Date
December 30 2013
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CULTURE
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Heavy Rotation: 2013 a Rad Year in Music : part 2
6.  DEVIN SARNO creates sound through his solo bass project focusing on improvised subsonics. Over the better part of a decade, this music has evolved from high volume feedback experimentation to a sonic examination of the meditative properties of low-end drone music. Sarno has toured both coasts of the United States, sharing concert bills with artists as diverse as: Thurston Moore, Charles Gayle, Z’EV, Nels Cline, Foetus, Merzbow, Borbetomagus, Blonde Redhead, Pauline Oliveros, Masonna, Ben Harper, Gus Gus, William Hooker, Kato Hideki, Carla Bozulich, Banyan (feat. Mike Watt & Stephen Perkins) & more. More recently, Sarno’s work has been featured in several short film projects which have been screened at the Toronto & Venice Film Festivals and broadcast on network television.
 
photo courtesy of Devin Sarno
Linear Bells is French composer David Teboul. I found myself particularly immersed in his work this year. There's a fair amount of Linear Bells releases out there to investigate online, but i found myself gravitating toward this one particular track quite heavily...especially when the rhythm track kicks in around 11:27. Undeniable.
 
Show: Noveller - at Bootleg Theater
A recent event for me (December 17th, in fact). This was my first time catching Noveller (NY-based guitarist/composer Sarah Lipstate) in a live context. Suffice to say, it was well worth the wait and i found myself completely floored and inspired by the sonics she laid down. It's no mystery (to those who know me) that i'm drawn to the drone and Noveller knows how to bring it. The dynamics (from solo guitar, mind you) were simply staggering. From the shimmering, bowed-string highs to the PA rumbling lows, it was a venue-consuming-swirl of loveliness. Her new album on Important Records was a top for me this year too.
 
"Oblivion Hymns" is the latest release from Hammock (Marc Byrd & Andrew Thompson.)
I've been a fan of the Tennessee-based duo for quite some time now and with each album, their sound seems to bloom and expand into even more beautiful territory. This evocative track is certainly no exception and its accompanying video is equally as devastating. 
 
Show: Mattson 2 (w/ Money Mark) - at The Satellite
The Brothers Mattson (i.e. drummer Jonathan & guitarist Jared) were joined by one time Beastie Boy/keyboard phenom Money Mark at this special show. Special too, i suppose, because i found myself front and center for the action. Watching the trio unleash their unique compositions was awesome to behold. I'm reluctant to call it "Jazz" or label it at all, frankly. That would be a bit too easy. The Mattson 2 have evolved quite a bit over the years and i have a feeling that way more complex, genre bending material is on the horizon from these guys. Stay tuned.
 
With bated breath i await the forthcoming album from San Francisco-based Tycho (composer Scott Hansen). The first track, "Awake" was released this past October and has been on steady rotation since. Looking forward to the full length coming March 2014.
 

Limited to 50 lathe cut 8" vinyl copies (Brian Records/UK), this is, hands down, one of my favorite new acts. Anna Rose Carter and Christopher Brett Bailey weave a glorious web. The marriage of piano + subtle electronics has seldom been so intoxicating...to my ears, at least. Be sure to check out each of their solo work as well. Highly recommended.

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7. JEN GARRIDO is a painter in San Francisco who also creates graphics and prints under the pseudonym of Jenny Pennywood. Her Instagram feed gives insightful peaks to her studio, painting process and life with daughter, Jemma. As both Jen Garrido and Jenny Pennywood, her usage of color and space is stunning and inspiring. I would love my walls covered with her paintings and my kitchen stocked with her linens!

 
 
images courtesy of Jen Garrido
top: Jen in the studio; middle: Dashes and Moons Tea Towel in Charcoal,  close-up of her recent work-in-progress exploring indigo; above: paintings on paper + sketchbook
 
In my studio lately, I've been listening to The Staves and Bahamas over and over again. When I really like something, I just listen to it to death and learn all the words and sing while I'm painting. I'm sure the entire building can hear me!
 
As for music that I listen to with Jemma, it's all pop radio music that we sing to in the car. It is so funny hearing her sing Lady Gaga. In general, I like music that feels warm so once I find something I like, I just listen to it a lot.
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8. DAVID J. WEISSBERG has been designing, art directing and illustrating for the better part of long time. Often referred to as ‘the man behind the scenes’, happy clients include The Standard Hotel, Just One Eye, Nike, Adidas, Jane Mayle, Eames, Silas (& Maria) UK, Dr Romanelli, 2K, Shepard Fairey, as well as publications like Diner Journal, Anthem, Z!nc, Sleazenation and XLR8R (where he was both the Creative Director as well as the Arts, Style and Culture editor). He currently lives in Echo Park, Los Angeles with his fiance Kristen Elspeth, ornery dachshund Ira and and absurd collection of coffee mugs.

I met David and Kristen a few years ago at a friend's wedding. We were reunited recently at the Outside the Lines book launch at MOCA this past September. (Here we are on slide 18 with Silvio Porretta) The book is awesome for anyone of any age who appreciates any kind of art.

