It’s December, which round these parts means it’s time once again for The Joyzine Advent Calendar! This year we’re celebrating our 20th edition, so we’ve scoured the archives to mix in some calendar classics along with a few fresh festive cuts from our favourite artists.
As always every track on the calendar will be absolutely free to download, and we don’t force you to sign up for our mailing list (though you can if you want, here) or hand over all of your personal data. The calendar is our Christmas gift to the world (or at least the part of it that enjoys seasonal songs by obscure indie musicians), but if you’re also in the giving mood we’d love you to make a donation to our chosen cause, the excellent anti-racism charity HOPE not hate, which you can do here.
On with the free festive tunes!
Today’s festive offering comes from a musician who featured in the very first edition of Joyzine back in 2003, when editor Paul Maps interviewed his band The Edible 5ft Smiths at Truckfest. Now performing and recording with his band as Matt Edible & The Obtuse Angels, as well as on guitar with fellow Joyzine originals Fonda 500, Matt has provided today’s seasonal treat in the form of December breakup song ‘Advent Beard’. You can watch the video here and download the track below. We caught up with Matt to find out what the future holds for the Obtuse Angels.
What have you been up to this year?
We released Mirror Shoes! The first single from the upcoming album (watch the video below or stream on Spotify).
We’ve also managed to start getting out and about playing shows featuring the new Obtuse Angels line-up of Sarah Shiels (Bass) & John Andrew (Drums).
On top of that we also had the privilege of contributing our cover of Joanna Newsom’s Bridges & Balloons to the 20 Years of Joyzine compilation!
What have you got planned for 2024?
The plan is very much to release our second album – The Optometrist. It’s ready to go and sounding fantastic (if I do say so myself) – if already established labels out there are interested in putting such a thing out then please give us a shout!
We’re also looking to do loads of shows so if anyone wants us to play for them, also shout.
Tell us about your track
I heard a story about a hirsute friend of a friend who was approached over the festive period and asked “are you growing an advent beard?” It tickled me and I felt the need to write a song about it.
It’s a fairly melancholic lyric but also quite fun. I’m still hoping it will one day become a sleeper Christmas hit and I’m really pleased to share it as part of this Advent Calendar.
We included it on the debut album – Stairgazing – I’m still not sure whether that was a good move or not as it may feel a bit out of place for a lot of the year – though, as I say in the liner notes “a song is for life, not just for Christmas”.
This year Joyzine has been celebrating our 20th birthday – what were you up to in 2003?
My first band Edible 5ft Smiths were being featured in the very first Joyzine! I believe alongside Black Nielson (I still adore that band – Mike Gale is such a great songwriter with such a great voice – I love all of his stuff since as Co-Pilgrim and under his own name – I would so much love to see Black Nielson re-unite for a show or two though!) and fellow Hull band Fonda 500 (who I fell in love with from the first time I saw them in the late-90s – I’ve had the honour of playing guitar for them for the past 4 or 5 years and it’s been an absolute pleasure – unfortunately, this December will mark their final gig as they’ve decided to call it a day.)
Any new year’s resolutions?
To always say “gesundheit” instead of “bless you”.
Download ‘Advent Beard’
Add the track to your Spotify Christmas playlist here
Make a donation to HOPE not hate
Follow Matt Edible & The Obtuse Angels on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Youtube / Bandcamp
Check back tomorrow for another free festive download!
Catch up on all of this year’s Advent Calendar Tracks so far:
1: MJ Hibbett – I Got You What You Want For Christmas
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