By Charlie Maybee
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D.C.-based jazz band, Chaise Lounge, has been gearing up for the holidays with their latest video for “Trimmin’ The Tree,” which was originally released on their 2020 Christmas album, Out Under the Sky. In true lounge act form, this is jazz at its most leisurely and comfortable, and the homemade feel of the video adds to those jolly good vibes we come to associate with the holidays.
Seemingly shot in a winter holiday themed store, the music video treats us to a moving collage of ornaments spanning a diverse array of sizes, colors, and shapes. Along the way, we are greeted by a nice woman who demonstrates how to make a small house shaped ornament, which gets promptly placed among the others.
The foundation of the music sports a drum and piano driven rhythm section with light and airy horns taking the melodic hook. Playing with the general theme of the accompanying music video, lead singer Marilyn Older croons about the various decorations that will adorn their Christmas centerpiece. There’s no escaping the warm, fuzzy feeling that this music oozes so effortlessly.
And if you are feeling the holiday spirit, you will be able to catch Chaise Lounge playing a Christmas themed show at Blues Alley on December 1, which is bound to be a lovely time filled with easy listening. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are sold out, so be sure to purchase tickets for the 10 p.m. show and reserve your spot. There is no doubt in my mind “Trimmin’ The Tree” will make it onto the setlist, so if you’re a fan of the music or the video, then this show is a must-see.
Out Under the Sky and the single “Trimmin’ The Tree” are available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp. The accompanying music video can also be found on YouTube.
This track has been added to our Alchemical Weekly YouTube Playlist.
Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Charleston, South Carolina who currently teaches with the Dance Program at the College of Charleston. His primary work as an artist is with his performing collective, Polymath Performance Project, through which he makes interdisciplinary performance art that centers tap dance as the primary medium of expression and research. He also currently plays rhythm guitar for the Charleston-based punk band, Anergy, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
