Sixthman Team + Artists Share Their Favorite Releases of 2023

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Hey friends!

It’s that time of the year again when we all share our favorite music from the past twelve months! This time around, we’re featuring both Sixthman Artists + Team members. We’ve compiled all of our favs into this Spotify Playlist for your listening pleasure. Thanks to everyone who contributed, and if YOU yourself would like to join in on the conversation, please share your favorite releases in the comments below.

Another magical year in the books out on the high seas. Thank you to all of our guests, artists, partners, and friends for setting sail with Sixthman and allowing us the opportunity to Live Loud with all of you. Happy Holidays + Happy New Year to everyone, much love and even more music…

- Trae

+ LAKE STREET DIVE

2024 Sixthman Events: Cayamo

Here are the band's top 5 albums this year!

  1. Olivia Rodrigo - Guts

Whew Just… realizing that I’m putting this down as my favorite album of the year fills me with a host of emotions— surprise, wonder, glee. Here’s the thing: I am not OR’s target demographic, nor am I a steady listener to this kind of popular music. But the hooks! The enchanting lyrics! The attitude! The range of vocal character! And to round it off, the production takes me to a place in the 90’s that will forever be associated with the energy of my musical adolescence through fierce grooves and distorted riffs.

  1. Rachael and Vilray : I Love a Love Song!

There’s no one alive that can write a song like Vilray. And by that, I mean all the people who could write songs like him are dead. Add that to an all star band, recording together in a classic LA studio, this lush, funny, romantic album sounds will you make your heart sing.

  1. Os Tincoas album "Canto Coral Afrobrasiliero"

https://open.spotify.com/album/5nPh3YWXdvHSCjFFECjR63?si=06XIP1hVRIaFRJUUq43x8w

This Brazilian choral album was actually made 50 years ago but just released this year. My friend Garren Volper recommended it to me and I was immediately spellbound by the harmony, the beautiful choral singing and the minimalist, mostly percussive accompaniment. Akie, James and I were carpooling to a recording session together one September morning in Tennessee and were so captivated by the music we missed our turn and then spent another 40 minutes correcting this mistake, driving on back country roads basking in the sweet sounds of Os Tincoas. When the record finished, we started it over again. It's that kind of album!

  1. Mélusine - Cecile McLorin Salvant

https://open.spotify.com/album/1AP6E8gCkPzDjFC8DrGFPc?si=hfjfOsIWQ86cfpSEJYIzlg

Do you like stories? How about when they are centuries old? How about a legend?! One where, due to a curse put on her mother, a woman must transform into a half-snake one day a week for her whole life. Despite this... condition, she agrees to marry a man named Raymondin so long as he promises never to even SEE her on Saturdays (when she is transformed). Of course, curiosity gets the better of ol' Raymondin and he uses a sword to pierce Mélusine's private chamber door and, peering through the hole, sees her in her half-woman, half-snake form. The betrayal turns Mélusine into a dragon and she flies away! Thereafter she only reappears when one of her descendents is about to die. That's pretty good stuff, I'd say. The music and singing on this album are beautiful and beguiling and intense. If you want get the minutiae of the tale, you'll need to bone up on your French, Haitian Kreyol, and, of course, Occitan (a language dating back to about the 8th Century) – as the majority of the album is not in English. That said, for me, the music of Mélusine transcends language, speaking directly to the soul.

  1. Emily King -- Special Occasion

When it comes to writing and singing songs, Emily King might be the non plus ultra. This record was part of my daily life from the day it came right up to the writing of this blurb. While the title implies that it is maybe only suited for grand events, I'd argue that it is either perfect for any occasion or that it makes any occasion a special one – be that a night out, a morning in, or a long afternoon walk through town or country.

