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

Words: Michael • Posted pre-2010

LINKS TO ALL THE PAGES

A Storm of Light/Blood and Time (Josh Graham)

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

  1. Meshuggah - obZen
  2. Woven Hand - Ten Songs
  3. Harvey Milk - Life? The Best Game in Town
  4. Young Widows - Old Wounds
  5. Black Sun - Hour of the Wolf

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?

Black Sun. I saw them live a few weeks ago at Fontana's in NYC with Nadja (whom A Storm of Light is doing a split with on Robotic Empire in early 2009). I had no idea who they were before the show but I was completely blown away by their power and raw emotion. It reminds me of Swans and Godflesh stripped down to the bare essentials. Amazing.

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

For me 2008 was an adventure, leaving an already established band (Red Sparowes) for a brand new one (A Storm of Light) proved to be challenging and very rewarding.

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 think vinyl sales works in a couple of different ways. First, they are a financially viable purchase, as the vinyl is usually limited and the value increases over time. Second, I believe that people who still hold album artwork and packaging in high regard seek out vinyl, as it is the medium that delivers the most interaction with the release as a whole.

These people look at artwork as part of the larger offering unlike those who digitally buy one or two songs here and there.

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

Barack Obama getting elected.

What can we look forward to from you in 2009?

The second studio album from A Storm of Light, more artwork, and hopefully more art shows.

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

Shrinebuilder, Mastodon, and Black Sun

Homepage: http://www.suspendedinlight.com

Related features

Beth Seymour & The Lizzies

One Question Interviews • November 5, 2025

Beth Seymour (Beth Seymour & The Lizzies – vocals / guitar / production) SPB: You’re essentially releasing back-to-back albums this year. How did you choose that approach in getting these out to the public? Seymour: There are a few reasons that I chose to release back-to-back albums within 3 months … Read more

Brain Fog

One Question Interviews • November 4, 2025

Jeff “El Jeffe” Seeley (Brain Fog – guitar) SPB: What is a record you love that would surprise people? Seeley: Hi, It’s El Jeffe, guitarist and song writer for Brain Fog, an Okanagan hardcore punk band. My favourite punk rock record right now is Dancing With The Curse by Get … Read more

Serotonin Mist

One Question Interviews • October 24, 2025

Hiroshi (Serotonin Mist) SPB: The Bandcamp page on your new album states: No label, no producer. 100% DIY. Is DIY an important issue for Serotonin Mist (and why)? Hiroshi: I believe that being DIY has both good and bad sides. The good side is that we can control every aspect … Read more

Massa Nera

One Question Interviews • October 23, 2025

Mark Boulanger (Massa Nera – drums/vocals) SPB: What was your first live show? Boulanger: Our first show was on 05/09/16 at The Meatlocker in Montclair, NJ. We played with Wastelands, Without, Yashira, and an insane NJ powerviolence band called Uncle Mark. If you aren't familiar, The Meatlocker is an absolutely … Read more

East End Redemption

One Question Interviews • October 22, 2025

Josh (East End Redemption) SPB: If your band had to be sponsored by a completely random household product (like cereal, dish soap, lawnmower, etc.), which one would it be and why? Josh: We would be sponsored by Turtle Wax car wax because "I wanna pet, I wanna I pet, I … Read more

More from this section

FEST LIBS 23 & Fest Moments

Music / Fest 23 • October 18, 2025

Are you ready for The Fest!? While we’re pretty sure you’re already counting down days until your trek to Gainesville, FL, we’ve got some Fest games for you to play, including a few samples from this year’s performers. Click here to play FEST LIBS -- like a fill-in-the-blanks word game … Read more

Guest List: ADD Records Picks 5 Favorite Leatherface Songs

Music / The Set List • October 18, 2025

This summer Little Rocket Records announced Leatherface: The Peel Sessions, a collection of live studio recordings with Leatherface from the 1990s with the late John Peel. While Little Rocket handled the release, ADD Records took on US distribution for a limited release. Available from ADD records here As Leatherface means … Read more

Bo Diddley Plaza: Behind the Scenes at Fest

Music / Fest 23 • October 6, 2025

For close to a quarter-century punk fans have flocked to Florida for The Fest. Boasting a lineup of 300+ bands and roughly a dozen venues these days, the festival has grown, shifted and evolved. For several years the main stage has been in a large downtown park called Bo Diddley … Read more