A quick roundup of everything we have covered so far this month. Lots of great stuff to kick off 2026.
Remember you can hit the link in our bio to read about & listen to everything.
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In a time-honoured tradition here at Various Small Flames, we're kicking off the new year by reflecting on the one just gone. Head to the site to find a list of some of our favourite records of 2025, featuring both releases we covered through the months alongside those we wish we could have.
With the first of two winter tours just underway, @advance_base has shared a pair of new songs, including a duet with Margaret McCarthy of @moontypo . Click the link in our bio to read more.
'Fans of Ashworth’s work will already know him as a master of the festive theme, his back catalogue peppered with tracks that are fundamentally Christmas songs yet can be played all year round, and these new singles are welcome additions to the style. Both are self-contained narratives, about far more than any one time of year, yet crafted from the sentiment and melancholy of Christmastime in the way Ashworth has made his own.
'These songs feel like distant companions, both inspired by real life movie theater and bank robberies," he explains. 'Some recalled from my movie theater days and others from further back in American history. I think of them as two parts of a loose trilogy with the Casiotone for the Painfully Alone song ‘Traveling Salesman’s Young Wife Home Alone on Christmas in Montpelier, VT’. Feel free to draw your own conclusions."'
Liam here with an exciting piece of non-VSF news.
Jon’s debut novel Communion will be released in April 2026 via @atlanticbooks
If you're interested, follow @jon.e.doyle to keep up to date. The link in his bio has more info, including how to pre-order a copy.
protest songs 🪧 🏳️⚧️ & trans joy 🥹
thanks for giving a damn about my art @varioussmallflames
I wrote a knack for overthinking with my friend and bandmate @lorenbarnese . We started with guitar, wanting to hear something by emo, I guess cuz I was feeling emo lol, and then the lyrics flowed outta me. The bridge came several days later…I hope you enjoy the song and record!! plus the music video is out too!!
photo by @_laurapardo_ from the music video shoot!!
We've been neglecting social media of late, wondering if it's worth the effort with Twitter's demise etc., but going to try and share a bit more here if nothing else.
Anyway, here's just a selection of what we've covered recently. Read more over on the site.
