For our annual Rock ’n’ Roll Poll, we once again asked a select group of Nashville’s finest rockers, rollers, rappers, bookers and more to share their take on local music.
Respondents:
DJ Afrosheen: DJ; designer; activist
Ellen Angelico: guitarist
Jess Awh: musician, Bats
Jesse Boo: deposed dictator; also bass in Boo Dudes, I guess
Jessica Breanne: singer-songwriter; staffer, the Belcourt
Ariel Bui: singer-songwriter; owner and piano teacher at Melodia Studio
Justin Causey: artist manager; entertainment
production
Corduroy Clemens: rapper
Taylor Cole: talent buyer and general manager, The East Room; vocalist, Tayls
Nathan Conrad: rapper, Spoken Nerd
Jared Corder: producer; Polychrome Ranch; artist, *repeat repeat
Sunny Dada (SHADDAI): musician
Evan P. Donohue: artist; songwriter; producer; engineer
Michael Eades: founder, YK Records
Nordista Freeze: experimental pop musician; founder, Space Prom
Sofia Goodman: drummer; composer; bandleader; international woman of mystery
Tyler Glaser: used vinyl buyer and event coordinator, Grimey’s
Celia Gregory: morning host, WNXP
Kyle Hamlett: songwriter; musician
Coley Hinson: producer; reverend
Fats Kaplin: multi-instrumentalist; prestidigitator
Angela Lese: drummer
Megan Loveless: girl boss, Third Man Records; talent buyer, The Blue Room at Third Man Records; co-founder, To-Go Records
Jerry Pentecost: drummer; DJ; freelance badass
Bryan Pierce: chief curator, National Museum of African American Music
Ziona Riley: singer-songwriter; member, Heinous Orca; host, Ziona’s Sunday Springwater Salon
Alanna Royale: singer-songwriter; eternal beauty
Olive Scibelli: co-director, Drkmttr Collective
Mike Shepherd: bassist, Tower Defense; Nashville rock lifer
Ryan Sweeney: drummer, too many bands to list; retired show booker; label dude, Sweet Time Records; pizza man
Blair Tramel and Connor Cummins: Snooper
Jordan Victoria: techie; musician, Heaven Honey
Chet Weise: cat person; dog lover; guitarist for MAANTA RAAY and Immortal Lee County Killers; editor-in-chief, Third Man Books
Emily Young: events and promotions director, WNXP
Bats at The Blue Room at Third Man Records, 6/9/2024
What local artist/band ruled Nashville in 2024?
Soot. —Blair Tramel and Connor Cummins, Jess Awh, Michael Eades
Styrofoam Winos. —Kyle Hamlett, Tyler Glaser
Sierra Ferrell. —Celia Gregory, Jerry Pentecost
Kyshona (told ya), Larissa Maestro. —Jerry Pentecost
Meg Elsier. —Emily Young, Megan Loveless
Brennan Wedl. —Jessica Breanne, Jordan Victoria
Snooper. —Jared Corder, Jess Awh
Baby Wave. —Jess Awh
Bats. —Jordan Victoria
Both The Weird Sisters and Flight Attendant saw an awesome growth in their audiences this year because of so much previous dedication to their craft. —Taylor Cole
Even though he didn’t release a bunch, Tim Gent has been putting in the work toward his upcoming album Change Is Good. —Corduroy Clemens
Jelly Roll. Throw a rock and you’d hit him. —Coley Hinson
Stuck Lucky have not only supported touring acts from around the map, they also dropped Counting Curses, a massively awesome record. —Nathan Conrad
Zook, Volunteer Department, Revival Season, Quez Cantrell, Mama Zu, Pressure Heaven and a bazillion more. Of course, all the YK releases — I’m biased but I stand by their greatness. —Michael Eades
The Robe’s run of monthly EPs has been a delight. —Mike Shepherd
Afrokokoroot, Friday Night Funk Band, The Magi, MD and Cobalt Blue, Jo’shua Odine, Soul Chess. —Sunny Dada (SHADDAI)
DJ Afrosheen, DJ Yoyaniii, DJ Croptop Tot. —Justin Causey
Allison Russell. —DJ Afrosheen
Medium Build, Madi Diaz. —Celia Gregory
Maggie Rose, Daisha McBride. —Alanna Royale
Denitia. —Bryan Pierce
Jim Hoke’s The Floating Zone. —Ziona Riley
Molly Martin. —Angela Lese
Kacey Musgraves. —Ariel Bui
Sizzle Went the VCR. —Fats Kaplin
Massie99. —Nordista Freeze
Laura Berens. —Sofia Goodman
Total Wife!! —Olive Scibelli
Six One Trïbe at The Basement, 1/26/2024
What local artist/band is going to rule in 2025?
