In 2015 I…
- Attended 82 shows. I’m not sure I could pick a favorite, but highlights included Laura Stevenson’s solo acoustic set at the Abbey Pub, Hostage Calm’s farewell tour, Jason Isbell at the Chicago Symphony Center, and every time I saw the Menzingers because that band is unstoppable.
- Performed at 40 of those shows. The venues ranged from the tiniest of basements and a high school cafeteria to Chicago’s Thalia Hall, the biggest and most beautiful place I’ve ever played. If you came to any of these, thank you.
- Toured and released an EP with City Mouth. I couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished as a band this year. Listen to Tell Me I’m Alright here and be on the lookout for a lot more from us in 2016.
- Read 30 books. Only two of those (Volumes 1 and 2 of Mark Z. Danielewski’s The Familiar) were released this year. The best book I read in 2015 was The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.
- Watched 62 movies. Fourteen of those were 2015 releases, my favorites of which were Mad Max: Fury Road, Inside Out, and Spotlight. An honorable mention goes to Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens for giving the most fun theater experience of my life.
- Saw the west coast. Liesi and I spent a week in Oregon and Washington in May. We hiked some beautiful trails, walked through the former World’s Fair grounds in Spokane, and took a picture in front of the Goonies house. I can’t wait to go back.
I don’t have a proper resolution for 2016, but I hope to release more music and tour again. I hope to keep growing and pushing myself towards new experiences. I hope I come a little closer to fully appreciating the life I have and the opportunities I’ve been given.
But for now, let’s play “This Year” as loud as we can and celebrate.
Troy Sennett 