The third installment in our annual year in review features reflections from one of our most diverse mix of artists, promoters and other members of the Relix/Jambands.com community. What guitarist thinks Jack White “makes cool rock music without being cliché?” Which banjo player has Queens of the Stone Age in constant rotation? And just how did Nelly nestle up next to Radiohead, Wilco and the Boss? Continue reading to find out…

Also, be sure to read Part One and Part Two of our Auld Lang Syne series to see what Widespread Panic, Drive-By Truckers, moe., Tea Leaf Green, Railroad Earth, Rouge Wave, Dodos and a number of other musicians have to say about the past twelve months.

JEFF RAINES (GALACTIC)

What will you remember most about 2009?

For me 2009 was all about making the new Galactic album Ya-Ka-May.

What album or albums appeared most often in your iTunes?

The album that appeared most often in my iTunes was Serge Gainsbourg Histoire De Melody.

What was your favorite show or tour in 2009?

My favorite show of 2009 was the one Galactic played in Buenos Aires. We had Chali 2na and his brother Laid Law with us. We didn’t know what to expect in Argentina but the audience went crazy when we hit the stage. At the end of the concert the crowd broke out in a soccer chant as we left the stage.

What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2010?

I would tell people to keep an eye out for the band Tbird and the Breaks out of Austin in the coming year.

What artist or artists will be most synonymous with the past decade?

I think Jack White did some great stuff the last couple of years. The guy seems to make cool rock music without being cliché. That ain’t easy.

*****

SCOTT METZGER (RANA, BUSTLE IN YOUR HEDGEOW, AMERICAN BABIES)

What will you remember most about 2009?

The inauguration of Obama.

What album or albums appeared most often in your iTunes?

James Brown Say it Loud and Live
Glenn Gould Bach: The Complete Goldberg Variations
Louis Sclavis Lost on the Way
MelvinS Bullhead

What was your favorite show or tour in 2009?

3/23/09—Monte Good and the Honky Tonk Heroes Band at Robert’s Western World-Nashville TN. Dave Dreiwitz, Joe Russo and I had a night off in “Music town USA” and went out for steaks. After delicious steaks, we wondered down to music row and went into the bar with the coolest sign we could find—a big neon cowboy boot that said, “Western World.” No cover. The band was already playing when we walked in. We stayed for about 3 hours and they were still playing when we left. These guys were absolutely outrageous. EVERY song was a show stopper. Awe-inspiring musicianship. I’m assuming they were playing for the tip jar since it was a Monday night. Truly inspiring. When in Nashville, look up Monte Good & the Honky Tonk Heroes and go see them-you’ll thank me.

What emerging band should readers watch out for in 2010?

A Big Yes, and a Small no.

What artist or artists will be most synonymous with the past decade?

Nelly. Nelly changed the game entirely…But seriously, it’s a super tough question since downloading and computers have made getting music, and making music, so easy. One artist hasn’t had the kind of impact that they might have had in the past since record labels don’t have as much influence or power as they did in, say, the ‘90s. So the powers that be can’t say “This is the hot sound this summer.” And that’s a very good thing. Record labels are on the way out. There are SO many scenes now that no one band has or, really, can influence them all. There were a few big ones in pop culture for sure-The White Stripes, Eminem, and now we have Lady Gaga, but it’s hard to say who will be synonymous with the 2000’s. Ask me in 2020.

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