Six One Trïbe specifically, but I believe Nashville hip-hop will have a big year in 2025. —Corduroy Clemens
Negro Justice has at least one great new project in 2025 that is going to blow your mind! —Nathan Conrad
All these cool new 20- to 25-year-old alt-rock bands. —Taylor Cole
Baby Wave. —Megan Loveless, Michael Eades, Blair Tramel and Connor Cummins
Massie99, Screen Star. —Megan Loveless
Lilly Hiatt. —Coley Hinson, Ariel Bui, Tyler Glaser
Body Electric, Hushhh, Zook, Phiz, Jessica Breanne, Spectral Waves, Qualls, Jordan Xx, Son of the Challenger, Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, ∞. —Michael Eades
Anne McCue, Joelton Mayfield. —Jessica Breanne
Amanda Shires, Brittany Howard. —Jerry Pentecost
Lips Speak Louder. (I may be biased.) —Angela Lese
Tim Gent. —Justin Causey
Emma Zinck. —Ellen Angelico
Nathaniel Riley. —Ziona Riley
Kevin Coleman. —Kyle Hamlett
Ziona Riley, Kyle Hamlett, Slow Shiv. —Evan P. Donohue
Brennan Wedl. —Jess Awh
Mr. Mayo. —Sofia Goodman
MT Tricky. —Jared Corder
Daisha McBride. —Bryan Pierce
Kandy and the Kavities. —Olive Scibelli
Pressure Heaven. —Jordan Victoria
The Sewing Club. —Celia Gregory
Elke. —Emily Young
Future Crib. —Nordista Freeze
Crystal Rose. —Alanna Royale
Wesley & the Boys. —Ryan Sweeney
Waxed. —Chet Weise
Shelldhn. —DJ Afrosheen
Can’t wait to find out! —Fats Kaplin
Chappell Roan at FirstBank Amphitheater, 10/1/2024
What’s your favorite discovery this year, musical or not?
Nashville. Every time that I got off the road for a moment in 2024, I “rediscovered” my city and appreciated its tight musical community even more. —Fats Kaplin
Mayor Freddie’s outstanding songwriter dad Tim O’Connell. —Ellen Angelico
Albert Brooks movies; “Pink Pony Club.” —Coley Hinson
Chappell Roan. (I know, late to the party.) —Angela Lese
Palo Brea, massie99. —Taylor Cole
Free Wednesdays at NMAAM. —Jerry Pentecost
Eastside Music Supply’s new Dickerson Pike location. —Bryan Pierce
The Psycho’s Quiz Show series at Springwater. —Ziona Riley
DJ Erica’s Mode Radio late Saturday nights on WXNA. —DJ Afrosheen
Thanks to WNXP, I discovered artists like Medium Build, Elke and Remi Wolf this year. —Corduroy Clemens
Budge. —Emily Young
The Penguin on HBO. —Justin Causey
Mall Gag. —Ariel Bui
Magdalena Bay. —Blair Tramel and Connor Cummins
The Austin, Texas, band Die Spitz. <3 —Megan Loveless
Quinn Hills’ album Ignore All Previous Instructions. —Jessica Breanne
Putting a little red cabbage in with your rice when you steam it turns it purple! —Jess Awh
@maddiescakesandotherbakes. —Nordista Freeze
Finding out Duke’s “leftover sandwich” special will be returning every year in November. —Tyler Glaser
The Lobster Martini at Tiger Bar. —Jesse Boo
BE-Hive milkshakes. —Jared Corder
Cauliflower gochujang and live poetry on the patio at Babo Korean Bar. —Chet Weise
The Pitch Meeting. —Sofia Goodman
Circle in the Fire (Kevin Coleman, Scott Mattingly, Gray Worry). —Kyle Hamlett
McKay! The harmonies are illustrious. And Tanatswa Estina, who is an incredible one-person band and producer. —Olive Scibelli
Tuning out of social media is legitimately healthy. We should all try it despite the FOMO. —Michael Eades
CA7RIEL, Paco Amoroso. —Alanna Royale
Screen Star. —Nathan Conrad
If you see the symphony, the cheapest seats are the front few rows. (Check your ticket before you get high out front and walk inside.) —Evan P. Donohue
The freedom of an empty inbox in my booking email. —Ryan Sweeney
Jack White
What’s your favorite story in music — local or not — in 2024?
