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Dreamy, spangly indie types Lunar Youth reveal their albums, gigs and moments of the year before looking forward to what the next twelve months holds in store.
NOIZE: What was your best moment of 2009?

Simon: Our single launch party in November for 'Misfits' with Young and Lost Club at the Queen of Hoxton in London. We co hosted the night with Y&L and invited down a some great bands and friends for a blowout. After we performed, Erik Hassle played a stripped down set and was mesmerising. He sang a Sam Cook tune and his voice reached unfathomable heights.

NOIZE: Who were the best band you saw play in 2009?

Peter: Friendly Fires put on an incredible show at the London Forum. The lights, sounds and dancing during Jump in the Pool created a euphoric atmosphere. Adam: The Virgins at Heaven was a great gig. The singer Donald Cumming is enormously entertaining. You have to love his no shirt and bow-tie look. It's a winner.

NOIZE: What was the best gig you played in 2009?

Peter: We're in New York at the moment, having an ace time. We were invited to do a few shows. We played at a great club the other night called Pianos in the Lower East Side. After a rocking set we headed with some audience members to a Tex Mex place down the street for $2 dollar tacos and pitchers of sangria.

NOIZE: Your top 5 albums of 2009?

Simon:

The Virgins The Virgins - Donald Cumming's vocal delivery is so characterful- I love when he talks a verse in Rich Girls.
Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - The textures on this album are so creative. Love Like A Sunset takes surprising turns culminates in a moving climax.

Peter:

Girls- Album - The songs are performed and arranged with real, affecting personality.
School of Seven Bells - Alpinism - Beautiful harmonies sung by beautiful babes.

Adam:

Julian Casablancas's Phrazes for the Young takes Strokes hooks in a different direction. Julian's characterful voice and witty turn of phrase fit in surprisingly well over pop electronic beats. Glass and River of Break Light and 11th Dimension are real standouts.

NOIZE: Who are your top tips for new bands we should all check out in 2010?

Adam: We played one of our first shows out of London in Manchester with the Laureates. The singer had great charisma, played a Rickenbacker and sang with a deep haunting voice. Their music was like 70s American rock meets Joy Division.

Simon: The Crookes. We played a show with them in Southampton and they have a great vibe. The singer's voice is like the Zombies and their songs are full of romance.

NOIZE: Do you have any major plans for 2010?

Simon: While we are in NYC we are going to record a new single with the producer Brandon Mason who has made records with The Secret Machines and David Bowie. We'll be in a studio called Stratosphere Sound owned by James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins which has a bunch of amazing old amplifiers, guitars and keyboards. Expect them to be all over the record.

NOIZE: What are you most looking forward to in 2010?

Peter: Playing some festivals. Adam: I can't wait to go and play a couple clubs in LA and have a day off to go surfing and drive around the canyons.

NOIZE: What was your number 1 highlight of the naughties?

Adam: U2 iPod.

NOIZE: What is your number 1 album of the naughties?

Peter: Radiohead's Kid A

Adam and Simon: The Strokes - Is This It