Best Of 2024
(strictly for fun and heated argument)
By Peter Jesperson
1. Gold Star - How To Shoot The Moon
For me, this album achieves top marks in all respects, from the song writing to the performances, the singing to the production. Frontman, guitarist, and principle writer, Marlon Rabenreither, has the ‘X factor’ in spades. At times Gold Star in general, and HTSTM specifically, may lean Americana but their palette is broader, and there’s a more dangerous air to what they do (and when you see them live it’s a full-on ROCK SHOW). Their music really does transcend genre. Of all their many attributes though, I’m most astounded by the level of the writing. I marvel at it. It’s so masterful and deep, weighty stuff that doesn’t take itself too seriously. One of the other things that makes this record so strong is the sensitive and impeccable production by Sean O’Brien (The National, Matt Berninger, Chvrches). I could rave about every single song on the album but I’ll call out just one here - the hardest tug I felt on my heartstrings this whole year is from Marlon’s vocal on “Some Sunday Mornings” … when he hits the little ad libs at the end, singing “I will love you … I will love you just the same,” it send shivers down my spine every time. Experiencing this level of artistry is one of the things I live for.
(https://www.goldstarlovesyou.com/music)
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Marlon is also a fine producer and I’d like to point out one record he worked on this past year (and cowrote two songs for) that illustrates his own studio prowess. An artist that goes by the name: My Violence, the nom de plume of Viennese chanteuse Silvia Ryder, formerly half of dreampop duo the Sugarplum Fairies. A beautiful, haunting, atmospheric collection of songs that at times makes me think of the musical explorations of David Lynch and Julee Cruise.
(https://myviolence.bandcamp.com/album/my-violence)
2. Peter Perrett - The Cleansing
Peter Perrett’s 3rd album, The Cleansing, finds the artist in top form, once again. And he comes out rockin’ more authoritatively than many twenty-somethings I hear these days, instantly kicking into high gear with the disarmingly candid “I Wanna Go With Dignity.” And once again, there’s that unmistakable, virtually unchanged voice.
British artist, Peter Perrett, has been one of my favorite writers/singers/rhythm guitarists/band leaders for 47 years now. Ever since I dropped the needle on the first single by his band the Only Ones, “Lovers Of Today,” back in 1977. As their records rolled out, me and the diehard denizens of our Minneapolis record store/clubhouse, Oar Folkjokeopus, were smitten. I vividly remember a period when many of us thought they were the best current band in the world. With Peter’s main inspirations, Bob Dylan and The Velvet Underground, in audible view the songs were poetic and highly intelligent. The band was tight, instinctive, and played with a physicality you could feel a mile away. When the Only Ones hit town in October of 1979 for a two night stand at The Longhorn in Minneapolis the performances were entrancing and rapturous. The Only Ones made six singles, three 12-inchers, and three albums. In the 90s Peter briefly formed a new group called The One, making one single, one EP, one studio album, one live album, and doing only a handful of gigs. Peter then went missing for nearly 20 years. I never dreamed I’d hear from him musically again. So to say it was a shock when we heard he was releasing his first solo album back in 2016 is an understatement. How The West Was Won, and its 2019 follow-up, Humanworld, were spectacularly great records. Now comes The Cleansing, and it’s a DOUBLE ALBUM, WITH 20 SONGS! Talk about coming out of retirement! It’s sturdy top-to-bottom, I love the whole damn thing, but here’s a semi-random selection of titles that are grabbing me at the moment.
“I Wanna Go With Dignity,” its sister-song, “Do Not Resuscitate,” and “All That Time” demonstrate Peter’s frankness and his dark sense of humor. The melody in “Fountain Of You” is very reminiscent of the Only Ones, and the sustained guitar line after the first verse has the feel of a Loaded-era Velvets’ track. And when that guitar line repeats near the end of the song, intentional or not, I detect a hint of Robert Fripp’s guitar line from David Bowie’s song, “Heroes.” A Velvets-sounding keyboard riff pops up again after the 1st verse on “Women Gone Bad,” courtesy of the band’s multi-instrumentalist, producer, and Peter’s oldest son, Jamie Perrett. Speaking of Jamie, I suspect his influence could be responsible for some of the more ‘out there’ tracks, like the almost spoken-word “Art Is A Disease” or the disturbingly chaotic title song. There are two, gorgeous and tender love songs, “House On Fire,” and the aforementioned “Fountain Of You,’ no doubt inspired by Peter’s partner/wife of 56 years, Zena.
