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

Words: Michael • Posted pre-2010

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Deathwish Inc. (Nicole Hollis-Vitale)

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

  1. Blacklisted - Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God
  2. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
  3. Trap Them - Seizures in Barren Praise
  4. Trapped Under Ice - Stay Cold
  5. Basia Bulat - Oh, My Darling

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?

Beirut. I think I've listened to this band more than any other band this past year. Growing up playing in an orchestra has given me a huge soft spot for music that has great instrumentation. I love every song this band has made. The music moves me.

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

It was a great year for music. I discovered tons of new bands and artists that have become some of my favorites. I have started hunting down and researching new music. I probably have a new favorite record every week!

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.

Well, vinyl will never return to its glory days. The glory days of vinyl are the days of no other medium. There was no other choice. Now people can collect their vinyl and have it as an art-piece and easily download the music to their iPods. I think the sales numbers reflect people acknowledging that vinyl is an awesome physical thing to hold on to.

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

I enjoyed every moment of traveling with my friends to Sound and Fury, United Blood and This is Hardcore Fest. Seeing Method Man and Redman was pretty awesome too.

What can we look forward to from you in 2009?

Well, me personally? I'm going to go nuts because Deathwish has releases from the following bands scheduled for 2009 (in no particular order): Reign Supreme, Pulling Teeth, Narrows, End of a Year, Lewd Acts, Doomriders, Rot In Hell, Victims, Rise and Fall, 108, The Hope Conspiracy, New Lows, and probably more... Let's just say we will all have plenty of work to do.

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

I'm looking forward to hearing new stuff from Doomriders, Mastodon and Lewd Acts!

Homepage: http://www.deathwishinc.com

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