This is the original first pressing of a duplicated CD that I had printed in October 2023; only 100 copies were made.
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Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
FLAC files are available in 24 bit 48 kHz and deliver *exactly* what I heard when I produced the audio. All downloads come with JPEGs of the front and back covers, as well as PDFs of the lyrics and liner notes.
At first, this was meant to be an EP, but as I was putting it together, I saw room for a few extra songs and got excited about an LP. Also, this is the first release I've manufactured/printed since 2006; after Seventeen Oh-Two Oh-Six, I went strictly digital. I decided to print this one for "merch" reasons, really. I had thought quite a bit about merch and concluded that I wanted something small and light; something collectible rather than discardable; and something that could represent me and carry metadata. I can't afford vinyl records at this time, and I know that there are many folks out there that once collected CDs. Consider this CD a collectible item and a way to further support me on my journey.
The first single off this release was Look at What You've Got, which was released on November 3. The second single is Softness in the Afterglow, which I am simply stating here as it is being released at the same time as the LP is released.
What is Distant December? I used to wonder if I'd ever release a Christmas/holiday album; a few folks even encouraged me to do so. Over the decades, I have grown to not fully feel or celebrate Christmas—not the way I did when I was a kid. I grew to dislike the pressure to buy stuff and to think of gifts, as well as the crazy traffic jam of everyone trying to do the same thing at the same time. However, having lived mostly in the southern hemisphere over 18 years, I had grown to miss some elements of the holidays. I missed the time-out we take—the pause in our lives to be with some friends or family and to share some meals, drinks, music, and laughs. I missed the cold weather and short days that wrapped those times. I realized I was missing the winter solstice and the social holiday break. I also realized that Christmas music was being used somewhat to intoxicate us and influence us to shop and consume. That confused me, as there are some Christmas tunes and Christmas albums I really love (Rocky Mountain Christmas, by John Denver, is one such album). Over time, I gravitated toward some songs that aren't necessarily Christmas tunes but easily are wintry or even December-y; on this LP there is only one song that was written clearly as a Christmas song, and that's The Christmas Song (which I can't help but include as I really do love this one). Other songs, like Let it Snow, Winter Wonderland, and Aspenglow do not mention or describe Christmas, but rather winterscapes and wintry warmth. I love these old songs. I've included a few of my own tunes that I dare not say belong with the ones written by old masters, but I do say feel wintry to me and suit my December-y vision.
I hope Distant December leaves you feeling warm. Maybe you can share some warmth with a friend or family member. Drop me a line if you want to send some warmth back my way.
credits
released December 1, 2023
Produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jesse Rivest at his Little Bakery Studio in Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
Drums recorded by Marcos Pagani at Orbis Studio in Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
Songs written (except where otherwise indicated) and performed by Jesse Rivest.
Drums and percussion performed by Misael Barros.
Hammond B3 performed by Alexander Raichenok.
Organ bass performed by Jesse Rivest.
Acoustic and electric guitars performed by Jesse Rivest.
Piano performed by Jesse Rivest.
Backing vocals performed by Jesse Rivest.
Album cover artwork by Paula Calderón (www.paulacalderon.com.br, @paulacalderon.arte, 2023).
Album cover layout by Jesse Rivest.
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