Inside Music with Katie Hasty

Exclusive Premiere: Ivan & Alyosha trot out 'Rebel Jesus' for the holidays

Roots-pop crew debut a live performance ahead of 'All the Times We Had'

By Katie Hasty Wednesday, Dec 19, 2012 10:56 AM

Ivan & Alyosha let it snow

Credit: Kyle Dean Reinford

Ivan & Alyosha have partnered with a couple auspicious sources this fall, first with the Missing Pieces and Dualtone labels, and next with "Rebel Jesus."

The first, aforementioned joint venture marks them as labelmates with Immaculate Noise favorites Shovels & Rope and recent Grammy nominees The Lumineers. The band will now be releasing its full-length debut, "All the Times We Had," on Feb. 26, led by the single "Running for Cover."

Rootsy "Rebel Jesus," on the other hand, is a highlight for a different reason: the season. This holiday-inspired Jackson Browne cover is yet another firm sample of the band's refined vocals and ageless pop affinities, plus a perfectly level-headed excuse to bust out the jingle bells. As implied by its title, this "heathen and a pagan" have more than garland and red-nosed reindeer on their minds as the the rip into the mildest guitar solo of all time.

The live performance was filmed at Seattle studio Avast!, where "All the Times We Had" was recorded. It was also mixed by Jesse Lauter, who did the same duties last year for The Low Anthem. So there's that.

After Christmas cheer, look forward to this solid album.