The 2018 Rock ’n' Roll Poll

For our annual Rock ’n’ Roll Poll, we once again surveyed a select group of Nashville’s finest rockers, rollers, bookers and more, and asked them what got their attention — good and bad — in the local scene this year.

What local artist/band ruled Nashville in 2018? 

Kacey Musgraves —Asher Horton, Chris Sunday, Sam Smith

Soccer Mommy —Cam Sarrett, Chappy Hull

Liza Anne —Liz Meade, Jared Corder

Sad Baxter —Elena Franklin, Michael Eades, Caroline Bowman

Twen —Taylor Cole, Alex Mojaverian, Caroline Bowman

Idle Bloom, Reality Something, Fever Blush —Alex Mojaverian

Whoa Dakota —Taylor Cole, Samantha Zaruba, Caroline Bowman

Tayls, The Foxies —Samantha Zaruba

Eve Maret —Will Hicks, Rachel Scarbrough, Zach Prosser

Erika Glück —Jess Chambers, Eve Maret

Internet Boyfriend, Dream Chambers, JEFF the Brotherhood, Window Light —Zach Prosser

Peachy —Rian Archer, Ryan Sweeney

B|_ank —Adam Reid, Blake Patterson, Zach Prosser

Howling Giant —Kari Ames, Brianne O’Neill

Daddy Issues —Robert Ellis Orrall, Ale Delgado

Queens of Noise —Ariel Bui

Not sure [that] I think one band did so much as just women in general. —Deezy Violet

Alanna Royale’s So Bad You Can Taste It is BOSS. I feel like I got to see them play a ton of rad events, and they tore it up every single time. Not to mention that video for “I Know.” —Sarah Bandy

Margo Price. No one has more relevant discussions in 2018. —Heather Lose

R.LUM.R, Daniella Mason —Tyler Martinez

nobigdyl. He absolutely did it his way, and it has paid off. —Rashad ThaPoet Rayford

Banana Tapes released a slew of cassettes, organized Cassette Store Day concerts, guest-curated the BW Gallery and created a supportive network and safe spaces for Nashville’s LGBTQ+ outsider music community. Sugar/Spice curated ambitious multimedia productions while maintaining a high level of quality in a wide range of genres. Drkmttr is positioned to do a lot of good work next year in their new space, which will include vegan food options!! Hyasynth House has been great in creating inclusive workshop opportunities and shows which focus on programming electronic music by women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. Nashville is a great and diverse music community. Hats off to these groups and their noble missions. —Chris Davis

Paul Horton, Concurrence —Brian Siskind

Ron Gallo —Gary Branigan

Tape Deck Mountain —Nathan Conrad

Cloudmouth —Jesse Gillenwalters

The Minks —Todd Sherwood

Makeup and Vanity Set, Jasmin Kaset, Charlie and the Evil Mothers —Michael Eades

Katie Pruitt, Hush Kids, Dave Paulson, Austin Hoke, Daniel Tashian, New Man, Smart Objects —Sam Smith

Margo Price, Devon Gilfillian —Evan P. Donohue

John Prine —Evan P. Donohue, Tim Easton

Ruston Kelly —Jerry Pentecost

Liz Cooper and the Stampede, Microwave Mountain, Erin Rae —Caroline Bowman

What local artist/band is going to rule in 2019? 

Dancers —Will Hicks, Cam Sarrett, Michael Eades

The Mute Group —Jesse Gillenwalters, Michael Eades

Eve Maret —Adam Reid, Blake Patterson, Jess Chambers

Λ°C (Lambda Celsius) —Rian Archer, Evan P. Donohue

Internet Boyfriend —Rian Archer

Dream Wave —Rachel Scarbrough

Peachy —Jonathan Marx, Jared Corder

Sun Seeker —Jared Corder, Cam Sarrett, Michael Eades

Soulman Snipes, D.O.U.G.H, Chris Townsend —Virghost

Desert Noises, Nordista Freeze —Taylor Cole

Tower Defense, Ttotals, Black Bra, The Robe —Michael Eades

Well, Daddy Issues will have a new album, so … —Robert Ellis Orrall

Cloudmouth —Nathan Conrad

Mark your calendars for the Nashville Rock Camp showcases! July 13 and July 20. —Sarah Bandy

Katy Kirby —Asher Horton

Twen —Chappy Hull

Lennon Stella —Liz Meade

Kings of the F**king Sea —Ryan Sweeney

Kacey Musgraves —Heather Lose

Devon Gilfillian —Jerry Pentecost

Ron Gallo and/or R.LUM.R —Brandon Jazz

Zac Clark —Sam Smith

Stephie James —Todd Sherwood

The Ascent of Everest —Kari Ames, Brianne O’Neill

Adia Victoria. I think the world catches up in 2019. —Rashad ThaPoet Rayford

In my dreams, it’s always Thelma and the Sleaze. —Tim Easton

JayVe Montgomery. Ornament. Ziona Riley. Or Styrofoam Winos. There are too many good musicians around to pick just one. —Chris Davis

Arrow Kids, Josie Dunne, Stasney Mav, Spazz Cardigan —Tyler Martinez

Thank You Please, Strepitus Diaboli, Fluorescent Half Dome, Waxed —Zach Prosser

Hari, Peachy, Bleary, Z —Alex Mojaverian

Molly Rocket, Nordista Freeze, Creature Comfort —Samantha Zaruba

Erin Rae, Becca Mancari —Evan P. Donohue

Ian Ferguson, Microwave Mountain —Gary Branigan

The Minks, The Medium, Telefones, Ian Ferguson, whatever The Jag does next, HR Lexy, Nightingail, Kashena Sampson —Caroline Bowman

What was your favorite discovery this year? 

Thirdface —Chappy Hull, Ariel Bui

Katie Pruitt —Sam Smith, Tim Easton

Bleary —Deezy Violet, Alex Mojaverian, Caroline Bowman

Peachy, Z, Amy Darling, Patzy —Caroline Bowman

Bazookatooth is fast, loud and fun. Depression Breakfast is the voice that punk rock (and the world) needs to hear. —Ryan Sweeney

Ice100 and Z. Smith. They both participated in the Villematic Beat Battle this year and were mind-blowing! —Virghost

Atomic Art and Sound. Self-taught badass Patricia Billings Chiasson finds and repairs gorgeous vintage record players and sells them. She also does house calls. —Heather Lose

Lee Clayton, Peter One, Country Westerns, Ziona Riley —Chris Davis

Peter One. Thanks to Awesome Tapes From Africa for raising awareness that a star from the Ivory Coast lives in Nashville, and to Chris Davis and FMRL for helping to build his local audience. —Jonathan Marx

Bunny Summers —Will Hicks

Love You Later —Liz Meade

That a concept album about Tommy Boy [Dave Paulson’s Sandusky, Ohio] can be free of kitsch. —Michael Eades

Third Man Photo Studio —Elena Franklin

1917, BW Gallery’s new show/event space —Adam Reid, Blake Patterson

FameWalking! He is my new favorite rapper/icon and his performance at Rave from the Grave was electrifying. —Rian Archer

Cave Mode Shake, Five Points Pizza! —Nathan Conrad

Louis Cole, Julien Baker —Taylor Cole

Laney Jones —Todd Sherwood

Going to concerts just as a fan is really, really fun when you’re not in Nashville. —Brandon Jazz

Dooway Dooda and bikelife culture —Brian Siskind

Frances Cone, Soy Milk Boy, Depression Breakfast —Ale Delgado

Ooko Studio, Virus Crew Records —Zach Prosser

Stasney Mav, Charli Adams —Samantha Zaruba

East Park Donuts, The War and Treaty —Jerry Pentecost

Amaryah Shaye —Jess Chambers, Eve Maret

Best/worst band breakup of the year? 

