25 Years of Indie Vision Music: Blood, Sweat, Tears, and Perseverance
I began this write up back in June of this year and it has taken me more than half the year to finish it. It has been a crazy and chaotic year with everything that has taken place in my personal life. Much of it was good and surprising and some other parts have been well, rather stressful. Now as we approach Christmas I am met with my home in escrow, another home to move into, planning a wedding in April 2026, and the passing of my late grandmother on December 23rd. To say there has been a disturbance in the Force is an understatement.
This July 4th is the 25th anniversary of this here website and “brand” that has lasted now a quarter century. Birthed during the dotcom bubble and burst, sticking through 9/11 and many years of troubling times as well as times of joy, hope, peace, sadness, pain, but ultimately redemption in the blood of Jesus and his plans for my life despite some of the hardships. Rather than drag this out with any sort of delusion of self-importance, I felt it necessary to take a look back on 25 years of music that ultimately leads us to where we are today. So, without further delay, here are my top 25 favorite releases of each year beginning with 2000 and working up to 2025. I’m only picking one title from each year that had the biggest impact on me and only within the realm of what we’ve covered these past 25 years: Indie Christian artists and the like. It is extremely difficult narrowing down thousands of titles into just 1 per year but I’m gonna do my best to do just that. This is not representative of everyone’s tastes nor is it a defining collection of albums. These are just the ones that stand out in my mind from each particular year in relation to what had an impact on me, what I sold in the old IVM store, and what was meaningful to my psyche at that time. Enjoy and thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every one of you that stuck with me and IVM for over 25 years now! Check out the special Spotify playlist I created after the jump to listen to all this music I am hyping right here (plus all the songs that didn’t make the list but are worthy of inclusion and mention).
2000: Too Bad Eugene “At Any Rate”
This album at this time period was instrumental in my music listening journey. Nearly every song on this album had replay value and I still listen to this record to this day. In fact, I even bought multiple vinyl copies a few years ago when it went on sale courtesy of People of Punk Rock Records (check out their site for tons of awesome punk titles). “Wedding Story”, “Drawing Straws”, “Walking The Dogma”, “Hypothetical”, the closer “Homegoing” and especially from favorite track, “Everybody’s Gone”. So much nostalgia and good tunes that I can’t but listen over and over again. It shouldn’t come as a suprise considering two members of Too Bad Eugene originally were a part of Craig’s Brother and their classic “Homecoming” release in 98′. Since IVM started in 2000, this 2000 release perfectly sums up the beginnings of this early site of mine.
2001: Dogwood “Matt Aragon”
Indie Vision Music had been on the net just a year and a half before 9/11 came and changed everything. I remember riding the high of having a new site and shipping out orders only for it to temporarily fall and people got scared. Dogwood had been making music in recorded form for 5 years before “Matt Aragon” released. They put out 2 albums 1 split EP with incomplete, 2 full lengths via Tooth & Nail, and some live songs (via Rescue Records) at the time this record arrived. When “Matt Aragon” dropped (named after a friend of the band a great guy I’ve met who also played in the band Namesake that I put on “I’m Your Biggest Fan 2”), the world was ready for some inspiration and HOPE. I feel as though this album offered just the perfect amount of hope and peace that we were all searching for at a pivotal time in this country, and beyond really. “Do or Die” will go down in history as one of the greatest Punk Rock love songs about our Savior and what the sacrifice means to us, that has ever been written. I mean talk about HOPE, it’s literally spelled out right there in “Do or Die”! I love every single song on this album and it still gets the replay value out of me. I mean, “1983” “Nothing is Everything”, “Do or Die”, “Point Counterpoint”, “A Hope Unseen”, and the beautiful closer “For What it’s Worth” among all the rest. Dogwood has always held a special place in my heart and I’ve seen them numerous times live over the years including a couple times I booked them and even on the island of Kauai in Hawaii back around this time period. So many memories and such heart in these guys and Josh Kemble (lead vocals) as a person. I’ll always be a Dogwood fan.
