"Twenty Thirteen doesn't have a nice ring to it"

Over the past few days, I've seen nearly all my favourite blogs writing up there New Years posts, some are positive, some are quite frankly happy to wave goodbye to 2012. I can't say that I am either.

2012 has been a really up and down year for me, though I think about all the fantastic things that happened to me, there seems to be this big cloud shitting all over everything and making me feel very disapproving of the year just gone. Lots of 'what ifs' circling my mind about a whole variety of things. Then again, I can't change any of it, so what's the point in worrying about it?

I guess it all stems from a messy break up at the end of 2011 (why does that always happen huh?) it made me into an emotionless ice queen, who lost trust in nearly every person I came across and I slammed my fist on the self-destruct button of late nights and drinking. Looking back on it however, those nights trawling Southsea's finest bars, my best friends in tow, were some of the funnest nights of my life. I didn't have a care, I just wanted to forget everything, enjoy the moment and feel free. What I didn't exactly think about was that I had a 15,000 word dissertation to write, a television show to help produce every week and a career to start - cue numerous breakdowns on my mother and a load of waffle about radio. In the summer, the friends I'd spent three years with all parted ways and moved back home, I lost my grandfather and had no job to fund the flat I was moving in to. All whilst my dad was in bloody Antarctica and my brother serving a tour for the RAF. Men - completely unreliable!

Saying that though, some really great things happened to me, so I'm doing my best to think about those and the impact they had on me. Most importantly I think the people I have met this year have made the biggest change to my life and I can't thank all of them enough. Eventhough I may have met most of them through Twitter, I would hate to have them out my life, so if you're a friend of mine and you're reading this, here's to you, for making my life bloody fantastic. Here's a few other things that made my life great:

I started working for BringTheNoiseUK.com, I started as a writer, I now manage the social media and competition side of things whilst helping out with editorial work. I've met some of the best people through BTN and it's given me some amazing opportunities to interview my favourite bands and write what I'm passionate about.

I featured in the July issue of Company magazine as a Guest Music Editor. The first piece of real exposure I've ever been given and I can't thank them enough for choosing me!

I graduated from Portsmouth University with a 2:1 in Television and Broadcasting. Clearly all those drunken nights somehow didn't hinder my grades too much, thank god!

Finally, a month ago I was given the go head on my own radio show. It may only be on the local Portsmouth radio station, but everyone has to start somewhere right? I've already had some great feedback and I'm super excited to see what will come of it in 2013.

With feeling so glum about how 2012 went, I am seriously hoping 2013 shines a light onto my life a bit more. I'm slightly scared for the next 12 months, this is the first year where I haven't had education dictating my life. My only source of income is what I earn and no decisions are made for me, it's me in control of my life now. There's a possibility of moving to a completely new city, away from everything I know, there's the endless job applications to fill out for industry work and there's a whole lot more people out there for me to meet and enjoy the little moments with. Maybe I'll even stumble across a nice boy to share some time with, maybe I won't, either way my life is now entirely up to me and I'm determined to take life by the horns and go for it. There's a lot of uncertainty head of me, but one thing that is certain, one thing that I am incredibly excited for, my dad is coming home.
"There's only one man a girl can count on and that's her dad"

Here's to you 2013. You better be a good'un.

Top 5 EP's of 2012!

Okay, I know I did a very similar post on my top 5 albums from 2012, however this year has also seen EP's making an bigger appearance. For bands and artists that are possibly a bit too busy touring, but want to give their music and outlet and keep the nagging fans at bay, EP's are a little teaser for a band's new direction and what to expect from their next full length record. So here it is; my Top 5 EP's of 2012.

1. Ben Howard - Burgh Island EP

Come on, a post like this wouldn't be fit without an appearance from my beloved! I've been a huge fan of Mr Howard since before his debut Every Kingdom was released and along with the rest of the country / world I have fallen completely in love with his smooth vocals that literally make my heart rate beat at an inappropriate level. The Burgh Island EP sees Ben experimenting more with his electric guitar, creating a more haunting and deep vibe throughout. Without sounding to 'emo' stick this on, switch the lights off and lie back on your bed, it's worth it.
Favourite Track: Burgh Island

2. HARBOUR - Morning

I promise I'll stop going on about these guys soon, (I probably won't) but this EP is really, really good. Five tracks, each beautifully crafted with strong lyrical stature and vocal harmonies powerful enough to whip you into an emotional rollercoaster. I recently sent the EP over to a good friend of mine, who messaged me simply saying "it's made me excited about music again", which is just incredible to hear. They're nice lads, who put on a bloody good live performance and are working hard to produce the best music possible. Keep an eye out for these guys in 2013, you won't be disappointed.
Favourite Track: Dear God

3. Alexisonfire - Death Letter EP

The only band ever, of course. 2012 saw us say the real goodbye to a band that soundtracked so many people's lives. I managed to catch them at Brixton Academy for one of their farewell shows and I can safely say no gig has ever made me so emotional. Then this came along, the Death Letter EP, a handful of tracks completely stripped back to piano's and acoustic melodies. Utterly beautiful, it only enhances the question of WHY? WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BREAK UP? Though we shall probably never get the chance of hearing or seeing them again, this EP is a magnificent goodbye. Thank you Alexis, thank you.
Favourite Track: Happiness By The Kilowatt 

