Esoteric musician Sir Daniel, Esq., a moniker employed by Dallas-based composer, producer, and recording artist Daniel A. Balis, announces the release of his first track, “December Holds Me,” a self-produced holiday single inspired by the golden era of Christmas music. With echoes of Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker, and Anne Phillips, the song captures the timeless sophistication of the late ’50s and early ’60s while while also utilizing modern, introspective tones.
Recorded in Balis’ home studio, “December Holds Me” features unique instrumentation weaving together mellotron strings, vibraphone, and Radiohead-esque synths. The song was mixed, mastered, and elevated by Grammy-winning producer and drummer Jordan Richardson, most notably know for his work with Ben Harper, White Denim and Ringo Starr. Richardson’s rhythmic approach adds depth to the track’s ethereal textures and arrangement, crafted to evoke slightly twisted mid-century modern moods and imagery.
The lyrics tell a narrative of a spectral figure revisiting their hometown and childhood house during the holidays. Blending poetic imagery with lush instrumentation, “December Holds Me” explores themes of memory, loss, and the bittersweet beauty of the season.
“I was inspired to do an original Christmas song that felt close to my favorite and arguably best era of the genre, but I didn’t want it to sound dated or revivalist,” said Balis, “so I sat down at my synth and composed a delicate arrangement; the image of a ghost peering in the window of his old home watching surviving family members open presents informed the lyric. It’s melancholy, which I believe to be a common feeling among many folks this time of year.”
Available December 10th on all major streaming platforms, “December Holds Me” is a sophisticated and hauntingly beautiful addition to holiday playlists, appealing to fans of classic crooners and contemporary sonic explorers alike. Presave.