Diarrhea Planet is a lock in this category. We’re losing one of Nashville’s greatest, but they called it quits with so much love and class and riffage. —Robert Ellis Orrall

Diarrhea Planet —Evan P. Donohue, Ryan Sweeney, Elena Franklin, Tim Easton, Kari Ames, Brianne O’Neill, Chris Cobb, Ale Delgado, Tyler Martinez, Chris Sunday

Study Hall —Asher Horton

Watcher (technically “hiatus”) —Chappy Hull

The Touch —Jesse Gillenwalters

Brandon Jazz and His Armed Forces —Jerry Pentecost

Big Surr —Caroline Bowman

MJ Vision Group —Ryan Donoho

Gunther Doug —Gary Branigan

Best: HR_Lexy (now HR Lexy). Since splitting with her previous musical partner, Arlene Sparacia’s live performances have become more theatrical and moving. —Adam Reid

Best: Cloud Queens and Run Tobias. The new band Off Hand, from a combination of their members, kicks ass. —Blake Patterson

Worst: Part Time Filth. While their new, sleeker and quicker punk tunes are charming, nothing will ever replace the offbeat bass and screeching vocals of “Two Dicks and a Drum Machine.” —Adam Reid, Blake Patterson

The situation with Fond Object is a real bummer. —Michael Eades

DIY house The Move coming to an end was a hard breakup. I’m so thankful for the invaluable contribution of that space over the years. —Rian Archer

Best music story of the year? 

Taylor Swift publicly endorsing Bredesen and denouncing Blackburn. —Asher Horton

Dead heat between Lance Conzett’s pop coverage and the continued story of Nameless Fest and Drkmttr. —Michael Eades

The birth of Hyasynth House, which has created space and events specifically for women, trans and non-binary artists in electronic music. —Rian Archer

More than 25 DIY show promoters and bookers came together to create safer spaces for their events in Nashville. Solutions include more signage stating a zero-tolerance policy of harassment, having a Safety Person that anyone experiencing harassment can alert, and volunteers who are willing to take action to confront, educate and attempt to rehabilitate perpetrators when possible. —Jess Chambers, Eve Maret

People kept going out to experience live music this year, enough for little venues to still be kicking, and enough for all these giant venues to have not killed each other yet. —Todd Sherwood

*repeat repeat. There wasn’t a day in 2018 that they wasted, and a lot of people in this town got to share in their adventures and endeavors in a really beautiful way. It was really refreshing to see the good guys winning for once. —Brandon Jazz

Sturgill Simpson interviewing Damien Echols at the Unitarian Church. —Kari Ames, Brianne O’Neill

JayVe Montgomery on NewsChannel5, because JayVe is god. —Will Hicks

NIMA (Nashville Industry Music Awards) and Corey Matthews’ continued success at putting every genre of music in Nashville in the same room. —Rashad ThaPoet Rayford

Natalie Prass moving back to Nashville. —Alex Mojaverian

Jasmin Kaset and Tiffany Minton’s Steven Tyler memes. —Evan P. Donohue

More diversity in the local scene, and women taking over! Keep it up! —Caroline Bowman

What trend would you like to see left behind in 2019? 

People not paying more than $5 for a show. We’re all broke, but don’t tell me your whiskey is worth more than bands giving you their soul. —Samantha Zaruba

At a show, arms crossed, on your phone. Engage or go home. —Brandon Jazz

Competitive oil projectionists. —Will Hicks

Mass murders; albums with 20-plus tracks. —Virghost

White male gatekeepers. —Rian Archer

Folks not allowing black hip-hop artists to book their venues, yet still wanting to play black hip-hop artists. —Rashad ThaPoet Rayford

Any bill that has bands solely made up of white dudes. —Deezy Violet

Social media algorithms ruining visibility for event promotion. —Kari Ames, Brianne O’Neill

Venues booking based on social media metrics. I understand the thinking here but it’s extremely unreliable, not to mention disheartening for new bands. —Michael Eades

We don’t want to see any more record stores close. —Adam Reid, Blake Patterson

Good businesses closing, bad businesses opening. —Nathan Conrad

Trumpism. And all its cultural debris. —Chris Davis

Christian musicians making merch by ripping off street artists’ designs. —Brian Siskind

Decade Simulator bands and yuppies in real fur. —Zach Prosser

Bored pop that you’d hear in H&M. —Jesse Gillenwalters

The 1970s. —Ryan Sweeney

Harassment of any kind at shows! —Jess Chambers, Eve Maret

Apathy and selfishness. It’s a big world out there. —Tim Easton

Who deserves more coverage than they got in 2018? 

