Aquabear is kicking off a brand new year-end tradition by asking some of the state’s best musicians and music related folks to share their favorite Ohio music finds and experiences of the year. Look for a whole bunch of these before the start of 2013! Here’s the first batch featuring Keith Hanlon (Columbus – The Black Swans, Scioto Records), Bram Riddlebarger (Athens – Author of Earplugs, Bram Riddlebarger & His Lonesome Band), Jimmy Kisor (Athens – Goodbye Goats, Decorative Injections Tattoos), Â and Brian Rudell (Columbus – Sega Genocide, Seascapes, Spooktober). Look for more in the coming weeks and please share, if you would like to participate drop us a line at contact@aquabearlegion.com
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Keith Hanlon
Columbus (The Black Swans, Scioto Records)
What were your favorite Ohio releases from 2012?
(In no particular order) R. Ring: “Fallout and Fire” 7-inch (Misra Records), Jovan Karcic: “2010” (self-release) (FULL DISCLOSURE: I mixed the album, but it’s a beautiful, mysterious album of songs and instrumentals and I can’t stop listening to it), Mount Carmel – ‘Real Women’ (Slitbreeze), EYE: ‘Backdoor Jane’ 7-inch (Lost Weekend Records)
Best new Ohio band
Nervosas
Favorite Ohio show you saw this year
R. Ring playing in the basement of the Texas State Capital Building at a “secret” SXSW Misra Records showcase
What are you most excited about for 2013?
I want to start a rumor that Chris Beister is working on a solo album… I’d be all over that.
What have you been working on lately?
While on a break from playing with The Black Swans, I have begun recording a solo ambient album. I am collaborating with Jason Gonzales (The Regionals/Lilybandits) on an album (though we are not sure what it will be like when we’re done). I also engineered/mixed an album by psych-folk legend Ed Askew (produced by Jerry DeCicca of the Black Swans) that I hope will be released very soon.
My label, Scioto Records, is releasing 7-inch singles from PLVS VLTRA (Toko Yasuda from Enon and St. Vincent) and harpist Mary Lattimore (Kurt Vile/Thurston Moore). There will also be a cassette series called Analog Ambient (self-explanatory).
What are you listening to right now?
Fairport Convention’s “Unhalfbricking,” Big Joe Turner, lots of Sun Ra (mainly the later Chicago material like “Interstellar Low Ways” and “Angels and Demons at Play”), a great Chicago band called Sonnoi, Black Moth Super Rainbow and an awesome Japanese ambient artist named Moshimoss.
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Bram Riddlebarger
Athens (author of Earplugs, Bram Riddlebarger & His Lonesome Band)
Best new Ohio band
TIE: D-rays & Weird Science
Favorite Ohio show you saw this year
Disjointed Fest 2012 and Weird Science on Dec. 9, 2012 at Casa Cantina
What are you most excited about for 2013?
Lots of good music in Athens. Seems to be a nice time for newer bands and new beer in Athens.
What have you been working on lately?
A new chapbook of poetry that will be done tomorrow and a new batch of songs that I hope to record with Mike at Disjointed Records.
What are you listening to right now?
Don Williams.
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Jimmy Kisor
Athens (Goodbye Goats, owner of Decorative Injections Tattoo & Piercing)
What were your favorite Ohio releases from 2012?
My favorite Ohio realese this year prob. the newest Prosanctus Infiri EP, (red streams of Flesh), from Columbus
Best new Ohio band
Best new ohio Band of course New or Old GoodBYe Goats
Favorite Ohio show you saw this year
Didnt go to many shows this year i guess Behemoth from Poland at Alarosa Villa
What are you most excited about for 2013?
Most excited about Raising my Kids, doing sweet and Better tattoos, maybe some finishing of the newest goats record and starting new music projects, oh yeah and Kicking everyone’s ass in the New Year
What have you been working on lately?
Writing new stuff for something that dosent suck hopefully
What are you listening to right now?
New Order, Nick Cave, the new God Seed (black Metal) and because its Winter tons of Bathory!!
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Brian Rudell
Columbus (Sega Genocide, Seascapes, Spooktober)
What were your favorite Ohio releases from 2012?
“Like Shit” 7″ from Vacation (Cinci)
Best new Ohio band
Connections (Columbus)
Favorite Ohio show you saw this year
Make Waves Fest, it was at the Dude Locker here in Columbus. I’ve been to a lot of these DIY fests and sometimes they are kinda slapdash, but everything went awesome. Great mix of readings and bands.
What are you most excited about for 2013?
Ohio bands making and putting out more music videos on youtube and vimeo. Even bands that aren’t putting out records or playing shows too often can make awesome videos for nothing, then people can listen to them anytime they want.
What have you been working on lately?
I have been doing SEGA GENOCIDE stuff a lot, playing around Ohio. Jacob produced and engineered an album that I like a lot that we haven’t put out yet. Spooktober is still playing but only at houses, and Seascapes gets together once or twice a year.
What are you listening to right now?
I have tapes that float around in my car, Pretty Pretty(Columbus) is in there, Sonic Youth, Tribe Called Quest, Weird Al’s Bad hair day. Talk radio mostly.