My 2024 was largely defined by health issues that lead to job issues that lead to general life issues. But I think this all made me appreciate live music, Los Angeles, and my favorite venues and bands even more. Here’s my End of Year Mix and a bit of a reflection on what each song and artist meant to me this year.

1. The Virginmarys – “White Knuckle Riding”
Album of the year, song of the year, band of the year, The Virginmarys hold a very special place in my heart. I saw them in London in March for my birthday week despite the fact that standing and walking were both very painful activities. Their 2024 album, The House Beyond The Fire, speaks to my soul. When people ask me how I’m doing, the routine response has been “I’m surviving,” but I should just send them this song/album.

2. Twin Atlantic – “Asleep”
This was my most played song of the year according to Spotify. Twin Atlantic was also part of my birthday week celebrations where I saw them in Nottingham (home of Robin Hood) at Rescues Rooms. At the show they gave a sneak peak of a few songs of their 2024 release, Meltdown.

3. Orla Gartland – “Why Am I Like This?”
I became an Orla Gartland fan after seeing her supergroup, Fizz, perform at a music festival last year.  I was lucky to be able to see her in LA at The Troubadour towards the end of the year, right around the time I was becoming obsessed with the TV show, Heartstopper, which features this song.

4. Joe P – “Birthday Baby (The Girl with No Smile)”
Joe P released a fabulous album, Garden State Vampire, around the time I was interviewing for a job in New Jersey. While I did not end up moving to New Jersey, I was able to see Joe P in Anaheim in one of those perfectly timed/placed events as I en route from a music festival in Dana Point.

5. The Fever Dreams – “Ain’t No Stopping Me”
Anyone in need of a new band love? Look no further than this dream duo of Jamie N Commons and Ben Epand who just began releasing new music in 2024. This was the first song out the gate of what will hopefully be a long and successful run (that includes a live show in the near future).  

7. Griff – “Anything”
2024 had an absolute explosion of female pop artists, but none grabbed me more than Griff and her album Vertigo.

8. Badflower – “Detroit”
Badflower has been a top Band Love for over a decade now, but in 2024 they really made my year by coming back to LA to play back-to-back intimate shows, busting out a few old bangers as well as new hits like “Detroit”.  As happy as I am for Badflower’s recent success, nothing beats seeing this band in a small rock club, just like how we started!

9. Wheelwright – “Battle Cries“
My most seen artist of 2024 is Wheelwright. This is the song that has been opening his sets and hearing it makes me smile in anticipation. Wheelwright has been busy releasing new music this year and continues to impress me with his lyrics, his showmanship, and his general warmth as a human being.   

10. Morgxn – “To Be Human“
In February, Morgxn headlined one of those magical evenings at the Hotel Cafe, a place I spent a lot of time this year. This song, off his 2024 album Beacon, brought me to tears and continued to resonate throughout the year.

11. Holding Absence – “Wilt“
I saw Holding Absence headline for the first time this year and they blew me away. As soon as I exited the venue, I put in my earbuds and played this song on repeat during the long walk back to my car. It’s been on my playlist ever since.

12. Bastille – “Intros & Narratives”
One of the great pleasures of my year was being able to sit front row for a performance of Bastille’s new album, & (Ampersand). This album was also the somewhat unlikely soundtrack of a 6 hr. road trip to see a baseball game.

13. Snow Patrol – “The Beginning”
I have decided that at the top of my bucket list of bands I need to see is Snow Patrol. The band released a new album (The Forest Is The Path) this year and this first single hits me just as hard as any tune from Final Straw, one of my all-time favorite albums.

14. Vincent Lima – “In the Cold”
In the spring, I spent some time in San Francisco with a couple of cats. The cats, along with the hills of the city helped me with my physical therapy. I went to several shows during my stay (K.Flay, The Veronicas, Waterparks) but was most excited to finally (and I mean FINALLY) see Vincent Lima live.

15. Ashley Kutcher – “House On The Water”
I attended a few remarkable single or album release events this year, but perhaps the best was Ashley Kutcher playing her new album, House On The Water,  on the beach.

