Year in Music 2023: The Rock ’n’ Roll Poll

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, model

Ellen Angelico: guitarist at large

Caroline Bowman: Vinyl Tap, Thirty Tigers, freelancer, your No. 1 fan

Ariel Bui: founder and music educator, Melodia Studio; singer-songwriter; activist

Justin Causey: manager

Corduroy Clemens: hip-hop artist

Taylor Cole: lead vocals, Tayls; talent buyer and general manager, The East Room

Michael Combs: owner, The Groove

Nathan Conrad: rapper, Spoken Nerd

Jared Corder: producer, Polychrome Ranch; performer, *repeat repeat

Spencer Cullum: frontman, sideman

Connor Cummins: musician, Snooper

Tanner Davenport: co-director, Black Opry

Ryan “Domo” Donoho: entertainer, songwriter, record producer and percussionist, Ornament and Crystal Egg

Evan P. Donohue: artist, engineer, producer

Michael Eades: YK Records, We Own This Town

Holly G: founder, Black Opry

Tyler Glaser: used buyer and events coordinator, Grimey’s; playlist creator, the Belcourt; host, Bar Continental Vinyl Community Night

Sofia Goodman: drummer, composer

Celia Gregory: morning host, WNXP

Kyle Hamlett: songwriter, musician

Erica Hayes Schultz: host of WXNA’s Soul of the City and Mode.Radio

Coley Hinson: sideman, producer

Eric Holt: co-founder, Lovenoise; music business professor, Belmont

Col. Jazzola: hacktivist, historical figure

Negro Justice: very good rapper

Megan Loveless: co-founder, To-Go Records and Nashville Show To-Go Menu; project manager, Third Man Records; talent buyer, The Blue Room

Larissa Maestro: musician and composer, Allison Russell, My So-Called Band, Hozier

Eve Maret: musician, composer

Marquis Munson: evening host, WNXP

J. Patt: musician

Jerry Pentecost: drummer, DJ (DJ Jerry), life coach

PesoTaxin: director, videographer, co-owner RedEyeFilms&Co.; rapper

Bryan Pierce: curator, the National Museum of African American Music

Rashad tha Poet Rayford: speaker, poet, MC 

Alanna Royale: singer, songwriter

Jesse Rhew: dictator for life, RUDE TECH Guitar Effects

Cam Sarrett: sales and distribution, Third Man Records; drums, Snooper

Luke Schneider: multi-instrumentalist; Third Man Records artist; founder, Forestdale Incense

Mike Shepherd: bassist, Tower Defense; Nashville rock lifer; aspiring old guy at at the show

Jen Starsinic: composer; songwriter; co-founder and director, Girls Write Nashville

Ryan Sweeney: The Guy, Sweet Time Records & Booking; pizza man; punk dad

Blair Tramel: musician, Snooper

Chet Weise: writer; guitar shredder, MAANTA RAAY; cat lover; editor, Third Man Books

Wockhardt Mack: photographer, co-owner RedEyeFilms&Co.; rapper

Emily Young: events and promotions director, WNXP

What local artist/band ruled Nashville in 2023?

Snooper —Jared Corder, Michael Combs, Celia Gregory, Jesse Rhew, Emily Young, Eve Maret, Mike Shepherd, Caroline Bowman, Evan P. Donohue, Luke Schneider, Megan Loveless

Be Your Own Pet —Ariel Bui, Chet Weise, Michael Combs, Caroline Bowman, Luke Schneider, Blair Tramel

Daisha McBride —Rashad tha Poet Rayford, Corduroy Clemens, Eric Holt, DJ Afrosheen

Alanna Royale —Erica Hayes Schultz, Caroline Bowman, Jerry Pentecost

Devon Gilfillian —Alanna Royale, DJ Afrosheen

Samia, Briston Maroney —Michael Combs

DJ Manrelic —DJ Afrosheen

Jack Silverman —Kyle Hamlett

Eve Maret  —Ryan “Domo” Donoho

Pascal Le Boeuf —Sofia Goodman 

Crystal Rose —Jen Starsinic, Taylor Cole

Molly Martin, Venus & the Fly Traps, Julia Cannon —Taylor Cole

Logan Ledger —Spencer Cullum

Denitia —Holly G

Brian Brown —Erica Hayes Schultz 

American Bang! (again) —Col. Jazzola 

Six One Trïbe —J. Patt

PesoTaxin —PesoTaxin, Wockhardt Mack

R.A.P. Ferreira opened an awesome record store and venue. He continues to be a community-driven artist with vision and great music. —Nathan Conrad