Peter’s extended family of guest musicians this time around include Primal Scream leader Bobby Gillespie (on eight songs doing backing, plus a near lead vocal or two); Johnny Marr (guitar on two songs); and Carlos O’Connell from Fontaines D.C. decorating seven of the songs with an arsenal of essential ear tickling inserts (guitar, piano, bass, glockenspiel, drums/percussion, organ, and string arrangements); also, the Fontaines’ mighty Tom Coll plays drums on one song.
It’s hard for me to find the words to describe how monumental Peter’s music is to me, or how comforting it is to have him back, making records that affect me and more than just a few others so deeply. His singing voice is so unique, it really is like receiving communiques from an old friend. One song “World In Chains” keeps reverberating in my head as quintessential Peter Perrett, with that trademark cynical world view:
My tears are falling down
The tears are falling down
All I can say is “bye-bye baby, bye-bye”
3. Fontaines D.C. - Romance
For me, over the last 5-6 years I’d say the best of the new breed of rock bands is Fontaines D.C. They’ve come up with a potent blend of current sounds and classic rock that truly makes them stand out. The five-piece collaborate on the highly inventive music; lead singer Grian Chatten writes most of the words (though both Carlos O’Connell and Conor Curley contribute lyrics to one song each here). Again, a combination of a poetic, borderline academic, old-school approach (these boys clearly studied poetry and literature at university), and a rhythmic, rapid-fire, rap-ish delivery. I love the way they think. On this 4th album, the Fontaines have definitely made a leap from the first three. Not better, just broader somehow. More bells and whistles that advance their sonic palette. Live, they are as exciting and powerful as any band I see these days. And the album’s closing number, “Favourite,” could be my most played single song of the year, the very definition of “uplifting”!
(https://fontainesdc.bandcamp.com/album/romance)
4. Leslie Stevens - self titled
Leslie Stevens has been one of the best LA-based artists for several years, writing some of the finest Americana-style songs around. But this record, her 5th, reaches a level that I find extraordinary. Certainly, the strength of the songs is largely responsible. But in addition, Leslie’s voice is so perfectly recorded, and the production in general is so immaculate, it’s breathtaking. I was not familiar with Kevin Ratterman, the man who gets credit for the sound - producing, engineering, mixing, and mastering - but I have since discovered he’s best known for his work with My Morning Jacket, Andrew Bird, and White Reaper. There are so many striking songs on the album - “Big Time Sucka,” “Such A Good Time Without You,” “Taken,” I Fall Down” … but “Dance” is one of those tracks that defies categorization. A cinematic composition that, for me, has a subtle connection with an epic (7 minutes and 24 seconds) song called “Black Rose Window” from Leslie’s now out-of-print 2007 debut. Leslie Stevens is a gifted artist, very much worthy of your attention.
(https://www.lesliestevensmusic.com)
5. The Unthanks - In Winter
Album # 14 from this distinguished British group, known for their daring and eclectic approach in combining traditional English folk with other musical styles. They are educational as well in their curation of traditional songs, familiar and little-known. With its winter theme and a smattering of actual Christmas songs there’s a warm continuity to the album that sets it apart from previous Unthanks’ records.