2002: Blindside “Silence”
I’ll be honest, I was just a casual fan of the band with their first 2 records prior to “Silence”. I didn’t listen to them nearly enough and wasn’t digging some of the more chaotic, raw stylings they had going. When “Silence” came out, it was as polished, professional, and grasping onto a commercial sound as any other major label band could have put out at that time period. In essence, it was pure perfection in my eyes and my ears greatly benefited from this sound. Ever since this album, I’ve been a big Blindside fan and I feel as though I revisit this album the most. The single “Pitiful” and “Sleepwalking” are two of my all time favorite songs.
2003: Slow Coming Day – Farwell To The Familiar
I have been this band’s biggest fan since nearly the beginning. I first heard them in 2001/02 I believe when their bass player Ryan shared some songs from their EP with me. I ended up booking them for some gigs with IVM and eventually wanted them on a compilation I was working on for Tooth & Nail called “I’m Your Biggest Fan Vol. 2”. I put a lot of my favorite bands at that time on the compilation and Slow Coming Day were definitely one of them. Orion Walsh & company wrote sweeping, emotional rock n’ roll that not only inspired the listener but left you hungry for more. Songs were swelling with emotion both in lyric and sound, rooted in the writer’s past experiences with death and grief. I loved this album and it was one of my most anticipated of that year alongside a dozen other excellent 2003 releases. I’d go as far as to say that year was monumental in “new” music and an absolutely unforgettable time in a past that now seems so far away.
2004: The O.C. Supertones “Revenge of The O.C. Supertones”
I know by the time this album released much of the original members had departed but this record was a real doozy. It had that classic ‘Tones sound mixed in with a variety of sounds, almost experimental in a sense. I mean, an over 7minute SKA song at the end in “Dream of Two Cities”, never would have come out in the early years. There was just so much to like and appreciate about this album from start to finish that I couldn’t help but feel drawn in. Worship, political, light hearted, fun, heart warming, and altogether a delight in scope and execution. While this may not be the band’s defining moment or a definitive description of their overall sound, it was a step in the right direction and had they continued this concept, their future releases would have been nothing short of magical. Yes, their 2012 return was a really great time but this record was just so different.
2005: Maylene & The Sons of Disaster “Self Titled”
Southern rock meets metal and hardcore, combining in an explosive combo that only Dallas Taylor and his gang of ruffians could have pulled off. This was the best debut i’d heard by a heavy band up to that point. This song was my favorite and showcased a variety of sounds and thunderous beats over southern fried metalcore. It was the best thing musically from the South that year.
2006: Jesus Wept “Show’s Over”
Jesus Wept were a little known band featuring members of xDisciplex A.D., playing a version of hardcore with strong Christian roots that was a I guess, more accessible? I really did enjoy the Jesus Wept releases and this song “Broken Crown” was evident of that. They had such promise and skill, it’s too bad they didn’t continue on as Jesus Wept making music for the ages. Who knows, maybe a reunion is in the cards someday? Facedown Records had a huge place in Christian hardcore and metal throughout the 2000’s and even up to now. They don’t get enough credit for the sheer amount of releases they pumped into the scene and the overall influence they had on young people’s lives. This release and all the others during the past two decades are just insanely good.
2007: Anberlin “Cities”
Anberlin’s 3rd album and what I consider to be the definitive Anberlin release of all time. When “Cities” first came out, it blew my mind. Filled to the brim with haunting melodies and fast paced guitar work. It was edgy, emotional, introspective and full of that signature Anberlin sound. I wanted to choose “The Unwinding Cable Car” as my song but then “Dismantle. Repair.” also reminded me of how much I love that song as well. To be honest, I enjoy nearly every song on this record and can listen to it complete in single car ride to work so I would go as far to say that this is an Anberlin record devoid of any filler. Most of their albums I feel this way about but “Cities” in particular takes the cake in regard to being a complete masterpiece.
