Feature / Music / Year End 2023
Pass The Mic: Artists and labels on 2023

Words: Loren • December 11, 2023

Pass The Mic: Artists and labels on 2023
Pass The Mic: Artists and labels on 2023

J. Wang (Come Closer / Fast Crowd Records)

What are your top five albums that were released in 2023? (In order 1-5)

  1. Bully - Lucky For You 
  2. The Mountain Goats - Jenny From Thebes 
  3. Superchunk - Misfits and Mistakes 
  4. Cowboys in the Campfire - Wronger 
  5. Worriers - Trust Your Gut 

What band did you discover in 2023 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? How so?

The '80s band The Hated from DC. I don’t know where the heck I’ve been!

Also, Cowboys in the Campfire. Tommy Stinson has always had an impact on my approach to music but listening to concepts and setting his own rules on how to play shows, record, etc., resonated so much with me and gave me some confidence that I’m doing something right for the love of what I do and nothing more.

How will you remember 2023 (in terms of music)?

2023 is going to be related to the self-release of the Come Closer LP We Died With Print. Most of my energy went into the production and release of this record.

What can we look forward to from you in 2024?

Live shows and more Come Closer releases. We owe it to people who have supported us.  

What records are you looking forward to most in 2024?

Something unexpected that resonates with me. That is what I’m always looking for. Also really looking forward to hearing Laura Jane Grace’s new album.

With physical media sales seemingly less popular than ever, what are some the best ways that fans can help to support the musicians when they go to a live show?

Buy whatever merch they have as well as buy them a beer! 

J. Wang – social media links

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Loren • December 11, 2023

Main photo: Sam Russo

Pass The Mic: Artists and labels on 2023
Pass The Mic: Artists and labels on 2023

Pages in this feature

  1. Opening page
  2. Aaron Tyree (Shadow Age)
  3. Alex Goldfarb (Debt Neglector)
  4. American Television
  5. Andy (Sell The Heart Records / Tsunami Bomb)
  6. Chris Mason (Faulty Cognitions / Dirt Cult Records)
  7. Chuck Coffey (aka Charlie Continental) (Snappy Little Numbers / SPELLS)
  8. Conan Neutron (Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends)
  9. Cory (Shape of Storms Records)
  10. Curran Reynolds (Body Stuff)
  11. Darron (DC-Jam Records)
  12. Daryl Wilson M.D. (The Bollweevils)
  13. Deanna (Sincere Engineer)
  14. Eli Hansen (Real Numbers)
  15. Felipe Patino (SACK)
  16. Frank Turner
  17. Ian Cory (Lamniformes / Bellows / Model Child / Laughing Stock / Fictionss / Told Slant)
  18. J. Wang (Come Closer / Fast Crowd Records)
  19. Jon (The Path)
  20. Keaton Rogers and Kacey Greenwood (Raised on TV)
  21. Mason Lowe
  22. Matt Hutchison (Shattered Platter Publicity)
  23. Matt Martinez (Common Wounds)
  24. Michael Reisinger (Sleeping Giant Glossolalia)
  25. Nick Hertzberg (Wet Cassettes)
  26. Rev (The Drowns)
  27. Rob Good (The Goods)
  28. Sam Russo
  29. Shahab Zargari (GC Records)
  30. Shauners (Middle-Aged Queers)
  31. Speaking as a radically evolved hivemind (Heart & Lung)
  32. Teddy Panopoulos (Dead Waves)
  33. Terence Hannum (Locrian / The Holy Circle)
  34. The Ape-Ettes
  35. To Live A Lie Records
  36. Travis & Jack (Fat Heaven)
  37. Trevor Shelley de Brauw (Pelican)
  38. Ty Vaughn (Broadway Calls)

Series: Year End 2023

Our roundup of the best music of the year 2023

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