ARTICLE JUMP
Nakatomi Plaza
(Oscar Albis Rodriguez)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2009? (In order 1-5)
- Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
- Sonic Youth - The Eternal
- Julian Casablancas - Phrases For The Young
- Metric - Fantasies
- Nirvana - Live at Reading
What band did you discover in 2009 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Them Crooked Vultures. I knew they would live up to the hype in some degree, but they exceeded all my expectations when I saw them live at Roseland. Not only was it three members from three of my all-time favorite bands, but they felt like a real band as opposed to a "supergroup" (like Mad Season, remember them?). Also, the three of them were making some amazing music as they were gracefully aging in their years. John Paul, in particular, played a very moving piano solo that night. It not only modulated between key signatures but also between different feels and styles, from baroque, to ragtime, to blues, to rock and back. That 6 minute performance made me excited for the what I might create when I'm 65 years old.
How will you remember 2009? (In terms of music)
This was the year my band Nakatomi Plaza self-released our final record Ghosts, went on our final tour (dubbed The Coda Tour), and organized a 2-day, 14 band farewell show called Buddy Fest after a decade of writing songs and touring the basements of the US and Canada. I'm very proud of Ghosts and of the work we've done together. And I'm grateful for the friends we made. It all came together this past September; I can't think of a better way to say goodbye to the project. It's also be the year I recorded the album No Stories with the band Ludlow Lions. Brendan's a really great songwriter, and I'm grateful to be in the band and to have worked on that record. We recorded it at Head Gear Studios and got to work with John Agnello (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.), which were highlights for 2009 as well. And as cheesy as this is, it's also the year the wedding band I play in (Dexter Lake Club Band, which also features ex-members of The French Kicks and The Exit) got onto a regular schedule, which in turn earned me a nice regular paycheck (we also got featured on the front page of the Styles section of the NY Times). I've been making music for a living since 2001, but only in the last 2 years have I actually become financially somewhat ok and not just scraping by. I realize this is 2009 in terms of my own music, but this was a big (and very good) year for me.
2009 was a huge year for reunions. What reunion excited you the most? What band that has not reunited would you love to see play/record most in 2010?
Jawbox! Al from Nakatomi and I got to see the soundcheck and the live taping on the Jimmy Fallon show. They rocked, the experience was really cool, and we're really grateful that we got to be there in person. I also got to see Scarce (from Providence, RI) this year which was really exciting as I only saw them once when I was in high school. They're my favorite band from my home state. I'd like to see The Stone Roses get back together in 2010.
What can we look forward to from you in 2010?
My solo project Ghost Robot Ninja Bear should be releasing two two-song singles and a full-length next year (we're almost done mixing both singles) and hitting the road in the Spring. Al and I have a new hardcore band together with Rachel from Bridge and Tunnel and Will from Straylight Run called Panther Modern so we'll be doing some playing and recording. Ludlow Lions has a bunch of shows coming up as well, so it'll be a busy year for sure.
What three records are you looking forward to most in 2010?
Milagres, Cave In, and whatever Beatles treasures are left in the vaults.
Website Link (Website/Myspace/Blog/Etc.): http://www.nakatomiplaza.com