The Street Band Clan. They have provided the soundtrack for almost every major urban performance this year. —Rashad ThaPoet Rayford

Only, Hari, Soft Bodies, visual artists and anybody doing their own booking. —Caroline Bowman

Hari, Only, Peachy, Z —Gary Branigan

Act of Impalement, though it may be unprintable. —Zach Prosser

Emma Dilemma —Ariel Bui

Waxed, Z —Chappy Hull

Brasko —Liz Meade

Sam Hoffman —Asher Horton

L Roy Da Boy, Soulman Snipes, Chris Townsend —Virghost

Dancers, Donors, everything from Banana Tapes —Michael Eades

Bill Eberle —Deezy Violet, Alex Mojaverian

Athena, Nordista Freeze, Kat Milk Blu —Samantha Zaruba

Lee Clayton, Ziona Riley —Chris Davis

Darrin Bradbury —Tim Easton

Elon Musk [Nashville band] —Kari Ames, Brianne O’Neill

Annalyse Clark/Tom Violence —Jess Chambers, Eve Maret

Katy Kirby —Cam Sarrett

The New Respects —Chris Sunday

Lilly Hiatt, Maureen Murphy, Dynamo —Jerry Pentecost

KidDead —Nathan Conrad

Jason Galaz —Heather Lose

Thayer Sarrano —Todd Sherwood

R.LUM.R, ELEL —Brandon Jazz

Joe Pisapia —Sam Smith

Anyone making legit electronic music in Nashville. —Brian Siskind

What was your favorite local record of 2018? 

Idle Bloom, Flood the Dial —Taylor Cole, Rachel Scarbrough

Peachy, Squirt —Ariel Bui, Rachel Scarbrough, Sarah Bandy

Jasmin Kaset and Quichenight, Tuxedo; Alanna Royale, So Bad You Can Taste It; You Drive, You Drive —Sarah Bandy

Bill Eberle, Soft Light —Deezy Violet, Alex Mojaverian

Lasso Spells, Bohemian Mechanics —Kari Ames, Brianne O’Neill, Caroline Bowman

Liz Cooper and the Stampede, Window Flowers —Todd Sherwood, Samantha Zaruba

Whoa Dakota, Patterns —Samantha Zaruba, Tyler Martinez

Tayls, Tayls —Samantha Zaruba

Josie Dunne, To Be the Little Fish —Tyler Martinez

Kacey Musgraves, Golden Hour —Liz Meade, Jared Corder, Jerry Pentecost

Eve Maret, No More Running —Rian Archer, Ryan Donoho, Jonathan Marx

Ron Gallo, Stardust Birthday Party —Jonathan Marx

Welles, Red Trees and White Trashes —Elena Franklin

Dream Chambers, White Roses —Will Hicks

Erin Rae, Putting on Airs —Asher Horton

Petty, Words I Couldn’t Say —Rashad ThaPoet Rayford

Thirdface, A Demonstration of Righteous Aggression —Chappy Hull

Meth Dad, Swate Drames —Jesse Gillenwalters

Modern Convenience, So So Modern —Ryan Sweeney

Neon Black, 17, Half Empty / 29 Study 1, 2 —Adam Reid

Z, MAGNÜFEEK —Blake Patterson

Tapedeck Mountain, Echo Chamber Blues —Nathan Conrad

Amanda Shires, To the Sunset —Heather Lose

I listened to JEFF the Brotherhood’s Magick Songs all year, from rough mixes to finished product, and I still need to hear it a few times each week. —Robert Ellis Orrall

Carl Broemel, Wished Out —Brandon Jazz

Joe Pisapia, Connection —Sam Smith

James Digirolamo, Lullaby of Black Sheep. We have our own Elvis Costello and no one knows it somehow. —Brian Siskind

