The Both releases a new Christmas single just in time to tour with Liz Phair

By Danette Chavez | December 11, 2015 | 5:56pm

Aux Features Music

The Both releases a new Christmas single just in time to tour with Liz Phair

Introducing Endless Mode: A New Games & Anime Site from Paste

Read our announcement | See the 10 Best Games of 2025 (So Far)

What is it with rock stars (indie and otherwise) and Christmas songs lately? Do they feel some kind of obligation to contribute to the new Christmas canon, or to dilute the lameness of some of the elder statesmen of that category? Well, whatever the case, this week has already presented us with a great Sleater-Kinney cover of The Ramones’ “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight),” and now comes word that The Both has released a Christmas-y single, “You’re A Gift”. It’s a mellow little tune, perfect for the impending long trip home for the holidays that may or may not include seeing an old flame. (Ahem.)

The Aimee Mann-Ted Leo super-duo is developing a habit of writing Christmas-invoking songs, having released “Nothing Left To Do (Let’s Make This Christmas Blue)” just last year. The Both continues its annual holiday tour Friday night, and will be accompanied by Liz Phair for the remaining dates. So if you’re in Philadelphia, Brooklyn, or Alexandria (Virginia, not Egypt), you can hear Phair’s repurposed-for-the-holidays song, “Why Can’t I Wreath.” Below are both the tour dates and The Both track.