What a Year: Reflecting on 2024 with The Makers Out
Wow—what a year it’s been.
Looking back on everything that unfolded in 2024, it feels like we’ve lived a lifetime in twelve months.
This year was full of growth, risk-taking, and moments of stillness that let the music write itself. It’s hard to know where to begin, but here’s my best attempt at capturing the whirlwind.
Early in the year, I got my hands on some new gear from Hologram Electronics—and let me tell you, it cracked open a new dimension for me. Those sounds became the roots of so many ideas that grew into something bigger than I could have planned.
One of those moments was recording Kalyn Fay’s newest project. Collaborating with her brought a warmth and honesty to the music that I can still feel. There’s something about sharing creative space with someone who gets it—it changes everything.
We also had the honor of playing some truly special shows—Lowdown, Mayfest, St. Cecilia’s Listening Room, and Guthrie Green. Each stage felt like a different kind of home, and each crowd, a family. Those live moments reminded me why I do this.
And then there was one of the biggest projects of my career, Bloodlines / Hope. Releasing that debut LP felt like exhaling after holding my breath for years. It’s an album about ancestry, land, death, rebirth—and so much more I can’t even put into words. The official listening party felt like a ceremony, sharing those sounds with everyone who’s been part of this journey. A final thank you to all that have supported me through this process.
I can’t forget hearing "Holy Water" spin on Meridian Radio for the first time. And now seeing it currently playing on multiple noncommercial/public radio stations across the US is even more exciting! There’s something magical about hearing your own song floating through the airwaves, knowing it’s reaching ears and hearts you may never meet.
Being selected for the Artists Creative Fund Grant this year—that was huge. That kind of support is humbling, and it’s helping me keep pushing into new creative spaces. One of those spaces was the premiere of the Silver Seed art installation, a project that felt like stepping through a portal into another world.
Here’s some of my favorite pictures below:
Visually, this year stretched me too. We put out the "Religion" music video and a live studio version of "Hallelujah." But the real standout was the world premiere of the "Emerald Fireflies" video with KLOF Mag—watching that piece go out into the world was surreal.
Oh—and perhaps the most grounding part of this wild year? I bought a house! A place to breathe, create, and plant roots for whatever comes next.
To every single person who listened, showed up, shared a kind word, or believed in this project—thank you. None of this happens in a vacuum. Your support is the fuel that keeps this going.
Here’s to all the joyful sounds, stories, and colors that 2025 brings!
With all my heart,
Scott Bell
The Makers Out