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

Words: Michael • Posted pre-2010

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Only Thunder/Suburban Home Records (Andy Thomas)

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

  1. Jessica Lea Mayfield - With Blasphemy So Heartfelt
  2. Torche - Meanderthal
  3. Dillinger Four - CIVIL WAR
  4. Cheap Girls - Find Me a Drink Home
  5. Able Baker Fox - Voices

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?

Discovering Cheap Girls was really great for me. It was refreshing to hear people writing basic power pop that still had a distinctive sound to it. I liked how they also seem to be boozy, sad gentlemen like myself. I guess they were significant as they allowed me to relish in my sadness and boozieness.

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

2008 was a great year musically for me. Working at Suburban Home/Vinyl Collective and seeing people's enthusiasm for music reach near fanaticism is something I haven't seen in years. Other highlights included The Fest 7, seeing three Suburban Home artists on the indie Billboard charts and playing in a band (Only Thunder) with some of my best friends in the world. 2008? No. 2000GREAT!

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.

I hope it is here to stay. There is a certain mystique to vinyl that just can't be replaced with an mp3 download off a computer. I'm sure enthusiasm will wane a tad at some point, but I think the diehard collectors will always appreciate vinyl. Also, vinyl smells better.

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

Opening for Hot Water Music at the Gothic in Denver!

What can we look forward to from you in 2009?

I will either write my first book or watch copious amounts of Internet porn. There's just not enough time to do both. Only Thunder will also be touring and coming to a town near you.

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

Austin Lucas - Somebody Loves You, Rival Schools, and Against Me!

Homepage: http://www.myspace.com/onlythethunderrock

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