New Year's Eve is a time for reflection. A time where we stop, pause, and think how the past year has gone. We note the good and relish the great memories. We acknowledge our mistakes and plan for improvement. We as a society can not move forward unless we glance at the past. 2022 has been pretty momentous for us at NScene and our writing staff came together to bring you our own Year in Review.
If you could go back and relive one memory from this past year what would it be?
Andi Kelley: I would relive all of Riot Fest. I got married, I saw a few of my all-time favorite bands (and some all-time favorite people), and overall it was just a great weekend.
Rachel Caton: Being on the panel of a Zoom conference called Fangirl to Music Industry.
Laina Carter: It’s hard to choose one memory to relive, but it would probably be seeing Badflower in October! There’s always so much joy and good energy at their shows. No matter what, I am always so content and can’t wait for the next show.
Anna Oggier: Meeting State champs and getting to see them both at Sad Summer and on their Kings of the New Age tour.
Hana Belanger: So many great memories, but I would have to choose Burn It Down festival. This was my first time traveling internationally and it was surreal to experience a music festival from across the pond. So much talent from the UK and so many acts to keep an eye on come 2023 and onward.
What was one new artist you listened to in 2022?
Andi: Oh gosh, I feel like I listened to so many new artists! I’ll go with GAYLE.
Rachel: Shelter in Place
Laina: Noah Kahan. Massive talent, and if you haven’t listened you definitely should!
Anna: Eternal Frequencies was one of my new favorite discoveries.
Hana: I am probably late when it comes to hopping on the fan train, but Sueco is an artist I started listening to this past year and since had me wrapped around his finger.
Who was your top artist of 2022?
Andi: It was Taylor Swift. It's always Taylor Swift. Top 1% of listeners, baybeeee!
Rachel: Queensryche
Laina: It’s really a tie between Badflower, The 1975, and Taylor Swift. I simply just cannot choose one; it’s not in the cards for me.
Anna: My Rochester friends in Perspectives NY.
Hana: To no one’s surprise– Set It Off. They’ve been my top artist since Spotify started doing their annual wrapped segment and they have yet to be de-throned.
What three songs best describe your 2022?
Andi: These are not songs that came out this year, but: “That Funny Feeling” by Bo Burnham, “Overwhelmed” by Royal & the Serpent, “Black Butterflies and Deja Vu” by The Maine.
Rachel: “Reminiscent” from Shelter in Place, “Forest” from Queensryche, and “Masterpiece” from Motionless in White– all emotional hitters!
Laina: “Don’t Hate Me” by Badflower, “Why Georgia” by John Mayer, and “Won’t Be Me” by Telltale.
Anna: “Who Am I” by Wage War from their album, Pressure. Also “Breaking Down” and “Paranoid,” both from I, Prevail’s Trauma.
Hana: In no particular order: “I Went To Hell And Back” by As It Is, “Mundane, USA” by Bleak Soul, and “America at Night” by Creeper.
What are you looking forward to most in 2023?
Andi: I’m finally going to finish my bachelor’s degree. I started it in 2009 and have taken several long breaks, but graduation is in sight!
Rachel: RAWK the RIVER Festival 2023.
Laina: 2023 is going to be completely different for me. I’m going to be a lot more open to trying new things and expanding my tastes. I’m going to try my hardest to make a name for myself and be open to any and all new possibilities!
Anna: New music adventures and traveling to more shows.
Hana: Hopefully traveling to the Czech Republic with a few friends for Rock For People. It would be a dream to catch Hollywood Undead, Beauty School Dropout, Architects, I Prevail, and more within one weekend. Plus, I get to travel internationally again! Also, I look forward to finally releasing some original tunes.
If you had to sum up 2022 in one album, which album would you choose?
Andi: If we’re going with albums that came out this year, I Went to Hell and Back by As It Is.
Rachel: Digital Noise Alliance by Queensryche
Laina:
Anna: Either Pressure by Wage War or True Power by I, Prevail– I can’t choose!
Hana: I Went To Hell And Back by As It Is– hands down. This album not only accurately depicted how I was feeling mentally, but also came to me when I needed it most. The tracklist would literally be the soundtrack to 2022 if this past year had been a movie.
What are you hoping for more of in the scene come 2023?
Andi: Diversity seems like such a cliche answer, but I really am loving that bands like Magnolia Park, Meet Me @ The Altar, and Pinkshift are all getting the attention they deserve. To be more specific in terms of diversity I’d like to see moving forward, I’d like to see more bands with disability representation, and openly supporting their disabled fans.
Rachel: More attendance at local shows and more physical merch support.
Laina: Honestly, I’m loving what all the staff members are coming up with and I’m really hoping there’s a lot more diversity! We’re big on expanding our views and always giving new artists a try, and I’m looking forward to a lot more of that.
Anna: More diversity and inclusion for the LGBTQ community.
Hana: I’m hoping in 2023 we can increase accessibility for both fans and professionals within the music industry. So many venues are inaccessible to disabled fans and the inaccessibility only magnifies when navigating the industry as a professional.
What do you hope the scene leaves behind in 2022?
Andi: The power complexes that dudes in bands develop that drive them to take advantage of and abuse fans :)
Rachel: The amount of losses that our music industry has had.
Laina: There’s a lot of hatred and spite within the music industry and community, and that can stay in 2022. We’re all positive here and there’s only positivity to come!
Anna: Hatred towards those that are unique and different as well as treating people poorly.
Hana: For the love of My Chemical Romance– Let’s leave the ego complexes in 2022. If you have to ask yourself if an asshole would say/do something then do not do or say the said thing. It’s free to be a decent human being.
What was your favorite part about being part of the NScene Team?
Andi: I’ve re-developed confidence in my writing and I feel like I’m once again becoming a strong writer.
Rachel: Being part of something bigger than myself.
Laina: I’ve really enjoyed the people I get to interact with. Whether it be the people on the staff or people at shows (which I get the opportunity because of NScene) it’s all about the people I’ve come in touch with. It’s so fulfilling.
Anna: Truly bringing light to the next generation of amazing music. There is so much more to discover!
Hana: Getting the chance to host a platform where people can share their hard work has to be my favorite part. Every time an article is shared and an artist and/or the fanbase responds my heart flutters with excitement. People read what we post. It’s a priceless feeling.
What is your New Years resolution for the scene?
Andi: To work up the courage to actually photograph a show for the first time in over a decade!
Rachel: Use the platforms I have to integrate what I learned in my Marketing class to help spread awareness of RAWK the RIVER Festival and get more bands on board using the connections I gained through NScene.
Laina: Get over my fear of rejection from bigger artists. Most of the time I don’t even try because I don’t want to hear that “no,” but at the end of the day the worst that they can say is no, and I’ll get over it! Here’s to a bigger and better 2023!
Anna: Getting the chance to go to more amazing shows and meeting amazing people and artists.
Hana: I’d love for things to become more smooth and less rocky logistics wise. I aim to be more organized in the upcoming year, especially with all the anticipated things Anna and I have planned.
We may not be Spotify, but that’s a wrap on the 2022 season. We have so much instore for 2023 and are excited to bring you backstage for the new year. If becoming a journalist or music photographer is one of your resolutions but you have no idea where to begin; reach out to contact.nscene@gmail.com. We believe in becoming a stepping stone for aspiring journalists and would love to help get you started chasing your dreams. Happy holidays and we’ll see y’all next year!