Cold Christmas by Rodney Cromwell

PRESS RELEASE
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‘Cold Christmas’ was written for the annual ‘A Very Cherry Christmas’ compilation by Cherryade Records, and was released on its own right as a digital single on 9th December 2002 via Happy Robots.

This is no Cliff Richard Christmas hit though. A relentless krautrock beat propels a driving synth bass line, layered with Cromwell’s signature ARP synth strings and a thumping bass guitar. It is the most knowingly gothic song that Cromwell has released to date.

As the UK descends into another round of austerity, the lyrics of ‘Cold Christmas’ are like ‘Eleanor Rigby’ turbo-charged for 2022. “Julie wanted a Xmas tree, until she fell into poverty, the house is cold and the lights are off, and now she’s getting a nasty cough”.

‘Cold Christmas’ was recorded in Cromwell’s home studio in Catford, London and was produced by Dom Cresswell at Studio AUW in Kent.

On 13/12/2023 the single was expanded to feature two new remixes. The new maxi-single includes the Milan ‘Paris to Versailles’ remix. Milan is the project of artist composer James Tapping, originally from the UK, now residing in Paris. His mix strips-away the darker elements, placing the vocals over a backing that combines elements of EDM and classic synthpop in the style of Pet Shop Boys.

The second remix comes from Happy Robots remix stalwart AUW of Retro Synth Records and curator of the successful DUSKWAVES synthwave events. His mix swings through chillwave, tech-house and synthwave.

Since the release of his debut 'Age of Anxiety' album, Rodney Cromwell has been featured by the likes of NME, Electronic Sound, Huffington Post, Paste, Shindig!, Louder Than War, The Big Takeover, Magic RPM and the Bandcamp homepage. He’s had national radio play in Japan, Finland, Germany and multiple spins on RTE in Ireland, on BBC 6 Music in the UK and RNE3 in Spain for whom he recorded a live session.

The Rodney Cromwell live set is a joyful mixed-media extravaganza, incorporating analogue synths, video visuals and live instrumentation, interjected by Rodney’s 'offbeat wit'' (NME). His debut festival appearance at Indietracks was described as 'like a spiritual experience". He has shared stages with acts including A Flock of Seagulls, Pram, Death & Vanilla, Marsheaux, Rowetta, M!R!M, Damo Suzuki and Steve Davis. In 2022 he recorded a live session for Electronic Sound and in the autumn played a series of dates with Blancmange.

Rod makes music on old synths, kids toys and guitars from Argos.

Released on Happy Robots.

happyrobots.co.uk
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