Grace Cummings Unveils Christmas Song Starring My Morning Jacket's Jim James

Australian singer-songwriter Grace Cummings is getting ready for the festive season, today unveiling a new Christmas single starring My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James.

The Melbourne-based performer joined the American rock band on their US tour back in April. During that run, Cummings shared the stage with My Morning Jacket, duetting classics like Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door and Harvest Moon with Jim James. So, it’s understandable that the pair struck up a friendship and developed a stunning collaborative energy.

Times Like These is a heartbreaking song from the duo, with Cummings explaining that she aimed to deliver a song of comfort, compassion, and resilience for anyone facing loneliness during the holiday season.

“Times Like These is for somebody that needs some comfort and some love,” Cummings said.

She added:

The Holidays boast joy and happiness and celebration and togetherness but it’s one of the most lonely times I can think of, for many people.  

The state of the world leaves me feeling devastated, but maybe a tiny bit of it would be better if I tried to pick myself up and keep going, helped others, told somebody I cared about that I love them, make a small mark that somebody might find some beauty or comfort in.

This year, my friendship with Jim James has helped me to see some beautiful things in the world, and to be grateful for what I have. It is an honour to have him, one of my favourite voices of the past 20 years, singing with me on this song.

You can check out the collaboration below.

Times Like These is the first single from Cummings since releasing her album, Ramona, last year. Her third album, Ramona was shortlisted for last year’s Australian Music Prize and was hailed for its dramatic soundscapes and intimate stories.

Fans in Melbourne might just get to see Cummings perform Times Like These next month, with the singer announcing a one-off show to wrap up the year at the Corner Hotel. You can find tickets here.