CREDIT: SOUND CITY
Dave Grohl calls Sound City his most important work.

I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. By now you've likely seen a lot of different media publishing articles about the "Best of Things to Come" this year, whether it's to do with music, films or even coming television shows. Unfortunately, it's difficult to navigate the ether with any sense of authority.

It's a cruel assault when you think about it; not unlike the year-end Best Of lists, articles that attempt to forecast the year ahead are often heavily steeped in opinion and influenced by target audiences, and for that reason they can be self-indulgent or even self-serving at times.

Of course, it isn't possible to know in advance what sort of musical highlights or adventures the year will hold — or indeed, the impact any given artist or release will really make once the dust has settled — but having said that, there is a considerable amount of high-profile projects slated to arrive in 2013 that are worth a mention.

One such project is Dave Grohl's Sound City documentary, scheduled to premiere at this year's Sundance Film Festival in February. The film is centred on Sound City Studios, the birthplace of Nirvana's Nevermind album among others.

Sound City features interviews with a who's-who of legendary artists conducted by Grohl — including Tom Petty, Frank Black, Mick Fleetwood and many, many more — and boasts a soundtrack including "Cut Me Some Slack," the new jam that the remaining Nirvana lineup wrote and recorded with Paul McCartney before they performed it live at 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief.

"I really feel like Sound City is my life's most important work," Grohl wrote recently in a letter to fans. "I hope you do too." Expect this film to make a big splash among music and film fans this year.

This year is also going to see high-profile releases by huge artists; new music from Jimi Hendrix is due this spring, along with albums by iconic bands and artists like Yo La Tengo, Bad Religion, Eels, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Marr... the list goes on and on.

Looking ahead to the year in music is a dizzying task to say the least, and for that reason I've enlisted help; I reached out to five bands that have been featured in this column over the years to weigh in on the releases that they're looking most forward to in 2013. As a bonus, all of the artists below are themselves actively working toward new releases this year — who better to discuss highly anticipated releases than the collective creative minds who are anticipating them?

At this time a year ago, Toronto indie-rock outfit Hands & Teeth were celebrating the release of their album Hunting Season with a tour that stopped into the former APK Live here in town. The band is currently writing new material for a new release and they were happy to discuss their picks.

"I'm excited to give Broadcast's forthcoming soundtrack for the film Berberian Sound Studio a few spins in early 2013," said guitarist Kevin Black. "Not only does the album promise to be a bizarre and dark period piece set in 1976, it also contains some of the last work of vocalist Trish Keenan: one of the most enchanting voices in indie rock."

For bandmate Natasha Pasternak, it's the coming album by Local Natives. "The harmonies they use are stunning and they are a great live band too! I'm interested to see if in the new record, they become more mainstream or if they get freaky."

"I'm really looking forward to hearing something new from Deerhunter in 2013," continued Derek Monson. "Their 2008 release Microcastle is one of my favourite albums of the last five years ... considering that they haven't produced anything since Halycon Digest in 2010, I figure that we're due to hear something soon."

Weighing in from a secret studio somewhere in Montreal, Toronto's Topanga took time from working on their first fulllength to express their excitement for the year to come.

"The Bronx IV is one, simply because it's gonna tear people's faces off," said drummer Zack Mykula. "But the biggest one for us is White Paint by Hollerado. Yes, they are our friends, and we love them. But more importantly, with this record, they have realized a carefully constructed, utterly catchy, and all-around awesome album. So good."

Guitarist Steve Sladkowski agreed. "I've been lucky enough to hear the record already and I can guarantee that it's going to fuck people up in the best way possible."

Birthday Boys guitarist Graeme Kennedy, working on a solo record in addition to duties with the band, is most excited about new music from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. "Any year that brings us new Nick Cave songs is a good year — and the musical arrangements of the Bad Seeds are always mind-blowing to me. I'm sure I'll enjoy listening to it as much as I will shamelessly nicking ideas from it."

Not one to overlook talent close to home, The Archives' guitarist Crispin Day is excited about new releases from some of Toronto's finest.

"In 2013 I'm really stoked to hear the new Dinosaur Bones record, Topanga, Decades, The Balconies..." he listed excitedly. "There are so many great Canadian bands putting music out in 2013 it's next to impossible to play favourites. A lot of these bands have really worked hard to earn their stripes, so 2013 will be artistically and careerdefining in a big way."

For Gentlemen Husbands' lead guitarist Ryan Hutcheson, the title goes to Drake. "I just think everything the guy puts out is great and he never fails to outdo himself. That last record was damn near perfect and I'd expect the same out of this next one."

That's certainly a lot to consider, however we've barely scratched the surface of all there is to come. No doubt the coming year will have its share of excitement and surprises, but rest assured you've got a head start when it comes to perspective.

For more on the bands and artists above, have a look through our Interrobang archives or follow them on Twitter @handsandteeth, @topangamusic, @birthdayboys, @thearchivesband and @gentlemenhusb.

And for more of the latest music news, views and even anticipated releases, consider following this column on Twitter @fsu_bobbyisms. My deepest thanks to all of the artists above for sharing, please give them a listen and have a great 2013! I'm out of words.