Jack White’s No Name surprise album drop, American Legion Post 82 show and guerrilla-style tour. —Emily Young, Fats Kaplin, Megan Loveless
D. Watusi reuniting and finally releasing Watusioosie. —Ryan Sweeney, Tyler Glaser, Coley Hinson, Megan Loveless
The return of Oasis. —Coley Hinson
Locally, the respective rise of Jelly Roll and Charlotte Sands has been really cool to watch. I also love Lupe Fiasco releasing music independently; Samurai is a great project! —Corduroy Clemens
Neil Young having fun in Franklin, bantering with the audience, playing a greatest set of all time. —Ziona Riley
It was a good year for women fronting heavy bands, with OmenBringer, Thirdface and Husband Stitch all making their presence felt. More of this, please. —Mike Shepherd
Bruce Fitzpatrick from The End getting his laurels on WNXP’s Music Citizens podcast. —Jess Awh
“Looking Back at the Impact of Sweet Time Booking.” —Chet Weise
“Seeing Derv Gordon is the Ultimate Anti-Establishment Move.” —Nathan Conrad
The Scene cover story on women-owned venues in Nashville, of course! —Olive Scibelli
Jason Eskridge is opening a sandwich shop! —Ellen Angelico
Kendrick vs. Drake. —Justin Causey
Jackie Shane finally getting her historical marker! —Jessica Breanne
Nashville Drummers Podcast building community, doing the work to genuinely support each other and be awesome people. —Sofia Goodman
Bob Dylan at Brooklyn Bowl. —Jerry Pentecost
Brittany Howard is throwing a hardcore show with Second Spirit and Snooper. —Alanna Royale
Random Sample’s upsizing. —Kyle Hamlett
Blank Hellscape (Austin, Texas) playing ACL. —Blair Tramel and Connor Cummins
Winona Fighter. They’re blowin’ up! —Angela Lese
Chappell Roan everything. —Jared Corder
Polychrome Ranch and the community of artists recording there. —Nordista Freeze
Godspeed You, Black Emperor! releasing an album and touring. —Bryan Pierce
The rise of streaming and Bandcamp alternatives! It’s great to see new destinations to discover music appear: Ampwall, Nina, Artcore, Mirlo, Subvert, etc. Ubiquity is great. —Michael Eades
Total Wife at Drkmttr Fest, 10/19/2024
What’s one thing you hope to see more of in local music in 2025?
