2012: The year I should have just stayed in bed. If on January 1, 2012, someone would have gone through the list of weird, unexpected and frankly unwanted experiences I was to experience in the coming year, I would have laughed nervously for a moment and then immediately gone into Attack Mode BECAUSE WITCH.
If I had spent the the last year in bed, it would have been fine because it was a great year for Nebraska music. With fantastic albums coming from all sides (TWSS), it was pretty tough to pick a list of just my favorite three or four favorite local albums. As a result, I’m prepared to have the likes of Dan McCarthy, Cory Kibler and Taylor Weichman starting fights with me about not including them. Come at me, bros.
I hope this list inspires you to check out some local music. You now have a chance to become that person who listens to cool music that your friends haven’t heard yet. And if someone says, “I don’t like this, what is it?” you can say, “I don’t know, some Ian Ayeeo said I should listen to this,” and you can totally blame me. I don’t care.
Table of contents
Best albums of the year (nationally) | Best local albums | Best new songs (nationally) | Best new songs (locally) | Best album art | Best shows of the year | Best music videos | Best band style (aesthetics) | Best superfans | Best Nebraska music developments
Best albums of the year (nationally)
1. Coexist by The XX
This is the sexiest album you can’t fuck to. Well, unless you like sobbing and emotional detachment halfway through. “Halfway through the album or the sex?” Either. Leave me alone.
2. Heavy Mood by Tilly and the Wall
One time I found myself being told, “You cannot smoke in a hospital, sir.” It was that day, that exact moment, I realized I was an adult. No longer could I blame my actions on being young, inexperienced and naïve. The nurse had called me sir.
I reassessed everything about my life; my entire worldview was flipped upside down, and I started to realize that, yeah, this trained professional was right. I can’t smoke in a hospital. I can’t steal Tabasco from Chipotle. I can’t borrow your keys and see how fast your car goes in reverse (sorry, Lora). I am a grownup now.
I feel like Tilly and the Wall was told they are no longer allowed to smoke in a hospital sometime in the last few years.
3. All We Love We Leave Behind by Converge
I hate to admit when Bus Gas/Masses noisemaker Eric Nyffeler is correct, but upon his recommendation, I Spotified this album and immediately said, “This is something I would think about buying if I had money.” And so when I had money, I did.
That was the day I also ate a burrito supreme and a pound of Potato Oles. Nov. 9, 2012, shall forever be known as the Ian Anthony Aeillo International Day of Shame.
Best local albums
1. Heavy Mood by Tilly and the Wall
It’s kind of unfair to call Tilly and the Wall a local band since, like, 13 of their members live out of state. However, I can’t speak to the authenticity of Nebraska musicians becauseI wasn’t even born here.
2. GENERALS by The Mynabirds
Any television show that calls itself “The Voice” and doesn’t include Laura Burhenn should instead be called “Here’s Some People Who Can Sing” because that’s all it is. And listening to the lyrics, I get the feeling she could beat me up. More than that, I feel like she wants to beat me up. So there’s that, I guess. Please don’t beat me up Laura. Excuse me, Ms. Burhenn.
3. (TIE) Icky Blossoms by Icky Blossoms and Discovering and Deciphering Your Value as a Human Being by Universe Contest
The debut album from Icky Blossoms is like watching Breaking Bad but instead of Walt and Jesse manufacturing meth, Derek, Nik and Sarah are manufacturing hip thrusts, and you’re on the edge of your seat going, “OH MY GOD, WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?”
Universe Contest’s album makes me think of cutting off a finger knowing a flower will grow back in its place. Is that a good thing? OF COURSE IT’S A GOOD THING. “Hey ladies, check out my flower finger.” GOLDMINE.
Best new songs (nationally)
1. “Heat Lightning” by Icky Blossoms
The best thing about having a child is the undying love and affection they give you, at least until you disappear for a few weeks. The worst thing about having a child is that you can’t play “Heat Lightning” at 3 a.m. at full volume on a Tuesday night. Or you can do it once. Just once. Then you know you can never do that ever again.
2. “Earthquake” by SSION
Some guy I know has an orgasm when he hears this song. Just some dude. You don’t know him.
3. “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen
Shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up.
Best new songs (locally)
1. “Heat Lightning” by Icky Blossoms
If this song was a human, I would make out with it because it’s really hot, pretty deep and says cool things. But I’d never do that with a real human woman because of my crippling fear of human contact. (DID YOU THINK THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNY?)
