Hello friends and hello new year/decade!
What started as a short post for social media turned into an entire letter - suffice to say it’s been a while since my last update! So here’s a bit of a wrap up of 2019, what’s been going on in my world both music-related and personally, and what 2020 has in store.
Firstly, happy new year to everyone and happy holidays. I hope that the year ahead brings you and your loved ones all that you hope for and are working towards. I want to send a special message to anyone affected by the bushfires in Australia - stay safe and look out for each other as this nightmare of a fire season continues. I am constantly devastated watching the news at the moment and knowing it will be a long road to recovery for communities, the environment and all the wildlife affected too. We are all in shock here right now and trying to do our bit to help out (you can dig deep and donate to Australian Red Cross here: Disaster relief and recovery - New Year's Eve | Australian Red Cross).
I’m looking forward to having an active and creative 2020 after a 2019 that brought huge change and gave me a chance to reflect and reset. To all who continue to follow my musical adventures (including with George the cat!), thank you for all your support and messages throughout the last twelve months, even while I have been pretty quiet on the performing and release front. Things are on the boil with the next album, but have been very much on the back burner while I have taken time to focus on general mental and physical health, and to nurture friendship and family connections.
Last year brought a much-needed, refreshing change to my life and a chance to focus on looking after myself. I definitely needed to hit reset after a turbulent and unstable couple of years. It took a while to get used to having time out, away from gigs and pubs and touring, and I think it’s taken me a full 12 months to just feel ok about staying in the one spot for a while, hanging pictures on the walls, setting up a home base and spending time with close friends and family.
I see the new year as an opportunity to take stock, to be grateful for what has been and to plan for the future. So, with that in mind here’s what I feel proud to have achieved in the last year, or, simply some moments or new things I’ve discovered that have shaped where I’m at now :
I recorded a new album (coming in 2020! We have been chipping away slowly behind the scenes on artwork and plotting release timing. More to come!)
Played some memorable live shows earlier in 2019: Supported Tyler Childers and was lucky enough to see the legendary John Prine live and to meet and chat with Fats Kaplin too; supported Jordie Lane in Ballarat; launched Good As Gold clip at The Bridge, Castlemaine, and Oh Jean records, Fitzroy; played tunes at my best friend’s wedding.
Released a video clip for the single ‘Good As Gold’ featuring my own choreography and Castlemaine’s Lady Funtimes, all with the great help and talent at Blind Date Records!
Made new, fabulous friends as part of the Melbourne Rockdogs Supergroup crew, and developed a newfound love of belting out Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks and Mariah Carey songs. Looking forward to more of that in 2020!
Took a break from regular gigging and constant social media promotion in order to look after my mental health
Travelled back to my hometown of Kempsey, NSW, and took the first steps in a long journey to processing childhood trauma
Was reunited with my beautiful cat, George, who delivers cuddles and constant love and amusement (you might remember him from this famous youtube video)
Celebrated Christmas with all of my immediate family for the first time in 5 years, filling my heart to the brim!
Moved to the seaside suburb of St Kilda and took up ocean swimming (in winter too 🥶), and developed an obsession with little penguins and ringtail possums. This one change has done wonders for me, I feel closer to nature, energised by being so close to the ocean and constantly inspired.
I regularly find myself still thinking ‘I‘m not doing enough’, but all of this has happened while working a day job which will help fund the next phase of album release and touring. I am deeply grateful for where I‘m at, the people in my life and the ability and freedom to pursue what I love doing. Now it’s time to take action and take care of business!
What does 2020 hold? I’m gonna…
release the new album!
return to playing live
write new songs
write more dad jokes 🤪(a secret hobby that has been picking up steam)
read more books
challenge myself physically by doing an ocean swim race
do a 30km coastal trek to raise money for BeyondBlue
Guess I’ve got my work cut out for me! I’ll be keeping you updated as the year progresses.
Thank you if you’ve read this far and I’d love to hear your own reflections or responses to the year that’s been and how it shaped you personally, or maybe what you’re planning for 2020? Feel free to comment or get in touch anytime at ayleenohanlonmusic@gmail.com
You can also follow my day-to-day adventures over on facebook and instagram. Even George has his own insta these days!
Take care of each other, the earth and all living creatures out there as we head into the new year. The world needs all the love and kindness it can get (you may say I’m a dreamer).
Lots of love
x Ayleen