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Hey idobi fam, is it just us, or did 2022 just fly by? We’re not entirely convinced the past twelve months actually happened (or maybe we should just start measuring time before and after the New Paramore Era dropped). What we do know is we were blessed with many incredible releases throughout 2022—and our staff and hosts are here to share their Top 5 picks. Make sure to share your faves from the year and we’ll see ya in 2023!
Eddie Barella
COO, Program and Music Director
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That one song that made my year:
“Chapstick” – Coin
The album I can’t stop playing:
Wet Leg – Wet Leg
The thing that kept me sane:
Peace Sells – Megadeth
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Wet Leg
The change I want to be:
In 2023, I want to be more present and to enjoy life in the moment as much as possible.
And eat more cake.
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Sherin Nicole
Chief Creative & Marketing Officer
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That one song that made my year:
“THREE HEADS*” – Jean Dawson
The album I can’t stop playing:
Ivory – Omar Apollo
The thing that kept me sane:
Connection to God, long walks, Donut Run donuts, Art & Fashion
(it’s the collage for me)
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
EKKSTACY
The change I want to be:
Create art that helps to usher in a Golden Age of Enlightenment,
fueled by compassion but also a willingness to stomp fascism on sight.
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Sara Scoggins
Host of Let’s Talk with Scoggs
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That one song that made my year:
“Karma” – Taylor Swift
The album I can’t stop playing:
Dream Feeling – Moxy The Band
The thing that kept me sane:
We rescued another dog this past summer, he’s been such a delightful addition to the family!
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
More of a throwback breakout, but very cool to see young people falling in love with Kate Bush! Thanks, Stranger Things!
The change I want to be:
creating space for self-acceptance and self-discovery.
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Alex Bear
Senior Editor
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That one song that made my year:
“Box in a Heart” – The Maine
The album I can’t stop playing:
The Loneliest Time – Carly Rae Jepsen
The thing that kept me sane:
Pokémon (and Rings of Power—although some
might argue that made me more unhinged than ever).
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Pinkshift
The change I want to be:
To advocate more for self-care, education, and community.
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Tate Logan
Host of Punk Goes Pride
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That one song that made my year:
“FUCKBOI REJECTS” – Royal & The Serpent or “Hollywood Hillbilly” – Jutes
The album I can’t stop playing:
HOLY FVCK – Demi Lovato
The thing that kept me sane:
the hazelnut cold brew from Dogtown Coffee in Santa Monica
and the reboot of the Scream franchise!
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Beauty School Dropout
The change I want to be:
more recognition for trans artists in the alternative scene!!!!
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Fish
Assistant Program Director
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That one song that made my year:
“debbie downer” – lølø & maggie lindemann
The album I can’t stop playing:
My Favorite Blue Jeans – DE’WAYNE
The thing that kept me sane:
hanging with my dog biggie all day everyday
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
100% no doubt about it Charlotte Sands and if she doesnt get a Grammy in 2023 i quit music!
The change I want to be:
showing the next generation of music fans the best new music in the world!
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Katie Leclerc
Host of The Brett Davern Show
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That one song that made my year:
“Music For A Sushi Restaurant” – Harry Styles
The album I can’t stop playing:
Surrender – Maggie Rogers
The thing that kept me sane:
My dog Joey and taking her hiking
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Nicky Youre – “Sunroof”
The change I want to be:
I want to be the best dog mom in LA (difficult, there’s a lot of competition!)
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Patrick Walford
Howl Music Director
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That one song that made my year:
Too many songs & bands to choose from, this was a banner year in Heavy Music. In no particular order, here’s 5 cool ones by up and coming bands you should check out:
Avoid – “Whatever”
Hollow Front – “The Price of Dreaming”
Bloodywood – “Aaj”
TheCityIsOurs – “Alive”
Invisions – “Annihilist”
The album I can’t stop playing:
Could never choose 1, even choosing a few feels criminal. I honestly have about 50 that I could mention! Here’s a couple to check out:
Paleface – Fear & Dagger
Electric Callboy – Tekkno
Lorna Shore – Pain Remains
Fit For A King – The Hell We Create
Spite – Dedication To Flesh
The thing that kept me sane:
Awesome new Music, my wife, Amazing Concerts & Festivals, all the Radio + interview stuff I got to do + lots of Ice Hockey!
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Bad Omens without a doubt! While the band has had a dedicated following & been on awesome tours for years, in 2022 they absolutely exploded. They entirely sold out their fall headlining tour, some of the venue’s upgraded more than once along the way months in advance. Add that in with their new album The Death of Piece of Mind smashing, featuring what many would consider the song & chorus of the year (Just Pretend) go viral on Tiktok. Having had Noah on my show when they were releasing their debut album in 2016, all of this couldn’t have happened to better people. Can’t wait to see a huge 2023 from them as well!
The change I want to be:
Continuing to grow & learn new skills & things to better myself
along with becoming more of a morning person
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Sean Cowhig
Host of The Way Highway
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That one song that made my year:
“Hot Blooded” – New Constellations
The album I can’t stop playing:
ATTENTION: MILEY LIVE – Miley Cyrus
The thing that kept me sane:
The Great British Bake Off – Season 13
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Wet Leg
The change I want to be:
I spent 2022 studying and strengthening my loves of acting and writing aka storytelling. I want to spend 2023 telling stories that inspire change in others.