2. “Drunken Birds” by Cursive
This is a song I could write. Yeah, maybe if I was stupid brills*. WHICH SADLY I’M NOT *”Stupid brills” means “really brilliant” for those of you not in the know. Which I am. Because I’m totally rad. Keep writing, boys. Keep being stupid brills. Since I have your attention, what is this song about?
3. “Cut Me Open” by Eli Mardock
This should surely shore up my invitation to his 2013 European tour.
Best album art
1. Fear Fun by Father John Misty
“Let’s do some DMT and do that whole thing.” “Nah, I’ll just stare at the Father John Misty album cover.” “You’re weird, dude.” This has been my life for the last two months.
2. Ten$ion by Die Antwoord
Have you ever been aroused while simultaneously being ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED? Go find this album cover.
3. The Haunted Man by Bat for Lashes
I can just imagine someone floating this idea, and he’s thinking, “Yes, this has to happen,” but you know he’s totally cool about it on the outside, like, “Yeah, I’ll think about it,” but you just know, man, you just know. Well played.
Best shows of the year
1. Envy Corps at The Waiting Room
Because they played “Ms. Hospital Corners” and some of them said hi to me. That was pretty cool.
photo by Jared Bakewell
2. Maha Festival
Hey Desaparecidos, be nice. … BE NICE. … There is no reason to be rude to Garbage. … You’re making everyone uncomfortOH MY GOD THEY’RE PLAYING “GREATER OMAHA.”
photo by Daniel Muller
3. Tilly and the Wall w/ UUVVWWZ at Slowdown
I met a really cool person at this show and she fast became a friend. Because that’s what happens at Tilly and the Wall shows. You instantly make friends with anyone standing around you because of all the love in the air. And then, if your new friend is lucky, you’ll spill a drink on her when you trip on the stairs. And then give her a hug and say goodbye awkwardly. All of these things are guaranteed to happen at a Tilly and the Wall show. If it doesn’t, ask for your money back.
Best music videos (locally)
1. “Someone Else” by Universe Contest
Heh.
2. “Drunken Birds” by Cursive
The only thing that could have made this video more unsettling would be if Tim Kasher had his full-on let-me-touch-your-shoulders-in-this-empty-room beard going on. But other than that, A+++++ WOULD WATCH AGAIN.
3. “Cut Me Open” by Eli Mardock
I really want to go on tour this next year.
Best band style (aesthetics)
1. Conduits
I always want to put a space heater near every member of Conduits. They always look like they are cold. Like, the entire band is used to 72 degrees but Jenna Morrison turns it to 66 to save money. They make me think of hot chocolate. That’s comforting. Neva Dinova owned this spot for the previous 10 years before they broke up.
2. Lindsay Donovan
I’ve always wanted cool tattoos and then I saw Lindsay’s, and I was like OH MY GOD THOSE ARE THE COOLEST TATTOOS EVER I WISH I HAD THOSE but not in that creepy Silence of the Lambs sort of way. Don’t worry. I would never.
And the only photo I can find does not provide a decent shot of her awesome microphone tattoo.
3. Ideal Cleaners
Based on their look, I’m nearly certain any member of this band could just kick my ass. I don’t trust any group of people who look like well-dressed contestants on Survivor.
Best superfans
1. Katie from England
So I was totally tweeting with this girl from England who digs our stuff and then I realized she’s 16. Which. You know.
2. Joe Teplitsky
Yeah, but have you made out with anyone famous?
3. Ian Aeillo
THIS ONE TIME IN 2006.
Best Nebraska music developments
1. Cursive buys O’Leaver’s
The reanimated corpse of The Golden Age will awake next year to rebuild 49’er, only to quit once near completion.
graphic by Ian Aeillo
2. HN Radio
Now you can listen to the music from bands that you’ve been checking “Maybe” to on Facebook!
graphic by Ian Aeillo
3. I don't know this 100 percent, but an interesting story will develop this year. AJ Mogis will kill a bear with nothing but an RE20 and his bare hands. If it’s gonna be any year, it might as well be 2013.
graphic by Ian Aeillo
Ian Aeillo has written two articles for Hear Nebraska and suddenly wants a corner office and “paid vacay.” He doesn’t even know he doesn’t get paid… yet. He also plays in the band Eli Mardock on occasion. Reach Ian at ianaeillo@gmail.com.