The core band is five, though it’s expanded to eight on this record. The main focus is on the two lead singers, sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank, and, to me their voices/harmonies are among the most striking I’ve ever heard. For this family and its nucleus of collaborators, singing is not just a vocation or form of entertainment, it’s a way of life. Something they’ve done, day in and day out since they were children. Reviewing their 4th album, Last, in the NMEAnthony Thornton declared that it, “proves the mix of Rachel and Becky's voices to be one of the true wonders of 21st-century music." Rounding out the lineup are producer, arranger, keyboardist, backing and occasional lead vocalist, Adrian McNally; viola, violinist, backing vocalist, Niopha Keegan; and guitarist, backing vocalist, Chris Price. Over the years the Unthanks have received multiple awards and five star reviews, and have been nominated (alongside Radiohead) for the prestigious Mercury Prize.
One of the many things I love about this band is their attention to detail, and their album liner notes are always so illuminating. For example, regarding the song “The Snow It Melts The Soonest,” Rachel writes, “This song has been part of my winter repertoire since I was a teenager having learnt it from the singing of Anni Fentiman. The tune is said to have been collected from a Newcastle street singer by radical agitator Thomas Doubleday in 1821, though it is unclear who wrote the words.” Or about the track “Bleary Winter,” Becky says, “I’ve always loved the poetry of this song … it was only later that I came to find out the lyrics are about the Enclosures Acts … this makes me think about how we came to politics as kids … we learnt about equality and community before we were old enough to understand the wider idea of politics.” I can relate. My circle of friends and I had similar experiences when we were very young, being introduced to adult themes via the music we heard, and how it shaped our values. I often think of one instance in particular; listening to the Mothers Of Invention’s song, “Trouble Comin’ Every Day” (from their ground-breaking 1966 double album Freak Out) when I was 14 years old and Frank Zappa’s spoken comment between verses “Hey you know something people, I’m not black but there’s a whole lotsa times I wish I could say I’m not white.” I knew Frank had said something importantbefore I could properly grasp the concept, but it still had a profound effect on me. Just one more thing that makes music such an important element in our lives.
The album closes with an original song Becky and her partner Ainslie Henderson wrote entitled “Dear Companion,” and a most touching couplet:
“Dear companions, now and ever/Will live on in songs we sing.”
Brit journalist, Paul Morley summed it up best. When writing about the Unthanks’ 2011 LP, Here’s The Tender Coming, his words echo my feelings about the Unthanks’ music overall: “Absolutely exquisite. A real work of art. I will be playing it at least forever.”
(https://www.the-unthanks.com)
5. Dan Kelly - Goldfeels
One of my great musical heroes, Dan Kelly, returns with his 5th album of eccentric pop-rock songs that are often centered around his homeland of Australia, its culture and locales. This one’s a bit different though, as Dan challenged himself to write most of the album on the piano, which is not his ‘first instrument,’ and that makes for a fresh sound. My favorite song on the album, “The Sea Shepherd Cook,” is reminiscent of the lyrical stories of Dan’s first album, Sing The Tabloid Blues (2004).
(https://dankelly1.bandcamp.com/music)
6. Angus & Julia Stone - Cape Forestier
Brother-sister, folk-rock group Angus & Julia Stone hit me like a bolt of lightning in 2007 and I’ve been a mad fan ever since. They write almost maddeningly simple songs that stick like glue to my consciousness. Six albums in 17 years, and touring the states every 6-7 years, is pretty leisurely, but that’s just the way they roll. Superstars and multiple award winners in their homeland of Australia, as well as in Europe, their live performances are riveting, near-perfect. Angus in particular has been leaning into soul music with his more dance-oriented solo work under the name Dope Lemon, and it’s been showing up in the work he does with his sister as well, prominently here in the title song, another one that I played incessantly all year long.
