We’re huge advocates of the live experience here and recognize that capturing and presenting a live recording of a band (or solo player) so the music retains it’s vital qualities is no mean task. Below we’ve presented a few of the online sessions that knocked our socks off this year and we think shouldn’t be overlooked.

Bon Iver : Hard to Find a Friend’s Backstage Sessions featuring two songs with Justin Vernon solo: “Creature Fear” and “Flume.” |listen and watch at htfaf|

Fleet Foxes : Hard to Find a Friend’s Backstage Sessions featuring three songs with Robin Pecknold solo: “Katie Cruel,” “Innocent Sun,” and a stunning version of “Oliver James.” |listen and watch at htfaf|

Throw Me the Statue : LA BLOGOTHEQUE featuring all five members busking on the Banbridge to Seattle ferry playing three songs: “Lolita,” “About to Walk” and “My Valuable Hunting Knife.” |listen and watch at la blogotheque|

Starfucker at Rudy’s Barbershop : The Penny Jam featuring the Portland trio stirring up a dance party with casio’s and electric vocals on “Dance Face.” |watch it here|

Damien Jurado Daytrotter Session features four songs: “Dimes,” Gillian was a Horse,” “Everything Trying,” and “Ohio.” |listen here|

The Lonely H Daytrotter Session features four unreleased songs that sound as professionally done as if they had paid a whole lot of money for them: “Mother’s Only Son.” “Goin’ Out West,” “Oh My!” and “Pheonox.” |listen here|

The Maldives KEXP In-Studio on Swingin’ Doors where they play five songs: “By the Wind Sailor,” “Do You Still,” “Tequila Sunday,” “Time is Right Now,” and “Whidbey Island Blues.” |listen here|

Blind Pilot Live at MusicFest Northwest KEXP Podcast featuring a half hour of this Portland duo with a large cast of friends helping out. |subscribe to the KEXP podcast here|

Thee Emergency In the KEXP Studio. We were there so of course it is on our list. |listen to it here|