How was your 2022?
Far too good. Worryingly good. Very productive, thankfully.
What was the best moment?
It’s a toss-up between covering Venezia 79 over in Italy or just the progress I’ve made with my work. Figuring out the line between pride and ego is quite the experience.
And your worst moment?
Forking out a hefty sum of cash to get into a Phoebe Bridgers gig in Manchester after the tickets we’d procured turned out to be scammer tickets.
Who was your favourite band/artist this year?
Been on a bit of a continued Pulp binge after they announced their reunion tours, something which has truly, truly shocked me. Even more shocked that I bagged tickets for it.
Your favourite song of the year?
LCD Soundsystem – New Body Rhumba. Played out the credits of White Noise at Venice Film Festival and from there I’ve been hooked, nothing but fond and warm memories for that piece.
Recommended album?
Aoife Nessa Frances – Protector. Chamber-pop masterclass. To do that on a sophomore piece is as impressive as it is brilliant.
Favourite TV show of the year?
Better Call Saul. A fascinating conclusion and likely the end of that creative world as a whole, it couldn’t have ended more satisfyingly.
Best book you read?
Good Pop, Bad Pop from Jarvis Cocker. A delightful little dive into his life before Pulp’s mainstream success told through items he found in his loft.
Favourite new word that you learned?
Holiday. After I read Ian Winwood’s Bodies I decided I needed to have an actual holiday, a break from doing work. Never even considered that a job I love would take its toll, but what a holiday that was.
Best podcast?
I don’t listen to many podcasts but I do make a few, feel very self-centred to promote my own works but
(Don’t) Listen to This has been a lot of fun to make so far.
What was your favourite gig of the year?
Richard Hawley at Durham Cathedral. Admittedly I was absolutely sloshed on the bottle of wine I’d had before the gig, but for reasons I love and hate, I’ll remember that gig for a long while.
Any up-and-coming artists/acts we should keep an eye out for in 2023?
Loving a bit of Acid Klaus at the moment, Adrian Ferguson is quite the talent and his collaboration with the likes of Hannah Hu and Richard Hawley was great to experience live when he opened for Yard Act at the Student Union.
Any predictions for next year?
I think I might finally pick up that guitar I’ve been meaning to learn.
