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Yo La Tengo, for decades a mainstream of the Hoboken music scene, released the acclaimed "Things LIke That There" in 2015, and will be performing at the Loew's Jersey City in April, 2016.

Hudson music thrived in 2015, with new venues, new bands, new opportunities, and even a few locals graduating on to the national stage.

After building a rabid local fan base with gigging at venues like Maxwell's and events like Groove On Grove in Jersey City, the Front Bottoms signed to the Warner Brothers imprint Fueled By Ramen for Back On Top, their major label debut,

Music blogs like UnderTheGun.com raved, "Back On Top takes everything we've grown to love about this band over the years and pushes it into new sonic avenues that prove that they're not a one-trick pony with an acoustic guitar," while AbsolutePunk opined, "It's kind of heartwarming to realize that even though they've graduated to arguably the biggest label and have played with some of the biggest bands this scene has to offer, The Front Bottoms still come across like the same ragtag group of nice guys that we fell in love with over the course of their last few releases."

While the Front Bottoms represented youth, a few old hands helped bring Hudson County back into the spotlight as well. Hoboken's Bar None Records, which helped launched the Front Bottoms' career, released a long awaited instrumental album from Feelies frontman Glenn Mercer entitled Incidental Hum, which rock critic Jim DeRogatis hailed as "a slow-burn classic" and "an absolute gift" to Feelies fans.

Yo La Tengo spent some time on Bar None too, but currently record for top-flight indie Matador. 2015 found the ageless, low-key trio (expanded to a quartet here with the return of founding member Dave Schramm) releasing Stuff Like That There, a collection of mostly-obscure covers as well as reinterpretations of the group's own back catalog. Even though founding (and married) members Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley left Hoboken after Hurricane Sandy, Yo La Tengo is still referred to as a Hoboken band and probably always will be. Stuart Berman of Pitchfork noted, "Whether they're covering Sun Ra or Sonny Bono, Yo La Tengo covers sound unmistakably like Yo La Tengo songs, because they serve the exact same function as the band's best originals: They're intimate exchanges, the sound of secrets being revealed." (Yo La Tengo have announced they'll be performing at Loew's Theater in Jersey City on April 6, 2016.)

Maxwell's Tavern rebounded from a rocky start under its new ownership by giving the venue's iconic back room a much-needed makeover and hiring local music maven Dave Entwistle as its primary booker. Under Entwistle, Maxwell's Tavern has started luring national bands again while remaining an important showcase spot for up-and-coming young acts like Deaf Rhino, Wyland, and Casey James. Northern Soul and Finnegan's Pub on the west side of Hoboken continue to book live original music as well.

While there's been no update lately on the long-awaited opening of White Eagle Hall, the multi-purpose facility and restaurant complex in downtown Jersey City that will be booked by former Maxwell's owner Todd Abramson, Jersey City has enjoyed a live music boom over the last year. WFMU's Monty Hall has presented an impressive array of classic-if-obscure rock 'n' roll acts like the Flamin' Groovies, the Real Kids, and Wreckless Eric while offering opening slots to some of JC's best local bands.

Jersey City might still lack a proper rock club with a stage and sound system, but with a little Do-It-Yourself ingenuity, the city has blossomed with places for bands to play, from downtown's Porta Lounge and the Citizen (formerly known as the Dopeness,) to the Lincoln Inn and the Fox & Crow in JC Heights. The band Crazy & The Brains has brought all-ages punk shows back to Jersey City with the Fun House, a DIY space tucked into an out-of-the-way neighborhood on Center Street. Downtown's Lucky 7's remains the city's best dive bar, a great place to see a band, groove to a DJ, or just hang out.

For a more upscale evening, Battello (on the waterfront near Newport Mall) offers free live music evenings with gourmet nibbles and signature drinks. The summer brought outdoor events like regular evenings at the Lumberyard in JC Heights, "Dancing Tony's" Groove on Grove series at Grove Plaza, and frequent live-music events at the Historic Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery.

Jersey City also proved there's no shortage of outstanding local bands ready to play all these venues; a short list would include Wyldlife (back in action after an extended hiatus finding a new drummer,) the Rock N Roll High Fives, the Defending Champions, Head Cheerleader, Adam & The Plants, June & The Pushas, Desir Decir, and perhaps the hardest working band on the East Coast, the Sensational Country Blues Wonders.

No wrap up of Hudson County music would be complete without mentioning two of its most indefatigable champions, "Dancing Tony" Susco in Jersey City and Geri Fallo in Hoboken. From Groove On Grove to the Hoboken Arts & Music Festivals, from alcohol-fueled weekends at Lucky 7's to Hoboken's Movies Under The Stars, it's the Tony Susco's and Gerri Fallo's of the world who make local music happen. Be sure to raise a toast to them on New Year's Eve, and get ready for a rockin' New Year.

TRIS MCCALL TO PERFORM AT THE CITIZEN

Singer-songwriter, music blogger, rock journalist, author, and unofficial Jersey City Bard Tris McCall barely performed in 2015, but he'll help ring in the New Year on a bill to support Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at The Citizen (332 2nd Street, Jersey City) on Saturday, January 2. Also appearing will be the Sensational Country Blues Wonders, Secular, and other artists. Showtime is 8 p.m. and requested donation is $20 at the door.