(https://angusandjuliastone.com)
7. Chuck Prophet with Qiensave - Wake The Dead
Chuck Prophet has had a four-decade career in music, first coming to light in 1985 when he joined Tucson-by-way-of-LA band, Green On Red, just in time for their 2nd album, Gas Food Lodging. GOR called it a day after their 1992 LP, Too Much Fun. Chuck went on to record several albums under his own name, doing a lot of co-writing, and collaborating with the likes of Kelly Willis, Jim Dickinson, and Alejandro Escovedo, among many others. I was lucky to work with Chuck on two albums at New West Records in the early 2000s. I had fallen hard for his 1999 album, The Hurting Business when I was unexpectedly introduced to him by mutual friend Mark Eitzel at an after-hours party in a book store in San Francisco. I was so excited to meet him, I think I just blurted out something like, “Wanna make a record for New West?” Which he did! Resulting in two of his finest, No Other Love and Age Of Miracles (and a top ten Triple A radio hit, “Summertime Thing,” on the former). Chuck has since gone on to make eight more terrific albums, including this new one, Wake The Dead, which seems to have given his already much respected oeuvre an unforeseen reboot. While beating a serious illness, and going through Covid like the rest of us, Chuck discovered a new kind of music that brought him solace, and set him on fire: Cumbia - a Latin-American music heavy on percussion, where dancing was practically mandatory. Crossing paths with a 5-piece band called Qiensave from Salinas that played in that style, Chuck first started jamming with them for fun, but it went so well the recording studio was the next logical stop. The resulting album is nothing short of a reinvention. The Chuck Prophet we’ve known and loved all these years is still there, loud and clear, but there’s a freshness, an X factor, that makes for the most exciting record he has made in years. Even Chuck’s voice sounds better, invigorated. Qiensave and members of Chuck’s band of the last few years, The Mission Express, blend together beautifully on the tracks, and Charlie Sexton makes a guest appearance on 12-string guitar and vocals. Many of the songs are co-written with Chuck’s longtime compadre, ‘klipschutz,’ including the title song, and one of my faves, “First Came The Thunder.” The one that kills me the most though is “Red Sky Night,” written with Kim Richie and Aaron Lee Tasjan. It’s another one of my most played songs of the year. In the album’s final moments, Chuck delivers the words of a survivor: “It’s a good day to walk on water/It’s a good day to swallow your pride/It’s a good day to call your mother/It’s a good day to be alive.”
(https://chuckprophet.bandcamp.com)
8. Nick Lowe, Powered by Los Straitjackets - Indoor Safari
An artist that has created an ingenious 2nd career for himself, writing Tin Pan Alley/Brill Building-type songs, and touring with the ace instrumental band, Los Straitjackets. The current tour features many songs from this fine new album but, of course he dips into his past as well, doing his signature songs like “Cruel To Be Kind,” “I Knew The Bride,” and “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, And Understanding.” The latter song long-ago entered the pantheon of the Anthem. Seeing Nick and the band do it live - a slow version where every single word was carefully enunciated - caught me off-guard and I got seriously choked-up. The lyrics are more relevant today than when it was first written in 1974.
9. Ian Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Not to harp on age but - how does he do it?! He turns 86 in 2025, still makes records I love, and puts on terrific live shows. His work with Mott The Hoople, and the solo releases that followed are remarkably consistent. I’m normally not attracted to records that have a ‘Who’s-Who” of celebrity guests but Ian makes it work on his recent releases. On this album, his compadres are the likes Jeff Beck, Todd Rundgren, Brian May, and Lucinda Williams. He is one of the staples of my music collection.
10. Paul Kelly - Fever Longing Still
The man’s 29th album is one of his best in years. “Houndstooth Dress,” “Taught By Experts,” and “Going To The River With Dad” could all be on any new ‘Best Of’ PK compilations. Seeing Australian Paul Kelly and nephew Dan Kelly perform many of these songs live on a rare visit to the U.S. in 2024 was an added bonus.
(https://www.paulkelly.com.au)
11. Fat, Evil Children (F.E.C.) - Fat Evil Dogs, Fat Evil Cats, Fat Evil Bears, Fat Evil Rats (digital + custom-burned CDs only)
This LA band (of four brothers from other mothers) has grown in leaps and bounds over the last year, and in revisiting their 2024 releases - one EP, four singles, and this full-length - I’m more inspired than ever. It’s indie-folk-pop-rock stuff with an off-the-cuff approach, but underneath that the writing is thoughtful, melodic, and playful. The hookiest songs - “Burning,” “Fooled,” and “Running” sound like Top 40 songs on the imaginary radio station in my head. F.E.C. are a real band. Main lyric writer and rhythm guitarist, Nic Skrabak has an anything-goes artistic intelligence that really draws me in. Bassist Sebastian Peters, drummer Diego Fernandez, and guitarist Truman Sinclair, cowrite the music with Nic and bring much to the table. F.E.C. are solid live too, and each show is fresh and different, which makes me never want to miss ‘em!