2008: Capital Lights “This Is An Outrage”
Another band that had a solid debut and came seemingly from out of nowhere. This band and Children 18:3 both put out solid (Tooth & Nail) debuts around the same time and Capital Lights won me over with “This Is An Outrage”. “Outrage” was a great single and proof that a new band can make awesome music at the right time. Regardless of what any else says, I LOVED their 2012 follow up record and yes even, “Newport Party”. You can’t stop me!
2009: Relient K “Forget and Not Slow Down”
Relient K returned after “5 Score and Seven Years Ago” with this epic masterpiece of a comeback. While their prior albums were classics in their own right, this one hit all the right spots at that time period and made me a fan again (as if I wasn’t a fan already lol). I really do love 5 Score…. as an album and Deathbed is one of my all time favorite songs for a variety of reasons but for 2009, Relient K ruled the day.
2010: Blood and Water “In Character”
Blood and Water were a new, young band that burst out on the scene with a few earlier independent releases so I had been following them, even selling those said releases in the IVM webstore years past. I love this record and I love this song. Every song on “In Character” is an instant classic and has such diversity in sound. They began as a sort of punk-ska band and morphed into this alt-pop rock indie band with a heavy commercial sound. I still listen to this album 15 years later. “Given Up” is a cry out to God, realizing you can’t do it all on your own, that one needs grace and mercy. “I can’t keep it up not alone, in the darkness the light keeps shining, I know I should keep on trying”.
2011: My Epic “Broken Voice” / Cool Hand Luke “Of Man”
This is a favorite My Epic release for me. I know it’s not the band at full volume or representing their complete guitar heavy sound but I don’t care, I love that stripped down approach they came up with on this album. “Childbodybride” and “Alone” are my favorite tracks but they are all great and this band is great. Everything they’ve done, ever accomplished, and ever set out to do is completely heaven sent. They are a blessing to me and I know many others. Thank you My Epic and thank you Facedown for this wonderful album (Broken Voice) that got me through some tough times over the years. Cool Hand Luke deserves recognition as well for releasing this definitive, classic in the making, concept record called “of Man”. Both Broken Voice and Of Man dropped that same year and both fit so well together that they deserve and equal mention. “Of Man” was a concept record from the point of view of Jesus during his final days, death, and resurrection. This is the perfect easter record and should be shared at Church every chance you get. Mark Nicks has a captivating voice and one that captures the attention of any listener who engages in listening to Cool hand Luke. I just love these two releases still even to this day. Worship music for the modern man.
2012: The Classic Crime “Phoenix” / The Hotshot Freight Train “Get Low”
If I could choose between this album and “Vagabonds” as being my favorite Classic Crime release, Vagabonds wins hands down. But, this write up corresponds with a particular year and I have to carefully strategize between all the mighty albums that made an impact on me. For the purpose of this article, I am going with “Phoenix” and this lead single, “The Precipice”. Influential is but a small word when being descriptive about the 3 albums on Tooth & Nail and this first independent album. All 4 have striking similarities yet different in sound and scope. They wrap you in on guitar heavy songs with melodies often times moody yet haunting and filled with plenty of self awareness and acknowledgement of man’s brokenness, yearning for hope…answers. While the past couple albums have struggled with missteps, I find all the early music particularly charming and I’ve grown quite fond of their work, for the most part.
I’m splitting this year in half and sharing with The Hotshot Freight Train. This independent band featuring former members of Joey’s Loss, a band I once worked with and of whom spawned another punk act more recently in “Small Wars”, always held a special place in my heart. This album the song “Mountain to Nowhere” appears on – “Get Low” has been one of my personal favorites for many years. The band had sort of a roots rock meets country and folk with a tad alternative rock influence (Alt-Folk?). This album is the band’s best work and a reminder of good independent music that still seeks to be found by new generations. The majority of music fans don’t know who they are and even in our small scene, they tended to get overlooked. “Mountain To Nowhere” is a good place to start and then listen to this whole album from to start to finish, you wont be sorry you did.
