroes Band at Robert’s Western World-Nashville TN. Dave Dreiwitz, Joe Russo and I had a night off in “Music town USA” and went out for steaks. After delicious steaks, we wondered down to music row and went into the bar with the coolest sign we could find—a big neon cowboy boot that said, “Western World.” No cover. The band was already playing when we walked in. We stayed for about 3 hours and they were still playing when we left. These guys were absolutely outrageous. EVERY song was a show stopper. Awe-inspiring musicianship. I’m assuming they were playing for the tip jar since it was a Monday night. Truly inspiring. When in Nashville, look up Monte Good & the Honky Tonk Heroes and go see them-you’ll thank me.
What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2010?
A Big Yes, and a Small no.
What artist or artists will be most synonymous with the past decade?
Nelly. Nelly changed the game entirely…But seriously, it’s a super tough question since downloading and computers have made getting music, and making music, so easy. One artist hasn’t had the kind of impact that they might have had in the past since record labels don’t have as much influence or power as they did in, say, the ‘90s. So the powers that be can’t say “This is the hot sound this summer.” And that’s a very good thing. Record labels are on the way out. There are SO many scenes now that no one band has or, really, can influence them all. There were a few big ones in pop culture for sure-The White Stripes, Eminem, and now we have Lady Gaga, but it’s hard to say who will be synonymous with the 2000’s. Ask me in 2020.
BRETT DENNEN
*What will you remember most about 2009?
It was a big year of touring for me. I went all over the world and back. But in the grand scheme, I will remember it as the beginning of the Obama Era.
*What album or albums appeared most often in your iTunes?
Wilco (the Album)
What was your favorite show or tour in 2009?
I played in Utrecht, in Holland on my birthday. I walked out to a crowd singing “for he’s a jolly good fellow”
What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2010?
Ben Howard. He’s from the south of England.
What artist or artists will be most synonymous with the past decade?
Beyonce
*****
TIM WALTHER (ALL GOOD, WALTHER PRODUCTIONS, DARK STAR ORCHESTRA MANAGER)
What will you remember most about 2009?
Obama taking on the world and its problems
What album or albums appeared most often in your iTunes?
Michael Franti All Rebel Rockers
What was your favorite show or tour in 2009?
David Byrne
What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2010?
Pretty Lights, SOJA, Lotus
What artist or artists will be most synonymous with the past decade?
moeUmphYonderBiscuits – STSkellerLes
DANNY BARNES
What will you remember most about 2009?
That I had my best year ever. I had a lot of fun and felt good and business was really good. lots of great artists put out some killer stuff.
What album or albums appeared most often in your iTunes?
Era Vulgaris by Queens of the Stone Age.
What was your favorite show or tour in 2009?
Seeing Them Crooked Vultures from side stage right by Jonesy. Saw the band down from sidestage too, right by Kirk’s amps.
What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2010?
All of them! There is so much great stuff going on out there that no one can keep up with it all. This is the best time ever for music. I’m very fortunate to be putting out music right now. This is the greatest time for music.
What artist or artists will be most synonymous with the past decade?
Josh Homme. When I was a kid, the rock singers weren’t as hip as this guy. Now we have guys like him and Mark Lanegan. I think music is much better now.
*****
KYLE HANNON (RELIX, DIRECTOR OF MARKEING AND CIRCULATION)
What will you remember most about 2009?
Moving to Brooklyn.
What album or albums appeared most often in your iTunes?
Dan Auerbach Keep it Hid
M. Ward Hold Time
Avett Brothers I and Love and You
David Rawlings Machine A Friend of A Friend
Common Rotation Common Rotation vs. The Dust Bowl Cavaliers & Isalie
What was your favorite show or tour in 2009?
Shows:
Phish – 8.14.09 Hartford, CT
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, 2.20.09 – New Haven, CT & 2.22.09 – Montclair, NJ
Trey Anastasio and the New York Philharmonic – 9.12.09 – Carnegie Hall – New York, NY
Tour:
Phish Fall Tour
What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2010?
Drug Rug, Common Rotation, and Justin Townes Earle.
What artist or artists will be most synonymous with the past decade?
For me it’s Ryan Adams.
DAVID LOTT (LICORICE)
What will you remember most about 2009?