+ Scott Terry, Red Wanting Blue

2023 Sixthman Events: The Rock Boat

The National - “First Two Pages Of Frankenstein”

Sufjan Stevens - “Javelin”

Gord Downie & Bob Rock - “Lustre Parfait”

Boygenius - “The Record”

The Zombies - “Different Game”

+ Anthony Diaz, Outgoing CEO + CMO

2023 Sixthman Events: Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea · Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean · Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Cruise · EDSEA · Sail Across the Sun · The Beach Boys Cruise · The Broadway Cruise

Paramore - This Is Why

Marcus King - Young Blood

Primo Jab - Jabgoblin

Goose - Autumn Crossing

Dirty Honey - Can't Fin The Brakes

+ ALEX KEEFE, Manager of Events

2023 Sixthman Events: Rock The Bells Cruise

Petey - USA
Fave Song = The Freedom to Fuck Off Hot Tip – follow his IG @petey_usa for strange and funny videos.

Renee Rapp - Everything to Everyne
Song Pick = Everything to Everyone Extended

Kelly Clarkson - Chemistry
Song pick = SKIP THIS PART

Those 3 albums are great front to back, no skips!

Trousdale - If I'm Honest

BLUEY but punk rock How you know you have a 3-year-old…

+ MADS BAKKENSEN JOHANSEN, Talent Buyer & Event Management Intern

2023 Sixthman Events: Headbangers Boat

Spiritbox - The Fear of Fear
I came late to the party and saw them for the first time at Copenhell this summer and I instantly became a fan. This EP makes me hungry for more! Congratulations on the GRAMMY nomination.

Periphery - Djent Is Not a Genre
One of my all-time favorite bands provided me with another masterpiece. Definitely the album I've been spinning the most in 2023.

Tash Sultana - SUGAR EP.
Tash Sultana came to my attention right when I started at Sixthman in August. What a musical journey they've been on, and I truly admire the musicality!

Sleep Token - Take Me Back To Eden
The masters of variation. Period.

EYES - Congratulations
EYES from my native Denmark brings the brutality and intensity that every headbanger loves. Not so office-friendly, unless you're into fighting invisible ninjas with your colleagues during lunch.

The wildcard: Lamb of God - Evidence
When your favorite of them all releases a single to celebrate their latest album "Omens" birthday AND you're sailing with them on their own cruise, you have to put them on the list!

+ Prince Daddy & The Hyena, artist

2023 Sixthman Events: S.S. Neverender

Olivia Rodrigo - Guts

Militarie Gun - Life Under The Gun

Calicuzns - S/T

Restraining order - Locked in Time

Equipment - Alt Account

+ Hailee Stewart, Artist relations specialist

2023 Sixthman Events: 311 Caribbean Cruise · Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean · Cayamo · Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Cruise · Headbangers Boat · Soulshine at Sea

Foo Fighters - But Here We Are

Dave Matthews Band - Walk Around The Moon

The Nude Party - Rides On

The Rolling Stones - Hackney Diamonds

Geese - 3D Country

+ MIKE SIMON, SENIOR MANAGER TALENT BUYER

2023 Sixthman Events: The Rock Boat · Cayamo · 311 Caribbean Cruise · Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean · Fully Loaded at Sea · Headbangers Boat · Soulshine at Sea

The National – First Two Pages of Frankenstein

Tyler Childers – Rustin In The Rain

BoyGenius – The Record

El Michels Affair & Black Thought – Glorious Game

Emily King – Special Occasion

+ Tyler Regelsky, Artist Relations Specialist

2023 Sixthman Events: 311 Caribbean Cruise · Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean · Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Cruise · The Beach Boys Cruise · The Broadway Cruise · S.S. Neverender · Salty Dog Cruise

MS Paint - Post-American
This release feels like hardcore from the future. A perfect balance of synths and aggression lead to my favorite record of 2023. Album is equal parts epic album and promising hints for the future of the group. Every track is laced with an important message that the band commandingly hammers into you each time.

Paramore - This is Why
Paramore brought back guitars and in the best way. So many call backs to the mid-00s indie scene while also maintaining a bit of groove they caught with After Laughter. Hope this is a sign that they’ll never hang up the guitars!

