Best Music Of 2015 Staff Picks – Matt Forsythe

How long have you been with Live in Limbo and what do you do for the site?

1.5 months, photography

What were your three favourite albums of 2015?

1. Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment – Surf
   Brimming with creativity, positivity and fun. One of those albums that would repeat and you wouldn’t notice or care that it had started again. And it was free.
2. Dilly Dally – Sore
   Being a child of the 90s, it takes a lot for something in the current revival to break through “I heard it the first time.” Dilly Dally never hide where they came from, yet still bring a fresh sound to the past. I can listen to Katie Monks’ snarl “1, 2, 3, 4…” over and over.
3. Miguel – Wildheart
   One of those albums where I missed all the hype, found it later, had my mind blown, and am still kicking myself for passing on covering the show. Oozes sexuality between the smooth grooves and guitar heroics.

What was the most underrated album of 2015?

Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color
A lot of people hated on this one – I prefer it over their first in some ways.

What were your three favourite songs of 2015?

1. Braids – “Mini Skirt”
   Powerful and soul-baring. A whole album of this would’ve been unstoppable, but it was a one-off on Deep In The Iris.
2. Hayden – “Hey Love”
   Sounds like classic Hayden – a warm, familiar blanket.
3. Mikal Cronin – “Turn Around”
   So catchy, and huge.

How many concerts and/or festivals did you go to in 2015?

50+ concerts, 8 festivals

What were your favourite concerts of the year?

1. Constantines @ Lee’s Palace, September 24th
   Seeing them at Massey Hall was special, but they were more at home in a smaller venue like Lee’s. Plus they played new material, which I didn’t see coming.
2. Dears @ Lee’s Palace, November 28th
   I had forgotten how good they were live, and they haven’t lost an ounce of their passion.

What was your favourite festival of the year?

Wayhome. So much positivity for a first attempt.

Who was your favourite festival headliner?

Neil Young. I didn’t get to see all of the longest festival set ever, but I wish I did.

Which artist or band won 2015?

Run The Jewels. You can’t fake the chemistry of El-P and Killer Mike, and it’s infectious. Their legion of die-hard fans is growing everyday.

What/who was the biggest musical disappointment for you?

Alvvays. Catchy single, but the live show is a sleeper.

In your opinion, what was the biggest music story?

The photographer vs. artists rights battle. (coming from a photographer)

What was your favourite new musical discovery of 2015?

Girl Band – Such complicated noise. I can’t wait until they make it back across the pond.
GOASTT – I missed them when they first appeared, saw them at NxNE never having heard anything. They should be huge.

Who should we be looking out for in 2016?

Chance The Rapper. You already know who he is, but he’s gonna break big one of these days.

Who do you hope goes on tour next year?

Tom Waits (still haven’t seen him, and let’s be honest, time is not on his side)