Written By: Chris Parsons

Welcome back from the holidays! We’ve already undergone the mysterious transition into the “14th Baktun,” and are looking very much towards the prospects of 2013 on the horizon. Because of this in-between period, I’ve decided to draft up a retrospective for 2012. Fear not, this is not the typical ranking of the year-end “Best of…” or “Top 10, 20, 30” lists of bands and/or musical projects. Instead, I am very happy to squeeze 5 impressive artists from 2012 into this featured serial release over the weekend, before the slew of 2013 releases beginning pouring through the ozone. Since my inception into The Process Records/Think Like a Label back in April, my music collection and network has largely, and tastefully exploded and these psychedelic bands are ones that I’ve been particular smitten by, the only delay in their features being either the result of catching wind of the releases a bit too late or the increasing athletic trend of projects which are intent on producing an overwhelming output of multiple full-length releases in a single year. (Part 1) | (Part 2)

Speedy Ortiz

Speedy Ortiz (pronounced “Speedy Or-teaze,” possible reference) is unashamedly a recent discovery and new favorite of mine, and will definitely be a band to watch through 2013 if you aren’t already tuned-in. These guys are quickly rising out of the Boston underground scene which has been harboring the next wave of psychedelic grunge, carrying on 90′s-Seattle’s warm tradition. The group grew out of the members being mutual rock music instructors at a summer camp, while Sadie Dupuis had already been writing and recording songs under the name “Speedy Ortiz.” For a Boston band they’ve sure been hanging out around the Philadelphia area a lot too; Speedy Ortiz most recently supported Thurston Moore on a billing at Space 1026, recorded their latest “Sports” EP in West Philly’s Sex Dungeon Studios, and they are due to return on New Year’s Day for an early show at Kung Fu Necktie with Room Runner (Baltimore) and Sore Saints (Philadelphia)! I really couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the new year!