Winterval

It's Bandcamp Friday which means if you buy my new album today, I'll get all the money! If enough people buy it (and you can pay anything!) I'll stop making unpopular niche projects like this one and focus on making another Christmas album.
winterval.bandcamp.com/album/everyt...

The book Fountains of Wayne by Fiona McQuarrie being held in front of a swimming pool and a blue sky

Holiday reading @writingonmusic.bsky.social

Everything's Ruined, by Winterval 9 track album

New Winterval album out now on Bandcamp! It's a collection of folky reinterpretations of songs by Fountains of Wayne. I'm not sure who it will appeal to. winterval.bandcamp.com/album/everyt...

Fountains of Wayne Announce First Shows Since Adam Schlesinger’s Death The power-pop band will perform at Milwaukee’s Summerfest and Maryland’s Oceans Calling Festival

All news is terrible and scary but then the greatest news ever happens. If you're not a Fountains of Wayne fan, you should really sort that out.

pitchfork.com/news/fountai...

The Magnetic Fields UK/Europe tour dates. Birmingham not included.

"Oh look, a band I like is doing a UK tour! I imagine they'll definitely be playing at the second largest city in Britain, handily based in the centre of England! I'll just check the dates to make su... oh" - Me, most weeks.

But otherwise, yes I agree!

I've covered some Fountains of Wayne songs - same lyrics but completely new melodies and arrangements. Discovered last week you can't just pay for a license like with a straight cover. Need permission from the songwriter. I realise hardly anyone listens to my music but still feels a bit weird.

Beep beep

It's been two years since I created a whole load of horrible Christmas Sandwich images - how has AI not improved since then?

Thanks for including Krampus! See you next year!

Wrapping up Santapalooza 2024 with our picks for the best new Christmas songs of the year! It was a banger of a year, and we can't wait to hear what's in store for Christmas 2025!

We'll be back here - and only here - on November 21, 2025. Stay strong in 2025 and, as always, #FuckTrump #FuckElon.

Good list. If Angels is allowed then it's in my top 5!

Yesss!!

Just to warn you, I wrote this at 11pm after a few beers. I'm not sure it totally makes sense but please read it, if only because I managed to reference @knpknpknpknp.bsky.social, Beta Radio and The Cheeky Girls!

Aw thanks Kristian! I am but a novice compared to you though! 🙌🏻

Thanks Christmas people!

Oh wow this is just the loveliest review. Thanks so much Christmas Underground!

Ooo let's see yours!

Top 10 best Sufjan Christmas originals:

10. The Child with the Star
9. Carol of St Benjamin
8. Did I Make You Cry
7. Justice Delivers its Death
6. Star of Wonder
5. Christmas Unicorn
4. Barcarola
3. Worst Christmas Ever
2. Sister Winter
1. Christmas in the Room

Making Christmas Winterval · Sad Christmas Songs · Song · 2024

The lyrics to Making Christmas were kind of inspired by Trains, Planes & Automobiles but then turned a little existential at the end. Also I wanted it to sound like Simon & Garfunkel but it doesn't really.
open.spotify.com/track/7yVtmF...

Snow Globe Winterval · Sad Christmas Songs · Song · 2024

I based the melody for Snow Globe on the synth line at the end of Christmas Without You and it was supposed to be a continuation of that story but got a bit dark by mistake. I wrote and recorded it in a hour the night before I released the album. Madness!
open.spotify.com/track/3J2gJZ...

Times Square Elmo Winterval · Sad Christmas Songs · Song · 2024

I wanted to write a song about going to the pub in your home town on Christmas Eve and seeing people from school and it feeling a bit weird. I also wanted to write a song where I rhymed silly things with people's names. And thus, Times Square Elmo was born!
open.spotify.com/track/7CUbQx...

Next Christmas Winterval · Sad Christmas Songs · Song · 2024

This one's a bit of a downer. It's based on things people have said to me about how they feel next year is going to go. I wrote and recorded it in a single day which is very much not what I usually do.
open.spotify.com/track/2tdfCJ...

Krampus Winterval · Sad Christmas Songs · Song · 2024

Krampus is possibly my favourite song on here. It's suitably creepy.
open.spotify.com/track/0luFZU...

Christmas Without You Winterval · Sad Christmas Songs · Song · 2024

Christmas Without You is already my most streamed song ever! It's quite fun despite being about someone trapped in a snowglobe. open.spotify.com/track/6wqYgv...

Sad Christmas Songs Winterval · Sad Christmas Songs · Song · 2024

For the first song, Sad Christmas Songs, I challenged myself to write a coherent sad Christmas song made up of the titles of other sad Christmas songs. I like it but I think it probably needs someone who can actually sing to sing it.
open.spotify.com/track/7LHISO...

Sad Christmas Songs, by Winterval 7 track album

I released a new Christmas album a week ago. It's different from the other Christmas music I've made in that I wrote and recorded it pretty quickly rather than spending years on it. I think it mostly holds up.
winterval.bandcamp.com/album/sad-ch...

Christmas Underground Christmas Underground is on Mixcloud. Listen for free to their radio shows, DJ mix sets and Podcasts

Every single one of my previous 19 mixes is now on @mixcloud.bsky.social. Check out some old ones this #christmas season! www.mixcloud.com/christmasund...

In the Shadow of John the Divine, by Chris Cleverley 4 track album

At the weekend I discovered this Christmas EP by Chris Cleverley. It's really lovely folky stuff and there's a Sufjan cover so it's right up my street. Plus he's from Birmingham too! 🤯

chriscleverley.bandcamp.com/album/in-the...