2007 Year End Survey | Higher Ground

You'll find a wide range of opinions on Higher Ground across Vermont music fans. However, I'd be hard-pressed to name another music club in the US in a town as small as Burlington and two hours from the nearest metropolitan area that has booked as many fine shows as Higher Ground over the last year.

Sonic Youth, Asobi Seksu, Okkervil River, Andrew Bird, Stars, Dinosaur Jr, Junior Boys, The Cat Empire, Old Crow Medicine Show, Cold War Kids, Tokyo Police Club, Elvis Perkins, Sharon Jones, The Hero Cycle, The Jazz Guys, Neil Cleary, Deep Soda, Band of Horses, The Sea & Cake, Todd Barry, Lou Barlow and many others that I'm currently blanking on. That's a lot of great music they've brought to the Green Mountains.

One nice development at Higher Ground over the last year has been the earlier start times. I love having the shows start at 7pm with the main act hitting the stage around 8:30. For a show early in the week, it's beautiful to catch some great music and still be able to get a good night's sleep.

Nick Mavodones, the box office manager at Higher Ground, has graciously sent over his choices for the year. It should also be noted that Nick writes the excellent local music blog, Angioplasty Media.

1. What was your favorite song of 2007?

My Head - Cult Maze
My brother grabbed me their new CD 35.36 and sent it to me a few few weeks back.
Simply great from start to finish.
Had the chance to see them while I was in Maine for Thanksgiving.
Hopefully they can make it over to Vermont in the future.

Runner(s) Up
Every Artist Needs A Tragedy/ Boy Void- No Age - Weirdo Rippers

2. what was your favorite album of 2007?

No Age - Weirdo Rippers.
Randomly came across this album and listened to it daily on my bike ride to and from work.
Didn't even know it was a duo for the longest time. Just noisy and relaxing.

3. What was your favorite concert of 2007?

Castanets, Phosphorescent, Viking Moses & Hello Shark at Kriya. 05.04.07
Just remember walking in while Phosphorescent was playing what I want to say was Endless Pt.1/ Endless Pt. 2 and it just being his voice flowing over everything. A hazy evening of sitting on the floor with musicians I wasn't totally familiar with blowing my mind.

Johanna Kunin, The Capstan Shafts, Horsefeathers & Casey Dienel & The Flapjacks
in Stannard, VT 10.06.07
just a powerful show from start to finish. perfectly placed from the performance at the Stannard Church to the massive slumber party that followed.

Sonic Youth @ HG. Grizzly Bear & The Dirty Projectors in Montreal. 4 Songs of Arcade Fire in Montreal cause Julia and I got lost and couldn't find the venue. Greg Davis's set opening up for Akron Family this second time thru at Metronome. Health @ The Monkey.....

What was your favorite thing about 2007?

Going to Ireland with my girlfriend Julia and her family.
Sleeping on a bus from Shannon to Galway, walking thru Galway with the streets empty and businesses not yet open, wine in Dublin just Jules and Me, biking around The Aran Islands.

Ryan Smith taking over the Monkey in Winooski and the crew over there getting some damn fine music covering just about every genre. My old apartment was just above the Monkey so i saw some amazing shows and had some of the best times there this past year.

What are your best wishes for 2008?

same as last year.

for all those i care about to continue to do what they do best and strive to get to where they feel they want to be.

especially my sister moving to NYC in June!

Cult Maze | My Head | Buy