2013: Five Iron Frenzy “Engine of a Million Plots”
In 2013 after much coaxing by fans, readers, and even myself, the band reunited, near the 10 year anniversary of their break up. When the album came out, it was a bit of departure in sound as there was more experimentation and less “ska”. The lyrical approach wasn’t all that different from their past combined material but maybe the straight up worship centered anthems had been kept to the wayside in favor of current events and societal issues. While Faith has always been a part of Reese’s lyrical input (and the other members for the most part), the songwriting here had a certain bite to it, almost a dissatisfaction with the status quo and certain middle-aged angst shined through. But, that did not in any way keep me from enjoying many of these songs. “So Far” is my favorite and it’s fast paced punk rock feel really drew me in instantly. I still call myself a FIF fan and appreciate that we get to hear new music from them even if it’s highly political and laced with angst fueled vitriol intent on sharing their sometimes witty cynicism with the masses 😉
2014: Demon Hunter “Extremist”
Demon Hunter have churned out one metal hit after another since their inception in 2002. What started a super group, an almost experiment in nature, has morphed into one of the greatest metal bands around today. This year’s latest Demon Hunter album is an extraordinary leap forward for the band while still retaining their signature sound, and further proof that talent doesn’t stop with age. “Extremist” is a great great Demon Hunter album and this hit “The Last One Alive” is just over the top in how awesome it is. It’s catchy as all get out and introspective in ways you might not see right away. I love this band, I love this record, but also, I love their complete discography and hope this next chapter for the band will be the absolute greatest we’ve yet to see from band yet.
2015: Man Alive “A Light Goes On”
Since I couldn’t remember a 2015 release for the life of me then I am going to fill it with a Man Alive album from 2013 titled “A Light Goes On”. This punk rock band out of Israel had been making great punk tunes since the late 90’s in their home country, reaching my ear around year 2000 when their label friend Adam Rosenfeld (Har Adonai, look his music up) reached out to me to share this band with me and I am so thankful he did make that cold call one day. I connected with Man Alive at that time and worked with them in some small way or another over the next decade and half, following them each step of the way. When this “Final” (hopefully not) album came out in 2013 I was instantly drawn to it. This is the best Man Alive album by far and their finest work as a band. “Open Surgery” their Militia Group debut in 2005 was our scene’s first introduction to the band but it was this record that sealed the deal for me. “A Light Goes On”, “Laugh Along”, and “Limited To a Lifetime” are 3 of my favorite songs from this album.
2016: Everything In Slow Motion “Laid Low”
After “Phoenix” it was tough to figure out how they could possibly top it seeing as how that was a perfect album in every way. This song with it’s memorable drum beats that leads off with just gets in my head. Shane Ochsner who also founded the band Hands from years past, knows how to connect with the listener with the post-hardcore leaning project known as Everything In Slow Motion that has a certain intensity one could only describe as being almost cinematic. I have always been floored by the sounds found on these first two releases, and “Influence” as well. If you don’t know who E.I.S.M. are or even Hands, you’ve got to do some digging and put on those headphones.
2017: At The Wayside “The Breakdown and the Fall”
I am responsible for sharing this album with the world and I am quite proud Phil trusted me with sharing his creation. This was the band’s epic 2nd act and was to be the beginning of their huge comeback. This pop-punk band straddled a bit on the easy-core side with some of the heavier breakdowns yet without the screaming side of things that comes with that sub genre (look up easy core if you aren’t familiar with what I’m babbling on about). So much of this full length was pure perfection and everything fun I love about pop-punk. Songs about love and life, relationships, and everything in between. The band even put a classic hymn at the end in “Will The Circle be Unbroken”. “How We Live”, “Inside My Mind”, “Counting Seconds, “My Way to You”, “Closer Than Close”, and the ballad “Lines From a Song” are all some personal faves of mine. This entire record is great and it’s the reason I wanted to release it on Indie Vision Music back in 2017 to begin with. This band was always great and they still have greatness within, just encourage them to get back out there!
