FAIRFIELD-SUISUN, CALIFORNIA
Michael Render (Killer Mike) and Jaime Meline (EL-P) of Run The Jewels at the Orpheum Theater on February 15, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Daniel DeSlover/Zuma Press/TNS)
Best music of 2020: Album of the year, artist of the year and more
Scott Mervis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
As far as live music goes, it had to be the worst year since the invention of the electric guitar, right?
Stuck at home, artists were left with more time to write and record, so, combined with recordings that were in the can before the pandemic, it was a surprisingly plentiful year for new music.
Svalbard: What lockdown has taught us
Svalbard look back at the lessons of 2020 as they prepare to unleash fury in The K! Pit, in association with Nordic Spirit
Words: Phil Alexander
Photos: Esmé Surfleet
“I’ve been writing solo black metal record. It’s nearly finished and it’s coming out next year,” says Svalbard’s Serena Cherry. Like most musicians facing down the pandemic, the guitarist/singer has been left to her own devices during much of this year, navigating periods of lockdown by finding new ways of expressing herself.
“I didn’t know how to use recording software or how to programme drums, but I learnt how to do all that,” she says. “Not to sound mean, but writing all the stuff myself, means that I don’t have to compromise. With the band, we all write together and you have to learn that if someone doesn’t like your lead part then it won’t be part of the song. This has been different. It’s been really indulgent and great!”