4. Morain - Are We Lost

Morain are a fairly new discovery of mine, after catching them on tour with HARBOUR, I got home, checked out their music and was very impressed. Plus the EP is free to download, it can't get much better? If you like bands such as Futures, Kids In Glasshouses and Young Kato, these guys will be right up your street. With their upbeat, catchy guitar rhythms, you'll have the tracks bopping around your head for some time. Go on, take a listen, they could be your new favourite band.
Favourite Track: Animals  

5. Young Kato - Self-titled EP

Cheltenham did well in 2012, not only are my favourite boys HARBOUR from there, but so are Young Kato, a group of lads who's average age is 18. Don't be put off by their age though, (or their hair cuts), the music they make is a perfect blend of indie pop-rock. Signed to LAB Records, these young adults are producing music far beyond their age and it looks like they have a strong career ahead of them. Already creating a buzz around themselves and about to set out on a small UK tour, go catch them live and switch this EP on to brighten up your mornings.
Favourite Track: Drink, Dance, Play

There we have it, my top 5 EP's, does anyone else have some suggestions that I may have missed out? Let me know!

Top 5 albums of 2012!

Personally I think 2012 has been an incredible year for music, I've been lucky enough to attend many gigs and festivals to witness some of my favourite bands and artists live and record stores have made a decent amount from me purchasing numerous albums and EP's over the past 12 months. I've discovered so many amazing bands that have quickly skipped into my favourites lists and I'm really quite excited to see what 2013 will have on offer music wise.

It's been really difficult to try and narrow down five albums that I loved this year as there's been so many decent releases, BUT, I think I've got it, I don't think I can really put them in an order though, they're just all too bloody good! I'd love to know who's on your lists so let me know if you think another should have made it to my list!

1. Don Broco - Priorities

I was a little late boarding the Broco train, as so many people I know were banging on about these guys for months, but after finally catching them live at The Great Escape in May, I could see what all the fuss was about and they quickly became a band I adored. From their cheeky dance moves, to the punching guitar chords and quirky lyrics, it's no surprise their debut had such great success, I still play the album in full frequently and thoroughly enjoy flailing my arms around air drumming. 

Favourite Track: Hold On / Priorities 

2. Straight Lines - Freaks Like Us

I'm a big fan of the Welsh music scene, somehow it just seems to produce some of the best musicians I've ever heard and these boys are no different. Tom Jenkins has got a strongly distinctive vocal, which certainly sets them apart from other welshies such as Kids In Glasshouses and Funeral for a Friend, however they deserve just as much success. Freaks Like Us is their second full length and has everything from more pop-rock anthems to the heavy drum patterns in tracks such as Empty Chest. I've been lucky to interview both Tom and James and I can safely say, they're bloody nice chaps as well! 

Favourite Track: So Many Paths

3. ∆ (Alt-J) - An Awesome Wave

Now Alt-J are a band that I never really thought I would get in to, however after much praise from a friend of mine I decided to give them a listen and then checked them out at Great Escape and despite having to listen to the first half of the set outside the venue due to the sheer amount of people, I was so unbelievably impressed! Once the album was released I was sold, even the interludes on An Awesome Wave are beautifully crafted, meaning I can listen to it from start to finish without once hovering over the skip button. Utterly fantastic! Plus, it won the Mercury Music Prize this year and you can't really argue against that now can you? 

Favourite Track: Dissolve Me 

4. Mumford And Sons - Babel

This was one of my most anticipated albums of 2012, after listening to their first release to death! I was introduced to Mumford in my first year of university and they've stayed with me ever since, so much so that I now have a lyric of theres firmly inked into my arm. As soon as I hit play and was whipped into the opening and title track, Babel, I fell madly in love. Why can't it be that simple with men huh? As expected with Mumford, each song is magnificently crafted with intertwining instruments and beautifully written lyrics, I now just long for the day I can get my hands on a ticket to see them live! 

Favourite Track: Babel / Ghosts We Knew

5. Ellie Goulding - Halcyon

Ellie Goulding's second full length release has been a long time coming, with her first album being released back in 2009 and after a while I was seriously starting to give up hope, as it seemed America was her calling and there were no real signs of music emerging, but alas, I was wrong! For once I am happy to be as well, because this album is well worth the wait. I was concerned, that she would have taken too much of an electronic route, but Halcyon shows that Miss G has stuck to her folk roots, with elegant tracks such as I Know You Care whilst experimenting with more production on tracks such as Figure 8 and I Need Your Love. This album really shows how Ellie has matured with her music and I can't wait to experience it live. Well done lady, well bloody done! 

Favourite Track: My Blood

So that's it! My top 5 albums of 2012! Did any of these make it into yours? Of course though I've enjoyed so many more, so if you didn't like any of the above then maybe try one of these: