2024 was a massive year, but I am very much ready for it to be over, and for 2025 to be here. Three weeks ago, I departed JumpCloud as the Director of Product Management for Devices. In two more, I will join I.M.P. Concerts as the Chief Technology Officer.
As a musician, I couldn’t be more ecstatic than to join DC’s best venues as their technology lead. As an IT practitioner once more, I am just as excited. Having spent the last four years in pursuit of the theory of products, I am absolutely ready for the direct application of those frameworks to the real world.
In 2024, I.M.P. held more than 750 concerts across their five rooms in DC, and I’m excited to drive the technology stack that’s going to bring more music, performance, community, and frankly, joy to a city that’s going to need every ounce of it come January.
I’ve got some big projects coming up, from identity management to device management to data pipelines to point of sale management. It’s going to be an incredible adventure, but I am so, so very ready to get started.
In the spirit of their social media, I went on a spelunking trip through my music of 2024, and I came away with a couple things to share. First up is a mix for 2024:
While not everything on the list is new in 2024, it was all new to me in 2024. Music is a magical thing; an emotional journey, a way of coping with stress, an expression of joy or pain, and a communion with others. I had a lot of great headphones time in 2024, and all too few great shows. This coming year, I’m hoping to reverse that.
Five Albums for 2024
- Talker, by Wilderado
Jangly, growly guitars with plenty of doubled octaves and open fifths, Wilderado’s Talker was the sound of my late summer. I got hooked on the eponymous single first, but the whole album became a major part of my bike rides through the fall. The rich memories of golden and brown leaves, amidst the nostalgia of the songs.
2. Spiritual Cramp, by Spiritual Cramp
Ever seen a band out of time? Spiritual Cramp could have opened for Bad Brains or Fugazi just as easily as they opened for Rise Against this fall, and this was absolutely my live music discovery for the year. Talkin’ on the Internet feels anthemic in ways that I can barely capture with words.
3. To Figure Out, by Shoreline
My friend Allen messaged me out of the blue with this one, saying: “A German emo/punk/core band with a lead singer from South Korea.” It is every bit as wild as you would imagine. The speed guitar riffs, hypnotic vocals, and a lot to jam to. Turn it up. Rock out.
4. Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, by Chappell Roan
Look. If you haven’t heard this one yet, stop what you’re doing and go listen. It’s bangers from front to back.
5. No Place Like Home, by Vacations
Haunting and beautiful, this indie rock album is all about facing the challenges of a modern life. From Midwest’s long distance relationship struggles to Next Exit’s examination of knowledge and certainty.
Here’s to new challenges in 2025. See you there.
Cannonball 