2018: Must Build Jacuzzi “Last Place” // Names Without Numbers “Silos & Smokestacks”
This band had such a unique style and it’s what drew me to them before this release came out. I had heard early demos their early years and thought some songs were fun but once I heard the last EP before this album and the demos for this record, I knew I had to work with them. They had this Ska meets easycore, meets pop punk sound that was just perfect for my eardrums. It was literal candy coated horn playing morsels of joy radiating from my speakers. My favorite song to this day from the record is still “3rd Out of 3 Ain’t Bad” and that lyric video I had someone create for the song was so perfectly suited for it. They weren’t quite RX Bandits, or Five Iron Frenzy, or Mighty Mighty Bosstones, or Voodoo Glow Skulls, or Less Than Jake, they were a band all their own and a completely unique style. The record went mostly unheard and under most people’s radars but I’ll always treasure this time period and the opportunities I was given to work with them. Such a classic band.
I had added this band to the list but forgot to press “save”. Names Without Numbers share this year with MBJ and rightfully so. I put out a bunch of great albums and eps between 2017 until 2020 and Names Without Numbers were a definite favorite of mine. I’d known them for many years dating back to when I first put them on that Tooth & Nail compilation “I’m Your Biggest Fan Vol. 2” and when they got back together a few years ago, I was right in line to give them a little assistance as I saw the need arise plus I completely loved their music as a fan. Releasing “Silos and Smokestacks” was a dream come true and another mark off the bucket list of releasing quality music I believed in. These guys are deserving of all the attention and adoration that the music scene can throw its way and I fully encourage it. This whole album is a classic in the making with “The Dragonfly and The Owl” being a favorite song leaving me with tear-stained cheeks on more than one occasion (its a dad thing). I love these guys and I am so thankful for Dave Owen’s friendship (and persistence). Much love to those dudes.
2019: Craig’s Brother “Devils In the Details”
Where do I even begin to explain my deep admiration for this ep and the affection I have for the band? When I started doing the IVM label again, I just knew I wanted to help small independent bands get some coverage and interest, hoping they’d use IVM as a stepping stone to something much greater than what I could offer. I always hoped these bands I worked with would find some early fanbase support that would help propel them to super stardom elsewhere in the future. I never wanted to tie anyone down or stick them in a contract where there is no exit, no opportunity to grow, and worse – lock down rights to their own music leaving it in limbo when the label closes up shop. When IVM came back from the dead after that short year long sabbatical I took to figure things out I didn’t intend to start a label again and frankly I didn’t know I’d still even have a website almost 10 years after the fact. So how does that all lead back to the mighty CB? I was a huge fan and don’t remember exactly how the conversation started up but I had put some of their independent songs on various compilations during the 00’s and was eager to connect with the band once I started the label back up. I saw them struggling to get their name out there and while IVM isnt a huge name in the game, I had a few tricks up my sleeve and knew some avenues to promote the band, giving them an eventual jump start. I wanted them to succeed and breathe new life into their classic material while embracing the future to come. The moment I heard “Meilynn’s Song” I just knew this was the kind of music I wanted to hype and promote. After hearing the complete 5 song EP once they “signed” with IVM, it was like a dream come true. Making “Follow Your Heart” (Meilynn’s Song) the lead single was the best decision we could have made. That has to be one of the great punk rock songs of our time and one of the band’s all time classic tracks. Believe it or not I got CB to chart on Christian Radio, we had features on some sites and magazines, and lots of viral interest in the band. It was an excellent time for myself and the band I believe. I can credit Steven Neufeld (Guitarist/BGV) and especially Ted Bond (Lead Vocals/Guitar) for giving me this opportunity and for being so easily approachable. Starting with “Homecoming”, this band has made one hit after another and each a step in progress toward perfecting their sound. The band has now made 4 full lengths, and 4 EPs (I think), with each subsequent release outdoing the one before. I am so very glad they ended up with People of Punk Rock Records and that our awesome Canadian friends have been able to re-press all those classics to vinyl, some for the first time. Their whole discography is now on wax! I hope and pray we get more CB music someday and that Ted would be completely healed of his Cancer to rock that stage once again. Craig’s Brother are the greatest melodic punk rock band you’ve probably never heard and it’s fans like myself and new ones alike that’ll make sure they aren’t forgotten. “Devils In The Details” will remain one of my proudest moments in IVM history alongside all the amazing talent I got to work with over the years including the indie bands and The Blamed, Slow Coming Day, My Epic, and others. Long live the Brother!