Cross-genre collabs keeping it spicy and super real, like Joy Oladokun feat. Brian Brown on “Hollywood.” —Celia Gregory
Let's get weird, y'all. —Ellen Angelico, Taylor Cole
Something to help us survive the next four years. —Ariel Bui
I want to see other venues and bands getting more involved in community organizing. —Olive Scibelli
Badass club shows with two bands. —Coley Hinson, Jared Corder
More early shows. —Mike Shepherd, Olive Scibelli
Embracing the 6 p.m. show, eschewing the Sunday show. Please, do it for us oldies. —Michael Eades
Venue support! The local artists are showing up and showing out. We need more established venues to highlight and platform their efforts. —DJ Afrosheen
Higher attendance at Springwater. —Ziona Riley
More hip-hop representation and venues. —Corduroy Clemens
Mixed-genre bills. —Alanna Royale, Jess Awh, Emily Young, Sunny Dada (SHADDAI)
Shows in creative locations; good nonalcoholic drink options at venues. —Jess Awh
House shows! —Megan Loveless
More local acts supporting national tours. —Angela Lese
Honesty. —Justin Causey
Collaborations. —Jerry Pentecost
More community. —Jessica Breanne
Risk-taking performances; mentorship; a Sofia Goodman Group Jazz Jam every second Monday of the month. —Sofia Goodman
The consistent release of stellar singles by both Zook and The Robe. —Kyle Hamlett
Songs for thinking, not for drinking. —Evan P. Donohue
I hope underground rock ventures get more support. —Bryan Pierce
More people like Ryan Sweeney. —Chet Weise
Straightforward and honest rock ’n’ roll. —Ryan Sweeney
Smoking weed and crying happy tears at the gig. —Jordan Victoria
More home recordings and demos. —Blair Tramel and Connor Cummins
Have fun making stuff :) —Nordista Freeze, Tyler Glaser
Kooky, spooky Halloween music events. Halloween 2025 is on a Friday night. Just sayin’. —Jesse Boo
What’s one thing you hope we leave behind in 2024?
Sorry. You requested that we keep our answers brief. No can do; a lot of loss this past year. —Fats Kaplin
Just one?! OK, merch cuts or fostering predators in the scene. Y'all pick, ’cause apparently we can't do both. —Alanna Royale
Net 30, 60, 90 payments. —DJ Afrosheen
Bots buying and reselling tickets to shows. —Blair Tramel and Connor Cummins
Artists being forced to cancel shows or tours due to expenses. —Emily Young
I'd like to see $40 parking fees, $20 beers and inflation denialism go away. —Nathan Conrad
Pay-to-play. —Kyle Hamlett
Small to midsize rock venues closing. —Chet Weise
Fashionably late arrivals. Shows start on time now, it's great! —Mike Shepherd
Only going to shows where you know the bands. Go see some new music! —Olive Scibelli
Crowds leaving or going outside during a touring band’s set. —Ryan Sweeney
Relying on the algorithm to find new music instead of friends, small publications, record stores and radio shows crafted with love. —Jess Awh, Ziona Riley
The Morgan Wallens and Kid Rocks, please and thank you. —Angela Lese
Neo-Nazis, aka “Nashville's Nazi Problem.” —Ariel Bui, Evan P. Donohue
Scoop Nashville. —Corduroy Clemens
Nonmusically: low-rise jeans. —Megan Loveless
Dressing nice onstage; “going country”; Noah Kahan. —Coley Hinson
Laziness and entitlement. —Justin Causey
Ego. —Nordista Freeze
Ugliness (not in the aesthetic sense): jealous attitudes, ungratefulness, unawareness we have power to shape community and culture here. —Sofia Goodman
When people on TikTok tap glasses with their fingers. —Jared Corder
QR menus. —Tyler Glaser
The concrete at Two Rivers Skatepark has potholes to rival the ones on Ellington Parkway. —Jesse Boo
Division. We need unity more than ever! —Jerry Pentecost
Who in Nashville music deserves more attention than they got in 2024?