Kent Osborne, Internet Era —Zach Prosser

Trevor Nikrant’s Living in the Kingdom. Also, Matt Lux’s Communications Art Quartet’s Contra/Fact — JayVe Montgomery lives in Nashville and is a member of this Chicago jazz group. This is a landmark recording that will be regarded as one of the rare forward-thinking records that is steeped in the tradition and pregnant with possibilities. It bears mentioning that the best saxophonist in Nashville, to my ears, is the one providing the electronics and beats and saxophones that help make this record so forward-thinking and special. —Chris Davis

Soccer Mommy, Clean —Evan P. Donohue

Diatom Deli, TQM —Jess Chambers, Eve Maret

Sad Baxter, So Happy; Microwave Mountain, Sick Licks; Juan Solorzano, Time Machine; Western Medication, Taste —Caroline Bowman

Rayland Baxter, Wide Awake —Chris Sunday

What was your favorite local song of 2018? 

Reality Something, “Hate Yourself”  —Taylor Cole

Eve Maret, “No More Running” —Will Hicks

Erin Rae, “Can’t Cut Loose” —Asher Horton

Lindsey Lomis, a 15-year-old absolute sweetheart, released the staggering “Meant to Be Broken.” —Sarah Bandy

Soccer Mommy, “Your Dog” —Chappy Hull

Stasney Mav, “Bullet” —Liz Meade

Soulman Snipes feat. Be Howard, D’wynter Cold and Tyke T, “Still Rollin’ ”; Kxng Klxpsy feat. PM, “Work” —Virghost

Who can pick one?! New Man, “Maybe I’m Feelin’ Fine”; You Drive, “Home in My Love”; Quichenight, “Marijuana User”; Jasmin Kaset and Quichenight, “Things I Wanted”; Dave Paulson, “Don’t Let It Get You Down”; Katy Kirby, “Tap Twice”; REMMI, “Minimum Wage”; Lonely Biscuits, “Endlessly”; Peachy, “Rich Boy”; Dialup Ghost, “If You Want to Die.” —Michael Eades

Coco Reilly, “Define You” —Ariel Bui

Bill Eberle, “Last Day of the Season” —Deezy Violet

Athena, “Count Me In.” Such a bop, with a bridge that will get you. —Samantha Zaruba

Ziona Riley, “Bury the Heirloom.” It is rapturous, would be right at home in Vashti Bunyan’s songbook. —Chris Davis

Kacey Musgraves, “Slow Burn” —Elena Franklin

Internet Boyfriend, “New Bachelors” —Adam Reid

Kent Osborne, “Anonymous” —Blake Patterson

Bleary, “Divine Proportion”; Donors, “The Move” —Rachel Scarbrough

Donors, “Where Do You Live” —Rian Archer

The Medium, “Good Ol’ Days” —Ryan Donoho

Isaac Stinson, “Wolves” —Nathan Conrad

Taco Mouth, “Fighting for Today” —Heather Lose

Idle Bloom, “Seeping In”;  Bill Eberle, “Ain’t It a Pity” —Jonathan Marx

Ron Gallo, “It’s All Gonna Be OK” —Jared Corder

Spazz Cardigan, “Over”; Daniella Mason, “Public Places”; Pink Slip and Estef, “Said It All (Marshall Magic Remix)” —Tyler Martinez

ELEL, “Tequila” —Brandon Jazz

Joe Pisapia, “Mirror”; Hush Kids, “Morning Is Made”; Kacey Musgraves, “Slow Burn” —Sam Smith

Aaron Lee Tasjan, “Heart Slows Down” —Tim Easton

Aaron Lee Tasjan, “The Truth Is So Hard to Believe” —Chris Sunday

Andy Ferro, “Dinosaur Hair” —Kari Ames, Brianne O’Neill

Anything from Concurrence. —Rashad ThaPoet Rayford

Ian Ferguson, “State of Gold” —Gary Branigan

Halle’s cover of “Sixpack” and JTB’s “Singing Gardens.” A very JEFF year for me. —Ale Delgado

