If I thought I'd experienced challenging years in the past, 2019 redefined my measure of difficult times. This year was nothing short of a relentless rollercoaster of events from death to new work opportunities to brutal family drama to the devastating loss of a pet to buying a home; and, all the relative learning that comes along with hit after hit after hit. All in all, I survived. Was it graceful? Barely. But, when moving forward is the only option at the end of the day, that's all you can do and hope the next go-round will be better. While I just about kept up with my music listening, I've replaced the word 'Favorite' with the word 'Defining' in my list of 2019's personal moments. It better encapsulates the feelings I'm left with as this year's circus leaves town. Zooming out a little further, overall, this has been a decade of personal honesty and massive growth. I plan to honor and respect its teachings from the thrilling highs to crippling lows. Looking ahead, all I'm striving for is my health and a little bit of peace. Boredom wouldn't be that bad for a while, either. As ever, enjoy the music; and, happy New Year.
Favorite Songs of 2019
'Tenderness,' Duff McKagen
'What You Don't Know,' Caroline Spence
'Not,' Big Thief
'bad guy,' Billie Eilish
'Seventeen,' Sharon Van Etten
'You'll Need A New Backseat Driver,' The New Pornographers
'Lover,' Taylor Swift
'555,' Jimmy Eat World
'White Noise White Heat,' Elbow
'VTr,' The Twilight Sad
'Something to Hope For,' Craig Finn
'At It Again,' Erin Rae & The Heartbeets
'Catch Me I'm Falling,' The Chemical Brothers
'Weird Ways,' Strand of Oaks
'Loaded Gun,' Jack Peñate
'The Sea,' Lily Kershaw
'Hollywood,' Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
'My Wing,' Hiss Golden Messenger
'Wild & Lonely,' Melissa Etheridge
Favorite Albums of 2019
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Ghosteen
The New Pornographers, In the Morse Code of the Break Lights
Duff McKagen, Tenderness
Caroline Spence, Mint Condition
Michael Kiwanuka, KIWANUKA
Billie Eilish, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?
The Twilight Sad, IT WON/T BE LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME
Elbow, Giants of All Sizes
Craig Finn, I Need A New War
The Chemical Brothers, No Geography
Angel Olsen, All Mirrors
Big Thief, Two Hands
Kim Gordon, No Home Record
Wilco, Ode to Joy
The Raconteurs, Help Us Stranger
Julia Jacklin, Crushing
Brittany Howard, Jaime
Lana Del Rey, Norman F*#$%&$ Rockwell!
FKA twigs, MAGDALENE
Favorite Shows of 2019
Duff McKagen, Showbox, Seattle, WA 06/16/19
Neko Case, McCaw Hall, Seattle, WA 12/5/19
Nick Cave, Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA 10/11/19
Tank & the Bangas, Thing Festival, Port Townsend, WA 08/25/19
Hannah Gadsby, Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA 06/08/19
The French Tips, Columbia City Theatre, Seattle, WA 03/27/19
Erin Rae & the Heartbeets, Sunset Tavern, Seattle, WA 08/19/19
De La Soul, Thing Festival, Port Townsend, WA 08/24/19
Calexico, McCaw Hall, Seattle, WA 12/5/19
Jeff Tweedy, Thing Festival, Port Townsend, WA 08/25/19
The Black Tones, Thing Festival, Port Townsend, WA 08/25/19
Among Authors, Capitol Hill Block Party, Seattle, WA 07/19/19
Sam Cobra, Spanish Ballroom, Tacoma, WA 11/14/19
Defining Moments of 2019 (in chronological order)
Performing multiple fantastic shows throughout the year with Erin Rae & the Heartbeets
Taking my first step back into higher education in 20 years
Our first real Seattle snowfall
The passing of Jen's mother, Pat, and everything that ensued
Truly learning what it takes to be there for your partner in life
Starting my new position at Trident Seafoods; learning and growing my career
Finally understanding my relationship with my father
Losing Luff—my new definition for utter heartbreak and grief
Buying our first home in West Seattle, and everything that ensued
Completing the UW Data Visualization Certification Program
Being invited back to UW as an instructor in 2020
Remotely being there for Dave as he and Cora welcomed Gloria into the world
Finally learning the difference between what people are and can be—no matter what you want them to be
Sarah & Tyler's wedding (after ten months of relentless testing, it's perfectly acceptable to spend a Sunday afternoon drinking in a Cancún swimming pool)
DIY Weekend with Regan and Paul (and all the tool buying that ensued)
Recording with Jack Endino
Introducing my Mum to Seattle during her first Thanksgiving
Finally, a quiet Christmas in our own home
Letting the dust settle, examining the scars and looking forward to a healthy, more stable, future