New Year's (Re)Solutions

... and what is this all about?

Dec 31, 2023

Welcome to the inaugural post of Throwing Up Into The Abyss, coming to you from my studio in Melbourne, Australia, as I draw out the final hours of 2023 and watch this blinking cursor travel across the screen with every keystroke towards some sort of new beginning. Whether that beginning is a new year, or just a new connection between you and I, who’s to say. But whatever it is, I’m PUMPED.

As I reflect on the year that has gone, I think about those resolutions I made at the beginning of it. Yes, I am a resolutions kind of guy. And not because I’m a person who is constantly thinking about how I can “better” my life (perhaps I should be). But more because I fucking LOVE a list and I LOVE ticking things off said list.

My biggest resolution this year was to become a better vocalist. I had never had a singing lesson before in my life until March 2023 - cut to me every fortnight, standing in front of my laptop camera in this very room I write to you from, relearning how to literally breathe via my friend turned vocal coach over in Sydney. With all the new tools, tricks and exercises I got from my genius of a vocal health spirit guide (hey Sarah!), I was able to come off a six week long van tour through North America feeling like I could get up on stage for another six weeks and belt out a 80+ minute set on demand. Something I had never felt in my years on the road. So that’s a big yes to New Year’s resolutions in my book.

Said tour’s squad in Marfa, TX. L to R: Allie, Jenno, AL, Liza, Jesso, Genna (photo by Rachel Bennett)

So what is my resolution for 2024? Well, apart from my side quest of trying to learn how to use Photoshop (*shudders*), my biggest resolution for the year is to find new ways to connect with you - yes, YOU - in a way that feels more authentic, generous, and open than the usual haunts. I want to create a space that has capacity to be a welcome respite from the usual algorithmic dance that we all stumble through every day. Somewhere where we can sit down with a cup of coffee, talk shit and have a meaningful back and forth with one another.

So with that in mind, leave a comment and tell me what you’d like to hear and see in this space - ask questions, tell stories and let’s see what we can make of this together.

As for some more regular stuff you can expect from this newsletter, scroll on for book, music and screen recommendations to keep you warm at night.

Thanks so much for meeting me here - wherever this is, wherever you are.

Until next time,

AL x

Throwing Up Into The Abyss

New Year's (Re)Solutions

... and what is this all about?

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