Started the year performing with my first jazz trio ever and ended with my first solo acoustic performance and first acoustic band gig with long running band, Licorice. Touring all of Colorado in the summer with Licorice playing a different beautiful town each night. Sold out Joe’s Pub twice with Rebecca Hart and released a killer Live EP from there. Saw my first Slipknot show at MSG, first David Byrne show at Radio City (one of the best shows I’ve ever seen), the return of Phish, Flight of the Conchords live, Corea-McLaughlin-McBride-Blade and Garrett at Lincoln Center, received my first Gibson “Artist guitar” (Les Paul Custom), performing for Children at St.Luke’s Children’s Hospital in New York, first NYC public access TV spot, “It Might Get Loud,” iphones, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Barack Obama, Clapton’s autobiography, hanging with Dub Trio friends and Matisyahu at first Matisyahu show in Asheville, NC, Music Highway from Memphis to Nashville for the first time, Grand Ole Opry, our 10th Blue Note show, the first night of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th Anniversary at MSG, and the cycle of music from the study of jazz to the roots of Americana, and the artists that push me forward like Radiohead, Elbow, U2, Miles, Jimi, Bob, Tom Dowd, Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Carl Perkins, Elvis, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Gillian Welch, John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, Bela Fleck, Bobby McFerrin, Bill Evans, Marco and Joe, Kraz, Silvetone, Gram Parsons, Little Feat, Michael Jackson.
What album or albums appeared most often in your iTunes?
Radiohead In Rainbows
Elbow The Seldom Seen Kid
Raconteurs Consolers of the Lonely
Donny Hathaway Live
Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli Le Quintette du Hot Club De France show
Chet Atkins Guitar Man
Avett Bros. I and Love and You
What was your favorite show or tour in 2009?
David Byrne at Radio City
Chick Corea & John McLaughlin Five Piece Band R & R 25th anniversary
What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2010?
I have to mention my friends the Dub Trio, Buzz Universe, a band called Birdlips, Silvertone, Rebecca Hart & The Sexy Children, Muse, Phoenix and Yanni. Definitely going to be Yanni’s year. At least I am hoping it will be. We should all hope.
What artist or artists will be most synonymous with the past decade?
Can’t speak for the world, as I am sure the list would be quite different, but for me, it’s Prince, bands like Radiohead, Wilco, the Shins, Elbow, Band of Horses, Coldplay, the Boss, the Nashville scene and of course Jack White and anything he’s done.
*****
MICHAEL BLOCH (HERE WE GO MAGIC)
What will you remember most about 2009?
Mouse poop and RAGE
What album or albums appeared most often in your iTunes?
Kurt Vile Childish Prodigy
Cass McCombs Catacombs
Stevie Wonder Fulfillingness’ First Finale
GROO MONSTERS POO ON POO (Rage’s fav)
What was your favorite show or tour in 2009?
Mike’s Hollywood Heartbreak tour, Catskills-Texas-Canada-Catskills
What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2010?
All of them…Keep an eye on them, please…
What artist or artists will be most synonymous with the past decade?
Whoever made that big palm shaped island in Dubai.
ZAC LASHER (U-MELT)
What will you remember most about 2009?
I will never forget the image of the Obamas and the Bidens standing on the steps of the Capitol building waving good-bye to Bush as his helicopter took off to bring him back to Hell.
What album or albums appeared most often in your iTunes?
The Police Synchronicity
Thievery Corporation The Cosmic Game
Nate Wilson Group Unbound
What was your favorite show or tour in 2009?
1) Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band—Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ, 9/30
For night one of his 5 night run to close the old stadium Bruce opened with a brand new, never before played, song appropriately titled “Wrecking Ball.” Over the course of the 3+ hour show, they went through the Born To Run album in its entirety, which was one of the best things I’ve ever seen on a stage
2) David Byrne—Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY, 6/8
David has a unique brand of genius, and when he teams up with Brian Eno, the results are unbeatable. The show focused on the many musical collaborations the two men have had over the years and featured a lot of great old school Talking Heads songs… With the entire band (and three dancers) dressed all in white, Mr. Byrne’s artistic mind shone through in a wonderful way.
3) Caribbean Holidaze—Runaway Bay, Jamaica, 12/10-14 I can’t even begin to describe what an amazing time this festival on the beach was. The music was fantastic, and that was only the beginning.
What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2010?
Keep an eye out for U-Melt’s new album Perfect World being released on 02/23. We spent two years to build a recording studio and make our best record to date. I’m very excited for people to hear it. We have a great new guitarist and we’ll be traveling all over the country to share our music with you [/endselfpromotion]. I also highly recommend checking out the Nate Wilson Group. Their album Unbound is a rock ‘n’ roll master work, and I can’t wait to hear what they do in 2010
What artist or artists will be most synonymous with the past decade?
When Radiohead released Kid A in 2000, everything changed. There have been more Rock artists influenced by the sonic audacity of that record in the last 10 years than any other. When they decided to eschew normal industry practice and allow people to name their price for the digital download of In Rainbows in 2007, they continued to be at the forefront of the movement towards the future of Rock & Roll. Honorable mention goes to Jack White who created a very large body of fantastic work in the aughts.
