The second installment in the 2009 edition of our annual Auld Lang Syne series features reflections from a range of musicians, writers and Relix staffers. Which member of moe. had a kick ass 40th anniversary party? What rising band spent time on the road with the Flaming Lips? Who figured out how to use an iPhone? Scroll down to find out and be sure to click here to read the previous installment of Auld Lang Syne
JO JO HERMANN (WIDESPREAD PANIC)
What will you remember most about 2009?
Musically, the thing I will remember most about 2009 is meeting and jamming with Alfred “Uganda” Roberts at UNC Chapel Hill. He was Professor Longhair’s conga player on all those records I grew up listening to. Playing the old Fess tunes with him was an experience I will never forget.
What album or albums appeared most often in your iTunes?
My I tunes file filled up this year with every single track ever recorded by Dr. John. I delved into his music and life this past year, and discovered why he’s one of the greatest and most important musical artists ever.
What was your favorite show or tour in 2009?
I play in a band called Widespread Panic and we toured with the Allman Brothers last fall. Sitting in with the band while Jimmy Herring, Warren Haynes, and Derek Trucks were jamming out on guitars ten feet in front of me was unreal.
What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2010?
I attended Bonnaroo for the first time as a fan wandering from stage to stage and I got turned onto two bands that really blew me away and took away my “it’s all been done” jadedness instantly. They played back to back on the Which Stage. They were Band of Horses and Andrew Bird. I play their records over and over, as do many of your readers I’m sure.
What artist or artists will be most synonymous with the past decade?
There’s only one band that can claim the title to “band of the decade” which is probably obvious to everyone—Radiohead
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LOGAN KROEBER (DODOS)
What will you remember most about 2009?
Probably recording Time To Die (our third record). That will be the biggest accomplishment of the year I’m sure. But I’ll probably reminisce most about skating the Potrero Park in San Francisco with my friends then meeting our wives/girlfriends at the bar down the street and eating po’ boy sandwiches with an Abita amber ale.
What album or albums appeared most often in your iTunes?
I looked at the playcounts on my itunes before we left on tour and it looks like the song “Gust Of” by The Album Leaf has a crushing lead. It’s been the first song on a sleep time playlist my girlfriend and I have had for over five years. For everyday listening this year I bet it’s either Sunday Coming by Alton Ellis or the Pop Ambient comp from 2008.
What was your favorite show or tour in 2009?
Our American tour with The Ruby Suns was probably my favorite tour, but as a spectator our current crew in Europe just went to the Le Guess Who festival in Utrecht, Holland. Highlights were seeing The Very Best and The Field with a live band.
What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2010?
Megafaun. We just finished playing a bunch of shows with those guys and I’ve never seen a band with such a gentle approach get a crowd to shut up, absolutely silent, and tune in to what the band is doing so well. I think they’ll be pretty busy next year.
What artist or artists will be most synonymous with the past decade?
Animal Collective. There are other contenders (Interpol, M.I.A., Arcade Fire, dozens more I’m sure) who put a stamp on the decade, but AC were this constant, evolving presence that has continued to grow in fascinating ways up until the final buzzer of 2009.
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