You're just so pretty when you're putting the damage on

2008 - the final interview

1. did you do anything you've never done before?

I started writing for two online music magazines, did my first interviews (the very first one was with Swedish singer Robyn), first visits to Paris/Lisbon/Amsterdam, discovered the Make Up Club (which is now my favourite place to go out), had my first serious relationship, first time I dated a non-Belgian guy.

2. did you keep any of your new years resolutions?

I didn't make any last year. Was a pretty good idea, although I decided to go for it again this year. (you can find them in one of the posts below)

3. did any of your friends become parents 2008?

Yes, Steven became father of his second beautiful daughter Hannelien.

4. did anyone close to you die?

Fortunately not.

5. what countries did you visit?

England, the Netherlands, Portugal, France, Germany.

6. is there anything you missed in 2008 that you want in 2009?

Not really, I've got all I need.

7. what dates from 2008 will you always remember?

I remember moments, not dates.

8. what's your biggest achievement in 2008?

My first steps in music journalism. :D And finishing my second bachelor year.

9. biggest mistake?

Trusting someone completely whom I should not have given so much trust in the first place. Starting things of which I know they won't work out anyway.

10. have you been ill?

Yes, but nothing terrible.

11. best buy?

My laquée shoes and my leather jacket, love them to bits.

12. what did you spend most money on?

Drinks, parties, music, trains, travels.

13. did anything make you genuinely happy?

The Sigur Rós gig at Pukkelpop, I was crying from happiness. And of course my time in London.

14. what songs will always remind you of 2008?

Goldfrapp - A&E

MGMT - Kids

Manic Street Preachers - A design for life

The Sneakypeeks - A little bit red

Oasis - Don't look back in anger (good times in Ghent)

Kings of Leon - Sex on fire

Red Light Company - With lights out

15. have you been happier or unhappier this year compared to previous years?

Both. But I'm prepared to live through all the unhappy times to experience those happier-than-ever moments.

16. what do you wish that you did more of?

Travelling. Making the right decisions.

17. what do you wish you did less of?

Making stupid decisions.

18. how did you spend christmas?

With my family, really cosy.

19. did you fell in love?

Oh yes I did.

20. how many one night stands?

Not really my thing. It's not like I never kiss random guys, but that's it then.

21. favourite TV show?

Six Feet Under, Monty Python, Top Chef, Skins.

22. do you hate someone now that you didn't hate in the end of 2007?

Hating is a strong word that I don't like to use, but I seriously dislike someone that I didn't at the end of 2007 (because I didn't know him yet). He hurt my best friend like hell and fuck him for that.

23. best book you read in 2008?

Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh.

24. the best new band you discovered?

Glasvegas.

25. something you wanted and got?

I saw a lot of artists perform that I'd been wanting to see live for a long long time (Babyshambles, Manic Street Preachers, Paul Weller...). And of course writing for the music websites.

26. something you wanted and didn't get?

Student rooms.

27. the best film you watched?

Funny Games US, Elegy, Atonement.

28. what did you do on your birthday?

I went to a Chinese restaurant with my family.

29. is there anything that could have made your year any better?

Sure, but it's silly to nag about such thing.

30. how would you describe your style this year?

Lots of black, skinny jeans, leather jacket.

31. what made you feel good about yourself?

Writing for the music websites. Getting over my ex.

32. what celebrity did you fancy the most?

Carl Barât. Always. Also: Peter Sarsgaard, Ralph Fiennes, Cillian Murphy. As for the girlies, Kate Moss and Katy Perry.

33. who did you miss?

My friends in Leuven, I don't get to see them often enough.

34. the best people you met?

Jonathan, Peter, Ann-Sofi, the girls from Neon Enlightenment (I'm not sure whether I got to know them before or during 2008 but I love them anyway so they deserve to be mentioned!), Chris, Sylvie, Bart and many many more. Love you all!

Tonight...

NYE AT MAKE UP CLUB - DJSETS BY PAUL GALLAGHER/SAM-O/EPPO JANSSEN/LASTON AND GEO

I can't wait!!

Goodbye, 2008!

It's the last day of 2008 and thus the ideal moment to look back and look ahead.

It's been an incridible year and a huge turning point for me. I got to know so many new people and friends which led to all kinds of fascinating situations. Some people disappointed me, but most of them were truly amazing. I started writing for the music websites Digg* and Indiestyle, something I've always wanted to do. I had the time of my life at superb festivals, gigs and parties. I made lovely travels to London, Paris, Amsterdam and Lisbon. Really, there's no way I would like to have skipped this year. Let's hope 2009 will be as interesting and satisfying.

I started 2008 with one single resolution: "no resolutions this year". It turned out quite well - no disappointment and all, you know. On the other hand, I reckon it's a bit too easy. That's why I decided to pick up the resolutions tradition again for the upcoming year. Here's my list:

- make something better of my badminton serve
- learn to think (twice) before acting
- figure out what I really want and don't want
- more travelling
- show the important people that I love them
- put all my effort in what I love doing so I can make something out of it
- discover more great music
- write a proper Bachelor paper and finish my Bachelor grade
- try not to hurt people

Have you, my dear readers, made any resolutions?

2008 Lists: gigs top 10 and favourite songs

These were the 10 gigs I enjoyed most during the past year (all three Sigur Rós gigs I've been to this year should've been in the list, but I've decided to only mention one gig per artist):

1.Sigur Rós
2.Manic Street Preachers, Pukkelpop
3.Editors, AB
4.Babyshambles, AB
5.Travis, AB
6.Luka Bloom, Botanique
7.Infadels, Botanique
8.Radiohead, Werchter
9.Jamie Lidell, Botanique
10.Kings of Leon, Pukkelpop

These were my favourite songs of 2008 (in no particular order):

Blood Red Shoes – Say something, say anything
Bombay Bicycle Club – Evening/Morning
Coldplay – Viva la vida
Five O’Clock Heroes ft. Agyness Deyn – Who?
Goldfrapp – A&E
Glasvegas – Geraldine
Johnny Berlin - Four
The Kills – Hook and line
Kings of Leon – Sex on fire
MGMT – Kids
Oasis – The shock of the lightning
Oasis – I’m outta time
Port O’Brien – Close the lid
Red Light Company – With lights out
Santogold – L.E.S. Artistes
Sigur Rós – Fljótavik
The Sneakypeaks - A little bit red
Snow Patrol – Crack the shutters
The Verve – Love is noise
White Lies – Death
Wild Beasts – The devil’s crayon

2008 Lists: album top 20 part 2

10. Paul Weller - 22 Dreams
9. Delays - Everything's the rush

8. MGMT - Oracular spectacular

7. The Feeling - Join with us

6. Kings of Leon - Only by the night

5. Oasis - Dig out your soul

4. Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

3. Jamie Lidell - Jim

2. Glasvegas - Glasvegas

1. Snow Patrol - A hundred million suns

You can read part 1 here.

2008 Lists: album top 20 part 1

20. Five O'Clock Heroes - Speak your language

19. The Courteeners - St. Jude

18. Travis - Ode to J. Smith

17. Goldfrapp - Seventh tree

16. The Kills - Midnight boom

15. Supergrass – Diamond hoo ha

14. The Fratellis - Here we stand

13. Coldplay - Viva la vida or death and all his friends

12. Luka Bloom - Eleven songs

11. The Last Shadow Puppets - The age of the understatement