2009 Review: Alex Bec

Date
31 December 2009

Here are my answers to our probing questions on the last 365 days, drawing a line under our 2009 Review.

“If anything summed up 2009, it was the amount of time dedicated to work. Neither a good or bad thing, the year demanded lots of hours at my faithful desk, and I hope many of them helped build the foundations on which we can make the new year a very good one.”

Mark out of 9 for 2009?

1, because although it was a really great year, I think I need to leave some leeway for at least 8 better ones.

Best new discovery?

Our intern Bryony was a great to have around and it was a real pleasure seeing If Drawings Were Photographs for the first time. I also ‘found’ the London Fields Lido which turned me into one of those odd, early-morning, cold-thirsty, outdoor swimming enthusiasts after just one dip. In sadder circumstances, John Martyn.

Best idea?

I think we had quite a few that we haven’t shown anyone yet, so I hope you can make your own minds up on that one next year. Oh, and to stop taking my laptop home.

What were you doing this time last year?

Pretty much the same as every holiday season, ‘Over-ing’; over-eating, over-sleeping, over-drinking, over-indulging, over-spending, over-overing.

What broke? How did you fix it?

The Domino world record, it didn’t looked fixed.

What piece of work really stood out for you?

It’s impossible to comment on 2009 without a nod to the presidential Obama campaign reaching its goal. Has it really already been a year? Apart from that, something from my 389 posts on here. Honorary mention for Pete Dungey, who (in my opinion) was the man behind the best thing to be sent to the studio in his set of Alan Keys

Favourite Book/Album/Film?

I tend to remember books with the music I was listening to at the time, and Richard Millward’s Apples combined with the vivacity of Micachu managed to excite more than any other combo. Without wanting to sound predictable, I have to mention the genuinely affecting XX record, and the equally resonant Let The Right One In. Oh, Fish Tank was good too, and Where The Wild Things Are felt suitably accomplished. But have I really enjoyed anything as much as a millionth consumption Wayne’s World? I don’t think so. Sorry film buffs. Greedy musical mentions too for The Dead Weather’s Horehound, White Denim’s Fits, Dos by Wooden Shjips, Dan Auerbach’s first solo effort and the recently fantastic Blakroc, with Auerbach heavily involved once again.

Did you get Swine Flu?

Nope, but I’ve still got a day or two.

What are you going to miss about 2009 and what are you looking forward to in 2010?

I don’t think I’ll miss too much as I hope I’m heaving the best bits out of the noughties and bringing them with me. I know we’ve no chance of winning it, but I’m looking forward to the World Cup more than anything.

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About the Author

Alex Bec

Alex joined as director in 2008 and oversees the commercial side of The HudsonBec Group which includes It's Nice That, Anyways, Lecture in Progress and If You Could Jobs. Contact him to discuss working with us on sponsored content, commercial partnerships, media partnerships and commissioning work.

alex@thehudsonbecgroup.com

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