Allison Russell —Larissa Maestro, Marquis Munson

Jelly Roll —Justin Causey 

Styrofoam Winos —Connor Cummins 

Tim Gent —Corduroy Clemens

Corduroy Clemens, Sugar Sk*-*lls, Gardening Not Architecture, Magic in Threes —Michael Eades

Total Wife —Cam Sarrett

Sierra Ferrell —Bryan Pierce

If Willie Jones is not on the rooftop at BMI, he’s at Electric Jane; if he’s not there, he’s probably at SoHo House … you get the idea. —Tanner Davenport

Jaime Wyatt, Black Opry —Jerry Pentecost

Molly Tuttle —Tyler Glaser

Intylect, SumoDope —Negro Justice

Waxed and Soot were both on fire this year! —Ryan Sweeney

What local artist/band is going to rule in 2024?

Six One Trïbe —J. Patt, PesoTaxin, Corduroy Clemens

Petty —Corduroy Clemens

Smooch —Wockhardt Mack

Crystal Egg —Coley Hinson, Ryan “Domo” Donoho

Brian Brown — Emily Young, Justin Causey 

Joelton Mayfield —Luke Schneider, Caroline Bowman

General Trust, Total Wife, Wilby, Eardrummer, Ronni Raxx —Michael Eades

Brittany Howard —Larissa Maestro

Tré Burt, Jess Nolan, Eardrummer —Evan P. Donohue 

Eve Maret, The Shindellas, Jamiah —DJ Afrosheen

Corook —Marquis Munson

Total Wife —Megan Loveless, Blair Tramel

Meg Elsier, Bats, Mali Velasquez —Megan Loveless

Budge —Blair Tramel 

Kyshona —Ellen Angelico, Jerry Pentecost

Brandy Zdan —Ellen Angelico

Yonna Jones —Erica Hayes Schultz

Rich Ruth —Cam Sarrett, Caroline Bowman

Ron Obasi —Rashad tha Poet Rayford 

Soot —Bryan Pierce

Camille Parker has everything you could want in a global country superstar. —Tanner Davenport, Holly G

Coming soon … Australian Bang! —Col. Jazzola 

Pressure Heaven —Eve Maret

Daisha McBride —Alanna Royale

Sofia Goodman feat. Ibro Dioubaté and Sekou Conte —Sofia Goodman 

Annie Williams —Spencer Cullum

Jaime Wyatt, Becca Mancari  —Michael Combs

With Smokefest relocating here from Atlanta and nobigdyl. repping Nashville, we are seeing one more great example of hip-hop taking precedence.  —Nathan Conrad 

Jive Talk, MASSIE —Jared Corder

Part-Time Filth —Chet Weise

Sugar Sk*-*lls —Kyle Hamlett

Gloom Girl MFG —Celia Gregory

Circle K —Jesse Rhew

Mad Møthr —Jen Starsinic

Nu Mangos —Caroline Bowman

Creamer —Tyler Glaser

Tim Gent, Bryant Taylorr —Eric Holt

JustVibez —Negro Justice

Wesley & The Boys —Ryan Sweeney

Moto Bandit —Connor Cummins

Can’t wait to find out. —Ariel Bui

What’s your favorite discovery this year, musical or not?

