Unless indicated, I took all the pics posted on this blog. Feel free to repost – just remember to give credit. Cheers!

Most spun albums this year…

(In no particular order)….

1. Lana Del Rey – “Norman Fucking Rockwell” (2019) // I liked this album a lot more than I wanted to. The first cut I heard was “Venice Bitch,” and was instantly hooked. Yes, there’s the cover of Sublime’s “Doin’ Time,” but give the whole album a listen.

2. Angel Olsen – All Mirrors (2019) // On the heels of the previous album, I remember clearly listening to this record the morning it came out. I was on a flight to northern California, and had downloaded the album. I’d always like Angel Olsen’s voice, but this album takes the orchestral arrangements to the next level.

3. Thom Yorke – Anima (2019) // Thom Yorke sticks to the electronics he’s accustomed to on this album. But in case you needed a visual, watch the accompanying video on Netflix, and then you’ll be able to see the rabbit hole he takes you down. Fingers crossed for a Coachella appearance in 2020.

4. FKA Twigs – MAGDALENE (2019) // Want to continue the surreal streak? Check out newest album from FKA Twigs, an artist who blew up a few years back with her debut. That rabbit hole has plenty of room in it. Again, crossing those Coachella fingers.

5. Marvin Gaye – Live at The London Palladium (1977) // Want something older? I snatched up a used vinyl copy of this record recently. While Marvin’s life might have been in turmoil during this period, his voice wasn’t. He uses medleys to highlight his early sixties cuts, to his brilliant work in the seventies. No R&B voice was smoother, and hearing it live is a reminder that there just might be a god.

6. Peggy Gou – DJ-Kicks (Peggy Gou) [DJ Mix] (2019) // I stopped in for her use of an Aphex Twin cut, and stayed for the whole party. You should, too.

7. RUFUS DU SOL – Solace (2018) // If I had to choose one anthem for my Coachella experience, it was probably “Underwater” by the trio that makes up RUFUS DU SOL. Having first caught them back in 2016 on a small stage at Outside Lands, they followed up that wonderful set with this effort.

8. Tool – Fear Inoculum (2019) // The first album in 13 years from the legendary prog-metal band, of course I’m going to be listening to this.

9. Sturgill Simpson – SOUND AND FURY (2019) // Simpson continues to confound expectations with his latest effort, which conjures up more rock than country. Still, I had it spinning throughout the year.

10. Everyday Life – Coldplay (2019) // Love that they took chances, but still not in love with the latest effort from Chris Martin and the gang. Still, there are some noteworthy cuts (“Arabesque” would be stellar live).

11. Channel Tres – Channel Tres // My favorite artist discovery this year was probably Channel Tres, and this self-titled EP was always on rotation.

12. Sharon Van Etten – Remind Me Tomorrow // My first favorite album of the year, she knocks it out of the park with this one.

Favorite Live Acts This Year (10 of them, anyway)…

Okay, as I list some of my favorite live acts from 2019, remember that I’ve watched literally hundreds of artists and bands, of genres ranging from indie to hip hop, to electronic to country. These are some of the acts that stuck out, for one reason or another (again, in no particular order).

1. Childish Gambino @ Outside Lands (8.10.2019) – While I also saw him live at Coachella, I really liked this performance more. The flow felt tighter, and his performance again was breathtaking. The dude is an A+ performer all around.

2. Santana @ Bottlerock (5.26.2019) – This was probably one of the biggest gets this year, for a festival that had a subpar lineup all around. Also, Santana rarely plays these larger fests, so this was definitely a treat. Since this was the 50th anniversary year of the Woodstock festival, he treated us to video footage of him from the event, while he ripped through legendary cuts like “Soul Sacrifice” and “Oye Como Va.” Definitely a moment.

3. Aphex Twin @ Coachella (4.20.2019) – The electronic legend’s rare appearance at an American festival was a must-see. So was watching the looks on young faces when they realized he didn’t sound like Zedd or DJ Snake. Trolling aside, his set was unreal, even if I normally don’t like tapping into the madness that is some of his music.

4. Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul @KAABOO (9.13.2019) – Known primarily for being the sidekick of Bruce Springsteen, Little Steven and his band blew me away with what had to be one of the best early afternoon sets I’d seen all year.

5. Chad Smith/Josh Klinghoffer, with Eric Avery and Mike McCready @ Fingerprints Music (4.13.2019) – This Record Store Day appearance, while relatively short, was magical. And I was only a few feet away to watch these legends burn through some T. Rex covers.

6. Mix Master Mike @KAABOO (9.14.2019) – Seeing this legendary DJ (most associated with The Beastie Boys put on an early afternoon set, with a double bourbon, is a great way to start any Saturday.

7. H.E.R. @Coachella & @Intersect Festival – Both of these sets were fantastic, introducing me to not only her phenomenal voice, but her diverse and skilled musicianship.

8. Lizzo @Coachella (4.21.2019) – This set was one of the highlights of Coachella, cementing Lizzo‘s place as a pop star. Next time, she belongs on the main stage.

9. Beach House@ Just Like Heaven (5.4.2019) – The first time festival in my hometown of Long Beach was filled with fantastic groups. But Beach House reminded me of their dream pop greatness, with this gorgeous set at night.

10. Tame Impala @ Coachella (4.20.2019) – Of course they played on 4/20. It’d been almost 4 years since I’d seen them last, but they were so deserving of this headlining spot. Flawless performance, and mind altering visuals.

 

Coachella Guesses?

Lastly, since the new year will probably be here before my next blog, along with a good chance that the Coachella lineup is out before, I wanted to make a few guesses as to who I think will be on the lineup (thank you to the Reddit peeps that make the elimination process easier).

• Headliners are reported to be Travis Scott, Frank Ocean, and Rage Against The Machine. I’ll assume this is true, till I hear otherwise. Makes sense though, since the former two reportedly have new music coming out, and Rage has already confirmed on their own Instagram page.
• Dua Lipa is set to blow up this coming year, and I think the Coachella stage is a good place to make a cultural dent.
• Having just played a gig in LA, the newly reunited My Chemical Romance is also heavily rumored to play Coachella. Having two large acts reunite at Coachella would a) raise the value of that presale ticket I bought, and b) bring some rock bands back (this has been a complaint among older Coachella veterans).
• Will Lana Del Rey be there? I think there’s a good chance, though there’s a lot of debate on whether or not she’d be large enough to headline. I still see her as sub, but who knows. Would love to see her live treatment of “NFR,” though.
• Other acts I think will be on the Polo fields:
  • Thom Yorke
  • Megan Thee Stallion
  • Carly Rae Jepsen
  • Rex Orange County
  • The Chemical Brothers
  • Lil Uzi Vert
  • FKA Twigs
  • Daddy Yankee
  • Disclosure
  • ZHU
  • Run The Jewels
  • Caribou
  • King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
  • Denzel Curry
  • Deftones
  • Big Wild
  • Sasha Sloan
  • Lane 8
  • Sturgill Simpson
  • Michael Kiwanuka
  • Claptone
  • Anitta
  • Duke Dumont

Okay, some of this is wishful thinking, based on freed up schedules. But anyway, we’ll probably find out for sure 1/2 or 1/3. Till then, Happy New Year!

Here’s my ongoing playlist, updated weekly with both new and old tracks I’m listening to. Enjoy it for the last time this year!