The Year That Was..2009

Once again I find myself asking where did the year go? Maybe you’re asking yourself the same thing and what better to do than reflect on the year that has suddenly passed us all.

Unknown to Friends of Josh Pyke (and Josh Pyke) we were in for a big year ahead. Rewinding back to January Josh’s first set of the year took place at the Solar Music Festival. Next up, Triple J’s Hottest 100 aired which saw Josh take out #29 and #27 with Mary & I getting a mention on radio.

February was next and Josh started the month with sets at the Chill Island Festival and MS Fest before embarking on his Chimney’s Afire tour with Cloud Control and Jackson McLaren along for the ride. Friends of Josh Pyke bought you behind the scenes videos and our FOJP reps bought you reviews and photos. That month Josh also sold his guitar boat for $7,100 on an ebay auction and the video for The Summer was released.

March saw Josh play Sound Relief before winding up his Chimney’s Afire tour with a show in Sydney. With little rest, Josh set off to the US for SXSW and to the UK for a short tour. By mid April he was back in the land of OZ and for his Chimney’s Afire regional tour with Little Scout and The Jezabels. Both Friends of Josh Pyke & Josh Pyke seemed to jump on the twitter wagon in April.

In May we bought you news of The White Album tour with presale ticket information thanks to Spiritworks, while Josh continued on his regional tour. June saw the launch of the ‘Make Josh’s next video competition’ entries poured in with Josh choosing Cait as the winner in July. June also saw Mary and myself meet for the first time in Sydney and meet with Josh’s management, Wonderlick. I also had the pleasure of meeting Meary in Melbourne in July. For Josh, the end of July saw him play Splendour in the Grass.

In August the much anticipated White Album Tour took place with Josh joining Chris Cheney, Tim Rogers and Phil Jamieson on stage covering the Beatles White Album across the country. It started as a 3 date tour but expanded to 11 dates. August also saw Josh on telly for MTV’s Fan VS Band.

At the start of September, Busking for Change took place at the Annandale Hotel. It’s a Charity Event started by Josh Pyke, all the proceeds from the event (which was roughly $9300) went to the ‘Indigenous Literacy Project’ (ILP). Josh played Sounds of Spring at the end of the month. In September the old Josh Pyke forum was bought back to life, Friends of Josh Pyke also turned 3.

Caloundra Festival started October for Josh before beginning his final tour for 2009: The Variations tour, with a Darwin show and Stonefest in between. In November Josh finished the Variations Tour in Perth, with his first ever DVD being released the following week. The ARIAs also took place that month, with Josh nominated for two and taking home Best Adult Contemporary. Those who watched may have heard Josh mention Friends of Josh Pyke in his speech which was a definite highlight for us here at FOJP HQ.

Earlier this month (December) our website turned one! And Josh’s 2010 solo tour was announced with tickets on sale now. In addition, Josh’s side project (with Bob Evans, Steve Parkin and Kav Temperley) was named The Basement Birds.

And now I bring this rather long post to an end by thanking you all for supporting not only Josh Pyke but Friends of Josh Pyke in 2009. We look forward to having you around next year, bring on 2010!

And from all of us here at Friends of Josh Pyke we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

-sabi