Anna Vogelzang
Madison is a music-centric town with a slew of incredible festivals and a collection of beautiful theaters that host some of the biggest touring artists in the world. But the thriving local scene found at Madison’s small clubs, bars and DIY performance spaces is just as happening, pushing artistic boundaries and finding new ways of supporting the creative community. To chronicle the year in local music, I reached out to some of the city’s musicians for their highlights from 2015 and to spread word about what’s happening on Madison’s vibrant smaller stages.
Mary Dahlman Begley
Tarpaulin, Jonesies, Toothtaker (zine)
Madison’s local music scene is in a boom period thanks in part to two new companies formed in 2015 to support local musicians and provide a crucial framework for the scene to continue growing. Williamson Magnetic Recording Company is an all analog recording company — reverb plate and all — with affordable studio sessions and knowledgeable engineers. Recently, they’ve begun putting on all-ages shows in their live room, which are a pleasure to play and attend. And Rare Plant Records is a small tape label with releases from Madison bands like Wood Chickens, Automatically Yours and Trophy Dad. They’re also putting on a showcase concert at High Noon Saloon on Jan. 8 featuring six Madison bands.
Spencer Bible
Christian Dior, Tippy, Mid Waste, Mr. Jackson
Five shows from 2015 that stuck with me were WHSKY JANEToR at the Wisco, the Wood Chickens’ first electric show at Mickey’s Tavern, Richard Album & the Singles and Conjuror at Bluelight Fest and Butcher Boy at Mickey’s Tavern. Madison is lucky to have a deep well of talent and creativity. I encourage people to go to more shows where they don’t know what to expect. That’s often where the best music hides.
Jordan Cohen
CHANTS
Without question, the best show I saw was Cougar at the Capitol Theater, opening for PHOX. I didn’t realize how much I had missed them. Aside from that, what stood out most was the energy coming from the Milwaukee hip-hop scene, including multiple Madison shows by Milo and WebsterX.
Tyler Fassnacht
Fire Retarded, Proud Parents, the Hussy
My number one moment in music this year would be No Hoax’s first show at TurkeyFest in October. They play chaotic, visceral, catchy, pummeling punk music; it’s loud, fast, unrelenting and perfect. It should be no surprise that their debut was incredible, knowing all of the band’s past associated acts (Tiny Daggers, Poney, Pyroklast, Romero), but it was a truly awe-inspiring and memorable performance that has gotten me excited for their future.
Bobby Hussy
The Hussy, Fire Retarded, Cave Curse, TIT, Kind Turkey Records
My favorite part of the local music scene in 2015 has been all the new bands. Getting to watch Proud Parents and Dumb Vision come into their own over the last year has been great. Two members of these bands — Erick Fruehling of Dumb Vision (and Fire Retarded) and Claire Nelson-Lifson of Proud Parents (and Disembodied Monks) — also started up the excellent local tape label Rare Plant this year. That was a huge addition to our local community. To celebrate the busy year, they’re having a showcase at High Noon Saloon on Jan. 8 that I’m happy to be a part of with my new project Cave Curse (it will be our first show!). It’s also been excellent seeing Tom Teslik front his new project the Pollinators. Next year is looking real bright already!
Corey Murphy
Lovely Socialite
We’ve had plenty of great times playing at Bright Red Studios this year, including our release show and Ethan Jackson’s (of the neo-soul/hip-hop outfit Mr. Jackson) Halloween show. It’s always fun to have some creative control over your venue and set-up, and Bright Red serves as sort of a blank space to customize and set the tone of the show. Ethan’s “Dammit I’m Grown” Halloween event featured some really cool art installations. We had a blast playing our Twin Peaks set, in costume as our alter ego “Leo Johnson and the New Shoes.”
Taralie Peterson
Spires That in the Sunset Rise, Tar Pet
What comes to mind most readily is Hanah Jon Taylor as part of the jazz stroll at Schenk’s Corners. I loved this show in particular because of the element of suspense provided by the fact Hanah spent several minutes fiddling with setting up the recording gear and then when he went to play later in the set his equipment wasn’t working. Instead of getting frustrated, he was cool as a cucumber and took his sweet time getting whatever the problem was solved. It had by this time naturally included the feel of performance art. I am a huge fan of Hanah, but this was one of my favorite shows of his I’ve seen.
Anna Vogelzang
I am absolutely biased, but my favorite moment in local music this year was Wintersong at the Barrymore Theatre [Vogelzang produces and plays in the annual show]. The amount of collaboration and love and zany holiday magic was unreal, and the community came out in a huge way, raising more than $13,000 for Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. Singing “Silent Night” completely unplugged with the audience as an encore was an unreal moment that transcended place. Every performance was heartbreakingly authentic, the energy was inspiring and I will proudly call myself a sucker for the holidays and declare that I loved every minute of it.