Ziona Riley —Ariel Bui

Missy Miss —Eve Maret

YSA —Alanna Royale

Casper Sage, Nickname Jos —Taylor Cole

Olivia Jean —Sofia Goodman 

New local bands like Baby Wave, Pressure Heaven, Joiner, Disappearing Teeth Trick —Megan Loveless

All the new bands that are down to hop on a show and convince their friends to attend (Budge, Invitation, Dreadmill to name a few) —Ryan Sweeney

Ambient Sundays —Kyle Hamlett, Jen Starsinic

Curtis Godino’s Discorporation —Ryan “Domo” Donoho 

Nat Myers —Holly G

PACKS —Emily Young

Brorlab —Blair Tramel

Fashion-making guru Brittany Ross, aka #ArtByRossy —PesoTaxin

Dangerzone Video and their VHS nights at No Quarter! —Nathan Conrad 

Free Nashville Poetry Library, Cat Video Fest at the Belcourt  —Chet Weise

For the folks that have kids: Mr. Steve’s residency at Nectar —Jerry Pentecost

Martha My Dear —Michael Eades

Voting in local elections works! Who knew? —Jesse Rhew

Julia Cannon; wearing jeans again —Corduroy Clemens

Soulfolks Records —Bryan Pierce

Omar Apollo, Brandon Ratcliff, Katlin Butts —Tanner Davenport

Mount Worcester, Afrokokoroot —Caroline Bowman

Zia Blue (local), Yussef Dayes (national) —Eric Holt

Synchronicity Ensemble, Momofuku chili crisp —Luke Schneider

Ether Collective —Erica Hayes Schultz

MGR MIKE, Country Death, Fimone —DJ Afrosheen

Yves Tumor —Connor Cummins

I finally saw John Carpenter’s The Thing. —Coley Hinson

There’s a Chik-fil-A in the Batman Building. —Col. Jazzola 

What’s your favorite story in music — local or not — in 2023?

The array of artists that came together for the Love Rising concert at Bridgestone in support of the LGBTQ+ community after our state government tried to pass that ridiculous drag ban and curtail the rights of trans kids’ access to care —Larissa Maestro, Holly G, Marquis Munson

The War & Treaty beginning to get much-deserved recognition in mainstream country music. I also loved raising over $20,000 for gun violence prevention organizations like Moms Demand Action at our benefit show Together in Action. —Tanner Davenport

Devon Gilfillian and Lindsey Lomis making waves beyond Nashville. Also, I’m loving the Jelly Roll story, especially since I work in the Antioch community. —Erica Hayes Schultz

Guitar Town: Picturing Performance Today at the Frist —Ariel Bui

10 years of MOUTH (fka The Mouthhole) —Eve Maret, Michael Eades

Daisha McBride getting the 6lack feature and sitting alongside legendary female MCs! —Alanna Royale, Rashad tha Poet Rayford

My own rising from just a local artist to making that outer-city name musically and as a videographer —PesoTaxin

Nordista Freeze playing Bonnaroo —Jared Corder

I got to see Erykah Badu DJ a special set in Wedgewood-Houston. I have never witnessed SO many beautiful Black folks in the space we were in, and I must admit, it was delightful to see Erykah spark up a big one and no one could stop her. —DJ Afrosheen

Tim Gent and Bryant Taylorr working with Issa Rae

—Justin Causey 

Tracy Chapman’s CMA Award —Bryan Pierce

Chris Crofton running for Metro Council at Large —Caroline Bowman

The Opry celebrating Black History Month for the first time ever —Jerry Pentecost

Local legend Jerry Pentecost joining Bob Dylan’s band —Tyler Glaser

Tyler Childers playing traditional folk and country music in STADIUMS, and André 3000 making a New Age spiritual jazz album that brought new listeners to the genre —Luke Schneider

Ludacris performing while suspended above the crowd at the Falcons game —Blair Tramel

Kate Bush getting inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and not attending the ceremony; Snooper signing to Third Man Records <3 —Megan Loveless

Mama Zu’s Quilt Floor getting released —Jesse Rhew, Emily Young

What’s one thing you hope to see more of in local music in 2024?

