Musical Thanks 

Camden Chamberlain (The Suicycles):
I’m most thankful for my house/recording studio and the fact that my whole band lives here (apart from our drummer, Van). It makes a lot of things quite convenient, including late-night Cheez Whiz fights.

Glade Sowards (The Poorwills):
I’m so thankful that none of my first songs received the kind of recognition I thought they deserved when they were written.

Joshua James:
I am grateful for the early scream of Paul McCartney, for the glitter toss of Tom Waits and for the sounds that whistle across the Wasatch Front.

Will Sartain (Future of the Ghost):
Pavement. Thank you Stephen Malkmus for making sense of the world.

Stephen Chai (No-Nation Orchestra):
I’m thankful for good friends, high fives, KRCL, tape delays, gooey reverbs, gospel choirs and baritone saxophones. I’m exceptionally thankful for my parents, who always made me finish my piano practice before watching cartoons.

Talia Keys (Marinade):
I’m thankful for fans (people, although stage fans blowing air are pretty awesome, too). Without fans and those who support us show after show, we would just be a garage band. I love to share!

Cameron Rafati:
I am thankful for Bono ... at his age, he is the only veteran left in the industry that keeps to his commitment of serving and influencing people on Earth in a positive way.

The Folka Dots:
This past year we have found ourselves welcomed into an open, musically aware community. These very fine folks, from fellow musicians to new listeners across the map, have expressed an wonderfully responsive support and a kind appreciation. As musicians, we depend on this. We are thankful for community.

Jacob Jones (Fictionist):
I’m thankful for harmony, beautiful textures—resulting from combining different instruments—and amazing, timeless songs that continue to amaze me.

Ransom Wydner (King Niko):
I’m thankful for all the people that let me act like a spaz onstage a few times a month, my girlfriend for putting up with my tight stage pants, the guys in my band for knowing what’s going on (because I never do), Rockfish and MetCom for recording us for free and all of our friends, family and fans for listening. Mostly, though, I’m thankful for hot chick fans who dance in the front row and power the robot that controls King Niko’s actions.

Amber Taniuchi (Lady Murasaki):
There is so much; I don’t even know where to start! I’m thankful that Salt Lake City has a very active music scene with bands, DJs and venues that work together to keep the calendar so jam-packed that I rarely run out of things to do. I also think that music has created a home/community for people who are transplants, such as myself. This means a lot when you’ve had lonely holidays before! I am eternally grateful to my bandmates, who not only have added layers and depth to my music that I wouldn’t have known existed, but who have also been so incredibly dedicated to the project, that despite having gone through four drummers in the last six months, we’ve survived unscathed. I am also super thankful to be around so many talented musicians that inspire me to write better music. Bottom line: I am thankful to music. It breathes life into the city. It’s a medium through which people come together and make each others’ lives better.

Troy Coughlin (Max Pain & The Groovies):
Musically speaking, I am thankful for the ever so supportive Salt Lake City music scene and Black Sabbath.

Chase Loter (DJ ChaseOne2):
Music is my life—it runs through my veins. I sell music for a living, and I also play music for a living. Music can pick you up one minute and the next minute it can slam you down. I am truly blessed to be a part of Salt Lake’s thriving music scene. Thank you Thomas A. Edison for the gift of sound!