Like every year, 2009 was full of ups, downs, extreme highs and extreme lows. 90% of the year was wasted away, complaining about injustices and idiots who probably aren’t really idiots. The remaining 10% of the year was spent doing cool things like being stopped by a police officer who thought I was trying to break in to The Borderline, a venue that really wouldn’t have been worth breaking in to.

“I can tell stories that most can hardly dream.”

Frank Turner – Vital Signs

A few stories from this year:

I played a live set at the Ministry of Sound, then stood in the DJ booth while Hight Contrast and Caspa played their sets to over 1000 people in the main room. I also single handedly organised a foam party attended by 300 paying customers. Then I decided I was silly for thinking I could ever beat companies with budgets ten times mine so I thought I probably should go to university.

I saw Andy Hull (pictured right) play a solo show this year and also saw him with Manchester Orchestra a further three times. I got an access all areas pass for the third Manchester Orchestra gig, not bad considering they are my favourite band. The view from the side of the stage is pretty good!

I somehow managed to get Frank Turner to play a song in my friend’s bedroom at 9am on a rainy Friday morning. It was recorded as part of the music video for The Road in which he played 24 gigs in 24 hours. Impressive stuff! I appeared in his music video, admittedly looking very bored but far from it. I blame tiredness and generally my face.

The first weekend of December was surreal. After watching Kevin Devine’s two and a half hour set played a flat in Surbiton, I sat down to watch Manchester Orchestra on Channel 4 while Mr Devine was in the room singing along. Then on the Sunday, I got to interview KDev for my documentary. It was a unique opportunity, one that I’ll never forget.

Driven by the fact that I can do amazing things, I think I can do even more great things next year. But I think I need to focus on the smaller things like doing more stuff with my time, I don’t want to have enough time to read everything on Facebook and Twitter. I want to be more honest, a bit more bold, take a couple more risks. Stop being so worried about making myself look like an idiot. Enjoy every second of the summer with my friends before everyone leaves for university.

As for a couple of measurable targets:
• Play at least 4 or 5 gigs with my new iMac and Novation Launchpad. I also want to finish off my experimental album and release it in the next month or so.
• Write for 15-20 minutes each day; maybe try to document every day, even if it’s dull. I’m going to be guest blogging on a few bigger websites.

Next year, I turn 18, grow up, be an adult, be bored and unfulfilled. Turning 18 is something I’m looking forward to, I’m sure a pint down the pub will beat the dilemma of having nowhere to go on a Friday or Saturday night. Towards the end of the year I’ll hopefully be going to university to study TV & film production. Two of my five choices are in central London, which will mean that I probably won’t be moving away from home in the next year. And if that goes wrong, I’ll be taking a gap year every year for the rest of my life…

How has your goddamn year been? Will you be setting any resolutions? Comments below, as always.