Yeah, Punch Bros are all amazing musicians. You should check out of some Thile's solo stuff--"How To Grow A Woman From The Ground Up" is outstanding, and his work with Yo Yo Ma on the Goat Rodeo Sessions is great as well. He definitely pushed the mandolin, which is tough because its so iconic because of people like Bill Monroe.

Also in the band is Noam Pikelny on banjo. In my opinion, he's the heir-apparent to banjo royalty. The guy is so good, that it baffles your mind when he plays. His rolls, speed, etc are all just out of this world.

The Stringdusters are leading the charge of new school bluegrass. Opening up new avenues to what is considered in the genre. In fact, Chris Pandolfi wrote a manifesto about that very topic.

Although, I've heard basically none of your list, there's plenty on it that I think SHOULD have heard last year. Nice.

You going to be coming in to the city to see either of these when they roll through in the next couple of months? After catching Punch Brothers on ACL a few weekends ago I am 100% behind those guys. Along with that Matthew White that I missed out on last year these guys are probably the other big winners I have taken away from the Obner year end lists so far.

Haven't seen any dates for Matthew E. White on the EC. Punch Bros. will be at 9:30 Club 2/8 & 2/9...though, 2/8 is my bday and we're already booked for dinner, etc with friends and 2/9 we're going to a hockey game up in Hershey so I'm gonna be missing both those shows.

Hoping DelFest can lure them in.

Bummer. We'll be at the show on the 9th. Similarly, wife is due on 26 March so Stringdusters on the 29th and Sigur Ros on the 24th (March) are a bust for us. Seems like a lot of good winter/early spring tours this year.

Yeah, there are and for some reason my wife and I aren't hitting them either. Congrats, btw on the baby.

Not doing SR this time 'cause its at the Patriot Ctr and well, I dunno that I could stomach seeing them in an arena. Been so spoiled every time I've seen them that I could pass this time.

Also, did you see that Thurston Moore was at the Ottobar in Baltimore? Apparently he was doing a noise set. Again, my best friend from back home went and said he played max 30 mins, which I think is lame...but I guess with that sustained of noise could you take more?