I Love KC Music's Best of 2019 by Kimmy DeVries
One of my favorite holiday traditions is putting together the I Love KC Music Best of the Year List. Every year I am blown away by the talent in Kansas City (and the surrounding region). I also love the way that our community lifts each other up with the amazing organizations and people supporting the music scene. This year there were over 100 singles, EPs, and LPs released that I know of (also huge shout out to Michelle Bacon for helping me fill in my list of bands who released music this year.) this is a list of my favorites.
Best Album of 2019
1. “House on Fire” by Hembree
2. "Carbon" by Olivia Fox
3. "Here’s to the Great Unknowns" by Yes You Are
4. "ameri"kana" by Making Movies
5. "The Captain" by Violet and the Undercurrents
6. "Otaku Moods" by Kadesh Flow
7. “Learning How to Talk" by Mess
8. "Oa2" by Other Americans
9. “Electric Park” by Kemet the Phantom
10. “Vinegar” by Julie Bennett Hume
Honorable Mention: “Home Movies” by Like a Tiger, “Meditation” by Lava Dreams, “Watching a Gardner Die” by Berwanger
Best EP of 2019
1. "Pala Zolo" by Pala Zolo
2. "High Horses" by Fathers
3. "Y god Y" by Y god Y
4. "Around the Fire" by Blue False Indigo
5. "Chase The Horseman" - Disinformation Blues
6. "I'm Afraid I'm Not Angry" byThe Greeting Committee
7. "Boy" by J. Taylor
8. "Started With a Family" Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear
9. "Swallowtail" by Miki P
10. "The Nostalgic Generation" by Modern Day Fitzgerald
Honorable Mention: “Plastic Jazz” by Le Grand, "Love Art Growth" by Ivy Roots
Best Single of 2019
1. “Breaking Point” by Jillian Riscoe
2. “Fear or Faith” by Belle & the Vertigo Waves
3. “Dim the Light" by Shy Boys
4. “Strange Turn” by Second Hand King
5. "Horses" by Martin Farrell Jr
6. “Hell” by Nicole Springer (Also on The Nicole Springer Band EP)
7. “Dirty Hands” by Sara Morgan
8. “All Alone” by Me Like Bees
9. “On My Way” by Carswell & Hope
10. "Still Okay, Still Alright" by Jenna & Martin
Radio Station Who Best Supports the Local Music Scene
1. KKFI 90.1
Best Festival 0f 2019
1. Boulevardia
People Making A Positive Impact on the KC Music Scene
Sondra Freeman and Rhonda Lyne
Kasey Rausch
Mark Manning
Diana Ennis
Emily Katz
Enrique Chi
Michelle Bacon
Chris Haghirian
Kim Stanton
Fally Afani
Fans who show up to show after show, because what's a concert without an audience.
This was a really hard choice because there are so many folks doing amazing things to make a positive impact on the KC music scene. In the past I've done four people, but there are so many people doing amazing things worth recognizing I decided to grow the list this year.
Best Music Organization in 2019
4. Sofar Sounds
Best Music Venue in 2019
1. recordBar
2. The Truman
3. Knuckleheads
Must See Bands to See Live in 2019
1. Hembree
2. Olivia Fox