(https://fatevilchildren.bandcamp.com)
12. Sierra Ferrell - Trail Of Flowers
One of the best new country singers I’ve heard in recent years. At a glance, one could almost think this record was made in the 1950s or 60s, it has a no bullshit authenticity that sets it apart from so much of the ‘new country.’ She and her incredible band kill it live too.
(https://www.sierraferrellmusic.com)
13. Daniel Romano’s Outfit - Too Hot To Sleep
This is a fun record, the last with the original Outfit lineup. It has the air of a quickly recorded batch of super-catchy, poppy-punk-rock songs. While I may prefer Dan’s more thought-out work, I ain’t complainin’. This one is another great addition to the catalog of an artist I have been fascinated with for going on fifteen years.
(https://danielromano.bandcamp.com/album/too-hot-to-sleep)
14. Chris Mars - The Average Album
I love seeing and hearing what goes on in Chris Mars’ head. We see it in his beautiful, macabre paintings, and we hear it in his all too infrequent albums. The Average Album (which by the way is far from average!) is his sixth album since 1992, when he stunned us all with Horseshoes & Hand Grenades. Besides being a killer multi-instrumentalist, he is an excellent songwriter as well. Listening to his records is so much fun for me, because I feel like I’m getting to know him in a way I didn’t when we were making records and touring together. Maybe most impressive to me is Chris’s sense of melody, but his ability to write in such a wide variety of styles isn’t too far behind. Mostly he rocks, and sometimes I hear shades of Prog in there, as well as a distinct pop sensibility. Once again handling all instruments - except some guitar, courtesy of Chuck Whitney, and Ginger Wildheart - Chris has made another record that’s getting tons of airplay ‘round our house.
(https://www.chrismarspublishing.com)
15. Karen Haglof - One Hand Up
Karen is a former resident of Minneapolis where she was a member of the pioneering local all-girl band Spitfire, and a short-lived but terrific band called The Wad, who recorded the classic song “Chains” for our local label Twin/Tone Records’ various artists compilation Big Hits Of Mid-America Volume Three (there’s a wonderful re-recording of the song from 2015 that’s available on her Bandcamp page). Karen also cofounded the trio Crackers (with Suicide Commando Steve Almaas), who up and moved to New York in 1979. Once there, she quickly fell into a left-of-center scene with the likes of Rhys Chatham, and the Band Of Susans. After going back to college in pursuit of a medical degree and a decade working in the field, Karen started making music again in 2014, so far releasing three albums, one EP, and two singles. In a recent interview, Karen described her approach to One Hand Up as, “an exploration of and casual disregard for musical boundaries; the songs are not strictly folk, rock, Americana, prog, funk, disco, avant, country, or pop, but do draw freely from all.” With no ‘reaching for the brass ring’ in sight, just making music for the sheer fun of it, there’s a purity to this album that I find comforting.
(https://karenhaglof.bandcamp.com)
16. Joe Fahey - Andrea’s Exile
Joe just keeps making records that I love. They get under my skin through a combination of strong writing, smart, insightful, socially conscious lyrics, and a dry sense of humor (“Did I Forget To Feed The Fish” anyone?!). His records consistently bring great pleasure into my life. And hey, Robert Christgau, the much revered ‘Dean of Rock Critics,’ loves Joe’s music too!
(https://joefaheymusic.com/home)
17. Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poet’s Department
I love Taylor but this is a tough call. I’ve been overwhelmed by her output over the last couple of years. 17 songs on this initial album release, then a 15 song digital addendum released a couple hours afterwards - it’s not easy to keep up! Favorites here are “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart,” “Down Bad,” and “Fortnight (feat. Post Malone).”
