New track: Beneath the Stars

Artwork by Emily Downe

Notes

Somehow, our debut release ended up being a Christmas track. Or possibly a neo carol. Are we the first band in history to do this? Might we be the last? Well, don’t worry; we don’t only make Christmas songs¹.

Although we’ve been working on other (non-Christmas!) songs for much of the year, I only started writing this one in November, which any seasoned pro will tell you is far too close to Christmas to do anything meaningful with.

But maybe we can just ignore the marketing (or lack thereof) and just stick the song on, turn the volume up, and nod along while drinking something mulled and hot².

1. Lyrics are below, and there’s also a lyric video coming soon³ so I’ll share that once it’s live.

2. You can download the MP3 to put on your iPod shuffle (or import to your music app) here. In future, downloads will likely be just for paid subscribers, but this is your Christmas gift from us. You’re welcome, Tiny Tim.

3. The release will be on streaming platforms next Friday — but I plan to put all releases on Substack earlier for our subscribers⁴.

4. Later I’ll drop a BTS⁵ about how the song came about, dig into the lyrics a bit, and the writing/recording process with Zoë and Pete.

5. Remember, thanks to the 12 Days of Christmas you are legally allowed to listen to Christmas music all the way up to the 5th of January.

Thank you for listening! It means the world to us. Please share with anyone who you think would enjoy this song.

And, of course - Happy Christmas x :)

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Lyrics

Verse

Generations waiting for dawn
Generations longing for the son
Wanderers in shadow lands
Wondering when the night will pass

Voice in the dark, my name
No more will I be afraid

Chorus

Lift your head, o come — rejoice!
Hear his approach, angelic hosts
Prince of peace, with wounds that heal
Light of the world, Immanuel

Verse

Blessed daughter favoured of all
The virgin shall conceive and bear a son
Sing aloud, o barren one
Nothing is impossible with God

Voice in the dark, my name
No more will I be ashamed

Chorus

Lift your head, o come — rejoice!
Hear his approach, angelic hosts
Prince of peace, with wounds that heal
Light of the world, Immanuel

Chorus

Sing for joy, a child is born
Light from above, eternal hope
For those who live beneath the stars
Morning has come, our strength and song

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Liner notes

• Lyrics: Graham Ormiston

• Composers: Graham Ormiston, Pete Mills, Zoë Grace Wang

• Vocals: Zoë Grace Wang

• Additional vocals: Naomi Wang

• Keys: Pete Mills

• Drums: Riley Van Der Merwe

• Bass/Guitars: Graham Ormiston

• Production, Mixing and Mastering: Graham Ormiston

• Recorded at: 9M Studios, TBN UK Studios

• Artwork: Emily Downe

1. While I imagine there is a business case to be made for being a Christmas Band, seriously no thank you

2. Mulled & Hot could be the name of my Christmas Band

3. Well, either very soon, or right on time for Christmas 2026

4. Substack subscribers hereafter referred to as “The Faithful”

5. Behind The Scenes, not K-Pop