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December 31, 2007

THE ROUND UP - HAPPY NEW YEAR

Another year has ripped by in a flash, and I sit here in the desert, reflecting on what actually went down over the last twelve months. Significantly for me, the Circus Diablo album was released and well received. It was a record that took years to form in my head, and less than two months to actually make – and it feels great to have given birth to it at last. The single (and subsequent video) did great stuff and for that we are all proud. The touring was shorter than we would have liked but what we did, we totally enjoyed. The Ozzfest dates were a complete blast. It felt good to be out there playing to audiences that love rock music. Whatever happens next for Circus Diablo, I am proud to have experienced 2007 in that band. Lets see what the new year has in store for V2.0.

Camp Freddy spent another year on the radio (the Podcast is up now, thanks again to Paul), played a few shows, appeared at a couple of benefits and generally had a low profile year due to everyone being extremely busy elsewhere. CF is another band that I am extremely proud of, and by its very nature can have a quiet year and still blow the roof off any venue when we get together. Plans for the record, the book, the bar, the TV show and the lunchbox (not really but you get my drift!) are still all there, in place, and firmly ready to happen when we all end up in the same place, the stars align, and the timing seems right. Until then, I am sure that 2008 will see more live performances from the Camp Freddy brand.

I am a DJ, I am what I play. These words were sung by a certain Mr David Bowie in the 80’s and ring true for me today. I found fun and frolics in a piece of software called Serato, grabbed a couple of turntables, and started reconnecting with the music that made me (and still makes me) want to be creative. DJing has become a fun pastime for me that really does fulfil certain parts of my creative need. I am not, nor ever will be, a performance DJ and have no wish or intention to ever walk an inch in those guys shoes. The AM/Skribble type DJ is a force to behold – what I do is best described by my good friend Mr Navarro. In his own inimitable words, I …….”play a record. Then I play another record” Ha ha!! It’s a little more than that but you get the idea. More of that fo’ sho in 08.

“Is that a dagger I see before me behind your back?” The thespian inside me broke free this year and ran around having a great time in not one, but TWO movies! I cannot tell you how much fun that was, and that I fully intend to continue with the acting. The people I worked with during the productions of “Evilution” and “Basement Jack” were nothing short of amazing. They all encouraged me, treated me as an equal and went above and beyond in making me feel an integral part of each movie. The creative freedom to immerse myself in another person, to play make believe like a kid and really get involved in the stories is second to none. Roll on another role!!!

And so many other things. Five Years. I celebrated five years of marriage. And its nearly six years now. Me. Fuck!!! Anyone who knew me back in London would not have bet on that – at ANY odds!! Who knew that I would not only find love, but figure out what it takes to keep hold of it once you get it?? On a daily basis, my life with Jen gets better than I ever thought possible. For this I am eternally greatful. Sharks. Tons of ‘em. Huge beasts. Filling the water, swirling around. And I got to jump right in amongst them, swim to the bottom of the ocean, surround myself with about 40 of them …..and watch them feed. Oh. My. God. One of the top five most intense things I have ever (and probably will ever) do – swimming with and feeding the sharks in the Bahamas was a huge highlight of 2007.

There were many other events, achievements and occurrences that made 2007 a wonderful year. In the short term, I can get bogged down in how tough a certain business thing is, how hard it is to raise the money for something, how frustrating a particular situation is ….. and then when I look at all these highlights, and the many others that came and went this year, I realize how ridiculously lucky and blessed I am. How my life really is the wonderfully creative, entertainment filled one that I always dreamed of. How I have to truly appreciate and embrace each day as it comes because its happening for me right now, this minute. This is it. This is the life I wanted. This is the life I have. This is my life. And I fucking love it. Thank you to each and every one of you for being a part of it. Happy New Year.

Peace

Billy

(CLOSED)

Posted by vivelerock at December 31, 2007 09:11 AM

Comments

Posted by: Christina at December 31, 2007 10:01 AM

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