Sufjan Stevens finally releases his festive offering "Lonely Man Of Winter"

12 November 2018, 13:01 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(Sufjan Stevens)

Sufjan Stevens' "Lonely Man Of Winter" has finally been revealed after giving the rights away to his 2007 Christmas song contest winner Alec Duffy.

In 2007 Sufjan Stevens held Xmas Song Xchange Contest, a Christmas Songwriting contest where Alec Duffy won for his "Every Day Is Christmas" track.

For the contest, Stevens wrote "Lonely Man Of Winter", and decided to give the rights to Duffy and the song composer Dave Malloy.

Having held listening parties for the unreleased Stevens track over the years, Duffy has finally decided to reveal the track to the public as a fundraiser for Duffy's own performing arts space.

Duffy has shared two versions, the original from Stevens, and a 2018 mix produced by Thomas Bartlett (Doveman), and featuring vocals from Melissa Mary Ahern, alongside Duffy’s winning song “Every Day Is Christmas.”

Although it's been three years since Stevens' last record Carrie & Lowell, the singer/songwriter teamed up with Gallant in September for "TOOGOODTOBETRUE".

"Lonely Man Of Winter" is available digitally now. A vinyl release is expected to arrive on 7 December via Asthmatic Kitty. All proceeds from the track go to Duffy's non-profit performing arts space JACK. Find out more.