2020: Grandpa Loves Rhinos “Searching In The Sarchasm”
The final release on Indie Vision Music was by none other than those easycore leaning, emo-pop-punk super hero brothers who were on a literal mission to sway your minds with their witty, tongue in cheek humor, all the while wielding their heavy dose of pop-culture leaning references and innuendo. Everything about this duo has been great. From their early demos and tracks to “Better Eat Your Wheaties” EP which debuted on IVM in 2018, this band has throwing down with the best of them and holding their own. “What We Used To Do” became a surprise hit, garnering clicks and attention and ending up with some Christian Radio charting back in the day. As the last decade began to fade out, I knew my time as a record label owner was coming to a close. I wanted to go out with a bang and what better way than with this particular release. I am so proud of this album, the guys in GLR, and what became of Paul’s (Hyde) label “Small Step Records” after the close of IVM. So many songs on this release reign as classics and every single song is listenable and grabs your attention from the first hit of play. “Gimme Gimme” will always rank as a favorite of mine regardless of whether I had a hand in putting out this album. It is frankly a really great song in and of itself. Thank you Paul and Seth for trusting me enough to put your two releases and for continuing on with Small Step long after IVM turns out the lights (for anyone keeping track, the lights are still on, maybe a bit dim, but they still burn steadily, rising among the weeds and maybe collecting just a little bit of dust in that sparkle of midnight moonlight……..).
2021: Five Iron Frenzy “Until This Shakes Apart
Ok, so somehow another Five Iron Frenzy post reunion record made it’s way on my list. Why did “All The Hype That Money Can Buy” and “Electric Boogaloo 2” not make the cut? Well I set out knowing I had to pick other releases for those particular years and knew I’d save a spot for FIF and this just well, worked out. The production on this record was really well done and love it hate it, there are some good songs on this protest record. I really enjoyed the fun ones the most like “Homelessly Devoted to You”, and “Like Something I Missed” the most followed by “Huerfano” and “Wildcats”. “Bullfight For an Empty Ring” has the best classic sound and I love that bass heavy sound in the production. Five Iron Frenzy continue to make old music for old people like us who’ve become disillusioned with the same old same old. I will say though that I have not become so cynical that I can’t appreciate both sides of a coin and find meaning in even the most strikingly opposite points of view than I’m accustomed to. There is always room to grow and I do have an ear or two.
2022: Wolves At The Gate “Eulogies”
A great album by a great band that is only just now getting the recognition they deserve after years of bubbling just beneath the surface. My favorite song from “Eulogies” is hands down “No Tomorrow” and I still spin it regularly. All 13 tracks on this record are classics and even the acoustic track of “Stop the Bleeding”. Its heavy, its emotional, its gut wrenching, and its the kind of worship music I’d love to continue singing and screaming at the top of my lungs.
2023: Nate Parrish “Soul Surgery”
A classic Nate Parrish record and one of my favorites from that year. If I could pick a Nate Parrish album for every year, I totally would! “God Knows” with guest vocals from David Bunton of The Showdown will forever be a classic in my mind. Every song Nate wrote from this record runs throughout my head for years on end.
