On the Joyzine Advent Calendar we’re giving away free downloads of tracks by artists that we love (including plenty of exclusives and a fair few festive favourites) every day until Christmas Eve on what, as far as we’re aware (and we’re always happy to be corrected), is the longest running such calendar on the web.
As always, the tracks are completely free to download and there’s no need to sign up to any mailing lists to access the songs (though if you’d like to you can join ours here), but if you’re enjoying the tunes we’d love you to make a donation to the wonderful charity Child Poverty Action Group, who work on behalf of the more than one in four children currently growing up in poverty in the UK by providing support to families navigating the social security system, taking legal action to challenge unjust decisions and campaigning for change. You can make a donation on this link.
After yesterday’s double-header from Blang Records, we’ve another pair of fantastic tracks for you today from another of our favourite UK indies. Bringing the treats today are the wonderful folk at Alcopop! Records, home to so many of our favourite bands it almost seems unfair on the other labels. Today they’re providing festive fare from activist punks Dream Nails, who are hosting a Queermas acoustic livestream for their Patreon supporters on 11th December (become a supporter here for access) and from indie punkpop cult heroes Helen Love (with guest appearances from a few of their musical chums).
We caught up with Jack from Alcopop! to find out what they have in store for 2023.
What have you been up to in 2022?
Well – what a year eh. It’s been incredibly fun on the most part, but the consistent vinyl delays have got us down a little bit. We’ve had albums from the likes of Pulled Apart by Horses, Clean Cut Kid, cheerbleederz, Helen Love and more – and stacks of ace singles and EPs from a host of amazing bands. Yeah, actually, sod the vinyl delays. It’s been really fun!
What do you have planned for next year?
Do you know, we’ve got 4 (count ’em) brand new signings to announce in the first couple of months of next year with The Subways brand new record to kick off the year. They’re on tour with Gaffa Tape Sandy as well which is going to be amazing. I thiiiiink it’s going to be Alcopop!’s busiest year yet in 2023, and we’re excited about everything we have coming up.
What can you tell us about today’s track?
You’ve got a mega double header. ‘Lonely Star’, Dream Nails’ wintry anthem of inclusion and togetherness wherever you are is a song that deserves to top every festive tree, and Helen Love’s ‘Townhall Band’ is perhaps my favourite Christmas song EVER with cameos from ace people like Ash, The School and The Darling Buds. If you buy it, all the money goes to the Trussell Trust. So if you love it like I do, go buy it too <3
What makes the perfect Christmas song?
Chris Rea
Download: Dream Nails – Lonely Star / Helen Love – Townhall Band
Find out more on Alcopop! Records’ official website
If you enjoy the track, we’d love you to consider making a donation to Child Poverty Action Group
Check back every day until Christmas Eve for more free music – if you’ve missed a day, you’ll find all of this year’s tracks so far on the links below. Merry Christmas everyone!
Day One: Piney Gir – Do Good For Goodness Sake
Day Two: Lost Map Records present Firestations – Swim Under The Winter
Day Three: LOUD WOMEN present Killdren – Expect a Crimewave
Day Four: Scratchy Records present The Rocks, Jonny Cola & The A-Grades, Bromide + Coach Hop
Day Five: Deux Furieuses – Bring Down The Government Home Demo
Day Six: Extradition Order – Bold
Day Seven: Blang Records present Thomas Truax + Faux Fibbers
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