Best of 2023 pt. 2; Nate Butler breaks down his favorite songs list.
Strap in. It's a long one.
First off: Merry Christmas (Eve) and happy holidays! Thanks for taking time off from whatever (and however) you’re celebrating to read this.
Between this newsletter, my newspaper and radio show gigs and my general connection with (and admiration for) Fresno’s various music scenes, I track a lot of stuff in any given year.
As the the end of said year approaches it’s nice to do a quick look back at some of the favorites.
Last week, I did a rundown of some of the best live music happenings in 2023.
This week, I’ve asked Nate Butler to come up with a list of his favorite local releases for the year (or stuff he discovered in the last 12 months, at least ).
Nate is a longtime musician (maybe you’ve seen the Blood Center billboard. There’s, this upcoming gig, too) who I’ve written about multiple times.
In recent years, he’s taken up the role of historian/archivist with his Local show on KFSR and has a really good grasp (and wide view) of Fresno’s music scene.
This is his list, obviously. It hits some of my favorite releases of the year (Cosmic Space Bunnies, Zack Schuh, Tower Rats), while missing a few others (Sneak Wavves, Elder Devil, Puppet, From Flowers to Flies).
“These were simply the ones that gripped me most,” he says.
The Wayside — ‘Levitate’ (feat. Free Dusk)
This track blows my mind. I was hooked 35 seconds into my first listen, and it just got better from there. This song has everything that would engage me; a cool driving drum beat that drops in and out in force and dynamics, but always serves the song; powerful and melodic guitar riffs and passionate vocals that tell a story.
This song takes the listener on a journey, almost like a mini-movie. To me, it’s like power pop meets prog rock. Available on most streaming platforms.
Cosmic Space Bunnies — ‘Overwhelming’
In my humble opinion, most grown-ups don’t really remember what it was like to be a kid. Sure, they may think that they do, but when pressed they really don’t recall the wonder, the magic, and especially the confusion of childhood.
That’s one of the reasons why I love Cosmic Space Bunnies. Here we have a preteen singer/guitarist who IS a kid, singing about the trials and tribulations of being a kid in an ever-increasingly crazy world.
As a grown-up who does remember all too well what it was like to be in that place, her songs speak to me.
Anyway, what adult can’t relate to the content of ‘Overwhelming’? It’s about having a stressful day and just wanting to go home and be comfortable in your own skin. I think everyone of any age knows that feeling. I recommend that everyone check this band out, and re-connect with your inner child.
‘BACK WHERE I BELONG!’
Cosmic Space Bunnies recently released their first EP ‘Gray Is Not A Dress Code Color’ and their video of ‘Overwhelming’ was released just last week.
Another point for coolness, the video was shot at Tower District Records.
Renaissance Manson — ‘The Skipping Rock’
Renaissance Manson is the nom de plume of a Fresno expatriate who, although trained as a jazz saxophonist and drummer, now makes a wide variety of music that is sometimes difficult to define. To date, he’s done everything from screamo to naughty hip-hop/rap.
He prefers anonymity because he is a schoolteacher, a family man, and (full disclosure) also a cousin of mine.
I adore this song; I love the melody, the beat, and the overall vibe. This song says something to me that I can’t really explain in words, except this final line: ‘The stupid thing about this fucked-up world, is all you have is what you are.’
The Redcoats — ‘Algorhythm’
This song totally rocks! Although the lyrics suggest that your ‘likes’ and ‘follows’ will help the artist with his ‘algorhythm,’ I suspect that the song about something much deeper. This is powerful power pop that evokes a genuine emotional response from me.
G.A.V. — ‘Smother’
This great young band came together in high school, at Roosevelt’s School of the Performing Arts, and they’re already on their way to becoming classic local legends.
Blending influences like The Smiths, R.E.M., Radiohead, and Smashing Pumpkins, they’ve created their own sound that speaks to me personally. I can’t wait to hear what these guys do next.
You can find the song (and full EP) on Tidal, Apple Music or Spotify.
MAHA — ‘All Stars’
MAHA is a ‘new’ local artist, although she has a lot of mysterious history that precedes her debut here.
She’s recently released an entire album titled ‘Before A Star Is Born,’ but my current fave track from the album is ‘All Stars.’ This song packs a powerful punch of pop music, full of driving drums and melodic vocals, with a shout chorus that is sure to get everyone on the dance floor! Produced by local all-star producer Peter Wolf, this song totally rocks.
