2019 Year End Review

I was unsure if I wanted to do an end of year post for fear of sounding redundant, but I have come across so much music this year that has inspired me that I thought it would be a disservice not to share a couple highlights and a few of my favorites. 

So first, the highlights. I had the opportunity to see The Rocket Summer and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness live this year. I have been following them for over a decade, and being able to see BOTH of them live in the same year left my heart as full as it could possibly get. The music created by both of these artists got me through many ups and many downs over the past decade, and the love I have for every song they write is infinite. 

Another highlight from the year is so simple, yet has been so fulfilling. I started this blog with no intention of starting a social media page. I am glad I went against my better judgement and took Tunes and Tapes to Instagram. It has allowed me to share so much more than posts on a webpage every month. Lyrics are huge for me, but I did not want to make an entire blog post about one line in a song. The Instagram page allows me to do this on a smaller scale. It makes sharing concert experiences and information about artists so much easier. If you have followed, liked, commented, or viewed the Instagram page, THANK YOU SO MUCH. 

Picking a top five this year was less overwhelming than usual because each of these artists have inspired me and are on constant repeat. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have and that you have a wonderful new year. 

  1. Dermot Kennedy: Without Fear 
  2. The Rocket Summer: Sweet Shivers 
  3. Jack Gray: Nights Like This
  4. VÉRITÉ: New Skin
  5. TAVIA: A Walk in the Madness 

Jack Gray

A friend and I went to Atlanta to see Dean Lewis in March, and we left completely blown away by his opening act. “Wow, he is really good!” were the first words I uttered when I heard Jack Gray for the first time. Then, after a couple of songs into his set, the 20 year old Australian proceeded to play his guitar and piano simultaneously while singing. I turned to my friend in amazement, and before I could beat her to it, she shouted, “we are looking him up after this!” I left the show that night singing Gray’s tunes and awoke the next morning with them still in my head. His acoustic set was magnified by the studio versions of his songs with a fresh alt-pop sound, adding just enough electronic mix without overproducing. My favorite tune is “Down Side of Up.” Any song that can get me through the dreaded chores of vacuuming and mopping with a lasting smile is one to treasure forever (not that I was doing that today or anything). I also love “Drunk Talk.” There is something so dreamy and hazy about it, which I guess is the point, right?

Give Gray your attention and press play on some of his tunes. He is one to watch for sure.