It's nice to be back. I was telling my wife, I've written more in the last two weeks than I had in the last two years. It's so liberating. So in honor of having turned our SubmitHub channel back on, I decided to do a few Christmas themed posts, which is a first for CHILLFILTR®. Although my focus will be the Christmas holiday, I'm certainly open to other forms of holiday expression, so we are certainly not intending to exclude any other faiths. We just get a lot of Christmas songs this time of the year.

One of the things I love about what we're doing here at CHILLFILTR®, is that we're open really to any level of artist. If the song is good enough, we don't care if you have one or 100 or 1 million followers. We just like the music we like, and we are happy to share with our fans and followers around the world.

Sarah Lake - Joy

First up is a song by Sarah Lake, with her song entitled simply "Joy."

Sarah Lake grew up in North Carolina. She appeared on Season 4 of American Idol (as Sarah Mather) and made it to the finals. After her departure from AI, she moved to the one-and-only New York City, where she met her Grammy-nominated producer husband, Ernie Lake. Sparks flew. Sarah took a break to focus on baby-making; they moved to Nashville in early 2017 and have been thriving as part of the creative fabric of the community ever since. "Joy" builds slowly: like a warm blaze in front of the fireplace, with a subtle pulse from the drum kit resonating against a bed of simmering pedal steel. The gentle and comforting melody serves as a reminder that it's never too late to be grateful for what you have.

NB: cover photo is of Sarah Lake.

Maverick Smith - Jingle Bells

Next up is a punk-forward pop rendition of the classic Jingle Bells that feels immediately warm and cozy like a big Christmas sweater. After a decade-long hiatus, Sean Boynes (Lowlander, Firefly Fringe) returns to the music scene, not just with a bang but with a symphony of talent. "With Friends and Imperfections" is a 'celebration of the imperfect beauty of true musicianship,' standing as a testament to the fact that live performance, and the art of capturing live performances in the studio, is not something that is bound to go away anytime soon. And for that we are grateful.

This version of Jingle Bells has been dusted off for the modern age - a sprinkle of Green Day, a dash of Foo Fighters, this isn't just a throwback; it’s a revival. Just in time for eggnog.

Stay classy, Rudolph.

Matt Hires - All I Want For Christmas Is (anything but) You

"All I Want For Christmas Is (anything but) You" is less of a classic holiday tune and more of a song about dealing with the 'soft rage and sadness that can come from grief and the loss of a marriage,' which is decidedly a tough place to write from. Let us take a few moments of respect for the vulnerability on display here, and the universal moment of submission to the reality of what must come next.

Go on, keep your Season's Greetings
I'll keep trying to stop the bleeding

Matt has been making music and touring for over a decade, while his songs have been featured in Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Cougartown, and the film When In Rome. "American Wilderness" is his most mature release to date, tackling the difficult themes of identity and personal faith in American society.

Visit Matt on Instagram.

Sloppy Scales - Sweet Baby Jesus

Sloppy Scales is a shaker and music maker on the scene in Atlanta, Georgia. He assembled a crack team of diverse musicians to record his debut album This Machine Mocks Fascists: The Sloppy Scales Songbook (out Dec. 20). "Sweet Baby Jesus" Is a calypso-inspired and gospel adjacent single from this upcoming release. With a sticky little riff on the acoustic guitar, and a generous helping of Afro Cuban percussion, this song opens up like a gorgeous Caribbean flower.

Sweet baby Jesus
Imma need that forgiveness when you’re grown

Sloppy Scales is part concerned rodeo clown, and part civil rights advocate who practices meaningful and satirical songcraft as an antidote the soul-numbing designs of corporate media.

Look to the light, my friend: the moment is nearly upon us.

if I have any advice, for anyone, it is to live while the living is good, and love while the loving is good. Push for connection. Push for authenticity.

The rest will take care of itself.

Be well. Be safe.

And Merry Fucking Christmas.