Predictions for SF Music in 2015

Given that next month marks six years at SFR for yours truly (minus that time I moved to LA for a girl and ruined my own life), it's safe to say I've been at this for a good, long while now. And that is exactly why I feel OK making the following predictions for the upcoming year. Indulge me.

Venue owners will get it together.

Looking back to just how great it was when Heather McKearnan ran their concert program, The Cowgirl Hall of Fame decides that maybe it wouldn't be the worst thing to stop booking bands that are so interchangeable leading to the end of statements like, "What do you mean who's playing the Cowgirl? Some Americana or country band…duh!" Additionally, Sol Santa Fe will apologize to the community for seemingly trying so hard to alienate us all, The Locker Room will do more all-ages shows (which is awesome) and The Dave Cave will start consulting for people to show them how it's done. By which I mean, people should ask those dudes how it's done. Seriously.

The youth will show us how it's done.

Choking on Air, Almost a Lie, Chromealiene and a whole mess of others will put albums together, organize tours, win contests and look beyond city limits for success rather than perching atop soapboxes and complaining. Exalt and Hatin Nate will come visit from Colorado and Texas respectively and let everyone know why evolution and success in the music world sort of hinges on leaving the comforts of Santa Fe. Sleeptaker will finally learn what actual metal sounds like and then do that, Miriam Kass will play more shows and make us all feel bad because she's like, less than half our age and more talented than all of us, and bands like Ruder and the Shockwaves or Venus and the Lion will start getting off campus more because they're amazing and why the hell don't these guys get off campus more!?

Thieves & Gyspys will a-splode.

Just about the only band besides D Numbers to get out and tour, Thieves & Gypsys are a success story waiting to happen. They've got it all—Strokes-ish soud, an insanely good drummer and the charismatic leadership of Jared Garcia.

Nacha Mendez will get fed up.

She probably thinks she isn't on my radar, but it bums me out that Nacha is relegated to restaurants for the most part. Get fed up and put your music on a stage, please.

DJs will stay exactly the same.

I mean, why would you guys want to change a thing? Most of you are downright beloved around here.

Frogville will get it together (and kill me).

There are always great tracks and albums coming out of Frogville. Bill Palmer is, after all, an excellent producer. Still, I'm not sure if they're being awfully quiet up on that hill because there's something rad up their sleeves or if they're working out my routines so they can end me.

Speaking of Frogville, The Strange will release a new record and sound like a completely different band…in a good way.

Color me impressed with The Strange and how far they've come in recent years. I've got a feeling they've been writing the best stuff of their careers lately and I can't wait to hear it.

Shannon Brackett will destroy everyone.

I happened to catch Brackett sing and guitar on New Year's Eve at the Cowgirl, and I'm not sure I've heard a more beautiful voice in this town—which is saying a lot given folks like Megan Burns and Felecia Ford. Shannon? Can you please play all the time now?

SFR's Art Director will make the best cartoon version of me yet.

Hats off to Anson Stevens-Bollen for all the amazing design/artwork he's put into these pages since he came on board. Anson's work is astonishing and he brought my lifelong dream of being cartoon-ified to life. Now I almost can't wait to see what he does with my ugly mug next.

Everyone will just relax a little.

Deal? Let's all learn to laugh.

Santa Fe Reporter