Looking Back at 2025 โ and Ahead to 2026
So, here we are again – New Years Eve. As usual, I have been reflecting and thinking ahead.
2025 was a strange one โ a year that didnโt always go the way I expected, but still managed to deliver some real highlights, a few surprises, and more than a little personal growth (forced or otherwise). As the year winds down, I wanted to take a moment to look back at what happened, what I created, what I survived, and whatโs coming next.
Creative Highlights of 2025
In April, Uncle Jeffโs Once Upon A Time finally made its way into the world. By December, it climbed to #20 on the Amazon Childrenโs Books chart, which is something Iโm incredibly proud of. That little story book found its audience, and seeing it resonate with readers has been one of the brightest parts of my year.
Early in the year, I released a couple of experimental electronic tracks โ not under a band name, not behind a persona, just Jeff Elder. Theyโre like me – odd, atmospheric, and definitely โan acquired taste,โ but they made me happy. Sales werenโt wild, but that was never the point. It felt good to create something purely because I wanted to and I look forward to doing more in the future.
On the nonโcreative side, I started SOHO Admin Force, a business Iโve been quietly building behind the scenes most of the year. I know thatโs not what most people come to this site for, but if you are curious, Iโve included a link where you can learn more about what we do above.
On a Personal Note
2025 wasโฆ physically challenging. Early in the year, I learned that my foot had actually been broken โ not recently, but two years earlier. Iโd spent all that time assuming it was a stubborn sprain. Turns out, no. It was very broken.
I had the bone repaired, and the recovery took far longer than expected. I ended up off my feet for more than half the year. And just when I finally started walking again, I managed to injure the other knee. Physical therapy has been my new friend ever since.
It wasnโt the year of movement I wanted, but Iโm grateful to say Iโm doing much better now โ not quite 100%, but close. Healing is slow, but itโs happening, and Iโm ready to step (carefully) into 2026.
Looking Ahead to 2026
So, whatโs coming next? Quite a bit โ the kind of work thatโs been simmering quietly while Iโve been healing and regrouping.
Iโve spent much of this winter finishing and editing my next release, Starr Love. Despite the title, no โ itโs not a romance novel. Itโs the story of a delusional wannabe rock star who maybe takes things a bit too far. Itโs strange, darkly funny, and very much its own thing. Youโll see it on shelves this Spring.
Iโve got two (maybe three) other manuscripts in various stages of development. Once Starr Love is officially off my plate, Iโll decide which one gets my attention next.
Iโm doing a couple of remixes for the latest Red Red Groove album, Resonance. Since Iโve stepped back from playing live and have mostly retired from the music scene, I only appear on the new album on one track (Activate) โ a guitar part I recorded back during the Return sessions. Think of these remixes as my small way of supporting Mike Castle and the groove as he keeps it moving forward.
I really enoyed making music with no rules, no expectations, and no persona โ just me and a pile of synths. Will another track appear in 2026? Maybe. Probably. Weโll see where inspiration leads.
And Finallyโฆ
I hope everyone has been having โ and continues to have โ a wonderful holiday season. This time of year always feels like a reset button, a chance to breathe, reflect, and look ahead with a little more optimism than we had in the middle of the year.
Iโm looking forward to making 2026 a great one, creatively and personally, and I hope youโre able to carve out something meaningful for yourself in the months ahead too. Hereโs to new projects, better health, and whatever strange, unexpected joys find us along the way.
Cheers,
Jeff