Over the course of a few Decembers of Milwaukee Record‘s existence, we’ve rounded up a mess of amazingly tolerable local songs that have helped improve the largely unsatisfying holiday music genre. (You can check out our lists from 2014, 2016, and two 2017 installments now.) Last year was no different, except that list featured what could arguably be considered the best Milwaukee-made holiday song of all time.
Yes, in December of 2020, Tyler Chicorel—whom you might know from his work in Call Me Lightning, Space Raft, and Whips—gave listeners the unexpected-but-outstanding gift of a brand new seasonal song called “Christmas At Home.” Last year, we boldly declared the lively and socially responsible song “might be the new apex of Milwaukee-made holiday music.” We still stand by that claim, but a new song is giving “Christmas At Home” a run for its money.
This week, Chicorel may have outdone himself with another work of winter-y wonder. This time around, he called on a familiar friend to join him on the track as well. The new duet, “Give It All Away,” finds Chicorel collaborating with Ashley Smith of Whips and Red Knife Lottery notoriety. Over the span of four-and-a-half rollicking minutes, the bandmates trade off verses and join together on some lovely harmonies, including the catchy and Christmas-themed chorus:
“Santa won’t you bring my baby some cheer?
I know it’s been another hell of a year
And you can wrap it up and pack it in your sleigh
Give it all away, on this Christmas day”
Before song’s end, Santa himself even makes a cameo. You can download this instant Milwaukee holiday classic on Chicorel’s Bandcamp page (name your own price) and stream it below.