16. Linkin Park – “Over Each Other”
I’ve always enjoyed Linkin Park, but I’m an even bigger Dead Sara fan and when the music announcement of the year revealed that Emily Armstrong was the new lead singer of Linkin Park, I felt connected to a “bigger” band in a way I haven’t for a long time. Linkin Park released new music which embraces Emily’s unique rock vocals and I’m here for it.

17. Chinchilla – “Little Girl Gone”
No artist made a bigger first impression on me this year than Chinchilla whose LA showcase for School Night at Bardot gave me that feeling I chase every time I go out for music. This tiny power house blew the roof off the place!

18. Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things”
Benson Boone’s debut album Fireworks & Rollerblades got a lot of play from me (and many others) this year. The fact that I haven’t seen him perform live is just criminal, but I have plans to rectify this early next year…

19. Beauty School Dropout – “Fightmode”
From my first show of the year, these guys have come to represent the LA rock music scene for me. They do a fabulous job creating a sense of community with local, intimate shows often ending in the beautiful chaos sparked by this song.

20. Nico Vega – “Make it Out Alive”
Nico Vega, one of the best bands to every grace the LA music scene, released new music after their triumphant comeback last year. I was able to see them a handful of times this year, including an unforgettable show at The Troubadour where they ended their set with this song.

21. Jet – “Move On”
What might be my favorite show of the year was celebrating 20 years of Get Born at the Troubadour with the one and only, Jet! The music felt both nostalgic and contemporary (not many doing the rock genre any better) and what a sing-along it was! This song hit particularly deep.

~ Kristen

Not as much music reached my ears this year, but that doesn’t mean my 2016 wasn’t defined by it’s musical highlights.  Here are some of the songs and bands that meant the most to me in 2016.

Scroll to bottom to listen to Spotify playlist

1. Lukas Graham – Better Than Yourself (Criminal Mind, Pt. 2)

   I knew going into SXSW that I was going to like Lukas Graham, but I didn’t realize at the end of the year they were going to be my #1 band discovery of 2016.  They first time I saw Lukas Graham, they opened with this song.  It was love at first note.

2. Biffy Clyro – Wolves of Winter
   

   When your most beloved band releases a new album, you get excited. When this is the first single they drop, giddiness ensues.  2016’s Ellipsis wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but if it were, it wouldn’t be a Biffy Clyro album now would it?  My dearest wish for 2017 is that the band will return to Los Angeles and play.

3. Badflower – Drop Dead
   

   My favorite release this year was Badflower’s Temper EP.  This band continues to improve and with new songs like “Drop Dead”, I don’t see this trajectory leveling off any time soon.
   

4. Jamie N Commons – Not Gonna Break Me

   This was my theme song for much of 2016 as I continued to endure a myriad of setbacks in my journey towards a PhD.  I was not bested, however, and by the end of the year I finally (finally!) was able to defend my dissertation and graduate.  Thank you Mr. Commons!

5. Dear Boy – Alluria
   

   I saw Dear Boy more than any other band live this year including a particularly memorable Halloween show.  In 2016 the band released more music (Parts of a Flower EP) and “Alluria” is my favorite song from the new offerings.
   

6. The Hunna – You & Me
   

   This song makes me smile. It brings to mind all the best parts of 2016; backstage shenanigans, time spent with friends, discovering amazing new music, and ping pong!
   

7. The Struts – Kiss This
   

   Let’s just dedicate this song to 2016.  It was a tough year for a variety of reasons, but as much as I look forward to putting the year behind me, I would also like to remember the good times…like that time I saw The Struts do a TV taping and the audience was so into it, they clapped through the entire set!
   

8. Young Rising Sons – Simple Life
   

   Young Rising Sons always manage to be part of my most memorable concert experiences.  2016 brought some great shows, but one memory that is most vivid is a two-day extravagance at The Troubadour that included Young Rising Sons, The Moth & The Flame, Mainland, Dreamers, and Night Riots.  All I need are times like that…a Simple Life indeed!
   

9. Dreamers – Sweet Disaster
   

   Dreamers only came into my life in 2016, but it feels like I’ve known this band for years.  Their debut full length, This Album Does Not Exist, was released this year and there is not a single song on it that couldn’t be a radio hit.  One of my favorites for dancing, singing, and general good times.
   