PesoTaxin. He released videos and high-quality EPs/albums all year long. Definitely one of the hardest-working artists in the city. —Corduroy Clemens
Rich Ruth. —Celia Gregory, Tyler Glaser
Bats. —Emily Young, Coley Hinson
Make Yourself at Home. —Jess Awh
Dream Wave, Ornament. —Coley Hinson
Nathaniel Riley. —Ziona Riley
Candi Carpenter. —Angela Lese
DJs Dame Luz and Dumb Groove of It’s Giving Global. —DJ Afrosheen
Screen Star. —Blair Tramel and Connor Cummins
Ellisa Sun. —Ariel Bui
Paul Burch. —Fats Kaplin
Slush. —Megan Loveless
The Other Nashville Society. —Justin Causey
John Alvey has greatly contributed to the jazz scene for years, and his new record Soft Glow is incredible. —Nathan Conrad
Rod McGaha, Abigail Flowers. —Sofia Goodman
Tom Barrett, Jung Min-noh. —Kyle Hamlett
Kyle Hamlett, Volunteer Department, Celltower, Thad Kopec, Jordan Xx, Heru Heru, Ronni Raxx, DTL Jams, No Sabes, Dialup Ghost. —Michael Eades
Camper. —Jared Corder
The ambient music community. —Bryan Pierce
Thirdface, the best hardcore band in Nashville. —Olive Scibelli
Mike Good FM. —Nordista Freeze
Leah Blevins. —Alanna Royale
Stuck Lucky. —Jesse Boo
Electric Python. —Ryan Sweeney
Charlie Worsham. —Jerry Pentecost
Riley Parker. —Chet Weise
D. Watusi
What’s your favorite local record of 2024?
D. Watusi, Watusioosie. —Jessica Breanne, Tyler Glaser, Blair Tramel and Connor Cummins, Jesse Boo
Massie99, Alpha Beta Omegle. —Taylor Cole, Jared Corder
Thirdface, Ministerial Cafeteria. —Mike Shepherd, Olive Scibelli
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Woodland. —Celia Gregory, Emily Young
Volunteer Department, Fountainhead. —Jordan Victoria, Michael Eades
HR Lexy’s Every Scar Is an Open Door is transcendental, and Soot’s Wearing a Wire is nightmare fuel in the best way. —Michael Eades
Nick Larimore, Trio. —Jess Awh
Bats, Good Game, Baby. —Coley Hinson
Three-way tie: Fantasy Hall by Crave On, Folk Guitar by Joseph Allred, Stars of Tennessee by The Cherry Blossoms. —Kyle Hamlett
Crave On, Fantasy Hall. —Ziona Riley
Quez Cantrell, N.I.N.E.; Chuck Indigo, Until I Get There; Gee Slab, Expect to Win —Corduroy Clemens
Candi Carpenter, Demonology. —Angela Lese
Mama Zu, Quilt Floor. —Ariel Bui
Meg Elsier, Spittake. —Megan Loveless
Reaux Marquez, 3 Pack. —Justin Causey
Jeff Coffin, Only the Horizon. —Sofia Goodman
Live From Drkmttr Vol. 1. —Bryan Pierce
Backjarron, Lil Cat OK. —Nordista Freeze
Soccer Mommy, Evergreen. —Nathan Conrad
Teddy and the Rough Riders, Down Home. —Evan P. Donohue
The Sleeveens, The Sleeveens. —Ryan Sweeney
Eric Slick, New Age Rage. —Jerry Pentecost
Jessi Zazu and Linwood Regensburg
What’s your favorite local song of 2024?