Reissues & Archival
Bob Dylan & The Band - The 1974 Live Recordings (27 CD set)
I actually saw the tour in Chicago in January of 1974, so this is especially exciting for me to be able to take in the entire arc of the shows. These performances are high on adrenalin and who-knows-what-else, which makes for some careening and rushed-feeling versions of songs. But in giving all the shows a careful listen, the highlights are thrilling.
(https://bobdylanstore.com/search?q=live+1974)
The Go-Betweens - Anthology - Vol. 3
4 Vinyl LPs - the last 3 G-B’s albums + Nachtmix 99, an unreleased live radio session from Munich. 4 CDs of rare, hard-to-find and unreleased demos, recordings and b-sides. 112 page booklet. Downloadable 28 song set, recorded live at The Barbican June 27th, 2004. And a huge poster, designed by artist Bjenny Montero. It’s the conclusion of an exhaustive series of three enormous box sets released in 2015, 2019, and 2024. Of the nine albums the G-B’s made, these last three are my favorites, the final one - Oceans Apart - is to me, their very best. One of my favorite bands of all-time.
David Bowie - Rock ‘N’ Roll Star! (Ziggy Stardust era 5-CD + 1 Blu-Ray box set)
For me, the 14 month period between October 1970 and December 1971 is a sort of Petri dish for one of rock’s big bangs. David Bowie seemingly plucks the Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust albums out of thin air almost simultaneously, not to mention another album’s worth of additional songs. They’d recorded the entire Ziggy album - except “Starman” - before Hunky Dory was even released! How does such a massive burst of song writing of this high a caliber happen? The man had struggled doggedly since 1964, forming bands and breaking them up; changing members, labels, management, musical styles, and his ‘look’ - trying to establish a career of some kind. There had been some successes (like “Space Oddity”) and many great songs, but the way David Bowie’s music suddenly blossomed like it did in 1970-1971 was miraculous. Even his newfound visible confidence was striking - you need look no further than the masterly July 6th, 1972 Top Of The Pops television performance of “Starman.” In the UK, people liken it to The Beatles on Ed Sullivan in the United States in 1964 - it was Instant Stardom. Rock ‘N’ Roll Star! contains 28 unreleased tracks, including gems like: “So Long 60s” (an early draft of what became “Moonage Daydream”), “It’s Gonna Rain Again,” “Shadow Man,” and what sounds like a spontaneous, for fun run-through of The Who’s “I Can’t Explain”; there’s a 5-song rehearsal from their living quarters and band HQ, the fabled Haddon Hall; and a terrific solo acoustic demo of “Soul Love,” after which is an unbelievably precious one-minute-and-fifteen-second ‘voice memo’ of Bowie talking, giving Mick Ronson detailed arrangement suggestions that’s worth the price of admission alone! Bonus points go to the package designer for aping the old RCA Records label font on the Parlophone CD imprints!
(https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/david-bowie-rock-n-roll-star/)
John Lennon - Mind Games (box set)
Mind Games has always been a favorite of mine. While the John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album is more impactful in its intensity, when I want to hear a post-Beatles John Lennon album, MG is more often than not my go-to, because it’s simply a great collection of songs. I think John’s singing here is some of the best he ever did. The previously unreleased outtakes, and the studio chatter are thrilling to hear. I like the idea of hearing the songs in a different light - some stripped back to the bare essentials, others pushing John’s vocals further out front in the mix, or making previously buried instrumentation more prominent. All lovingly produced by Sean Lennon and Simon Hilton. But I will say some of the rest of it strikes me as kinda weird - “newly remixed and expanded alternate mixes” done in the 2020s specifically for a box set feels like the record company is creating “rarities” they can sell us at a premium rate. Or is it just me?
