Let's face it, 2016 was rough for everyone - deaths, breakups, fires, the fall of American democracy.... I personally am looking forward to moving on come December 31st with the determination of self-actualizing a better 2017. That being said there are a few artists I am bringing through to the other side of the year-line barrier and giving a fresh start in 2017.

1. Shintaro Sakamoto (坂本慎太郎)

His newest album has only come out in Japan but I grabbed the vinyl for a pretty price and it is what's gotten me through life since November... who knows maybe in 2017 I should move to Tokyo. You can listen to the whole album here:

2.Tino Drima

They had an album out in July, but I heard these guys for the first time while sitting in on the BFF booth at the Ocean Beach Music and Art Fair on Noriega back in October. It's garage, it's doowop, it makes me want to fall in love all over again.

3. Alice Coletrane

This one isn't a 2016 release but she came into my purview after a presentation by Mark McNeill at Popup Magazine's Golden State Records this Fall and the wife and partner of St. John has been on every playlist I've made since.

4. Kevin Morby

I don't want to like this NEARLY as much as I LOVE it. Maybe it's my nostalgic love for songs written before 1975, or maybe it's that his indie pedigree is perfect with stints in Woods and The Babies but this stripped down acoustic stuff makes me rethink my normal disdain for guitar guy in the corner. When the choir comes in on this song... it's pretty much perfect.

5. Regan Era Punk (The Avengers, The Dead Kennedys...)

Now more than ever we cannot sit back and expect things to remain the same, let alone get better. 2017 is about the rebirth of the resistance. Regan era punk is in for a rebirth and I'm taking it with me!