2024: Light The Way “Expel”
This band single handedly brought Indie Vision Music out of label retirement and really gave me new inspiration. Christian Appel (Drums) was a long time friend of mine and a friend of Kendall Nadeau who I also worked with at G-Rock/Screaming Giant years ago and we all walked in that same circle of friends. I had been a fan of this small indie pop-punk band called In Due Time back when I was writing heavily for the site and looking for bands to promote. I believe I even put some songs of theirs on different IVM compilations. Anyway, I found out that Christian Appel was in a new band and with a couple guys from that In Due Time band, calling themselves “Light The Way”. I was instantly intrigued because I knew they all had immense talent individually. Upon listening to those early demos, I was like “how and why does this sound so good but nobody else knows they exist?”. Lightbulbs went off in my head and the next thing I know, I’m restarting the IVM label and adding these guys to a newly built roster. I wanted everyone in the world to hear Light The Way and I still do. “Expel” was the band finest release so far and the best thing our scene has to offer from a pop-punk/Christian standpoint. No one quite measures up lyrically, musically, and in unbreakable spirit than these dudes do. I am biased, I admit that, but I honestly don’t care especially considering I don’t have much skin in the game any longer. I have nothing left to lose so I throw my support around these guys, Nate Parrish, and the other “indies” doing powerful work in the Christian music scene. “Expel” is a lesson in how to reach people with honesty, integrity, and sharing that Faith with a crowd who is sometimes unwelcoming but whom ultimately will embrace real artistry without all the BS and fake crap used to lure people in. Light The Way aren’t about demographics, marketing, and finding their voice in a pile of benjamins, they are a band with a mission to share while wearing their hearts on their sleeves and staying true to themselves. I think people can appreciate that and have come alongside them to embrace who they are and are really digging “Expel” as a whole. “Waterwalker” and “Lazybones” are two really great songs along with “Dude, Jesus Loves U”, “I Would Prefer Not To”, “Hollow Tree”, “Wildfire”, etc. They are all great and I can’t skip one, songs are on repeat only from here on out.
2025: Nate Parrish “Make Me a Mountain” / Gypsy & Me “Know Hope” / Hopeful. “Wild One” / Demon Hunter “There Was a Light Here”
This leaves me with the end, the final write up to conclude this article. So much great music came out this past year, some I listened to more than others but all of it was great. While I was planning to do a 2025 write up on the best music of this past year, I feel this definitive IVM write up should suffice for now and leave the door open for more to come the next few years. I have to at least make it to 2030 right? 30th anniversary of Indie Vision Music would be epic so long as A.I. hasn’t completely taken over and decided what I should be posting then telling me to quit and firing me from my own site. I.Robot was right!!! Anyway, this year has been fraught with both tragedy and complete joy, coexisting and comingling at the same time. I started 2025 off feeling pretty low from the complete battering session I took on in 2024 after my late wife Charis passed away but I was getting optimistic with some plans I had put in motion. l’ll dive more into details at a later date but 2025 was a lesson in growth and love. I started the year off getting weight loss surgery and embarking on a revitalized health journey of getting back in shape where ive now lost close to a 100lbs and feel better than ever. I reconnected with an old friend toward the start of the year, a woman I’ve known since high school and whom we share a youth group in common. We dated long distance for a number of months (reconnecting in person several times along the way) and clicked right off the bat in a very serious and deep spiritual way, on nearly every level. I ended up asking Cheris to marry me in July (I’m head over heels in love with her). I have been working on remodeling my home which has been pure chaos and then listing it for sale, trying to find another home to purchase once mine was in escrow, and figuring out all the logistics along the way. Then, my 95 year old grandmother entered the hospital a week before Christmas and passed away on December 23rd. 2 deaths within 2 years and we are all feeling it. But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I feel as though 2026 will be a tremendous year in the Jones household. I’m marrying again this year, have a couple kids turning 16, and business is looking up. So that all leads me back to some songs that made 2025 the growth year it was for me.