A Black-owned venue in a great location with good sound featuring everyone that other venues won’t —Erica Hayes Schultz

More collaboration across genres —Negro Justice, Jerry Pentecost, Connor Cummins

Paying artists —Holly G

Royalty money —Evan P. Donohue

More local shows happening in settings other than bars — coffee shops, community centers, parks —Nathan Conrad 

More artist-organized music events that go beyond the tribute-show format, more purposefully build community above and beyond cliques, and more strategically build economic opportunity and power for artists —Jen Starsinic

More women instrumentalists in bands. —Sofia Goodman

More local early-2000s bands should be available to find/stream. —Jesse Rhew

More opportunities for locally bred hip-hop —Corduroy Clemens, Emily Young, Justin Causey

Bands supporting each other and promoting each other’s shows —Ryan Sweeney

More and bigger local-centric festivals like Far Out Fest —Michael Eades

Women, nonbinary and transgender folks, and BIPOC are truly dominating their respective sectors, yet these groups are often overlooked and under-booked. —DJ Afrosheen

Make it more weird! —Eve Maret

A generous, unpretentious, clearly friendly sit-in for a song or two can make any Nashville show feel home-y and familial. —Celia Gregory

What’s one thing you hope we leave behind in 2023?

The “pay to play” and “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentalities in the arts —Nathan Conrad, Eve Maret, Caroline Bowman, Erica Hayes Schultz

Merch cuts. (Shout-out to BJ Barham.) —Holly G

Small-mindedness, crab-in-a-barrel mentality —Justin Causey

I wish folks weren’t afraid to DANCE! (It’s fun and free cardio.) —DJ Afrosheen, Taylor Cole

Protecting predators in the industry —Alanna Royale

Daily wall-to-wall press coverage of 1 percent mega-pop acts in publications that used to promote independent music and underground scenes —Luke Schneider

Trying things (dog whistles, specifically) in small towns —Jesse Rhew

A carbon copy of the same three artists being manufactured at major labels in town. —Tanner Davenport

Garbage legislation and also the unnecessarily difficult process to book a show in this town —Ryan Sweeney

Guns —Larissa Maestro

Genocide in Gaza and beyond —Ariel Bui

Who in Nashville music deserves more attention than they got this year?

Joelton Mayfield —Coley Hinson, Luke Schneider

Crystal Egg —Jesse Rhew, Blair Tramel

DJ Afrosheen —Erica Hayes Schultz

DJs Jane Dupree, Deer and Ari Thee Calf —DJ Afrosheen

Asian American Pacific Islander artists —Ariel Bui

Always the bass player! Props to my low-end peeps. —Col. Jazzola 

Mad Møthr —Eve Maret

Tayls —Alanna Royale

John Mailander  —Sofia Goodman 

Matt Lovell —Spencer Cullum

Larysa Jaye —Holly G

General Trust —Mike Shepherd

The Kentucky Gentlemen —Tanner Davenport

LotisMusic —J. Patt

LUNAR —Nathan Conrad 

Weak Daze, Small Victory —Jared Corder

My Wall —Chet Weise

Zook, Rainsticks, Make Yourself at Home —Kyle Hamlett

Dillon Watson —Ryan “Domo” Donoho 

Virghost —Corduroy Clemens, Rashad tha Poet Rayford

Tim Gent —Rashad tha Poet Rayford 

J. Childers, Chris Gaines —Cam Sarrett

Whoever performs at Drkmttr —Bryan Pierce

30 $ALE$ —Negro Justice

Wesley & The Boys —Ryan Sweeney

Abby Johnson, Cloudmouth, INKSUIT, lawfulgoof —Michael Eades

Kyshona —Larissa Maestro

Case Arnold —Marquis Munson

Jobi Riccio —Emily Young

Brian Brown, Abby Johnson —Megan Loveless

Circle K —Connor Cummins

What’s your favorite local record of 2023?

