NME cool list 2006
It's almost Xmas and I always publish my end of the year list around this time of the year. Yes, 2006! God, what a year 2006 has been for me. Getting sacked (there wasn't even a good reason) from the same job twice at the beginning of the year. Finding a new great job, which thankfully made me stay in London. I don't know what would have happened if I wasn't offered this job. I'm still alive in London. I'd never ever want to leave this lovely city. It's simply the best place in the world, where I feel so much at home more than anywhere else. I love you London.
Anyway, before I'm getting all dramatic here. Yes, 2006! Time to let you all know how cool this year was for me. It's time for the annual NME Cool List. For the record: NME stands for Nicole's Music End of the year list.
Wow, that was cool!
I've been to so many gigs this year, that I can't even remember every single one of them. Here's a selection of the most memorable ones.
* Klaxons @ Dot To Dot Festival in Nottingham
I had seen Klaxons a couple of times before. This is definitely my Klaxons gig of 2006. Besides the fact that they played at a very cool festival, their gig made it even cooler. Did I go mental or what? It was just GREAT! [read]
* The Rakes @ Hoxton Bar
A secret Rakes gig? Ha! I'm so there. And I was there. I really like The Rakes and this gig made me like them even more. Maybe the next time I'll see them (30th March), I'll act like a 17 year old and join the kids on stage. [read]
* Love Is All in a hidden warehouse in Hackney
It was Love Is All's first gig in London and an extremely good one. Does this band ever get bored? Nope, even after having seen them four times this year. [read]
* Les Incompetents @ White Heat
Did this band surprise me or what? It was the first time I saw them live. A band with potential, enthusiasm, entertainment and so much fun on stage. What do they do half a year later? They split up. Idiots! [read]
* Iceland Airwaves festival in Reykjavik
Three years I already wanted to go to Iceland Airwaves. This year I finally went. What a fucking great festival. I definitely want to go again. [read]
10 very cool songs
Djee, this year there have been so many great songs, which blew my mind at home, on the dancefloor and/or just about everywhere.
* Klaxons - Atlantis To Interzone
* Justice vs Simian - We Are Your Friends (re-re-release)
* Good Shoes - All In My Head
* Long Blondes - Fullwood Babylon
* Les Incompetents - How It All Went Wrong
* Justice - Waters Of Nazareth
* Surkin - Ghetto Obsession and Radio Fireworks
* Simian Mobile Disco - Hustler
* Hot Chip - No Fit State
* Tiga - Far From Home
5 coolest all-repeat albums
2006 wasn't really an album year for me. I guess it makes it easier to make a list.
* Tiga - Sexor
Album of the year for sure. Just read this bit about why this is my album of the year.
* Love Is All - Nine Times That Same Song
I have definitely played (incl. iPod) this album more than nine times. Such a great indie pop record.
* Hot Chip - The Warning
A pure pop record.
* Mystery Jets - Making Dens
I would almost forget mentioning this album. A pure gem.
* Kitsune Maison #2
French Kitsune definitely ruled this year with not only this very fine compilation, but also their 12 inches.
Supercool DJs
Last year and the years before there were only two DJs in my list, but this has changed completely this year.
* Erol Alkan
Best DJ in the world.
* Justice
These two French guys are just Amazing. Yes, amazing with a capital 'A'.
* Tiga
"Sexy lighting always strikes twice, twice..."
* Simian Mobile Disco
"Go to that record store, steal some records. I'm telling you I'm broke."
* SURKIN
This French fellow is a great man. Always write his name in capitals.
And a shout-out to Sebastian and Electroll.
A cool night out
People, stop thinking that I go out a lot, because I do not. Anyway, I did go to the nights mentioned below a lot this year.
* Trash
I said it last year and I'll say it again: I will always love Trash.
* White Heat
"I'll promise to go to White Heat more often in the new year," is what I said last year. Oh yes, I went to WH a lot this year, especially the first six months.
* Adventures Close To Home
Why ignore something you like? The ACTH dudes put on so many great bands/DJs, it's not really easy for me to ignore them.
Fuck, what a cool party that was
If I stay till the end or almost till the end at a party, I must most definitely have enjoyed myself. If you see me dancing on a sofa... Oh my, that must be a fucking great party.
* Allors Les Filles, On Fete Noel? @ Paris
I went all the way to Paris for a party. It was worth everything. [read]
* Tiga's album launch @ The End
It was all there: the DJs, the music, the people and a good atmosphere.
* Justice @ Bloggers Delight @ Lock Tavern
I still don't know how I got back home on that bike of mine. [read]
* Two shit raves in Hoxton/Old Street
Last rave: getting kicked out by the police after an hour. Fucking mental!
Be cool on the internet
I really can't live without the internet. There were a few places on the internet this year where you could have bumped into me a lot.
* Trash board
I really should stop posting on this board. Over 2500 posts?? Great message board though, with lots of friendly people.
* MySpace
Who isn't on MySpace these days? Ah, my brother. This site is just fantastic, but very addictive as well.
Does having a weblog make me cool?
I'd like to give the award of coolest weblog to.....
** Headphonesex **
If there is one weblog I very mucho enjoyed reading this year, it's definitely James' website. He shows his enthusiasm for music more than any other weblog I visit, and he even lets you download some great tunes.
A big-shout out to Slutty Fringe and Fluokids.
Not so very cool
Of course, a year also has its bad moments.
* The tragic death of Karen O and Thomas Troelsen. I'm talking about my two goldfish. Karen O died when she got stuck in a hole in a rock. Thomas died soon after this. Poor fish.
Totally cool recordstore
Last year it was mostly about me doing my record shopping online. This year I actually visited two of those stores.
* Pure Groove
A tiny recordstore in Archway. They've got so many cool things.
* Phonica Records
I love white labels and promo's. Phonica always seems to be the first.
On their way to be cool
Who/what is gonna be cool next year?
* I've said it a couple of times now already, but I'll say it again. Those French people are going to rule the nation in 2007. Justice, Sebastian, Surkin and everything else that will be released by Ed Banger and Institubes. Who knows what else those French people have in store.
* Skull Juice - Having DJed at Bugged Out and Trash this year, I know for sure that these two guys will have an excellent 2007. Yes, they are GOOD!
Coolest weblog fan
Last but not least, I'd like to give one fan of mine the status of coolest weblog fan.
* There is one person who has been reading my website since (almost) the beginning. This person reads it all, including the comments. If there is one number 1 fan it is.... My mum!!!!!!!!! Thank you for visiting my website more than anyone else. Thank you for always being so positive and believe in everything I do. A big kiss to you! The French people would call it bisous.
AND a big shout-out to Klaxons for making me go absolutely fucking mental this year.
AND a second big shout-out to Hanka and Jasper. Thanks for asking me to write for Glamcult and OOR.
'you can do anything you want as long as it makes sense.'
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