my favourite albums of 2023
017. read to the end for an update on all things Sig Wilder & Friends
Goodbye 2023. This year was packed full of fun; making music with friends, regrettably (yet enjoyably) smoking ciggys with friends, traveling around NZ with friends and creating a new garden space at our beautiful new home. I was lucky to have my brother living in Aotearoa for 4 months of the year (and wowee how I will miss him!). My best friend Collin visited for the trip of a lifetime in which we shamelessly recreated scenes from LOTR all around the country. My sister Catherine visited for a silly trip around the South Island. We almost killed each other trying to navigate the roads at night. I released three songs with my band Sig Wilder & Friends. And my oh my how much I love this band. AND I became a permanent resident of Aotearoa New Zealand. <3
The Best For Me 2023
Love as Projection by Frankie Rose (Slumberland Records) • LISTEN
This album simultaneously sounds like the past and the future.
So Far So Good by Meernaa (Keeled Scales) • LISTEN
Each song has a unique and spellbinding melody. Top notch songwriting.
DOG by Jazmine Mary • LISTEN
A voice that demands your attention and lyrics that hold you responsible. I can’t stop listening.
Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war)) by Jaimie Branch (International Anthem) • LISTEN
An album truly full of life. Every note has immense meaning.
Little Songs by Colter Wall (La Honda Records) • LISTEN
These little songs feel awfully big to me. There is no country voice like Colter Wall.
Idle Light by Clea (Dew Process) • LISTEN
Magic pop melodies to ring around inside your head for eternity.
Boofhead by Ingrid & The Ministers • LISTEN
Wowee this album seriously rocks. Shut up and listen.
Why Does The Earth Give Us People To Love by Kara Jackson (September) • LISTEN
Raw and in your face. Alt-country truisms and heartbreak.
V by Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Jagjaguwar) • LISTEN
An album that plays extremely well on laptop speakers.
Ideal Home Noise by Vera Ellen (Flying Nun) • LISTEN
Vera knows.
Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 (Live at Hollywood Bowl) • LISTEN
Featuring Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dog, Orville Peck, Charley Crockett, and many more. What a beautiful celebration for one of music’s finest influences.
Not Your Cupid by Erny Belle (Flying Nun) • LISTEN
I admit I haven’t listened to the entire album yet, but Ruby says it’s amazing and she’s never wrong about good music.
These last four are EPs which in my book can be classified as albums.
Forever Means by Angel Olsen (Jagjaguwar) • LISTEN
Slow down and take some time to get lost in Angel’s voice.
This Is The Music by Niki & The Dove & The Greys • LISTEN
The best music collaboration to happen this year.
Lock Eyes & Collide by Moreish Idols (Speedy Wunderground) • LISTEN
They seemingly have done everything with only 4 tracks.
Sunrise Bang Ur Head Against Tha Wall by Nia Archives (Hijinxx / Island) • LISTEN
So much motion, comotion, and chaos yet filled with an unbelievable sense of peace.
Sig Wilder & Friends 2023 Round Up
Now that I’ve started releasing music don’t expect it to stop. This year I released three songs; Stop Myself (March 24), Light Tower (July 1), and Texasman (October 27). All three recorded and mixed by Philip at The Grid Studio.
We played a sold out show for the release of our second single Light Tower at Vogelmorn Bowling Club on July 1st. Our good friend Taylor Nixon made this lovely highlight reel from the show.
We had the pleasure of working with Tasha and Teeps from Shortcrust The Label on the release of our music video and single, Texasman. They took some lovely photos along the way.
We had the pleasure of working with Taylor Nixon on our debut music video. I wrote up all the details in my last issue. READ HERE. Watch the video by clicking the link below.
And lastly I had the amazing fortune to be asked to play percussion with my favourite Wellington band, Tahini Bikini! It was so much fun and I’m very much looking forward to the next one :))
Next year — I’m looking forward to releasing our debut album, Cowboy Practice. Beginning the recording stages for our next album (working title: Aotearoa Americana). Collaborating with more Wellington artists and expanding the ‘& Friends’. And of course planting many more gardens.
Toodle oo
Share an album with me!
Sig