features - PAGE 31

2023 Holiday Gift Guide

Gift
Jason Tate

Each year I put together a small gift guide post full of things that I think make great gifts and are a lot of fun to give or receive for the holidays. Everything on the list is something I’ve used and enjoyed and recommend. I have recommendations posts for software, headphones, and miscellaneous stuff around the house, so the things on this list will be more focused on stuff not included in those posts and geared toward things I’ve come across in the past year or so and think would make good gifts.

I used my Amazon affiliate link when the product showed up there, which gives our website a slight percentage back if you make a purchase and therefore helps fund our continued existence.

If you’d like to get me a gift, becoming a supporting member or gifting another user a supporting membership for a year would mean the world to me. And, if you’re looking for something in just about any price range with a Chorus.fm or AbsolutePunk.net logo on it, check our merch shop.

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Interview: Sam Harris of X Ambassadors

X Ambassadors
Adam Grundy

Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Sam Harris, the lead singer of X Ambassadors, to check in about the band’s latest single called “Alcohol.” I also asked Sam about his creative songwriting process for writing for X Ambassadors as well as stepping out into his recent solo work, and artists in the scene that he and his bandmates admire. X Ambassadors will be finalizing plans for their new album soon.

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Autopilot – “Unwound” (Video Premiere)

Autopilot
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the new single and video from Canadian alternative band, Autopilot, called “Unwound.” In the last 14 months, the Saskatchewan rockers have released four singles while consistently touring North America, and their following seems to be growing after each electric live performance. If you’re enjoying the latest single from Autopilot, please consider purchasing an album from their Bandcamp page.

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Chris Garneau – “Millions” (Song Premiere)

Chris Garneau
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the new single from Chris Garneau called “Millions.” On this collaborative song with Garneau’s boyfriend, Marc Briz, a lyricist/fiction writer, Garneau channels the love they share into a vibrant single. Co-produced by Garneau and Dan Marcellus, “Millions” takes the listener on an enjoyable and thrilling ride. The song comes from Garneau’s new EP, Out of Love, that will be out everywhere is sold on December 8th. I was also able to catch up with Chris Garneau for a brief interview below.

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Observe The 93rd – “We Are Already Dead” (Song Premiere)

Observe the 93rd
Adam Grundy

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone a great new single by emo/rock band Observe the 93rd, called “We Are Already Dead.” With a sound that fits somewhere between Three Cheers-era of My Chemical Romance, and early Panic! at the Disco, Observe the 93rd are well on their way to making a name for themselves. Band member Derek Henry shared, “‘We Are Already Dead’ is the intro track and sets the stage for the main theme of the album- everything has already happened and also is happening, simultaneously. The past, present, and future are all equally real, and we are already dead.” The band will be releasing their full-length record, Eternalism, on December 15th. If you’re enjoying the early listen to this great single, please consider purchasing something from their merch store here.

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MOONRIIVR – “Flowers on the Fire Escape” (Video Premiere)

MOONRIIVR
Adam Grundy

Today I’m thrilled to share with everyone the latest single and video from Canadian indie-folk band, MOONRIIVR, that comes from their new LP, Volume I, out everywhere music is sold on November 8th. “Flowers on the Fire Escape” takes the listener on a great journey, where in the video the band are performing the track outside of a crowded antique shop, showing off their outsider tastes and veteran musical instinct. I was also able to catch up with this talented band for a brief interview below.

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Interview: Lily Meola

Lily Meola
Adam Grundy

Recently I was able to connect with Lily Meola for a Zoom interview to discuss her uplifting new single called “Without You.” I asked Lily about her music upbringing, how she stays motivated as an artist, how she measures success as well as her breakthrough single “Daydream,” and what next year has in store for her promising musical career.

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Interview: Cold War Kids

Cold War Kids
Adam Grundy

Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with lead vocalist Nathan Willett, of Cold War Kids, to discuss the band’s latest self-titled album that dropped today. In this interview, I asked Nathan about how the band goes about crafting a setlist at this point in their career, the key upcoming album anniversary plans, and Nathan offered some great nuggets of information about the band’s songwriting approach. Cold War Kids self-titled album can be purchased/streamed here.

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Allen Ginsberg – “Don’t Grow Old” (Song Premiere)

Allen Ginsberg
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the news that Allen Ginsberg has returned with a new single called “Don’t Grow Old.” The newly reissued double album of The Lion For Real is available starting today. With equal parts spoken word, jazz, rock, and ambient, this beautiful record was originally produced by Hal Willner, and features musicians like Mark Bingham, Bill Frisell, Kramer, Arto Lindsay, Marc Ribot. I was also able to catch up with one of the collaborators, Kramer, for a brief interview below.

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The Helltones – “Don’t Waste My Time” (Song Premiere)

The Helltones
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the new single from Oakland garage rock band, The Helltones, called “Don’t Waste My Time.” Much like the title implies, The Helltones get right down to the business at hand with a spiraling, nearly five-minute song that takes listeners on a thrilling ride. Primary songwriter Darwin Siegaldoud shared:

I co-wrote ‘Don’t Waste My Time’ with Victoria, the singer/organ player. She came up with the concept, and wanted to write a song about having her time wasted by an indecisive lover. As we’ve performed it, it’s taken on a wider meaning to me. We’re constantly having our time wasted by advertisers, scammers, or people who just don’t know what they want. This song is hers, and our message to those people.

The Helltones might just be the next most interesting band to take the music scene by storm.

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Brad Stank – “I Belong To You” (Song Premiere)

Brad Stank
Adam Grundy

Today is a great day to share the new, jazzy single from Brad Stank called “I Belong To You.” On this quick song that tugs on all the right heartstrings, Stank displays a rich confidence not usually seen in the music scene. He shared:

A short but sweet song influenced heavily by the Love Unlimited band. Rhythmically kinda awkward and drunken, expressing how it can feel sometimes to be vulnerable to somebody. The title is pretty Gospel-esque but lyrically quite romantic, towing that line again. Lydia Kitto on the gorgeous backing vocals. Really doubling down on the romantic vibes here, and one of my favorite songs on the record.

I was also able to catch up with Brad for a brief interview below.

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Hollow River – “Self Esteem (Everyone’s Leaving)” (Song Premiere)

Hollow River
Adam Grundy

Today I’m excited to bring everyone an early listen to punk rapper, Hollow River, and his fulfilling, and vibrant new single called “Self Esteem (Everyone’s Leaving).” This artist shared:

The intro is a recording of a message I got from an old friend who had dreams of being a rapper ever since he was a teenager. He took it particularly hard when I started to pursue my music career full time, and even harder when I found success with rap myself. Instead of being happy for me he sent me aggressive messages that kept escalating with anger to the point where I had to cut them off. I had to remind myself that someone who couldn’t be happy about me pursuing my dream wasn’t a real friend and I was better off without them. Musically it’s really fun -like a release after a period of stress with some awesome drums parts!

The single comes from Hollow River’s EP, We’re Going To Be Ok, which officially drops today.

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Chase Tremaine – Accidental Days (Deluxe Edition) Track-by-Track

Chase Tremaine
Adam Grundy

This past week, I was able to chat with Chase Tremaine to discuss his deluxe reissue of Accidental Days. The deluxe edition of the album has been re-released today on Bandcamp, and it features ten new bonus tracks, plus commentary on the ten main album songs. I continue to be impressed by Chase’s extensive work ethic, and I hope this track-by-track sheds some light on his creative process.

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