Tower Rats — ‘The Last Refrain’
This is some classic power pop from Tower Rats, with melodic guitars and vocals, and a surprisingly dreamy double-tempo middle section. And then there’s that amazing unexpected key modulation at the end. This is as good as power pop gets. I can listen to this over and over (and just did).
Killer Sunset — ‘Killer Sunset’
This track blew my mind. It also made me laugh my ass off! Created by singer Gabriel Francisco of The Red Coats, this song is about how one should be addicted to his act Killer Sunset, but it also suggests that a real addiction to his (or any) music could possibly be self-destructive. And some of the visuals in the video are kinda gross. But you really gotta see the video to ‘get it.’ Ultimately, this song works as a great piece of social satire that is both funny, relevant, AND catchy.
Zach Schuh — ‘Sunflower’
Zach Schuh is formerly of local band Sea of Sound, and has been producing music on his own for a while now, and this may be his best song yet. This song is glorious: It’s joyful, it’s romantic and it’s somewhat haunting. Worth putting on constant replay.
Poor Man’s Poison — ‘Let’s Go!’
This song is creepy, melodic, and engaging, a warning about what can happen if we allow the world to fall apart: ‘Nobody wins if everyone dies / We’ve all been caught up in a great big lie!’
MC Wicks — ‘Shine’ (feat. Rico Torres)
MC Wicks tells it like it is. In this case, he tells you to just be yourself, no matter what people say. Just like he does. This is a really cool groove.
John Clifton — ‘Big Road Blues’
The former frontman of local legends The Mofo Party Band lays down a crazy funky blues groove with his friends from Poland. And it swings.
From John Clifton’s album ‘Radio Poznań Sessions,’ recorded in Poland in 2016 but only recently released, this is a must-listen.
As John wrote to me, ‘I recorded it in Poznań Poland at their public radio station in 2016. The session was forgotten about (so it’s kind of the lost recordings). It was uncovered on the last trip I was there back in July, 2023.’
Blottre — ‘The Tribulations of Our Reduction: Backwash/Egoplasty’
This song is an amazing trip through the career of Blottre, a Fresno band that flourished two decades ago, moved apart, and then recently regrouped to make a new album. It tells the story of a band, but also all the changes that we all go through as we grow up. It rocks, and it also speaks to me personally. A must-listen for all local musicians.
Blackcoats — “Stand Up for Ukraine” and “Zelenskyy” and “Feed Ukraine”
Blackcoats made a real social statement with their punk/pop 2023 album “Ballad of Ukraine,” and it’s difficult for me to pick a favorite track, because they’re all so good. Featuring local artists Scott Oliver and Ron Woods (both of The Miss Alans), Victor Sotelo (of Sparklejet), Paul Canales (Bay Area chef extraordinaire), Chris Estep (of innumerable local bands), Iain O'Higgins (legendary producer), and Peter Wolf (local drummer and music producer), Blackcoats are truly a local super group. The whole album “Ballad of Ukraine” is available for free on Bandcamp, and I encourage everyone to download it and pay any price you can, because the proceeds all go to help the people of Ukraine in their time of need.
BKR — ‘Underground Residency’
This dreamy hip-hop track about the current ills of society verges on the nightmarish, but it sucks me in every time.
Benjamin Boone (ft. Faylita Hicks) — ‘HoodWitches’
Funk meets jazz meets spoken-word poetry. This track kicks my ass.
Local jazz saxophonist/teacher/scholar Benjamin Boone pulls together his talented friends to create a transcendental track that speaks volumes about current social issues.
1335 — ‘Four Flats’
Technically released last year, this is a cool, laid-back reggae/rock song about just chillin’ with a spliff and getting’ lost in a groove. This is a great song to just chill with and burn one.
Brian Kenney Fresno — ‘Aquapocalypse’
One of many songs that Brian Kenney Fresno recorded and released in 2023, this one is a must. The title kinda says it all, but give it a listen and you’ll be laughing along with the apocalypse.
That’s it for this week. Remember you can hear me on the Homegrown Show Sundays at 8 p.m. on New Rock 104.1 FM and follow my other writing at The Fresno Bee. If you have anything you think I need to be looking at or listening to, feel free to let me know: jtehee@gmail.com