Bully - Lucky For You
Album is chopped full of nostalgic sounds but still feels fresh and vibrant. One of the most underrated songwriters at the moment, the album might be Alicia’s best full collection of songs yet. The fullest and most dynamic Bully record yet.

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard - PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation
Titles long but the riffs are longer, and stankier. The band’s second dip into heavy metal is a story wrapped drive through hell full of witches and gila monsters. Why put quality over quantity when you could do both?

Home is Where – The Whaler
This one is going to be looked back on as an emo classic. The Florida band feels like they took another step forward after their already stellar debut LP. The band continues to push the genre forward along with sounding like they’ve already established themselves in it.

+ Jose “Metal Ambassador” Mangin

2023 Sixthman Events: Headbangers Boat

Metallica - 72 Seasons

Spiritbox - The Fear Of Fear EP

Sleep Token - Take Me Back To Eden

Unearth - The Wretched; The Ruinous

Cannibal Corpse - Chaos Horrific

+ TYLER MARTINEZ aka TITO, Biz Dev Specialist

2023 Sixthman Events: The Beach Boys Cruise · 311 Caribbean Cruise · Headbangers Boat · Salty Dog Cruise

My personal top 5 records of 2023:

Foo Fighters - Nothing At All

Blink 182 - One More Time

Jungle - Volcano

The Hives - The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons

The Teskey Brothers - The Winding Way

+ Jeff Cuellar, Incoming CEO / VP Events, Marketing, & Community

2023 Sixthman Events: Fully Loaded at Sea · Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea · Dude Perfect Cruise · Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean · EDSEA · Rock The Bells Cruise · The Beach Boys Cruise · The Broadway Cruise

Sigur Ros - Atta

Lil Yachty - Let’s Start Here

Lana Del Rey - Did you know there is a tunnel under ocean boulevard

Sampha - Lahai

Kaytramine - Kaytramine

Honorable mentions:

Depeche Mode - Momemto Mori

Killer Mike - Michael

Romy - Mid Air

Larry June and The Alchemist- The Great Escape

The National - First Two Pages of Frankenstein

Skrillex - Quest for Fire

Noname - Sundial

El Michaels Affair & Black Thought - Glorious Game

+ TRAE VEDDER, TALENT BUYER, ARTIST COLLABORATIONS, & FESTIVAL DEVELOPMENT

2023 Sixthman Events: The Rock Boat · Cayamo · Outlaw Country Cruise · S.S. Neverender · Salty Dog Cruise · Rock The Bells Cruise

The Hives · The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons

The greatest band in the land returns with an albums worth of tasty big time bangers. "Bogus Operandi" sets the tone and we're off to the races for a half hour of nasty four-on-the-floor deliciousness.

Tommy Prine · This Far South

"Ships In The Harbor" says it all really. It's been incredible to see such a humble, honest, and true artist take root and carve his own path ... the world is better with his songs in it and he's just getting started.

Josiah and The Bonnevilles · Endurance

"Blood Moon" is what grabbed me and I've been hooked ever since, my kind of let's just hit the road, turn on the radio, and never stop driving kind of music ... his cover of Creed's "One Last Breath" swept me up as well.

Cat Clyde · Down Rounder

Hands down my favorite voice of 2023, everything about this record sounds (and is) amazing, but it's her voice and the emotion, that's what makes these songs so special. "Everywhere I Go" and "Real Love" are highlights, but from start to finish, this record is top notch songwriting.

Beans On Toast · The Toothpaste And The Tube

Shedding a tear amongst a boatful of fellow punk rockers isn't what I had planned, but when the music takes hold, let it! "Send Me A Bird" put me in stitches and I couldn't wait to hear the rest of the record from there.

*If you made it this far, thanks so much for reading and taking the time to share in our passion for music + music discovery! Thanks to all of the guests, artists, and friends that sailed with us in 2023, it was our pleasure to have you aboard, and here's to more in the future. Happy Holidays and much love to you and yours from the entire Sixthman family.

LAUNCH PLAYLIST: Sixthman Team + Artists Top Releases 2023

"What the hell did I get myself into?"

