I’m not going to lie, 2011 almost entirely sucked. As you know, I try to remain positive so let’s not dwell on the rubbish bits.

The positive bits have been amazing, beautiful and a little bit overwhelming. I am very much looking forward to 2012 and all it brings. It will be an important special year.

As is tradition, here is a round-up of the year that was.

–

Overall Best Moments

Became a Jeerio, visited Bali, had My First Ever Cup Of Coffee, solo UK tour, Brighton Tattoo Convention, London Chocolate Festival, Scifi London Festival, pitched a Hello Kitty party-girl tent, set up Turn The Tables, watched a lot of roller derby, rode on a big wheel, started my second tattoo, went to Trill Farm, Hannah & Mike’s wedding.

There are two memories that will last forever from 2011:

• 13th July 2011 the moment when pom poms were put in my hands at Jerwood Space, London
• 17th October 2011 the moment when I saw the ocean from a beach in Bali, Indonesia

Top 5 gigs of 2011: Extra Special Mention for The Best Gig I’ve Ever Been To: Prince at Hop Farm

1. PJ Harvey at Troxy
2. Robyn at the Roundhouse
3. Shonen Knife and Smallgang at Scala
4. Hop Farm Festival: especially Sound Of Rum, James Yuill and Dry The River
5. High Voltage Festival: especially Dream Theater, Queensryche and Judas Priest

Special mentions for: Something Beginning With L & Singing Adams at 12 Bar; Envy & Bellatrix at Spit launch; Chris T-T at Old Blue Last; Tom Williams and The Boat, My First Tooth, She Makes War at Borderline; We Are Lizards (Scroobius Pip) at The Book Club, The Indelicates, Dave Hughes & The Renegade Folk Punk Band at 13th Note; Chris T-T, MJ Hibbett at Portland Arms.

Top 5 Bars of 2011:

• Tsuru, Southwark
• Old Blue Last, Shoreditch
• Facebar/Mixwells/Bali Joe/Club Cosmo/Potato Head/Ganesha Beach, Seminyak, Bali
• The Kenton, Hackney
• Off Broadway, Hackney

All the bars I’ve played in during 2011 are listed on my Live page. They all deserve a special mention, particularly 13th Note in Glasgow.

The Best 5 Welsh People of 2011:

1. Adam Walton
2. Bethan Elfyn
3. Becky Davey
4. Clare Potts
5. Megan Peppin

Top 5 Websites of 2011:

1. The Girls Are
2. For Book’s Sake
3. Derby News Network
4. NASA TV
5. TED

Best Shops/Places of 2011:

1. Prick Tattoo
2. Vision Hairdressers
3. Rich Mix
4. The London Particular

Normal Clothes As Fancy Dress

Shakespeare Hero

Peter Pan

Lady Gaga

A Chef

Barbie/Doll

–

This year’s lists are brief. I haven’t listed my favourite albums or films of this year because looking back on 2011 has been a bit tricky. Having said that, I met new and existing friends who are really incredible people and have had a massive impact on my life already. Most of them don’t know half of the good they have done and I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to show them my appreciation.

And now we go into 2012: the year of travel, the year of love. I am filled with hope and excitement for the future. This will be the best year ever.

No bravado.

AMx

Welcome to 2011. None of us have any money and many don’t have access to adequate healthcare, social services or education. But we do have a fresh start. We have each other. And music. There’s always the music.

Aims/Hopes:

Play loads of gigs

Finish the next single and the album

Find Toto

Get taken to Japan [Shut up, it could totally happen]

Visit California and Thailand

Dance more

Live consciously and give to others

–

Playlist (on Spotify)

The Tin Man Grasscut

Second Life Zach Hill

Made By Maid Laura Marling

Why Do You Let Me Stay Here She & Him

Every Exception Has Its Rule Blood Command

Fallen Angel Poison

Seasons of Love Cast of Rent

It Takes Blood And Guts To Be This Cool Skunk Anansie

Sweet Dreams Eurythmics

Shitlist L-7

Dancing In The Dark Bruce Springsteen

I Punched A Lion In The Throat Pulled Apart By Horses

Little Lion Man Mumford & Sons

Cliffs Karen O & the kids

28 Days Later London Music Works

London Is The Reason Gallows

London Loves Blur

Olympian She Makes War

You Don’t Own Me Dusty Springfield

Love The Lie Sage Francis

Pretty Good Year Tori Amos

It Had To Be You Harry Connick Jr

(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction Cat Power

Friendship Station Le Tigre

Next Girl The Black Keys

Where Is My Mind? Pixies

Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t've) The Buzzcocks

Somewhere Over The Rainbow Judy Garland