(https://store.johnlennon.com/products/mind-games-the-ultimate-collection-deluxe-box-set)
Singles/EPs:
David Bowie, Brian Eno - Get Real - Sounds Right Mix (feat. NATURE)
As Eno said in 2024, “Get Real” is “a song I cowrote with David Bowie 30 years ago.” Which dates it as a 1994 composition, written by the two men while they concocted the sprawling ‘Art-Crime’ story-in-song that would be called Outside (1995) - their criminally overlooked 4th collaboration (following Low, Heroes, and Lodger). An original recording of the song was included on the Japanese pressing of the Outside album as a bonus track. This is a remix done by Eno in 2024. If you do some googling, you can find out what he means by “featuring Nature,” it’s a wonderful bit of “Eno-ism.”
(https://open.spotify.com/track/4gMO0NinQgYQZw5VhCxvl1?si=5761c09bac08465a)
Fat, Evil Children (F.E.C.)
- self-titled, 6-song (EP)
- Fooled (single)
- Taking Your Place (single)
- Big Ol’ Bird (single)
- Running (single)
(https://fatevilchildren.bandcamp.com)
Truman Sinclair
- Pale Moon, Pale Horse (EP)
- Joel Roberts (single)
- Black Train (single)
I could easily come off like a complete lunatic evangelizing about Truman Sinclair but I’ll be brief. A 22 year-old who’s been playing in bands since he was 8, a musical entity that never stops creating.
(https://trumansinclair.bandcamp.com)
Live (in LA unless otherwise noted):
January
05 - Frat Mouse - Troubadour
12 - Truman Sinclair - house party
16 - Gold Star - Zebulon
18 - Gold Star Vine Bar - Long Beach
31 - The Mastersons, w/special guest: Jackson Browne - Gold-Diggers
February
29 - 2 Englishmen Abroad: a fascinating musical discussion with Robert Fripp & David Singleton (English record producer and business partner of Fripp’s)
March
03 - Elle Belle - The Fable - Eagle Rock
SXSW - Austin, TX
13 - Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express - backyard show
14 - Tommy Stinson - Valhalla (w/Freedom Rockets!)
15 - Tommy Stinson - C-Boys inside
- John Doe - C-Boys outside
- Tuomo & Markus - Guero’s
- New West Records Showcase - Antone’s (Color Green, The Howdies)
- The Barr Brothers (duo) - Speakeasy Ballroom
April
07 - Elle Belle - The Fable - Eagle Rock
18 - Bar Italia, Feeble Little Horse - Henry Fonda Theater
29 - Leslie Stevens - Zebulon
May
02 - L.C. Franke - The Sun Rose
05 - Elle Belle - The Fable - Eagle Rock
June
01 - Tommy Stinson - Schoolkids Records - Chapel Hill, NC
05 - The Sadies, Jon Langford & Sally Timms - The Lodge Room
27 - Angus & Julia Stone Band - Fox Theater - Oakland, CA
28 - Labrys (Penny Pitchlynn, Broncho bassist) - Non-Plus Ultra
29 - Angus & Julia Stone - The Orpheum
July
27 - Beachwood Sparks - The Lodge Room
30 - Fat Evil Children, Frat Mouse - The Troubadour
31 - Bob Dylan & Band - Hollywood Bowl
August
06 - Elliott Smith Tribute - The Regent _ Jason Lytle & Jim Fairchild, Ben Bridwell, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Earlimart, Leslie Stevens, etc.
