Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2008

Words: Michael • Posted pre-2010

LINKS TO ALL THE PAGES

Look Mexico (Joshua Mikel)

What are your top five albums that were released in 2008?

  1. Summerbirds in the Cellar - Druids
  2. Kings of Leon - Only By The Night
  3. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
  4. Man Man - Rabbit Habits
  5. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

What band did you discover in 2008 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

Aloha - I got their record "Here Comes Everyone" after wanting it for a very long time. It was my go-to record all year. Beirut - Flying Club Cup also was a similar record like that for me.

How will you remember 2008? (In terms of music)

Lots of touring for Look Mexico - released four songs I'm more proud of than any - and lots of blank stares to folks who ask me, "Have you heard X album from X band?"- and the subsequent guilt and realization that I have gotten nearly no new music in my iTunes folder this year.

Vinyl record sales saw a significant increase this year while hard copy sales continued to dwindle. Is this a return to the glory days for vinyl or just a phase? Explain.

For sure. CD's are just bulk now-a-days. It's digital or vinyl. There's a different experience that comes along with listening to vinyl. And whether they sound better or not (they do) it's just cooler, more fun to collect, and from a designer's standpoint, such an awesome medium to work in with so many options to make an exciting release. We skipped the CD's on our latest release and dropped our EP, "Gasp Asp," strictly on iTunes and on vinyl through Tiny Engines.

What was the most memorable moment for you in 2008? (Can be in terms of

anything)

Got to say Obama pulling out that election. And my dad had a heart attack. I saw him flatline in the ER. He was clinically dead, and they shocked him back. That shit was serious.

What can we look forward to from you in 2009?

Lots more artwork and a new full length record from Look Mexico (hopefully) in the second quarter of the year.

What three records are you looking forward to most in 2009?

Is R.E.M. still writing?

Homepage: http://www.lookmexico.net

Related features

Fest 24 – The Wrap-Up

Music / Fest 24 • November 5, 2026

For those who follow the site, I've been to Fest a lot -- like, I lost count of how many times but it all started at FEST 6, which I think was in 2007. It's certainly about the music first, and I saw approximately 61 bands over 4 days, 3 … Read more

The World Needs To Hear Us: Twenty One Children

Interviews • November 5, 2026

On After The Storm, Twenty One Children strip away every slick, sanitized modern production trick imaginable. The Soweto trio -- vocalist Abdula Skink, guitarist Thulasizwe Nkosi, and drummer Biko -- play fast, heavy, lo-fi punk rock that welds the raw speed of mid-'80s U.S. skatepunk to the thick rhythm of … Read more

Freaks On Parade: Kepi Ghoulie

Music • November 5, 2026

A look back at Kepi Ghoulie’s September 2026 residency at MySpace PhoenixWelcome to Kepiland! Kepi Ghoulie did a month-long residency in Phoenix, AZ for September 2026, joined by friends and locals. So, I ventured out into the triple digit heat, to check it out. If you are not familiar with … Read more

Florida Men

One Question Interviews • November 4, 2026

Jouke (Florida Men – guitar)SPB: We all know Florida Man from hilarious headlines, what is the headline about the band Florida Men?Jouke: Florida Men Actually Not From Florida Read more

Deady

One Question Interviews • November 3, 2026

Chyppe Crosby (Deady)SPB: Louisville has had an incredibly deep underground music history, but what does the current Louisville punk scene give Deady that you don't think the band would have gotten growing up somewhere else?Crosby: I think the scene here is more familial. Most genres of music kind of coalesce … Read more

More from this section

Fest 24 – The Wrap-Up

Music / Fest 24 • November 5, 2026

For those who follow the site, I've been to Fest a lot -- like, I lost count of how many times but it all started at FEST 6, which I think was in 2007. It's certainly about the music first, and I saw approximately 61 bands over 4 days, 3 … Read more

Freaks On Parade: Kepi Ghoulie

Music • November 5, 2026

A look back at Kepi Ghoulie’s September 2026 residency at MySpace PhoenixWelcome to Kepiland! Kepi Ghoulie did a month-long residency in Phoenix, AZ for September 2026, joined by friends and locals. So, I ventured out into the triple digit heat, to check it out. If you are not familiar with … Read more

FEST LIBS 24 & Fest Survey Findings

Music / Fest 24 • October 16, 2026

Are you ready for The Fest!? While we’re pretty sure you’re already counting down days until your trek to Gainesville, FL, we’ve got some Fest games for you to play, including a few samples from this year’s performers. Click here to play FEST LIBS -- like a fill-in-the-blanks word game … Read more