Scott McCaughey of The Minus 5 knows a good thing when he hears it. So it's hard to figure why others seemed to have missed an opportunity. And, once again, we have to go back to The Monkees.
The Monkees Christmas album has been in the works for a few years, now. And, as we know, some of today's finest songwriters were approached to write for the project. Among them Scott McCaughey of The Minus 5. He and REM's Peter Buck did pen the title track for "Christmas Party". And, being in the Christmas mood, The Minus 5 gave us one of the best Alt Rock albums of 2017, "Dear December".
"Christmas In Antarctica" was written for The Monkees' Christmas album, and was "on hold" until the final song selection was determined. It did not make the cut. I think they made a mistake, but whatever. Not one to let a good song go to waste, McCaughey grabbed Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie and cut the record himself. He took it to Yep Roc and suggested they do a vinyl single for Record Store Day. Yep Roc opted against it, deciding to just issue the song as a digital single. Again, I think that was a mistake. But at least "Christmas In Antarctica" has been released. It's new today at Amazon and other digital outlets.
The Monkees Christmas album has been in the works for a few years, now. And, as we know, some of today's finest songwriters were approached to write for the project. Among them Scott McCaughey of The Minus 5. He and REM's Peter Buck did pen the title track for "Christmas Party". And, being in the Christmas mood, The Minus 5 gave us one of the best Alt Rock albums of 2017, "Dear December".
"Christmas In Antarctica" was written for The Monkees' Christmas album, and was "on hold" until the final song selection was determined. It did not make the cut. I think they made a mistake, but whatever. Not one to let a good song go to waste, McCaughey grabbed Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie and cut the record himself. He took it to Yep Roc and suggested they do a vinyl single for Record Store Day. Yep Roc opted against it, deciding to just issue the song as a digital single. Again, I think that was a mistake. But at least "Christmas In Antarctica" has been released. It's new today at Amazon and other digital outlets.
Back in 2007, Sufjan Stevens held a songwriting contest as part of the promotion for the 5-disc collection that is "Songs for Christmas". I remember it well as it was the coolest concept for a contest ever. Sufjan wrote and recorded an original Christmas song, "Lonely Man of Winter", and would trade all rights to the song and performance to the winner of the contest in exchange for the rights to his or her song. The winning entry was "Every Day Is Christmas" by Alec Duffy.
Now, honestly, if you had your hands on that kind of instant gold, you most likely would have released it and made a mint. But, instead, Alec Duffy traversed the country holding listening parties. At least 75 such parties were held. Alec used his new found notoriety to found JACK, a Brooklyn venue dedicated to experimentation in art and activism. JACK is tax exempt and currently hosting some 200 performances a year. With no more time for listening parties, Duffy approached Asthmatic Kitty (Sufjan's label) about releasing the song, with proceeds going to benefit JACK.
And so here it is, at long last. Coinciding with the release of "Songs for Christmas" on vinyl, a rare Sufjan Stevens Christmas recording that, up until now, only a select few have been able to listen to. Releasing today in digital format, the single includes the original version plus a new recording of "Lonely Man of Winter" by Sufjan Stevens and Melissa Mary Ahern, plus Alec Duffy's original song entry of "Every Day Is Christmas". A vinyl 7", limited to 1000, is also being pressed. The label sold out of their own allotment in hours, but retailers are expected to have the remainder come December 7. You can purchase the digital version at Bandcamp. And you can listen to it right here and now.
Now, honestly, if you had your hands on that kind of instant gold, you most likely would have released it and made a mint. But, instead, Alec Duffy traversed the country holding listening parties. At least 75 such parties were held. Alec used his new found notoriety to found JACK, a Brooklyn venue dedicated to experimentation in art and activism. JACK is tax exempt and currently hosting some 200 performances a year. With no more time for listening parties, Duffy approached Asthmatic Kitty (Sufjan's label) about releasing the song, with proceeds going to benefit JACK.
And so here it is, at long last. Coinciding with the release of "Songs for Christmas" on vinyl, a rare Sufjan Stevens Christmas recording that, up until now, only a select few have been able to listen to. Releasing today in digital format, the single includes the original version plus a new recording of "Lonely Man of Winter" by Sufjan Stevens and Melissa Mary Ahern, plus Alec Duffy's original song entry of "Every Day Is Christmas". A vinyl 7", limited to 1000, is also being pressed. The label sold out of their own allotment in hours, but retailers are expected to have the remainder come December 7. You can purchase the digital version at Bandcamp. And you can listen to it right here and now.
The Indie Pop band Lucius got their start in Brooklyn in the mid-aughts but have since relocated to the West Coast. Their sound can be eclectic, but thoroughly enchanting. Lucius are to songwriting what George Martin was to producing the Beatles. Which is to say they seem to take their songs, which would be perfectly mainstream on their own, strip them down, tear them into little pieces, and put them back together in new and exciting ways...that are still incredibly accessible and, well, totally mainstream (without being at all mainstream). (George Martin, on more than one occasion, would literally cut a tape up into little bits, virtually toss them in the air, and piece them back together in the order they fell...and still come out with a great Pop song.) You really need to listen to Lucius to understand what I'm trying to say.
Anyway, I don't have a real cool story about the Lucius Christmas single--a Dream Poppy cover of "Christmas Time Is Here" (although, as their second album was titled "Good Grief", I'm thinking there may be a story there). It's just that, well, how often do I have the chance to beat Christmas Underground to a song of this sort (not that its a competition)?
"Christmas Time Is Here" (backed by a cover of the old Motown number "You Keep Me Hangin' On") arrives on 7" vinyl on December 7 (pre-order at Fug Yep or at Amazon), but the digital A-side went on sale yesterday (also at Amazon). Proceeds from the single will go to MusiCares and Music Support UK, in memory of Richard Swift, to raise awareness about addiction and help those suffering from its effects.
Anyway, I don't have a real cool story about the Lucius Christmas single--a Dream Poppy cover of "Christmas Time Is Here" (although, as their second album was titled "Good Grief", I'm thinking there may be a story there). It's just that, well, how often do I have the chance to beat Christmas Underground to a song of this sort (not that its a competition)?
"Christmas Time Is Here" (backed by a cover of the old Motown number "You Keep Me Hangin' On") arrives on 7" vinyl on December 7 (pre-order at Fug Yep or at Amazon), but the digital A-side went on sale yesterday (also at Amazon). Proceeds from the single will go to MusiCares and Music Support UK, in memory of Richard Swift, to raise awareness about addiction and help those suffering from its effects.
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