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It’s still dark outside my hotel room high in the Miami Marriot. My bags are packed and 10 floors below me my new(ish) co-workers are gathering in the lobby. It’s embark day, an old hat for them, and 2 miles to the east Norwegian Pearl is ready to load up 2500 passionate music fans — and this very nervous new Marketing Manager — for the sixth sailing of the KISS Kruise. I’m due downstairs in a matter of minutes, and my normally self-assured demeanor is shot. I’m pacing a stripe in the carpet, trying to shove my stomach back down out of my throat and asking myself like a broken record: What the hell did I get myself into?

Understand that I’m the new guy here at Sixthman. So on this morning I’m describing, I’m stoked, just as I have been every day in the 3 months since moving to the exciting world of music festivals at sea leading up to my first boat ride — but I can't shake the nerves. I’m not nervous with apprehension, but rather with curiosity and excitement (or, at least, I got really good at telling myself that). I’ve watched, studied and learned the KISS community — and all of our wonderful communities — from afar, but I need the front lines exposure I was about to get to really make it all click. What would finally get me there? What would make it click? When would I really get it? Now that it’s over, I realize I was foolish to expect one definitive moment. Instead, I got too many to count, as I hope you’ll get the first time you sail on one of our festivals (or, for you veterans, I hope you get each time you come back). Here are just a few of the many times I finally got it:

Coming out of the tunnel and seeing the Pearl for the first time

What a sight. This is definitely what the Apollo astronauts felt like when they approached the shuttle, right? Definitely.

Greeting passengers at the terminal

I come from a music venue and concert promotion background, and my favorite part of that world was always the few moments before doors opened for a show. Translate that to embark day, and I could see the fans lining up for the terminal to open. Same feeling, wildly new setting. Then, of course feeding off your energy as you prepared to board the ship. My hand hurt from high fives.

Walking onto the gangway for the first time

No, THIS is how the astronauts felt. Awesome.

A sail away shot and we’re off!

My first cruise shift was helping pass out trays of Caborita shots to a pool deck full of fans before KISS themselves came out for a toast and a family photo as we sailed from Miami. I had been on board all of 15 minutes, and suddenly I’ve got trays of booze in my hand, standing on the pool deck stage trying not to tip them all over the front row. Remember that “how the hell did I get here” question?

Working my first pool deck show

The moment where the lights go down and a band hits the stage is special in any setting. But this re-defines setting. Put 2500 of the most passionate fans in front of their heroes on the pool deck of a cruise ship? Those pictures I’d seen a million times didn’t do it justice.

That first sunset...and the second...and third...

Someone mentioned it, pretty passively — “make sure you don’t miss your first sunset…” That person is officially in my top 3 favorite people ever (as soon as I can remember who it was).

Being back on land (sea legs are a real thing, by the way), I’ve been asked time and again to describe my experience. I’ll leave it to say that these “firsts” only scrape the surface, and it’ll probably take far longer than the week I’ve had to process my first Sixthman cruise to really answer that question. One thing I know for sure: now that I know what I got myself into, I know I can’t wait for more.

Click here to see photos from The KISS Kruise VI 

Boat Love: It's a Thing.

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Boat Love is totally a thing, you guys. If you can name a more “romantic” place to fall in love than a cruise ship, I’ll send you a heart-shaped pizza, breadsticks, and maybe a two-liter of Coke depending on how much I like your answer. But hear me out first. A cruise ship is the perfect setting for a steamy new romance. And a Sixthman cruise is essentially the adult version of summer camp – but like, boy camp and girl camp have officially merged into one giant make-out barge. And it’s totally legal to drink there.

I mean, really think about it. I’ve provided you with a romance checklist for easy reference:

  • Exotic locations

  • Booze

  • Teeny tiny bathing suits

  • Little to no connection to the outside world

  • Booze

  • Thousands of like-minded music fans

  • Beds (SO many beds)

  • Salt air

  • A tacit agreement to let loose (It IS vacation, after all)

  • Rock stars

  • Regularly scheduled sunset photo ops

  • Dozens of secret spots to hide/make out

  • Unlimited access to chocolate

  • Booze

I think I’ve made my point. Boat Love is virtually unavoidable in such a luxurious setting.

