Best of 2011

2011 was pretty amazing and monumental! I knew that it would be a big year this time last year but you never know how things will play out. It was a year I took some calculated risks and got to do amazing things that I knew I was supposed to do.

It will forever be burnt into my brain that I got to throw a killer music festival and have Daniel Johnston headline it. It was also great to be able to invite and so many other artists I love.  I am working on the follow up to Middle of the Map Fest right now. I am pretty excited about everything we are putting together on it. 

As far as Record Machine goes it was another awesome year. We made the switch to mostly vinyl which was very exciting and fun. We released 4 7”s from Soft Reeds, Minden, State Bird, and Lazy. We also released 12”s for Ad Astra Arkestra and State Bird. Not to even mention sweet digital releases for Motorboater, Max Justus, and Continents. 2012 is looking like it will be another great year with releases on the horizon for Capybara, Cowboy Indian Bear, La Guerre, Soft Reeds, and more!

I got to make trips to both CMJ and SXSW this year. Spending some time in NYC and Providence this fall was a great break from the norm. It was good to catch up with friends that had just moved and see some people that I dearly love.

All and all another great year. 

As for my year in listening I am pretty impressed that I could get 28 records into what most people would call a Top 10. These don’t even count the releases I did from The Record Machine. 

1. Korallreven - An Album by Korallreven
2. M83 - Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
3. St Vincent - Strange Mercy
4. Southern Shores - Atlantic
5. Junior Boys - It’s All True
6. Fruit Bats - Tripper
7. Twin Sister - In Heaven
8. Hooray for Earth - True Loves
9. A Lull - Confetti
10. Youth Lagoon - Youth Lagoon
11. Cut Copy - Zonoscope
11. Friendly Fires - Pala
11. Born Gold - Body Songs
12. Real Estate - Days
13. Atlas Sound - Parallax
14. Toro Y Moi - Underneath The Pine
15. Beacon - No Body
16. Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes
17. Tycho - Dive
18. Pure X - Pleasure
19. Com Truise - Galactic Melt
20. Wu Lyf - Go Tell Fire to the Mountain
21. Mint Julep - Save Your Season
22. Gotye - Making Mirrors
23. Lil Daggers - Lil Daggers
24. Cults - Cults
25. The Dogs - Camping