JD McPherson Announces Debut Christmas Album and “Rock ’n Roll Christmas Tour”

JD McPherson’s debut Christmas album, SOCKS, will be released November 2 on New West Records and is now available for pre-order. The record features ten original songs plus the first ever physical release of the track, “Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights).”

In support of the release, the band will embark on “SOCKS: A Rock ’n Roll Christmas Tour” this fall including shows in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, DC, Atlanta, Nashville and more. See below for full tour details.

The album was recorded during the warm spring months of 2018 at Alex The Great in Nashville, TN and produced by McPherson (vocals, guitar) and his band — comprised of Ray Jacildo (keys), Jimmy Sutton (upright bass), Jason Smay (drums) and Doug Corcoran (saxophone, guitar, keys). Also featured on the record are special guests Lucie Silvas, as a duet vocalist on “Claus Vs. Claus,” and The Giardinaires on “Socks,” “Holly, Carol, Candy & Joy,” and “Santa’s Got A Mean Machine.”

Of the recording, McPherson shares, “Over the past few months, I’ve told a few friends and interested parties that we’re releasing an album soon, and that it’s a Christmas album. You can immediately see the disappointment or bemusement on their faces. Then I have to explain to them how incredibly proud I am of it, and how I rate it as an actual album, as opposed to some kind of stop-gap or cash-grab. It’s eleven original songs. I think it’s some of my very best lyrical work. The band played beautifully. It was the most fun we’ve ever had in a studio together. After hearing the final mix, we marveled, and none of us can stop listening to it. First and foremost, it’s a rock and roll record (fans of our first record are going to flip out) and one that I believe at least a few people will listen to in the summertime, when they get a jones for feeling good. Scout’s honor.”

Hailing from Broken Arrow, OK, McPherson has recorded three studio albums and toured extensively at venues worldwide plus festival sets at Glastonbury, Bonnaroo and Newport Folk Festival among many others. Rolling Stone has described his music as “Timeless, forward-thinking rock & roll.” His most recent LP, Undivided Heart & Soul, was released in 2017 to widespread critical acclaim with NPR praising, “McPherson’s mastery of rock and soul fundamentals is beyond question, but his voice moves in wild ways on these songs, and the band exudes a new kind of risky energy.”

SOCKS TRACK LIST
1. All The Gifts I Need
2. Bad Kid
3. Hey Skinny Santa!
4. Socks
5. Every Single Christmas
6. Ugly Sweater Blues
7. Holly, Carol, Candy & Joy
8. Santa’s Got A Mean Machine
9. What’s That Sound?
10. Claus Vs. Claus (feat. Lucie Silvas)
11. Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights) [PHYSICAL ONLY]

SOCKS: A ROCK ’N ROLL CHRISTMAS TOUR

November 28 /// Milwaukee, WI /// Turner Hall
November 29 /// Minneapolis, MN /// First Avenue
November 30 /// Chicago, IL /// Thalia Hall
December 1 /// Detroit, MI /// El Club
December 2 /// Toronto, ON /// Lee’s Palace
December 4 /// Brooklyn, NY /// Brooklyn Bowl
December 5 /// Philadelphia, PA /// Underground Arts
December 6 /// Washington, DC /// Black Cat
December 8 /// Asheville, NC /// Grey Eagle
December 9 /// Atlanta, GA /// Terminal West
December 11 /// Houston, TX /// Continental
December 12 /// Austin, TX /// Scoot Inn
December 13 /// Dallas, TX /// The Statler Ballroom
December 14 /// Oklahoma City, OK /// Tower Theatre
December 15 /// Memphis, TN /// 1884 Lounge
December 16 /// Nashville, TN /// 3rd & Lindsley

photo credit: Alysse Gafkjen