Benjamin Gallaty (Andrew Jackson Jihad)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2010? (In order 1-5)
- ROAR – I Can’t Handle Change
- The Arrivals – Volatile Molotov
- Bomb the Music Industry – Adults!!!...Smart!!! Shithammered!!! And Excited by Nothing!!!!!!!
- Johnny Flynn – Been Listening
- Titus Andronicus – The Monitor
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 remember watching the music video for “Going the Distance” when I was younger and thinking it was okay, but this year I have fallen in love with CAKE. Prolonging the Magic has become a desert island album for me.
How will you remember 2010? (In terms of music)
This year, AJJ was invited to the Harvest of Hope Festival in St. Augustine, FL. This wonderful experience exemplified the state of music in 2010 for me. The festival hosted a variety of musical genres and proved to me how open minded our music community is. I got to see Billy Bragg, High on Fire and Dead Prez in the same weekend!
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?
CDs are still relevant but may become unnecessary in the next several years. Word-of-mouth is always going to be an important element in getting people out to shows. The word just typically starts on a webpage instead of a paper flyer now. Which means it’s cheaper and less wasteful.
What can we look forward to from you in 2011?
New full length album, random releases, touring and a baller-ass AJJ webstore!
What three records are you looking forward to most in 2011?
Laura Stevenson and the Cans, Propagandhi and David Bazan.
