Guest List 2016

There's no getting around that 2016 was a rough year across the board, but it's nice to focus on the positives as well. Some of the biggest artists around released some of their best work, new bands rose to the scene, and I celebrated ten years of blogging. In some ways, friends and music seemed like two of the only things worth celebrating in 2016. Thanks to everyone who stuck around and has read this blog over the past ten years, it means the world to me.

Albums of 2016

2016 was a rough year filled with tremendous loss (Bowie, Prince, Phife Dawg, Lenard Cohen and many others), political unrest, police brutality, and violence across the nation. Closure feels key in these times and in the words of Chance the Rapper "the music is all we got" - here are the albums I've listened to this year and the ones that helped me find brightness in the dark.

Songs of 2016

2016 was a long, turbulent year and I'm not sad to see it go. There were times that just felt impossible and dark, but in such disapproving times, it was the music that helped to get us through. Across the spectrums of punk, trip-hop, indie-rock, industrial-techno, hip-hop, and folk, these were my favorite songs of 2016.

Madlib and DOOM - "Avalanche"

Madlib and DOOM have shared a new track called "Avalanche" and it's out now on a 7" single via Madlib's label Madlib Invazion.

Kamaiyah - "I'm On"

Bay Area rapper Kamaiyah released her excellent mixtape, A Good Night in the Ghetto, earlier this year. She's now shared a video for the lead track "I'm On".

Run the Jewels - "Legend Has It"

Run the Jewels have officially announced their third record, Run the Jewels 3, will be self-released on January 13th. They've also shared another, fire new track, "Legend Has It".

Dinosaur Jr played House of Blues (Boston)

Dinosaur Jr have been on a massive tour in support of this year's really good new album Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not. They stopped by Boston's House of Blues for a post-Thanksgiving hometown show with fellow Mass-rockers Buffalo Tom.

The Microphones - "Compressor"

Phil Elvrum has announced a new Microphones album, the first under that moniker since 2003's Mount Eerie. It's called Early Years, 1996 - 1998 and will be available on December 9th.

Sheer Mag played Brooklyn Bazaar

Sheer Mag blazed through Brooklyn Bazaar bringing their heavy dose of high voltage rock and roll and power anthems to a frenzied crowd.

Ty Segall - "Orange Color Queen"

The can't stop won't stop mentality of Ty Segall chugs along as the garage punk returns with another new record, the self-titled Ty Segall, out January 27 via Drag City.

Digable Planets played Webster Hall

Legends from the Underground, Digable Planets brought their most recent tour to Webster Hall for a funky-fresh hometown thriller.

The xx - "On Hold"

The xx are back with their third record and first since 2012's Coexist. It's called I See You and it's out January 13 via Young Turks.

Japandroids - "Near To The Wild Heart of Life"

It's been almost five years since Japandroids released their acclaimed second record, Celebration Rock, and on January 27th, the duo returns with Near To The Wild Heart of Life via ANTI-.

Run the Jewels - "Talk To Me"

Killer Mike and El-P, best known as Run the Jewels, are back with the first single from Run the Jewels 3. It's called "Talk To Me" and it premiered via Adult Swim Singles.

Oneohtrix Point Never - "Animals"

Oneohtrix Point Never's last record was 2015's awesome Garden of Delete. Now, he's shared a surreal video for the track "Animals" and it stars Val Kilmer.

White Lung played Villain

White Lung are on tour in support of their great album Paradise which came out this spring. After Market Hotel lost their ability to host shows, things shifted to the industrial space of Villain.

Preoccupations played Warsaw

Preoccupations are currently touring behind their new self-titled record and first release under their new moniker. They stopped by Greenpoint's Warsaw for a loud show of intense post-punk glimmer.

Cloud Nothings - "Modern Act"

Cloud Nothings are back with a new record called Life Without Sound, the follow-up to 2014's Here and Nowhere Else. Check out the polished lead single "Modern Act" below.

Sigur Rós played Radio City

It's been over three years since Sigur Rós released a new album, but that has in no way hindered the band's live presence or made this tour feel like a retread. Instead, it's reaffirmed the Icelandic post-rock icons as masters of their craft.

Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions - "Let Me Get There"

Last month, Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions announced a new record called Until the Hunter. The new record was announced along with a new single, "Let Me Get There", featuring Kurt Vile.

Bon Iver - "8 (circle)"

Bon Iver have released their first album in five years, 22, A Million. Earlier this week, the band shared a third single, "8 (circle)", and hosted listening parties via boomboxes to celebrate the new record.

Explosions in the Sky played Kings Theatre

After releasing their newest album, The Wilderness, earlier this year, Explosions in the Sky wrapped out their most recent tour at the spectacular Kings Theatre in Brooklyn.

How to Dress Well - "Can't You Tell"

Tom Krell, best known as How to Dress Well, is set to release his fourth record, Care, this Friday, September 23rd. "Can't You Tell" is the third single he's shared ahead of the album.

The Anniversary played Bowery Ballroom

The Anniversary brought their reunion tour to Bowery Ballroom for a high energy show full of nostalgia.

Kanye West played Madison Square Garden

It was a God dream. Kanye West took over Madison Square Garden for his Saint Pablo tour and reaffirmed his crown as our reigning king.

Ten Years | | Ten Songs

I've spent the past decade writing about music and my time in New York. It's one thing that makes me feel connected and relatable to everything around me. Over ten years, I've written about countless songs and concerts, but I've selected ten songs from the past ten years that feel really special to me. Thank you to everyone who has ever read any of these posts.

