Ty Vaughn (Broadway Calls)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2010? (In order 1-5)
The question I dread.... Lemme look through the old ipod...I can't promise that this is in any order, because depending on my mood, i might like a punk record better than a hardcore record or an indie rock record at any given moment....
IRON CHIC/ "Not Like This"
What a nearly perfect punk record. The first time I heard Time Keeps On Slipping Into The (Cosmic) Future, I said "Goddamnit, I wish I wrote this song". Several nights this year, since this record came out, I've sang this song at full volume while driving around Portland. With and without friends present. The whole record is great though. Amazing lyrics, perfectly simple melodies, and I doubt it will get old any time soon.
THE MENZINGERS/ "Chamberlain Waits"
The first time I heard The Menzingers it was on their myspace, and I was listening to them because Josh brought up the idea of them coming out to the west coast and doing a tour with us. We started talking back and forth and Greg sent me the mixes for their EP "Hold On, Dodge" that was soon to be released on Red Scare. I was in love. They came out and toured with us, and became some of the best friends we've ever met while in this band. They first showed us the mixes of Chamberlain Waits while we were all wasted and hiding from a downpour in Florida during the first night of Harvest Of Hope. I knew they had produced something special. I knew that they were going to win the hearts of people that needed a good punk record in their lives, and they did. This year, my friends The Menzingers blew up in the underground music world, and I couldn't be happier for them.
AGAINST ME!/ "White Crosses"
I was extremely happy when this record leaked in March. It's so different from anything they've ever released, and while they are no strangers to alienated former fans flinging them shit, this time it was clearly anticipated. But even though they address this in a few songs, they don't dwell on it and bore us. In fact, they don't do anything wrong for an entire record. I love White Crosses. I love Against Me!
SURFER BLOOD/ "Astro Coast"
My friend Morgan made me listen to "Swim" earlier this year. I was hooked immediately. The insane amounts of reverb and weird production they use throughout the record adds to their sound instead of annoying their audience, and seeing them at SXSW, and several other times this year was proof that they can pull this entire record off in a live setting. Great for long drives in warm weather.
ALKALINE TRIO/ "This Addiction" OFF WITH THEIR HEADS/ "In Desolation"
These two records are tied. I listen to them both all the time. An old favorite and a new favorite.
What band did you discover in 2010 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I have to say that even though I've liked them in passing since I was a teenager, this year The Replacements kind of took over my life. I know I'm late to the game on this one, but that's fine with me, because I think I'm finally old enough now to really understand and connect with the lyrics. When you watch old footage of them, the band is such a wreck and they're so together at the same time. Chaotic and catchy and sad and angry. The perfect rock n' roll band.
How will you remember 2010? (In terms of music)
Personally, for our band this was kind of a slow year. At least that is what it seems like, because we weren't touring as much. When we weren't on the road we were writing though, so we were always working. We also went to Japan for the first time, and our old friend Adam joined the band, so it was actually a pretty awesome year. In terms of other's music, I was very happy with the records I heard and shows I saw in 2010. A lot of our friends put out a lot of incredible songs, and I wouldn't expect anything less from them. Being a part of Comadre's Mixtape series was a lot of fun as well.
With more and more bands switching to digital methods of releasing music and communicating with audiences in 2010, do you think there's still a place for physical CDs and word-of-mouth shows in the future?
I think that some people still prefer a physical copy of the albums they buy. Since you can't listen to a 7" or LP in your car, I think CD's will hang on for a bit. Maybe a couple more years.... As far as basement and word of mouth shows go, I can't imagine an underground music world without. As long as kids want to start new bands, there will always be shows like this.
What can we look forward to from you in 2011?
A new full length record!! We're in the middle of writing, and we already have enough songs for the record, but probably won't go into the studio until spring, so we're just going to keep writing until then. We'll have a lot of songs to choose from and only 10-12 on the final album, so hopefully we'll release a split or two with some friends as well.
What three records are you looking forward to most in 2011?
I'd love to hear a new record from Hope Conspiracy, American Steel, or Comadre. Also really excited for Touche Amore and Bayside's new ones.
