Local Music Nation

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).

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~ 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!

[youtube G1WpGqEOCOg]

~ 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!

[youtube I74C2hClAsA]

~ 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.

2015 marks the year that Parade of Lights FINALLY (and I mean finally!) released a full length album. I have so many memories of dancing and singing along at POL shows, but this was the first year I was easily out-danced and out-sung by throngs of new and adoring fans. I was able to see the band a few times this year including at their album release show at The Slidebar.

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~ 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 would say that Nothing But Thieves’ self-titled album is my favorite of 2015, except that it doesn’t come out in the US until the beginning of next year. I missed their LA debut at Bardot due to a show conflict, but was very very lucky to find myself in December at an invite-only Nothing But Thieves gig at an unmarked bar on Fairfax (very LA). They played for a solid hour. It was a dream come true!

[youtube vEHdboBsdCA]

(sorry couldn’t find a better sounding video…)

~ 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.

If you want to know my next favorite band coming out of Los Angeles, look no further than Badflower.  I think “The Jester” was the song that tipped me over the edge from casual fan to obsessive listening. “Is there anybody out there lookin’ out for me?!?!” indeed.

[youtube MAa6O6IjB1c]

~ Kristen