Joy to the world! It’s the return of our favourite festive tradition, the Joyzine Advent Calendar, back for its 22nd consecutive edition, which as far as we’re aware makes it the longest running on the net.
As always, every track is completely free to download and we don’t require you to sign up for a mailing list (though you can if you want to) or hand over your personal data – it’s our way of saying thank you to everyone who’s visited the site during 2025 and to hopefully bring a few more listeners to some very deserving artists.
However, if you do enjoy the tracks we would love you to consider making a donation to our chosen cause, which this year is HOPE not hate, and their stirling work researching, campaigning, and supporting communities to build HOPE and oppose far-right extremism. You can make a donation here.
Craig Fortnam is a fantastically talented composer and musician, with his heart and soul firmly planted in musical soil. He is lead composer for contemporary classical chamber collective North Sea Radio Orchestra. He’s also a central member of the Cardiacs Family, contributing “Voice, Glocks & Percussion” to the recent (and gobsmackingly impressive) Cardiacs album LSD.
Craig also performs in singer-songwriter mode alongside James Larcombe (Stars in Battledress, William D Drake, North Sea Radio Orchestra), as Arch Garrison. Somehow, he finds time to compose / arrange / record / perform solo, as himself.
We caught up with Craig for a festive q&a session:
Tell us a little bit about your track please
This track was my December ‘Lunar One’ B side (in which I released a download-only single with an A and B side every full moon for a year). All the releases are now available as a digital album from Bandcamp.
What have you been up to in 2025?
In 2025 I released the new North Sea Radio Orchestra LP ’Special Powers’ and we did a couple of big shows to celebrate that. I also did a few Arch Garrison and solo gigs throughout the year.
I was heavily involved in the new Cardiacs album LSD which FINALLY came out this year – hooray!
In October I released Music For String Quartet & Percussion featuring the Inkling Quartet which I spent the summer composing.
I am off to Italy in December for a show and have finalised the release of a new album Empty Vessels (Craig Fortnam//Laurent Valero) which is coming out on the Italian label Dark Companion in the new year. It features lots of recorders//hurdy gurdy and my usual guitary songs and instrumentals. It’s really great in an ‘early music’ style.
I am currently writing a few Bespoke Guitar Pieces; commissioned by Bandcamp followers as Xmas presents.
And what are your plans for next year?
Next year sees the release of Empty Vessels and there will be a few shows to promote that. Also I will be rehearsing and performing with Cardiacs in March (in London, Manchester & Glasgow) and maybe later in the year as well.
I’m also working on new North Sea Radio Orchestra material. I will be playing keys for some upcoming The Holy Family concerts and will also be booking a short Arch Garrison tour.
What have been your musical highlights of the year from other bands/artists?
2025 musical highlights include Cardiacs LSD, Lost Crowns The Heart Is In The Body and Vexilla Regis by Marcu Cannavo & Steve Tyler.
Christmas: The most wonderful time of the year or a big bag of humbug?
I have happy Xmas memories growing up so therefore Christmas is great. We will be singing and playing carols on the village green with assorted villagers and musicians including our good pal Brian Gulland from Gryphon!
Stream and download ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ below
Make a donation to HOPE not hate
Craig Fortnam: Website / YouTube / Bandcamp
Check out more fantastic free music on this year’s calendar:
1: Piney Gir & Parenthesis Dot Dot Dot
2: Syd Howells
3: The Happy Hollow
4: Stephen Evens
5: Ombudsmen
6: The Scaramanga Six
7: Dextro + Rubber Oh
Check back tomorrow for another free festive download!
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