Perfection lies in: Mama Zu, “Make a Joke”; Thomas Luminoso, “Speed Bug”; The Weird Sisters, “Waiting So Long”; Jordan Xx, “Born to Live Fly”; and Zook’s “Conversations,” among others! —Michael Eades
Mama Zu’s “Make a Joke” (holy hell, I blasted this on repeat). Also couldn’t believe the stunning, gutting simplicity of Kacey Musgraves’ “Too Good to Be True” on first listen and it still stings, TBH. —Celia Gregory
Mama Zu, “Guitar World.” —Ariel Bui
Mama Zu, “Lip.” —Emily Young
Medium Build, “Crying Over You”; Six One Trïbe, “You Can Tell”; PesoTaxin, “Too OP.” —Corduroy Clemens
Dream Wave, “Clear.” —Coley Hinson
Ryan Scott, “Keep Pushing.” —Ellen Angelico
Nathaniel Riley, “Turning Into Stone.” —Ziona Riley
Brennan Wedl, “Fake Cowboy.” —Angela Lese
My Wall, “Evolve.” —Chet Weise
Shelldhn, “JUSLIKEDAT.” —DJ Afrosheen
The Medium, “Golden Angels.” —Blair Tramel and Connor Cummins
Budge, “Hrtstrngs.” —Megan Loveless
M.C. D, “Tennessee Pimpin.” —Justin Causey
Lilly Hiatt, “Shouldn’t Be.” —Jessica Breanne
Slush, “Shadow of Mine.” —Jordan Victoria
Heaven Honey, “Moan.” —Jess Awh
Crave On, “Gondolier.” —Kyle Hamlett
LB Beistad, “Dogma.” —Jared Corder
General Trust, “A Season of Wrath.” —Mike Shepherd
Crumbsnatchers feat. Flight Attendant, “Saturday.” —Nordista Freeze
D. Watusi, “Bluest Hour.” —Tyler Glaser
Dale J. Gordon, “It Doesn’t Light.” —Nathan Conrad
Wesley & the Boys, “King Size Candy Bar.” —Ryan Sweeney
The Privates, “Don’t Take It Out on Me.” —Jerry Pentecost
Mike Floss and Rod McGaha with Regeneration at The Blue Room, 2/24/2024
What’s the best performance you saw this year?
Kyshona at 3rd and Lindsley. Literally everyone cried. —Ellen Angelico
MeMetheGoat guest appearance at 615 Day. She killed it!!! —Corduroy Clemens
Richard Dawson opening solo for Mitski in the U.K.; Strawberry Guy with a string quartet. —Fats Kaplin
CRYPTA at Marathon Music Works. Metalheads, you need to know this band. —Sofia Goodman
Seeing Devo live for the first time was life-affirming stuff. —Mike Shepherd
The Jesus Lizard at The Blue Room. It was insane! —Megan Loveless
Phish at the Sphere; Bush with Jerry Cantrell and Candlebox at Municipal Auditorium. —Coley Hinson
Charli XCX at Bridgestone. —Taylor Cole
Molly Martin at Tomato Arts Fest. —Angela Lese
Be Your Own Pet at Eastside Bowl; Gustaf at Drkmttr. —Ariel Bui
Khruangbin at Ascend. —Justin Causey
Dion Lunadon at The Basement. —Ryan Sweeney
Nate Smith (drummer) at The Basement East. —Jerry Pentecost
Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago at Bridgestone with MamaSheen. —DJ Afrosheen
D. Watusi’s record release show! —Jessica Breanne
Mike Floss at The Blue Room; Soot at Zeitgeist. —Jess Awh
Styrofoam Winos, Crave On and Glam Campbell at Soft Junk for the Winos’ release of Real Time. —Kyle Hamlett
New Translations at Bonnaroo. —Jared Corder
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard at Ascend. —Emily Young
Ken Vandermark and PNL at Rice Vice. —Chet Weise
Cardiel. —Bryan Pierce
Mk.gee at Marathon Music Works. —Jordan Victoria
Pylon at Drkmttr Fest! Honestly, everybody at Drkmttr Fest! :) —Olive Scibelli
Husband Stitch at Drkmttr Fest, no question. —Michael Eades
Jack White at The Basement East, burstin’ eardrums up close and personal like the old days; Sturgill Simpson’s unrelenting and awesome marathon at Bridgestone. —Celia Gregory
The Jam at Inglewood Lounge, featuring Jarren Blair. —Nordista Freeze
Dan Reeder at Soft Junk. —Tyler Glaser
Missy Elliott on her first-ever headlining tour. —Alanna Royale
Catbite opening for The Bouncing Souls. —Jesse Boo
Mr. Bungle at Brooklyn Bowl! —Nathan Conrad
Machine Girl at Brooklyn Bowl. —Blair Tramel and Connor Cummins
The Nashville Symphony performing Carlos Simon, Antonín Dvořák and Rachmaninoff on my birthday with my girlfriend. —Evan P. Donohue
Talking with stellar songsmith and producer Brittany Howard, counting down the year’s top local albums and more
