That’s A Wrap: The Year In Music Quotes

Image: M Sullivan via Flickr CC

2013 was an awesome year for music. Punk trends returned with fervor, and pop music experienced nuances and edginess like it hasn’t in years. Newer genres emerged or were solidified in the contemporary music canon, thanks to artists like Big Freedia, Frank Ocean, and Flying Lotus. It’s hard to sum up a year of music in one post, so here to do it for me are some of the biggest names in the industry.

This year, musicians dished on happiness, punk, integrity, and “making it” in music; here is a recap of 2013, in quotes:

“I stand by everything I’ve ever said, apologies included.” ~ Singer/songwriter Fiona Apple

“My idea of punk is not being interested in what other people think of punk.” ~ Bradford Cox of Deerhunter

“In this day and age ‘punk ideals’ are totally irrelevant. Not that it isn’t cool to have them, but times have changed, man.” ~ Kurt Vile

“When you look at the way that people make decisions in their lives, whether they’re in art or music or industry, they forget that being unique is the answer – becoming yourself and finding an idea. People who make a good first record and then make a shitty second record are scared, they want to have money and security. But the people I look up to don’t give a shit about any of that. They just care about the people around them and about searching.” ~ Bon Iver/ Volcano Choir’s Justin Vernon

“If what makes you happy is getting good reviews, or how many people like your music, then you really have no control over your happiness. But if you love writing, recording, and making songs that you really care about, then you’ll always be happy, because it’s in your hands.” ~ Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee

“I never understood the theory of moving to New York or L.A. to make it – if you want to be noticed as a drop of water, why would you move to the ocean?” ~ Neko Case

“At their best, record labels are supposed to be about the exploration of music. We felt like that was our responsibility.” ~ Jonathan Poneman, Sub Pop co-founder

Happy New Year everyone! 

My Favorite Holiday Tunes

These days, you’d be hard pressed to walk into a grocery, retail, or drug store and not hear holiday tunes blaring from the rafters. Turn on the radio and it’s you’ll find much of the same – nonstop holiday and Christmas songs playing over and over. Even after Thanksgiving and Black Friday, it never feels quite like the holidays without the perpetual barrage of Christmas tunes. Famous musicians have dedicated entire songs and even albums to the holidays, and there are dozens of beloved American holiday songs that fill our hearts and heads each year.

I’ve made a playlist of some of the greatest holiday tunes, full of nostalgic classics and a few newer songs, with one or two “guilty pleasures.” A handful of these songs might even be more obscure than what you’ll typically find playing at the department store! Use them at your office party, in the car, or while you’re working out, anywhere!

Miss Mayfield’s Holiday Playlist

1. Bing Crosby & David Bowie “The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth”

      2. John Lennon “Happy Christmas (War is Over)

3    3. The Beach Boys “Little Saint Nick”

4    4. Chuck Berry “Run Rudolph Run”

5    5. Booker T & The MG’s “Jingle Bells”

6    6. Bing Crosby “White Christmas” (Bing Crosby on this list twice? I know, I know, he's just great!)

      7. Jose Feliciano “Feliz Navidad”

8    8. Elvis Presley “Blue Christmas”

      9. Louis Prima “What Will Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swingin’)”

     10. U2 “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”

     11. Vince Guaraldi Trio “Christmas Time is Here”

1   12. Andy Williams “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’

1   13. The Ramones “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)”

     14. Ella Fitzgerald “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”

1   15. Frank Sinatra “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”

1   16. Mariah Carey “All I want for Christmas is You”

What are some of your favorite holiday tunes?

Image: Chiot's Run via Flickr CC

Rolling Stone’s Picks for the Best Albums of 2013

Image: vampireweekend.com

As the calendar year nears its end, it’s enjoyable to reflect back on the last twelve months of music. 2013 was a wild year for the music industry; new stars rose, old acts revitalized themselves, and well, Miley did her thing. Rolling Stone Magazine recently released its picks for the “50 Best Albums of 2013,” a diverse list of talent that spans many genres. Here are some of the highlights from the list:

#50: Beck’s Song Reader. Beck was at it again in 2013, this time releasing a decidedly “old school” album of sheet music. Song Reader showcased a collection of folky songs, with quirky twist that only Beck could inject. This album was unexpected, enjoyable, and something we haven’t heard yet from the artist.

Image: MIAMatangi via Instagram

#47: M.I.A.’s Matangi. Radical, dance-beat heavy and powerfully melodic M.I.A. was constantly on the radar in 2013; if not for record label drama, for her outstanding live performances and leaked documentary. Matangi is just what you’d expect from this rebellious musician, and that’s a good thing.

#44: Valerie June’s Pushin’ Against a Stone. This record was definitely deserving of “Best-Of” praise. Rolling Stone describes June as having “mixed blues, soul, country, string-band folk and gospel while the Black Keys’ Dan Auerback added old-school ambience. It’s the sound of a rookie doing her own thing like no retro-soul singer since Amy Winehouse.”

bscbscbsc via Instagram

#35: Best Coast’s Fade Away (EP). It’s pretty remarkable that a seven song EP made the list, but after listening to Fade Away, you’ll understand why. Bethany Cosentino has graduated from surf pop stoner rocker to bona fide songwriter, and this EP is her most mature work yet.

#19: Nine Inch Nails’ Hesitation Marks. The first album from Nine Inch Nails in five years, the magazine calls Hesitation Marks “a dance party at the edge of oblivion.” Trent Reznor combined the band’s iconic sound with newer techniques that elevated the impact of the record while still paying homage to the band’s legacy.

#1: Vampire Weekend’s Modern Vampires of the City. Vampire Weekend snags the number one spot with their 2013 studio effort. It’s catchy, elevated, carries musical depth, and also shows the evolution of a band that garnered early fame for their indie pop sound. Right behind them were Kanye West, Daft Punk, Paul McCartney, and Arcade Fire.

What do you think of these honorees? What surprises do you think 2014 holds for the world of music?