Mark Fredson, “Bitchin’ Summer” —Evan P. Donohue

Amanda Shires, “Leave It Alone” —Jerry Pentecost

Dream Chambers, “Gravity” —Eve Maret

Rainsticks, “Crippled Lamb”; Eve Maret, “I Can’t Hear What You Don’t Say”; Sam Hoffman, “All the Places”; Western Medication, “This Heaven Underground” —Cam Sarrett

Tennessee Muscle Candy, “So Good”; Desert Noises, “Stars”; Reality Something, “Break It”; Quiet Oaks, “Never Really Minded”; Liza Anne, “I Love You but I Need Another Year” —Caroline Bowman

Best show of the year? 

Yo La Tengo’s two beautiful nights at The Basement East —Asher Horton

Nameless Fest! Also C.H.E.W. at Betty’s. —Chappy Hull

One of the two best shows I saw was a backyard show for Amanar, a group from Mali who were in town to take part in a panel discussion on the role of music in West African politics for a political science conference at Vanderbilt. One of the guitarists, Dramane Toure, was an accompanist for the iconic Malian vocalist Khaira Arby, who passed away earlier this year. He is probably the single best guitarist I have ever seen. The other was Simon Joyner’s show at Soft Junk. People talk a lot about groups getting inside the songs. These songs were relaxed, lived-in, nuanced and worked out like an old baseball glove. I kept scanning the stage for bottles of mink oil. I’m sure the David Nance show at Third Man was also incredible — it’s a lot of the same people. —Chris Davis

Pistol Annies at the Ryman. It was their first full-length show in seven years, and Miranda Lambert escorted some drunk girl in the front row out by herself. —Liz Meade

Timmy’s Organism at The Cobra. Definitely the most people I’ve seen stick it out to the end of a four-band bill in a long time, and on a Sunday! —Ryan Sweeney

Booty and the Jew: A Cabaret for You —Taylor Cole

Sete Star Sept w/Long Con, Thirdface & J. Carter at Twin Kegs II —Will Hicks, Zach Prosser

Sons of Kemet at Third Man; Wu Fei with chatterbird at Belmont; Peachy’s album release at Fond Object; Southern Girls Rock Camp showcase at Third Man Records; Tennessee Teens Rock Camp showcase at Mercy Lounge —Sarah Bandy

Break the Cycle feat. L Roy da Boy and Friends; Nashville Industry Music Awards —Virghost

The annual YK Records Showcase. Gotta give credit to Cold Lunch Recordings for all the phenomenal shows they promote. —Michael Eades

NIN at Ascend —Elena Franklin

Cassette Store Day was my favorite. I’ve never been so proud of an event. —Adam Reid

R. Stevie Moore and Neon Black tape release show at Welcome to 1979 —Blake Patterson

The Breeders at Cannery —Rachel Scarbrough

Jennifer Vanilla and Chartruisa with Λ°C (Lambda Celsius) and B|_ank at Drkmttr. And all of the Tram Planet raves. —Rian Archer

Michael Nesmith and the First National Band at the Country Music Hall of Fame —Ryan Donoho

Pedro the Lion at Exit/In —Nathan Conrad

Defense Wins Championships and The Katies at The 5 Spot —Heather Lose

MESSYAH and Nate Head’s going away show/rave. —Tyler Martinez

Ain’t Afraid: Songs of Jessi Zazu and Those Darlins at Mercy Lounge —Jerry Pentecost, Ariel Bui, Todd Sherwood

*repeat repeat at Bonnaroo, Ron Gallo at the Beast —Brandon Jazz

Skyline Motel at The Basement East —Sam Smith

Childish Gambino at Bridgestone —Brian Siskind

John Prine and Bill Murray sat down to play a few songs and be interviewed by Peter Cooper. —Tim Easton

BobFest —Kari Ames, Brianne O’Neill, Gary Branigan, Caroline Bowman

Spewfest 3 —Deezy Violet, Alex Mojaverian

Epic release shows: Tayls’ dual-venue EP release; Kat Milk Blu’s album release; PopMonster, Whoa Dakota and Athena’s dual release show. —Samantha Zaruba