Ten Years of OMG!NYC

Ten years ago, I left a small suburban town in Massachusetts and headed off to college in New York City. I started this blog to document my time here, to capture my inspirations and hope to live out all that I dreamed the city could reveal. To New York, thank you for letting me call you home. This one’s for you.

Sannhet played Alphaville

Sannhet, Brooklyn's best band (metal or otherwise), played Alphaville and blasted through some old favorites and new highlights.

American Football - "I've Been Lost For So Long"

Emo torch bearers American Football have finally announced a second record, seventeen years after their debut. It's also called American Football and it's out October 21 via Polyvinyl.

Preoccupations - "Degraded"

Earlier this summer, Preoccupations announced their new self-titled record due September 26 via Jagjaguwar. After sharing lead single "Anxiety", the band is back with another new one called "Degraded".

The White Stripes - "City Lights"

Jack White has announced a new career spanning release called Acoustic Recordings 1998-2016. It's out September 9th via his own Third Man Records.

Dinosaur Jr played Rough Trade

Photo by Levi Walton

Dinosaur Jr dropped by Rough Trade to celebrate their new record, Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not.

Alcest - "Oiseaux De Proie"

Alcest are back with a new record, Kodama, out September 20th via Prophecy and have shared the lead single "Oiseaux De Proie".

S U R V I V E - "A.H.B."

Members of the Austin band S U R V I V E scored "Stranger Things", the latest and greatest Netflix series to gain a rather cult following. In addition to the show's soundtrack, the band have announced a new record RR7349, dropping September 30 via Relapse Records.

Radiohead played Madison Square Garden

Radiohead released their great new album A Moon Shaped Pool this past spring and dropped by New York City as part of a very limited U.S. tour.

Panorama | 2016

For years, it felt as if there was a festival drought in the North Eastern part of the country. Now, after a few years of success with Governor's Ball, the people who bring you Coachella have thrown their hat into the mix with Panorama.

Wilco - "If I Ever Was a Child"

Wilco have announced a new album and in true dad-rock fashion it's called, wait for it, Schmilco. It's the follow-up to last year's great return-to-form sounding Star Wars.

Dinosaur Jr played House of Vans

Dinosaur Jr surprised NYC with a free, same day show at House of Vans in Greenpoint. Debuting some new material as well as their standard jams, it was a classic night for some diehard fans.

Albums of 2016.5

The first half of 2016 has been a rather iconic time for music. Some of our biggest stars have released some of their best work and we've mourned the losses of two giants many thought would out-live us all. 

The Stone Roses played Madison Square Garden

The Stone Roses played their first NYC show in twenty years and first with their original line-up ever. It was madness.

Bill Callahan played Baby's All Right

Bill Callahan played six shows in three nights during his residency at Baby's All Right. He wrapped things up with a great set followed by an encore that begged the question "Ok, what do you want to hear?'

Aphex Twin - "CIRKLON3 [ Колхозная mix ]"

Aphex Twin has released his first music video in 17 years and it was directed by a 12 year-old from Dublin.

Vatican Shadow - "More of the Same"

Dominick Fernow has released his latest Vatican Shadow record Media in the Service of Terror. It's a solid album of post-industrial techno noise.

Brian Wilson played Pet Sounds at McCarren Park

To celebrate 50 years of Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson is touring the album in full with the help of high school friend and other former Beach Boy, Al Jardine and a great live band. They helped close out Northside with a beautiful show in McCarren Park.

Grouper played National Sawdust

Nestled amongst copious cables, pedals, cassette players, and a mixing board, Liz Harris brought the magic of Grouper to life for Northside. 

Wolf Parade played McCarren Park

Wolf Parade helped kick off this year's Northside festival with a free show in McCarren Park.

Beyoncé played Citi Field

Beyoncé's world conquering Formation Tour has been met with sold-out crowds, police protests, but most importantly brilliance. On Prince's birthday, the Queen of Pop brought her majesty to New York City.

Governor's Ball | 2016

In recent years, Governor's Ball has become a great low-key festival for New Yorkers and the surrounding North Eastern region. Far enough from the major league status of Coachella or Bonnaroo, Gov Ball has gained a reputation for attracting top-talent headliners and a great mix of undercards together for a fun fueled weekend to help kick-off the summer. This year, fellow festival Panorama entered the mix as NYC's premier festival. It'll be interesting to see how this shapes up in the years that follow.

The Avalanches - "Frankie Sinatra"

Well, it's really here. A new song from the Avalanches."Frankie Sinatra" is the first single from their long-awaited new album, Wildflower, out July 8th via Astralwerks.

Chance the Rapper - "No Problems" (feat. 2 Chainz and Lil' Wayne)

Chance the Rapper has  shared the video for Coloring Book highlight "No Problems" feating 2 Chainz and Lil' Wayne along with cameos from DJ Khaled and Young Thug.

Dinosaur Jr - "Tiny"

Today, Dinosaur Jr announced their new record, Give A Glimpse of What Yer Not, with a little help from Henry Rollins. Record over the past year or so, the album is the band's eleventh studio release and is out August 5th via Jagjaguwar.

Wolf Parade played Bowery Ballroom

Following a five year hiatus, Wolf Parade are back with a new EP and a tour to celebrate their glorious return.