Oops

Well I haven't written anything for ages and now its nearly Christmas. Good. A lot has happened in the last month, some happy some sad, and though I said I wouldn't use this space primarily as a diary for the foreseeable future, that's exactly what I'm going to do now. I'm feeling lazy so this won't be great writing, but it will convey something more than pure fact, I hope.

First to say is that we finished the album (to be mastered in January), and are pleased for and with it. Brown Trout is the best song on there I think, a real settled piece of music that needs nothing else. I like a lot of it a lot and hope a lot of you will like it a little.

Coming back from Seattle was a shock to the system (we had to get our own food and walk to places again etc) but it was a happy shock. The year's business wasn't over just yet though. Not long after our return we made the video for Leftovers, the next single. This involved me dressing up and acting as a waiter. It also involved me eating all the food the studio had to offer, receiving hair and makeup treatment and listening to people clap our every performance whilst shouting "happiness" very loudly. Enjoyably Nathan Barley it was.

Even more merrily than that though, in mid December I had the best holiday in Berlin with Miriam. We went around all the Christmas markets drinking gluewein and eating meats and soups and cakes. We went to a bar called Dr. Pong where the minimal decor and decks were joined by a fuck off table tennis table and a 40 or so players clutching rackets. We ate breakfast everywhere and with everything. We saw the Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and the Jewish Museum, the Reichstag and the Brandeburg gate. We walked and talked and had a real great pre-Christmas relax.

Shit, while I'm doing this boring update process of what's been happening I might as well note that other projects are going well too. A meeting in Durham about my book was beneficial if not comprehensive and Im currently helping do some stuff for E4 (sketches to promote their new website). Plus, excitingly, Duncan and I decided to make a record in the new year. Oh and also I went to ATP where I saw Portishead (ok), Aphex Twin (good), A Hawk and A Hacksaw (Amazing), GZA (Amazing), Seasick Steve (Amazing) and bowled very badly.

As I said though, there have been some lows recently. As well as my elder brother not being able to come back for Christmas this year, band stuff has unfortunately turned a bit sour in the last week. Essentially the label want to drop the name 'The Sussex Wit' and promote Johnny as a solo artist. They don't want to even include the name on the album cover. Lots of things have been said by all parties and band relations are perhaps not at a high point. I think I will carry on playing and promoting this record, but I'm getting to the stage where it all seems like money and bullshit now rather than anything interesting or creative. Hopefully we'll all remember who we are soon and get past it somehow.

Didn't want to leave this on a low note, so here check out Coogan, he's good:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe-TNpl84Ac

Happy Christmas to all who read or pass through.