Hands down, Nate Parrish “Make Me A Mountain” is my album of the year and the finest punk rock album in ages. No one mixes angst, nostalgia, his Christian Faith (our Christian Faith), lyrical honesty, cutting edge guitar action, and a full punk rock sound mixed with a variety of elements and sounds to make a record like Nate has. The man (and his band mates) are geniuses, and this album is literally the best thing our scene our scene can offer the world right now besides the other releases of course I’m highlighting. Make Me a Mountain encompasses everything I’ve loved about Christianity and the arts since I was a young kid and in these songs I find hope yet again. From the songs with Josh Kemble (Dogwood) and Jason Dunn (Hawk Nelson) to songs like “Small”, “That’s Just Life”, “Bad Excuse” and even the nostalgia driven anthem “Record Store”, you cannot tell me you don’t feel deep emotion in spinning these songs multiple times. If Nate Parrish doesn’t turn up to be the next big thing in 2026, I’m shutting down IVM and calling it a day*. It’ll be too unfair of me to continue on with that level of stress and distress.
Gypsy & Me released my second favorite release of the year. You’re all looking at me like what? Who? Exactly! I wouldn’t run an “Indie” music website without highlighting some actual solid indie talent that I feel release quality music time and again. Gypsy & Me are a folk-americana-rebel country duo who make music for the working man and those downtrodden souls just searching for hope amongst the darkest of nights. “Ain’t Done With You Yet” is a heartbreak anthem that I instantly connected with the moment I heard it at the tail end of 2024. It’s about Loss and Grief, two subjects I was instantly familiar with and a reason this album took such a prominent spot in my heart this year. While I have healed and somewhat moved on in my grief journey, I still connect with this song and this album as a whole. All 8 songs on this release are winners including two of my favorites – “Ain’t Done WIth Your Yet” and “Bar on the Bible Belt”. Gut wrenching stuff without a doubt. I’m feeling super pumped about the next gen of up and coming “country” performers (never thought I’d hear myself say that) which include this duo and Max McNown who himself is already a huge name in the game. Please do give this release a fair listen and share your experiences listening to the record right here.
Hopeful. is another up and coming indie band with a sound that is so alluring and commercial sounding that you’d swear you saw them opening up an arena tour for Coldplay or something. Their sound is really upbeat and akin to groups like Switchfoot, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Neon Trees, Relient K, AJR, etc and it’s quite evident that this band will also be huge by the close of 2026. All 6 songs on “Wild One” are incredible stuff. This Southern California band are making pop-rock for the masses with a certain lyrical honesty, bringing that California beach sunlight and Bible believing message to a world wide stage. The song “Wild One” done with their close kin in Carly Ann Taylor was a real bright spot this year and a definite plus for the Christian music scene.
Demon Hunter have released what I’m sure everyone has considered to be their definitive album. While all Demon Hunter albums rank up there for me in terms of favorites, it’s this album that has kept me coming back over and over this year. I know it released just in the past few months but many of us have had these singles streaming for the better part of this past year. There isnt a more bitter, emotionally gripping, and spiritually yearning new album that holds grief at the forefront than this new Demon Hunter record. It’s a whole album about love and loss, devoted to the writer’s mother of whom had passed away before the writing of this record. I identified with these songs and felt the depth of anger, pain, fear, disillusionment, loss, and ultimately finding solace in the Faith in God we share in common. At the end of the day we can all fall back on that hope with have in God and how delivers us from these desolate moments, leading us to find hope in him through our darkest times. “There Was a Light Here” is an emotionally gripping and somber ballad that brings pain to the surface with tears welling up deep from within. Man that song hits hard. Thank you Ryan Clark for writing these lyrics and I am sorry for the pain you had to endure in losing your mom. There was a light here and in 2026 the light is still here.
I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for saving me and giving me the very breath in my lungs to live out another day. Without my Faith, I am nothing, and without him I am nothing. Peace be with each of you this new season we embark on and may God continue to bless each of you, breathing new hope into your hearts. Jesus saves.
The end is not the end.
-Brandon Jones
Owner/Founder
Indie Vision Music
Est. July 4th 2000
25 years….and counting
*Ok, so I can’t actually shut down IVM till at least the 30th anniversary. Clock is ticking. LOL*
