The nice and naughty list
Doling out lumps of coal and candy canes for 2023

Season’s greetings, dear readers! May this holiday missive find you warmly cozied up next to the fire, enjoying a second helping of whatever syrupy decongestant you’ve drummed up underneath the bathroom sink last weekend. (Takes a swig.) Ah, resplendent! 

I’ve been fueling the holiday cheer while also paying tribute to the miniature Grinch-like virus sleighing through my frazzled body with a vintage “Nyquil” varietal. I’d describe the batch as a full-bodied, yet racy COVID-era non-organic that pairs quite nicely with the maximum-strength Sudafed ol’ Santa left on his cookie plate last year. If I could taste or smell, I’m sure I would be living inside a Winter Wonderland all my own!

To round us out this year, I’m putting on my Santa hat and giving you the top three naughty and nice things on my local music journalist radar. Ho ho ho! Here we go:

NAUGHTY:

1. Tinnitus. Imagine silver bells are shaking in your head, never ceasing. I’ve got a touch of it, myself. That’s the price of the bluegrass/techno/psych rock lifestyle, I suppose. It is something that you can learn to live with. And, it can even become a teacher, much like any chronic health issue can. But, I’d recommend getting some great earplugs at Jimmy’s Music Supply as a stocking stuffer downtown and steering clear of the whole scenario. 

2. Vapin’ on the dance floor. Vape guys, gals and non-binary pals: we honor your quest from a time immemorial to take nicotine levels in the human body to bold new heights. You are truly the Niconauts that will push our culture’s productivity and anxiety levels to glorious new levels. But, for the sanctity of the dance floor, or just being a respectful venue attendee … consider going outside to enjoy the subtle complexities of propylene glycol alongside your analog tobacco compatriots.

3. Whoever stole my black leather jacket at Roxy’s. I did just leave it on my chair to go dance during SONA’s DJ set, which was killer. You must be tall, too. Long arms, right? Thing is, you didn’t just lift an essential piece of my murdered-out capsule wardrobe. You took the rugged exterior that I had grown dependent on in recent years to project an image of myself as a tough, tall guy – someone who definitely didn’t grow up wearing Eddie Bauer and white New Balances, riding shotgun with Mom in the minivan on the way to the Speech and Debate tournament. A public crier who laughs even quicker. That’s cold, stranger. Real cold. 

Now, I’ve gotta go do some personal work. Most likely EMDR. Maybe psychedelics. Try to integrate all this as I walk jacketless through the dark night of my cold little soul. Thanks for nothing, bub. Bigger picture, though, keep an eye out for each other out there, and don’t be all Grinch-like stealing things at shows! 

NICE:

1.  Having a kickass record store called Toast Records and Bakes. Owners Josh and Kyra Bensik are legends. They’ve hosted some of the most intimate, special musical experiences this town has ever offered just in 2023 alone. And more is on the way. Go. Linger. Dig. Dialogue. Learn. And buy a dank cookie while you’re at it. There’s some exciting changes on the horizon in 2024 both musical inventory and hot beverage-wise. Give them a follow on IG at @toast.record.and.bakes to stay in the know.

2. The Animas City Theatre booking like there’s no tomorrow. And who knows, maybe there is no tomorrow. If there is, can the rent be a little cheaper and can Billy Strings come play the Meltdown? If that tomorrow should never come, at least we went down in a blaze of glory in 2023 thanks to the ACT. The Theatre is back and stronger than ever thanks to the hard-working owners and team they’ve steadily built. Eclectic programming spanning all genres, the crew is friendly, and the sound system is proving to have every frequency covered in spades. May we all dance around this indispensable cultural May Pole for many moons to come. Lock in at www.animascitytheatre.com

3. Jimmy’s Music Supply. For my money, a music community is only as robust as its brick-and-mortar music store. And, we are rich, my friends. Robert, Alex and the handsome, encyclopedic, smooth-operator himself, Jimmy, work hard to keep all of your favorite musicians well-stocked and supplied in a beautiful tapestry of vintage amps, pedals, instruments, and yes, incredibly high-quality earplugs. Jimmys’ listening room concerts are a unique, intimate, Durango musical experience and worth keeping an eye on as we creep toward spring and summer. From the bottom of my heart and the deepest parts of my inner ears, thanks, Jimmy and company. You are the warm, fuzzy distortion beneath our wings. www.jimmymusic.supply

Wishing you all kindness, peace, health and safety as we step into 2024. May your nights be bright and filled with great music, good company and a deep feeling of belonging to our amazing musical community. Because you do, whether a dancer, player, attendee, promoter … and we’re all the better, stronger and more beautiful because of what you bring. See you on the new dance floor next year, dear readers.?