But BEWARE, my friends – Boat Love is almost always fleeting. Once the ship returns to the mainland, your contact high wears off, and you have a chance to do some serious Facebook research about your vacation soul mate, things typically start to fall apart. And, hey – that’s ok. You’ll always have Cozumel/Tortola/Key West/Bliss Lounge/Great Outdoors/an elevator/that one lounge chair on deck 14 where you think we can’t see you (but we totally can), et al. Chin up! You are the 99%!

Every once in awhile – when the breeze blows just right, and the dance party goes until just late enough – lightning strikes, and Boat Love blossoms into True Romance. We hear about these rare miracles from our guests all the time. “I met my future husband on The Rock Boat!” Or “We made a boat baby on the 311 Cruise and we’re naming her Pearl.” Or “She said ‘yes’ in front of a stage full of Gronkowskis!” It’s a beautiful thing. BUT IT’S JUST SUPER RARE AND YOU SHOULD BE THANKFUL AND NEVER FORGET HOW RARE IT IS AND WE GET IT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, OK, GAHHH. ‘Scuse me. Here are some shining examples of Boat Love turned True Romance from our very own staff. SPOILER ALERT: Lots of "Awwwww!" headed your way in 3...2...1...

DARBY AND TERRY

Current Relationship Status: Going steady since Kid Rock Cruise 2013

Him: Salty production assistant and onboard host extraordinaire

Her: Sixthman Director of Partner Relations and Business Development

How They Found Boat Love: Darby was a new hire sailing on her first Sixthman cruise. Rumors had been spreading for weeks about how “Darby is basically the girl version of Terry. Just wait ‘til those two meet.” Spoiler Alert: the rumors turned out to be true.

How we know it’s True Romance: Just watch them perform karaoke together. You’ll understand. Also, they live together and have two cats named Patinkin and Wink. Cats are forever.

ALEX AND ANDY

Current Relationship Status: Together since March 2013 and recently engaged

Him: A 311 cruiser with excellent taste in women

Her: Project Manager, Partner Relations, and Senior Warrior

How they found Boat Love: Andy developed a crush on Sixthman Alex on the 2011 311 Cruise. In November of 2012, Alex visited friends in Andy’s hometown of Chicago. They planned to meet up at a Grouplove concert. When the show got cancelled, they made their way to Double Door and saw two random bands instead. Andy made Alex a mix CD titled “Let’s Be Friends”. Clearly, he meant “Let’s Be BF/GF”.

How we know it’s True Romance: Alex eventually moved to Chicago to be closer to her beau. They still sail on the 311 Cruise together, and Andy put a ring on it earlier this year.

JACK AND JILL

Current Relationship Status: Married 6 years this December

Him: A production guru

Her: A Carnival corporate employee turned valuable member of the Sixthman accounting team

How they found Boat Love: Technically, it’s Port of Tampa Love. But they met on the very first Rock Boat in 2001. That makes them the OG Sixthman love story.

How we know it’s True Romance: They win the Sixthman Boat Love award for longest relationship! Also, their names are Jack and Jill, so…

DAVE AND FREDRIKA

Current Relationship Status: Married since Mountain Song at Sea 2014

Him: Stardust Manager and Yogi

Her: Host Assist and go-to massage therapist

How they found Boat Love: These two lovebirds actually met in high school.

How we know it’s True Romance: Fredrika staged a surprise wedding for Dave on board Norwegian Sky in 2014. They’ve sailed together on almost every Sixthman cruise since.

Ahhh, yes. There you have it, friends. Love is a many splendored thing. (We should know. We’ve been proving it since 2001.) So let’s raise a glass to Boat Love. Whether it’s a clandestine affair on a 4-day sailing, or it’s True Romance with your forever human, it is most definitely A THING.

xoxo,

Sixthman Jayne