The Music 2015 Writers' Poll: Montana Agustin

album of the year

1. Lana Del Rey — Honeymoon
2. Cosmic Psychos — Cum The Raw Prawn
3. Father John Misty — I Love You, Honeybear
4. Gateway Drugs —  Magick Spells
5. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard — Quarters
6. The Fumes — Bloodless
7. The Dead Weather — Dodge And Burn
8. Marilyn Manson — The Pale Emperor
9. Royal Headache — High
10. Slaves — Are You Satisfied?

song of the year

1. Lana Del Rey — Music To Watch Boys To
2. Gateway Drugs — We Can Do What We Want
3. Slaves — Sockets 
4. Marilyn Manson — Third Day Of A Seven Day Binge
5. Lana Del Rey — Honeymoon

artist of the year

1. Lana Del Rey
2. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
3. Gateway Drugs
4. Drenge
5. Slaves

International artist Performance

1. Fleetwood Mac
2. Pokey LaFarge
3. Foo Fighters

Australian artist Performance  

1. Cosmic Psychos
2. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
3. King Of The North
4. Macondo Blowout
5. The Mary Goldsmiths

top tv show

1. The Gruen Transfer
2. Blood + Thunder: The Sound Of Alberts
3. Please Like Me
4. Days Of Our Lives

top movie

1. Amy
2. Kurt Cobain: Montage Of Heck
3. Brand: A Second Coming
4. The True Cost
5. Straight Outta Compton

top website

1. Vice
2. The Music
3. i-D
4. The Higherside Chats
5. Bandcamp

2015 highlight of the year

Highlights from this year musically would have to be seeing Fleetwood Mac; I can't explain what it was like to know they were playing a few metres away (ok, more than a few). I felt like I was witnessing a historical moment in 'international acts touring Aus' as it is very unlikely they will ever come back. On a completely different spectrum of music genres, seeing Cosmic Psychos play at The Barwon Club was something I'll never forget. I had an absolute fangirl moment in the mosh, I mean, it was Knighty, how could I not? On a personal level, managing the punk-rock band Macondo Blowout for a year has been a real highlight for me, I saw an EP come to life and helped spread the word, got them interviews, got them airtime and loads of gigs. Travelling to Hotham and sharing a room with a bunch of stinky punk rockers all for the name of music was pretty cool too — don't tell them that though. Obviously getting to review sweet gigs for The Music is definitely up there too. 

prediction for 2016

I'm not sure if you would call it a prediction, but what I would HOPE to see are more bands travelling to regional parts of Australia, more often. There is a huge demand and enthusiasm for live music in regional towns. I would also like to hope that more 'unknown' and unsigned artists will be given more of a highlight within the media. On a personal note, I would like to never hear the term 'Tay-Tay' or 'Rhi-Rhi' ever again. Ever.