 
 
 
 
 
 
images courtesy of David J. Weissberg
 

top: David amongst his designs; top middle: "the shop" for The Standard, artwork for album covers "Ready. Set. Go!" Vol I and II; middle bottom: logo design for Anaïse, "there's a party in my head (and no one else is invited)" illustration for Outside the Lines book, design for Just One Eye; above: gif for Just One Eye x The MOCA

TOPS - Tender Opposites

Jane Penny and Co hit that sweet spot for me from the unremembered 80s called C86; wherein a just born indie and twee were swaddled in a cardigan and left on the porch for the world to collectively  go 'sigh'.
 
The lo fi red headed stepchild of Morrissey, Badly Drawn Boy and Billy Bragg. At 19 you're allowed to wallow in angst but mein gott how does someone so young sing words so sad?
 
I know it's no longer fashionable to like these guys (they had a 5 minute window of insider electronic snob cache earlier this year), but I love how they managed to effortlessly decant the last 15 years of mercurial UK dance genres into an instant classic (at least in this house anyway).
See also SBTRKT  
 
Nightflight to Mali, with layovers in Peshawar and JouJouka. What caught my ear when I first heard them was 'Hey, wait, what Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan album is THIS?!? And why isn't it in my collection?!?!' Boasting a dozen plus members plus a rotating caste of  at least a dozen more (with TV On The Radio recently dropping by their tent), you'll often catch me dancing around to this as much any techno.
 
These guys hit me this year like a slow moving semi of dread. I'm picky about my psych and my personal Space Rock Hall of Fame only allows for a new inductee once like every 5 years. They're sharing a spot alongside my other drawn faced drug idols, Jason Pierce (Spacemen 3/Spiritualized), Bobby Gillespie (Primal Scream), Roger Waters (circa Ummagumma), uh Eric (uh, Killing Zoe). The black sheep to Tame Impala's summertime psychedelia. (also new inductees mind you)
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9. JON PRUETT is an editor/writer/curator/father/husband based out of San Francisco. He’s been working in an editorial capacity at iTunes and Rhapsody since 1999 where he also led pioneering efforts in the world of cat gifs. He currently has the title “International Curator” and works for Music Unlimited.
Over the past twenty years, I've been consistently asking Jon what he's listening to at the moment, and always liked what I've heard. He also includes the record I completely spaced out putting on my favorites: Kurt Vile. Last but certainly not least, this is a list I'll certainly be playing on heavy rotation.

 

images courtesy of Jon Pruett
 
2013 was the year in which I quit my completely secure job and entered an eight month freefall. Because anxiety is fun, right? Not really, but I also started to care about a dog for the first time in my life and now I’m in a better position than I’ve ever been. Coincidence? I have no idea. Lessons learned? There are a few. To a more obvious point, we are living in a GOLDEN AGE of music. Realize it. Never before has so much greatness been available at any given time. The past is being excavated and in a way that does not involved black lung and/or decimated communities. Below is a list of awards I have invented to thank the music makers and curators of 2013.
 
 
Best Album By A Guy Who Really Does Keep Getting Better and Better
Bill Callahan – Dream River
 
Best Soundtrack to Abyss-Gazing
Date Palms – The Dusted Sessions
Bitchin’ Bajas – Bitchitronics
 
Best Album for Waking on a Pretty Day
Kurt Vile - Wakin on a Pretty Daze
 
Best Eerie British Library-influenced Album: TIE
The Focus Group - The Elektrik Karousel
Broadcast - Berberian Sound System OST
 
Best Humanity-Bettering Reissue Because Holy Shit This Is Amazing
 
Least Credible Evidence That Dylan Had Actually Lost the Muse in 1970
Bob Dylan - Another Self Portrait (1969-1971): The Bootleg Series Vol. 10 Rock
 
Best Saxophone Squawk
Autre Ne Veut – “Counting”
 
Best Album for Pondering Things, Preferably Rural Things:
William Tyler - Impossible Truth
 
Best Invocation of Hissing of Summer Lawns-era Joni Mitchell
Julia Holter - Loud City Song
 
Most Welsh!
Cate Le Bon - Mug Museum
 
Pretty Much Just The Best
The Velvet Underground - White Light / White Heat (Super Deluxe)
 
Best Ethiopian Keyboard Work:
 
Best Social and Personal History in Under 50 Minutes
Matana Roberts - Coin Coin Chapter Two: Mississippi Moonchile
 
If Wolf Eyes Were Daft Punk, This Would Be Their “Get Lucky” (not an award, just an observation)
 
Most Pure Music:
Endless Boogie - Long Island
 
Best Revelatory Reissue (non-African)
Rodion G.A. - The Lost Tapes New Age
 
Best Sierra Leone Guitar Bliss
 
Best Fuzz Guitar (East)
Super Onze – Gao 
 
Best Fuzz Guitar (West)
Thee Oh Sees – Floating Coffin
 
Best Example of 21st Century Madness
 
Best Fusion of Joseph Spence and Derek Bailey
 
Filled With the Most Dreamy Reverie (Dark)
 
Filled With the Most Dreamy Reverie (Light)
 
Best Very Necessary Private Press Reissues
 
Best Cassette To Vinyl Transfer
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Many thanks to everyone who contributed. I'm stoked to have so much new tunes to discover and hope others enjoyed this list, too. Here's to another rad year in music!

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