Mike Huguenor (Mike Huguenor / Jeff Rosenstock band/ Shinobu / Hard Girls)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2025? (In order 1-5)
- Danny Brown – Stardust
- Youth Lagoon – Rarely Do I Dream
- Flippeur – Elastique
- Star 99 – Gaman
- Who Will Look After the Dogs?
What band did you discover in 2025 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?
Ekko Astral. Had a great time touring with them and looking forward to seeing what they have coming up!
How will you remember 2025 (in terms of music)?
An interesting and varied year for music! For me, it was a year of a few repeat tracks, Danny Brown’s “Book of Daniel,” Youth Lagoon’s “Parking Lot,” Star 99’s “Esta.” These are songs that dug deep into me and that I came back to often. A great year for touring, with some of the best shows of my life on the Jeff Rosenstock, Pup, Ekko Astral Cataclysmic Rapture of Friendshipness tour. 2025 was also the year I launched a whole new genre, 🎸 new guitar pop 🎸 with my album Surfing the Web With the Alien. Heads up, future music historians.
What can we look forward to from you in 2026?
I have my first book out in May, Elvis is Dead, I’m Still Alive: the Story of Asian Man Records from Clash Books. I’m playing solo shows on the West Coast in January and have a totally different creative project in the works I’ll be able to announce in a few months that I think will blow some minds. Keep an eye out.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2026?
Hoping for new Ging Nang Boyz, new Malkmus, new Martha, new Violence Gratuite. Looking forward to that new Gladie and I hear there’s some kind of Danny Brown Nnamdi collab coming??
Singles rule the music scene right now. How has that affected you as a band or label? Has it influenced your approach to new releases or touring?
I released two music videos this year directed by Jonathan Kramer, editor on many Abso Lutely projects. They’re both funny and look great and you should watch them here and here!
Mike Huguenor – social media links
- Instagram: @mikehuguenor