10. The Wrecks – Favorite Liar

    At the beginning of the year, I interviewed The Wrecks when they opened for Nothing But Thieves at The Troubadour.  They were a new band, full of potential and seemingly boundless energy.  I loved them! By the end of the year, they had toured the country and signed a label deal.  I’d say 2016 was their year, but let’s just see where they go next!
    

11. Walking On Cars – Flying High Falling Low

    In 2016, Walking On Cars released their album, Everything This Way, and came to play LA not once, but twice!  This band is an experience and their music elicits “all the feels” as a dear friend and fellow WOC fan would say.
    

12. The Americans – I’ll Be Yours

    I caught this band a couple of times this year and each time, this song really stuck.  I tracked it down and put it on whenever I feel a little blue.  I find the song and it’s tempo changes quite hopeful.
    

13. Joseph – Lifted Away

    This trio of sisters opened for James Bay at Humphrey’s, one of the most unexpected and amazing show adventures of my year down in San Diego.  When Noisetrade offered one of their EPs, I snatched it up and was swept away by the glorious vocal harmonies.

14. BANNERS – Gold Dust

    I spent a lot of time in Starbucks this year, writing away.  I was very excited when I realized one of my SXSW faves was picked up for regular rotation at my store.  What speaks volumes about my love for this band is that after hearing this song over and over and over during some of the more trying times of my year, I still love it!
    

15. Highly Suspect – My Name is Human

    One of my favorite bands from last year came back in 2016 with another album, another Grammy nomination, and a couple killlller shows at The Troubadour.  I don’t think it’s possible for this band to disappoint, especially in the live setting.
    

16. The Virginmarys – Push the Pedal

    Highlights of my 2016 would not be complete without mentioning time spent with these gentlemen and their music.  They were one of the interviews I did for a video series with High Voltage and their 2016 album, Divides, spent a lot of time in my car stereo which probably wasn’t the best idea as songs like “Push the Pedal” don’t exactly encourage safe driving practices.
    

17. Lapsley – Hurt Me

    This song just digs right in.  I tracked down everything I could from Lapsley after seeing her play a surprise set at SXSW and this is the track I ended up putting on repeat.  If you happened to see me driving around LA singing in my car, chances are it was this song.
    

18. X Ambassadors f. Jamie N Commons – Low Life

    The X Ambassadors record came through for me big time this year with songs like this and their hit, “Unsteady”.  I had a particularly trying weekend where these songs were played on repeat.  You cannot underestimate the healing power of music, especially when one is feeling particularly alone.

19. Mondo Cozmo – Shine

    If we had a category for best local discovery of 2016, Mondo Cozmo would win the prize.  To say I missed a chance to see Dear Boy in order to see this band again…well, that should say everything.  “Shine” is an anthem to take into 2017 reminding us that, “Everything will be alright if you let it go”.
    

 

 

 

~ Kristen

2015 was not the best of years, but it certainly had its moments…most of the good ones involved music. Here are a few of the songs that had an impact on my year.

I grew up listening to Judy Collins. When I had the opportunity to see the legend perform this year, I treasured every note. She largely played the covers she has become famous for including this Sondheim classic. Just seeing Judy would have been enough but after the show I also had the opportunity to meet her. I’m fairly certain this was the most exciting celebrity interaction I had all year (and that includes sharing an inside joke with Jared Padalecki at Comic Con).

 

~ Kristen

2015 was not the best of years, but it certainly had its moments…most of the good ones involved music. Here are a few of the songs that had an impact on my year.

I used to fall asleep to a Broadway classics album that included this song. It was always one of my favorites. When Groban released an album full of Broadway songs, I knew this one was going to be a highlight. The entire album is amazing and it became my go to writing music. How can you listen to this song and not be inspired? Josh Groban + Broadway classics = perfection!

 

~ Kristen

2015 was not the best of years, but it certainly had its moments…most of the good ones involved music. Here are a few of the songs that had an impact on my year.

“May all your favorite bands stay together” is certainly the wish I would depart to all of my nearest and dearest. That this sentiment has been put into song is perfection. Thank you Dawes! I suppose this would be a good time to RIP a few that announced (or maybe didn’t) the end this year including Funeral For A Friend, The Janks, We Met Tomorrow, Dry The River, and probably more that I’m just trying not to think about. It hurts, people! It really hurts!

 

~ Kristen