Six One Trïbe, Reset for the Rejects —J. Patt, Wockhardt Mack, Corduroy Clemens

PesoTaxin, The Legend of Big Himmy —PesoTaxin

Bully, Lucky for You —Taylor Cole, Celia Gregory, Larissa Maestro

Sam Hoffman, Books on Tape —Spencer Cullum, Caroline Bowman, Luke Schneider

Allison Russell, The Returner — Michael Combs, Larissa Maestro, Marquis Munson

Be Your Own Pet, Mommy —Cam Sarrett, Emily Young

Devon Gilfillian, Love You Anyway —Jerry Pentecost, Marquis Munson

Snooper, Super Snooper —Mike Shepherd, Megan Loveless

Soot and Waxed, Idlewild —Bryan Pierce

Eve Maret, New Noise —Blair Tramel

Datenight, Clueless and Hangless —Connor Cummins

Spencer Cullum’s Coin Collection 2 —Evan P. Donohue

Will Mann, Magnolias  —Ryan “Domo” Donoho 

Country Westerns, Forgive the City —Jesse Rhew, Ryan Sweeney

Wesley & The Boys, “Switchblade Twist” 7-inch —Ryan Sweeney

Domestic Bliss, Domestic Bliss —Coley Hinson

David Borné, Genesis —Ellen Angelico

Vibeout, Note to Self —Erica Schultz

Mitski, The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We —Ariel Bui

Sugar Sk*-*lls, Star Time—Eve Maret

Mount Worcester, Mount Worcester —Alanna Royale

Alanna Royale, Trouble Is —DJ Afrosheen

Coffin/Perlson/Krauss, Coffin/Perlson/Krauss —Sofia Goodman 

Samia, Honey; Jaime Wyatt, Feel Good; Becca Mancari, Left Hand —Michael Combs

Intylect, Sum’inTylect —Negro Justice

Negro Justice and JustVibez, Art of the Craft —Nathan Conrad, Michael Eades 

Stephen Sanchez, Angel Face —Jared Corder

Peace Police, 2020; The Altered Statesman, Hearts Around the Moon —Kyle Hamlett

Julia Cannon, How Many —Corduroy Clemens

Rashad tha Poet and S-Wrap, A Break from the Trap —Rashad tha Poet Rayford 

Brian Brown and Carmine Prophets, BBGonProfit —Justin Causey

Abby Johnson, Abby Johnson; Justin and the Cosmics, Cool Dead —Caroline Bowman

Tré Burt, Traffic Fiction —Tyler Glaser

Chuck Indigo, If You Know, You Know… —Eric Holt

The Features, The Mahaffey Sessions 1999; Molly Parden, Sacramented; Luke Schneider, It Is Solved by Walking  —Michael Eades 

Girls Write Nashville’s annual compilation has been my favorite local record every year since 2017. Sorry, not sorry — their work is meaningful, weird, authentic and in my eyes outshines most others. —Jen Starsinic

What’s your favorite local song of 2023?

Domestic Bliss, “Bail” —Coley Hinson

Be Your Own Pet, “Goodtime!” —Nathan Conrad, Luke Schneider 

Be Your Own Pet, “Pleasure Seeker” —Megan Loveless

Lo Naurel, “Draft Pick” —Erica Hayes Schultz

Mama Zu, “Lip” —Ariel Bui, Emily Young

“The Streak (Ray’s Version)” —Col. Jazzola 

Body Electric, “Plastic Arrows” —Eve Maret, Ryan “Domo” Donoho

Julia Cannon, “Unglued” —Alanna Royale, Tanner Davenport

Kyshona, “Out Loud” —Sofia Goodman 

Rainsticks, “No Time to Reply” —Spencer Cullum

The Medium, “She’s Got It” —Caroline Bowman, Connor Cummins

Peter One, “Cherie Vico”; Full Mood, “Ask Me to Dance” —Caroline Bowman

Six One Trïbe, “Out the Mud” —J. Patt

The Sewing Club, “Promise” —Jared Corder

Stef and the Sleeveens, “Give My Regards to the Dancing Girls” —Chet Weise, Mike Shepherd

Peace Police, “Song4$ale” —Kyle Hamlett

Chris Housman, “Drag Queen”; Tylar Bryant, “Put Her on My Tab” —Holly G

Blvck Wizzle, “Magic Back” —Corduroy Clemens

Datenight, “Ain’t the Truth” —Cam Sarrett

Sierra Ferrell, “Fox Hunt” —Bryan Pierce

Daisha McBride, “Birds” (especially the live version) —Jen Starsinic

Devon Gilfillian, “All I Really Wanna Do” —Jerry Pentecost

Bully, “All I Do” —Tyler Glaser

Chuck Indigo, “Love Me Still” —Eric Holt

Six One Trïbe, “Backstreets”  —Negro Justice

Justin and the Cosmics, “Asshole Eyes” —Ryan Sweeney

Paramore, “This Is Why” —Michael Eades

Tré Burt, “Traffic Fiction” —Evan P. Donohue 

Shelldhn and Ashley EMJ, “SIMPLICITY” —DJ Afrosheen

Brian Brown feat. 30$ALE$, “Rip Big Pokey” —Justin Causey 

Meg Elsier, “iznotreal” —Blair Tramel

What’s the best performance you saw this year?