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Sarah Madden
Social Media Manager
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That one song that made my year:
“Meloyelo” – Young Rising Sons
The album I can’t stop playing:
Still Point In A Turning World – Young Rising Sons
The thing that kept me sane:
Meditation, the great outdoors, and of course, music
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Nightlife and Royel Otis are tied for first for me.
Both released EPs in 2022 that I’ve been playing on repeat.
The change I want to be:
Just being a positive, non-toxic element in the world is enough for me.
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Sasha Thumpa
Host of The Cool Nerd Weed Show
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That one song that made my year:
It’s a tie between “Cracker Island” – The Gorillaz and “Simple” – DE’WAYNE/IDK
The album I can’t stop playing:
Being Funny In A Foreign Language – The 1975
The thing that kept me sane:
Seeing all of the festival and live show footage and going to the festivals. The return to normalcy after two years of madness in the music world gave me hope for life!
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Wet Leg or Magnolia Park or even Scene Queen
The change I want to be:
I would love to be as strong and as these artists who put their entire creativity on the line and bear it all for us to hear. And then to get on stage and be energetic and magnetic–I want to be a rock star in all the ways that are good and lovely! I want to be brave, and to have the effect on others that our favorite artist do–to inspire and bring joy!
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Maysa Askar
Photo Editor
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That one song that made my year:
“Satellite” – Harry Styles (hehe) & “This Is Why” – Paramore
The album I can’t stop playing:
Glow On – Turnstile (2021 release – just in case adding a 2022 release)
Being Funny In A Foreign Language – The 1975
The thing that kept me sane:
knowing a new era of Paramore is upon us!
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Wet Leg
The change I want to be:
to become a more vocal and confident person with my thoughts
and embrace more positive vibes around me. 🙂
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Nick Major
Assistant Video Dept Director
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That one song that made my year:
“Edging” – blink-182
The album I can’t stop playing:
Careful What You Wish For by GARZI
The thing that kept me sane:
My dog, Frankenstein. Through the ups and downs, she’s always a loving little ball of energy!
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Scene Queen
The change I want to be:
In the upcoming year, I hope to interview more artists than I ever have while also bringing some of those artists into the idobi Radio studio to perform live sessions. 2022 was a great year with some awesome conversations and I’m really to take it up a notch!
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Aidan Shirey
Lead Developer
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That one song that made my year:
“Be Fine” – Madeon
The album I can’t stop playing:
Adventure (Deluxe) – Madeon
The thing that kept me sane:
My pet rabbit, although I’ve already lost my mind
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Glaive
The change I want to be:
I already embody this change, but I’d encourage others to do is allow themselves to be more open to exploring their interests. Not everything will/needs to be a 10/10 experience to introduce yourself to a new genre of entertainment or hobby, sometimes the fact you feel any emotion at all towards something you consume is the reward itself!
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Gary Wiseman
Host of The Rockstar Dad Show
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That one song that made my year:
“Surviving the Night” – Keep Flying
The album I can’t stop playing:
Dark Horse – Don’t Panic
The thing that kept me sane:
Walking my dog
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Cliffdiver
The change I want to be:
Lead with kindness
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Sam Devotta
Writer
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That one song that made my year:
“Loved You a Little” – The Maine ft. Charlotte Sands and Taking Back Sunday
The album I can’t stop playing:
Give Me The Future + Dreams of The Past – Bastille
The thing that kept me sane:
The Maine (you think I’m joking, but I willingly got on a plane three separate times this year alone just to see these guys live – they make everything better)
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Pinkshift. Not only are they killing it in general, but they fulfilled my lifelong dream of seeing someone with my same brown skin on stage.
The change I want to be:
I want to keep hyping up BIPOC bands in the scene and find ways to help them flourish.
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Briton Alexander
Writer
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That one song that made my year:
“Oxygen” – Beach Bunny and “The Liars Club” – Coheed and Cambria
The album I can’t stop playing:
<COPINGMECHANISM> by WILLOW – y’all she’s emo Lady Gaga and it’s the best.
The thing that kept me sane:
My Lifebond and Blood
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Arlie – Break The Curse – “Landline” is the most radio-ready single I’ve heard all year.
The change I want to be:
Be a better teacher of empathy, love, and gratitude.
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Joseph Buscarello
Writer
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That one song that made my year:
“Permanent Rebellion” – L.S. Dunes
The album I can’t stop playing:
The Mars Volta – The Mars Volta
The thing that kept me sane:
Looking forward to The Mars Volta’s first new music and tour in over a decade
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Sudan Archives or Black Country, New Road
The change I want to be:
To be as bold as The Mars Volta – pour your heart and soul into what is important to you in the moment, without fear of what those around you will think. Be radical within yourself.
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Eric Cios
Social Media
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That one song that made my year:
“EDGING” by blink-182 because well…. Tom is back in the band!!!
The album I can’t stop playing:
No Pressure – No Pressure
The thing that kept me sane:
Tom Delonge rejoining blink-182 and knowing a new album/tour is on the way!
The breakout artist in alt-rock, pop-punk, heavy, or indie:
Games We Play
The change I want to be:
Be more present. Listen. Forgive.
