Hi all, I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas / happy holidays. My family and I did. I’m still hiding out at my parents house; a welcome slice of peace at the end of a hectic but wonderful December. Scratch that – a hectic but wonderful 2025.
Originally, I was compelled to detail to you every cool thing that’s happened to me over these last 12 months, but that made for very, very dull reading (I just wrote and deleted a couple paragraphs of fluff). So, we’ll do some career cliff notes first: I released my second single + my debut EP, shot a pretty ambitious music video at The Blakehay Theatre and played a whole lot of gigs, a couple of which I dare say were my favourite ever.
Oh, and I have a band now! I’m still beside myself that I managed to convince such a wonderful group of people to play music with me. They killed it at The Electric Banana a couple weeks back, and that’s after just 3 months of having our full power 4-piece lineup, so I’m very, very excited to crank the gigs up come 2026. Our next one is at The Thunderbolt in February, in round one of Bristol’s biggest battle of the bands ‘The Underdog’ (tickets here!).
Aside from career things, I’ve done a lot of growing up this last year – sounds daft at 27, but it’s true. I suppose the main reason is my partner and I moved to Bristol October before last. For me, what was potentially a rash decision now feels vindicated with all the fabulous musicians I’ve met and new friends I’ve made. People are trying to make new and exciting stuff all the time which I find endlessly inspiring. Not to mention all the shows, the venues, the pubs, the shops, the rivers, the walks, the busy streets and the lush countryside… it isn’t perfect, but it always keeps my gears spinning. Plus, cooking and paying bills does age you pretty quick, as well as your kitchen ceiling caving in and having your bins repeatedly stolen. City life.
Another belated milestone, I learnt how to drive last March. It was such a relief getting that out the way and it’s done wonders for my independence since (shock). It already feels like I’ve been driving for years. The amount of ping-ponging I’ve needed to do between Bristol and Weston alone… this year would have looked very different without passing my test. Or without my little French car. He’s called Walter. Merci.
Jokes aside, I am unequivically a late bloomer, and it does bug me sometimes. Particularly with music; I’m firmly into my late-twenties and yet I’m still learning so much every day, which is fine, a privilige even, but I’d like some greater success by now too. Comparison is the thief of joy yada-yada I know, but it’s hard not to look at people around you and wonder if you’re making the right decisions… I’m obsessed with having a career in original music, and I have been since I was a teenager with his head in the stars. But sometimes I think I’ve barely touched the sky.
Going into 2026 then, I’m a bit muddled about how best to take my next steps for my work, and it feels like the clock is ticking. On the other hand, music is never boring. What a gift to wake up every morning and have something to improve at, with some nebulous goal to define and chase. I love it more than ever. Plus, I’m surrounded by close friends and family. There’s a lot to be grateful for.
Have a happy new year all, I hope you feel that the best is yet to come.
P.S. my 2025 favourites
• Film: Wake Up Dead Man / Weapons
• Book: Book of Longing, Leonard Cohen
• Gig: EP Launch, The Stables / Radiohead, The O2
• Game: Outer Wilds
• TV Show: Lost
• Meal: many Christmas roasts
• Other: lounging in a tipi at Glastonbury, a boat trip on The Tagus, walks along the Wye River and the South-West coastline, lots of family time and much more besides…