Rave Down (Swervedriver cover)

I recently joined Her Head’s On Fire for a stripped-down holiday benefit single: Rave Down — one of my absolute all-time favorite Swervedriver songs. Proceeds benefit Sandy Hook Promise Foundation for Gun Control.

Coming Soon: Never Meant (American Football cover)

Apparently people really like this song. A throwaway riff video I made in 10 minutes got seen by over 300,000 people on Instagram.

So, I’ve finished tracking a full cello version and will release it soon, after the brilliant handsomefuture adds drums. What organization should the proceeds benefit? I’m thinking Unidos-MN, given the recent civil war in Minneapolis, but am open to suggestions.

Gigantic Best of 2025 Playlist

I finished this in December, and am two months late in getting it to you. Thankfully, the music hasn’t gone stale or bad during that time (if anything its flavors may have developed a bit!). 2025, despite its awfulness, was an amazing year for art and music — and so is 2026 so far. Appreciating the great work that is currently being done will help keep you going.

YouTube Music version

Spotify version ^{(I’m including one this time, but please, please, transfer away from Spotify. I know, it shouldn’t be individuals’ responsibility to enforce ethical standards for companies — there should be comprehensive regulation of streaming, AI, etc. — but you also can’t un-know that Spotify is essentially a massive equity vacuum siphoning value away from artists and towards, uh, AI drone warfare companies. WTF?!)}

Also, the Deerhoof song isn’t on the Spotify version because Deerhoof knows what’s up.

Favorite albums of 2025?

There’s no single favorite, but I especially loved Shiner - BELEIVEYOUME, Stereolab - Instant Holograms on Metal Film, Lung - The Swankeeper, ROSALÍA - Lux, and Ventura - Superheld. "If You Know Me” is the best song of 2025, representing the extremely rare phenomenon of an organic breakout hit from a quietly-toiling independent artist (Hudson Freeman). It was super cool to see.

Protest Songs

If you’ve got a protest song that needs cello, let me know. I play along with others’ songs when they post them (here’s a YouTube playlist, if you’re interested). But I’m also open to actually tracking cello parts, for free, time permitting.

Please take care and connect with your friends, family, and community (especially by sharing art).

GW