08 - Jonny Polonsky - The Mint
14 - The Mastersons - Gold-Diggers
16 - C.G. Roxanne & The Nightmares - The Chamber
September
07 - Film: Burden of Dreams - Academy of Motion Pictures w/Werner Herzog in-person interview
10 - Tommy Stinson - G-Man Tavern - Chicago
12 - Tommy Stinson - Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame - Cleveland
13 - Tommy Stinson - Used Kids - Columbus, OH
25 - Iris DeMent - Theater Rialto - Montreal
26 - The Barr Brothers - La Sala Rossa w/Juana Molina, Kee Avil - Montreal
29 - Steve Almaas & Daria Grace - The Golden Notebook - Woodstock, NY
October
07 - Paul Kelly & Dan Kelly - Teragram Ballroom (Dan opened the show, and played with Paul)
08 - Big Star Band - 50th Anniversary of Radio City - The Lodge Room
16 - Milo Binder - Kulak’s Woodshed
25 - Michigander - The Troubadour
November
04 - Film: Prima Facie, starring Jodie Comer - Laemmle Theater, Glendale
06 - Ella Woolsey - The Echo
17 - The dBs - Zebulon
20 - Gold Star - El Cid
December
01 - Fat Evil Children (duo)/Elle Belle - The Fable
04 - Truman Sinclair- The Silverlake Lounge
09 Christian Lee Hutson - The Grammy Museum/Clive Davis Theater
10 - Iris DeMent - The El Rey Theater
12 - The Barr Brothers - The Moroccan
15 - Gold Star - The Silverlake Lounge
27 - Film: A Complete Unknown - Burbank 16
In the Must Mention category:
Angus & Julia Stone - Oakland & LA - LIVE & IN-PERSON!
Generally speaking, Angus & Julia are not well-known in the states. They tour here infrequently, only hitting three or four cities when they do, and yet the 2,000 + seat theaters they play are always sold-out, and everyone in the audience knows the words to every song. But the thing that really makes them stand out to me is this: I’ve now seen them 19 times, and I have never seen them have an off-night. Every single night, they conjure genuine magic. Their shows are like textbook examples of execution in performance, sound, lights, and stage decoration. They are gifted musical beings, through and through.
Podcast with Lydia Lunch & Tim Dahl
I’ve been lucky to do quite a few renowned podcasts over the years, and recently several for my memoir Euphoric Recall, but I gotta say I sure didn’t expect to be invited to do Lydia Lunch’s The Lydian Spin (294 episodes to date)! Along with her cohost, Tim Dahl, it was an especially spirited and fun conversation. Lydia’s CV is well-known - a no-holds-barred, No-Wave/Punk/Poet/Actor/Agitator. Tim is a highbrow musician and a super-knowledgeable music man. I had a ball, and it was quite an honor to speak with these erudite artists for an hour!
Book Tour
As of the end of 2024, I’ve done 20 promo events for my memoir in 18 cities (2 each in Minneapolis and LA), 12 of them with my longtime colleague and friend, Tommy Stinson. It’s been an absolute joy to do. Gargantuan Thank Yous to Tommy, publicists Jim Merlis of Big Hassle, and Josh Mills of It’s Alive Media, the venue folks, the moderators, and the audiences who have all been exceptional!
Jan. 17 LA - Book Soup, moderator Mark Blackwell
March 14 Austin, TX - Waterloo Records, with Tommy Stinson/moderator Chuck Prophet
March 16 Dallas, TX - Cactus Music, moderator Bob Ruggerio
June 1 Chapel Hill, NC - Schoolkids Records, with Tommy Stinson/moderator John Wurster
June 2 Raleigh, NC - Schoolkids Records, with Tommy Stinson/moderator David Menconi
June 3 Richmond, VA - Chilton House, with Tommy Stinson/moderator Mary Lucia
Sept. 10 Chicago - GMan Tavern, with Tommy Stinson/moderator Jill Hopkins
Sept. 12 Cleveland - Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, with Tommy Stinson/moderator Andy Leach
Sept. 13 Columbus, OH - Barnes & Noble (Lennox location), with Tommy Stinson/moderator Curt Schieber
Sept. 26 Montreal, Quebec - Pop Montreal, moderator Howard Bilerman
Sept. 29 Woodstock, NY - The Golden Notebook/Bearsville Center, with Steve Almaas/moderator Holly George-Warren
Nov. 9 Twentynine Palms, CA - The Twentynine Palms Book Festival, moderator Cary Baker
RIP:
We lost too many good ones this past year. Two that hit especially close to home were Bob “Slim” Dunlap and Blaine John “Beej” Chaney. Musicians I revered, and saw live uncountable times. They were heroes of mine. That we also became friends is something I will treasure forever.