Phish or Dave Matthews Band at Bridgestone Arena —Coley Hinson

Marlene Twitty-Fargo at Dee’s on Halloween —Ellen Angelico

Erykah Badu at Bridgestone, Lindsey Lomis at Exit/In, 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop citywide Cypher at The Pyramid —Erica Hayes Schultz

Thelma and the Sleaze’s album release at Soft Junk

—Ariel Bui, Evan P. Donohue

Ali Wong at the Ryman —Ariel Bui

Mad Møthr at Electric Shed —Eve Maret

Cursive at The Basement East; Amm Skellars’ Silver Platter; Beyoncé; Second Spirit —Alanna Royale

Janelle Monáe at the Ryman —Taylor Cole

Cecile McLorin Salvant at Big Ears, Michael Feinberg with Pascal Le Boeuf and Terreon Gully at Nashville Jazz Workshop —Sofia Goodman 

Makaya McCraven at The Blue Room —Spencer Cullum

Kelly Clarkson’s Chemistry residency —Michael Combs, the Groove

Six One Trïbe at The Blue Room —J. Patt, PesoTaxin, Wockhardt Mack, Corduroy Clemens

Petey at The Basement East —Nathan Conrad 

Andy Shauf at The Basement East, Alvvays at Marathon Music Works —Jared Corder

Waxed at Muddy Roots —Chet Weise

John Allingham’s Surf Opera Recital at the Global Education Center —Kyle Hamlett

Tav Falco and Panther Burns at The Cobra  —Ryan “Domo” Donoho 

Altin Gün at The Basement East —Celia Gregory

Leon Timbo’s set at AmericanaFest —Holly G

Catbite’s first show in Nashville! —Jesse Rhew

100 Gecs and Machine Girl at The Caverns —Blair Tramel

Death Grips at Brooklyn Bowl and Austin City Limits

—Connor Cummins

R.M.F.C. —Cam Sarrett

Any Sunday Night Soul show at The 5 Spot —Rashad tha Poet Rayford 

The Walkmen at Brooklyn Bowl —Bryan Pierce

Joy Oladokun album release at Brooklyn Bowl —Tanner Davenport

Be Your Own Pet album release at The Blue Room

—Caroline Bowman, Megan Loveless

RSD at Vinyl Tap —Caroline Bowman

Trevor Noah at the Ryman —Jerry Pentecost

Wilco at the Ryman —Tyler Glaser

Wu-Tang and Nas at Bridgestone  —Eric Holt, Justin Causey

Synchronicity Ensemble at Vinyl Tap —Luke Schneider

Larry June at Marathon Music Works —Negro Justice

Tee Vee Repairmann at the Post-Gonerfest Throwdown at The Basement —Ryan Sweeney

Black Bra at The Basement; YK Records showcase at The 5 Spot —Michael Eades

Madison Cunningham opened up a leg of tour while I was out playing in Hozier’s band, and I was blown away every night. —Larissa Maestro

Margo Price and friends’ tribute to John Prine at Newport; Diarrhea Planet headlining the Ryman —Evan P. Donohue

Erykah Badu; Jill Scott; Beyoncé! What a blessing. —DJ Afrosheen

Queens of the Stone Age at Ascend —Emily Young

Saw Killer Mike, Beyoncé and Blink 182 all in the same weekend. Also Yard Act at The Basement East. —Marquis Munson 

Year in Music 2023

Talking with Bully’s rock ’n’ roll polymath Alicia Bognanno, counting down the year’s top local albums and more