RT Mid-Year 2012 In Review

I chuckled a bit as I sat here typing this particular post headline. Last year, I actually tried to do quarterly wrap-ups and reviews. Last year, I seemed to be a little more conscientious about celebrating the look back equally as well as celebrating the look ahead. Last year – was a much different year.

I’ve always felt it rather important to stop and take a pause every so often throughout the year(s). I’m not talking about a vacation or a weekend getaway to Maui (frankly, many “vacations” seem like they involve more work than rest). I’m talking about a hardcore break in the action. I’m talking about a dead-stop from whatever work-related endeavors you may be engaged with. I’m talking about taking a solid span of time to deliberately STOP the “process” of what you’re doing.

I’m talking about rest and relaxation. But I’m also talking about taking a thoughtful time-out. Not just to recharge the batteries, but to acknowledge where you were and who/what you’re also becoming – going forward. I’m talking about an honest recognition and celebration of all of one’s hard-earned, hard-fought victories and successes. And I’m talking about the lessons we’ve learned (both good and bad).

Perhaps this is what certain holidays can enable us to do best. Holidays [should] give us some time away from the daily grind and the day-to-day “process.” They [should] give us some time to catch-up with friends and family, and to celebrate all of the rockin’ stuff we’re working so hard at each day. Have a great Independence Day holiday, friends. But don’t just run around playing grab-ass and heaving down shots of whatever Jagermeister magic the bar happens to be mixing-up this week. Take some honest time to reflect on the year you’ve had thus far. Take a meaningful break away from all of the noise and grind of the “process.” Take thoughtful hours to have real conversations, recollections, and celebrations with your loved ones. Take care.

Here’s a recap of some of our own highlights from the year 2012 thus far.

January began with a celebration of our 2011 pick for ‘Album Of the Year‘ – and a collection of some sweet videage from the artist. After that, we’re not real sure what the hell happened, to be honest. A winter break perhaps. Some time for some recollection/reconsideration of what we’re doing around here (and probably fending off more bastard internet wasteoids).

February picked-up with some steam with some killer new records we heard from PONEY, THE DIRTY STREETS, and PLOW along with some reviews featuring THE CHANGING HOUR and SWORDS OF TEXAS.

Frankly, it was probably THE DIRTY STREETS‘ album that re-kindled some of the fire and restored some of our faith in humanity, again. And the PONEY record is completely entirely off-the-hook.

We also highlighted “Ten Bitchin’ All-Girl Tribute Bands You Gotta Know” and took part in our first ever semi/shared-promoted concert event many cheers to the awesome blokes in EAGLE CLAW.

 

March may have well been chalked-up entirely to “SXSW Month.” But we also squeezed-in some album reviews featuring KEVLAR BIKINI, FEAR REPORT, and THE REPTILIANS. Some more killer albums we crossed paths with in March came from DIESEL AND DIXIE, VENOMOUS MAXIMUS, and THE SUN THE MOON THE STARS.

We also scored a cool post-SXSW interview with John Robinson (TURF WAR) and another one with Lukas Nelson.

For more of our SXSW photos, coverage, and linkage – check out our SXSW Board on Pinterest HERE as well as our collection of gig posters HERE.

Some of our SXSW videage:

 

 

 

April? What the hell happened in April, anyway?!? Rock and Roll wise, we’re not exactly sure. But we did do another awesome interview with IMMORTAL GUARDIAN, and discovered one of our newest favorite bands – HORISONT (from Sweden – of course). Oh, I remember now. We did some serious house-cleaning (and were probably fending off more internet bastard wasteoids).

And then May seemed to pick back up with a full head of steam with more of a daily posting rhythm. You can always visit the Archives for a full listing, but here were some of the more popular posts from May:

June followed suit in terms of a posting rhythm (but also perhaps a bit abnormal in comparison). We evidently had a lot to talk/write about and share out there on the blog. Here are some of the more popular stuffs (and for the full June Archives, click HERE).

June also brought us some very cool featured posts and interviews to share with you. We had a killer interview chat with THE SODA SHOP, and another brutally cool feature/interview with SHREDDERNET (make sure to check out these interviews, y’all – they’re bad as hell).

We also unveiled a brand new VIDEOS page for all of our ‘Vid Pick’ playlists/archives. We re-vamped the ARCHIVE/CHRONOLOG page. And according to ReverbNation, we became the #286th ranked metal/heavy rock/blues band based in Austin. LOL!

Aaannnd…we stumbled upon some very cool recent press from Mashable (which we were pretty kinda stoked about). Check out ROCKTHOUGHT.COM Tops Mashable List Of Essential Pinterest Boards For SXSW 2012.

As far as the blog goes, that’s about the greater majority of our first-half of 2012. Of course, we had many other Rockin’ and Rollin’ things happening scattered about as well. And we were equally just as [more] active out on Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and Facebook. But then again, those timelines kind’ve make it a little more easier on us in review.

As always, THANK YOU for rockin’ out with us here at ROCKTHOUGHT.COM. Join us. We’d love to share your company. And we look forward to connecting and sharing more of the Rockomania with you in 2012. Because we can never really actually know for sure where we’re going. But we sure as hell know where we’ve been.

 

Many cheers and all the best and a most rockin’ day/week/end of Independence (I totally just featured Whitesnake in a post didn’t I?)