Chlorophyll and Soft Bodies playing back to back at Mercy Lounge! —Jess Chambers, Eve Maret

All three final Diarrhea Planet shows and their victory lap. And to top things off with a GUITAR SMASH AND STANDING OVATION AT THE RYMAN! Ah jeez. I’m not crying, you’re crying! —Ale Delgado

Respondents: 

Kari Ames: co-founder, Far Out Nashville; founder, Labrys Light Show

Rian Archer: founder, Sugar/Spice; photographer; Scorpio

Sarah Bandy: executive director, YEAH!; member, Melissa Drone Harp; host, The Maiden Voyager on WXNA

Caroline Bowman: owner/founder, Cold Lunch Recordings; record girl, Vinyl Tap; your No. 1 fan

Gary Branigan: janitor, Cold Lunch Recordings

Ariel Bui: musician; Melodia Studio; WXNA; Nashville B-Cycle; Jessi Zazu Inc.

Jess Chambers and Eve Maret: co-founders, Hyasynth House collective

Chris Cobb: co-owner, Exit/In and Marathon Music Works

Taylor Cole: talent buyer, The East Room; musician, Tayls and Creature Comfort

Nathan Conrad: rapper, Spoken Nerd; lover of art; eater of pizza

Jared Corder: performer, *repeat repeat

Chris Davis: founder, FMRL; Cherry Blossom

Ale Delgado: Infinity Cat Records; president, Daddy Issues Fan Club

Ryan “Domo” Donoho: musician, Ornament

Evan P. Donohue: audio engineer; songwriter

Michael Eades: curator, YK Records and We Own This Town

Tim Easton: musician

Elena Franklin: lead singer and guitarist, Reality Something

Jesse Gillenwalters: frontman, Basic Printer

Will Hicks: musician, B|_ank

Asher Horton: musician, Rainsticks and Sun Seeker; host, Hot Fudge Tuesday on WXNA

Chappy Hull: guitar and vocals, Gnarwhal and Shell of a Shell; guitar, Pile

Brandon Jazz: tour manager and show promoter, Goldtooth Inc.

Heather Lose: co-founder, WXNA; host, Aging Hipster

Tyler Martinez: talent buyer, Mercy Lounge; founder of HOUSEQUAKE; pop music aficionado

Jonathan Marx: host, Transmission on WXNA; nerd

Liz Meade: music publicist and mom at Threebrand Media

Alex Mojaverian: drummer, Sad Baxter; guy you recognize from Trader Joe’s; semi-pro karaoke host

Brianne O’Neill: co-founder, Far Out Nashville; musician, Black Moon Mother

Robert Ellis Orrall: Infinity Cat guy; Art Shack inhabitant

Blake Patterson and Adam Reid: co-owners, Banana Tapes; artists, Secret Friends and Flesh Eater

Jerry Pentecost: drummer; DJ; freelance BA

Zach Prosser: creator

Rashad ThaPoet Rayford: actor; soul/hip-hop artist

Cam Sarrett: distribution, Third Man Records

Rachel Scarbrough: co-conspirator, Sugar/Spice; promoter; Aquarius rising

Todd Sherwood: co-owner, booker, plumber and party coach at The 5 Spot; father; skateboarding enthusiast

Brian Siskind: beatmaker, Beat Hollow Records; filmmaker, Those Drones; co-host, Art Fight Podcast

Sam Smith: drummer, producer, album cover designer

Ryan Sweeney: all of the above at Sweet Time Booking; pizza man; drummer, The Shitdels and The Rip Taylors

Chris Sunday: manager; generally bothersome cynic

Deezy Violet: the “Sad,” Sad Baxter

Virghost: rapper; poet; creator and host, Villematic Hip-Hop Showcase; artist and co-founder Capitol Minds Entertainment

Samantha Zaruba: HBIC/mom, LunaSea Media and SirenMoonZone; semi-professional music lover covered in paint