Goodbye 2012

Time to raise a frothy pint of beer to the passing of 2012. It was a strange year - some great times, some awful times, and it went faster than any other year I've known. Not every planned project came to fruition: the Transylvanian textile 'extended advert' didn't materialise, the two previously mentioned short films have been shot, but remain in post-production limbo, and our macrobiotic Sonic Catering live album has been edited and mastered, but it won't be manufactured until next year on the label, Hermes Discorbie, run by Jozef Cseres (the Massimo with long hair in Berberian). But for every failed or delayed project, something worked out.

'Berberian Sound Studio' dominated my life this year, (as it did the year before). In between promotional commitments for the film, there was just about enough time to squeeze out three albums on my Peripheral Conserve label. 'Back on the Streets' by The Bohman Brothers made it to number 22 in The Wire's 'Best of 2012' list, despite our admittedly ramshackle distribution. We've slightly rectified all that and copies can be ordered through Metamkine in France.

The Berberian Christmas Radio Special will have to be a Berberian New Year's Radio Special, as we just couldn't find the time to do it this month. As soon as we fix a date, I'll post something here.

'The Duke of Burgundy' is planned for next year, but promising a feature film always seems to be tempting fate, so I'll just stick with the fact that we'll do our best to make the film. More Peripheral Conserve releases are planned - seven inch singles by Roj, Xylitol and an album by Pal Toth (the Massimo with sunglasses in Berberian). It's getting harder and harder to put records out, so these releases might be the last, even though it's not the first time I've made that kind of lame threat. If more labour-intensive commitments don't get in the way, then we might have this year's two short films ready sometime in 2013.

Lastly, a colossal thank you to anyone who took the trouble to see 'Berberian Sound Studio'. Even if you hated it, thank you for at least giving it a go. The recognition the film received has floored us. Whether it's awards, polls or comments from individuals - knowing that our work has entered the communal bloodstream makes it worth continuing. Thank you and Happy New Year.