This article was published in 2008.

Later this month, Leeds band iLiKETRAiNS will release their new EP, “The Christmas Tree Ship EP”. The limited-edition CD/DVD digipack also includes a short film and a hand-numbered insert.

The instrumental – in which all five parts were recorded in a single take - relates the tale of Captain Herman Schuenemann, who became affectionately known as Captain Santa for his yearly voyages to Chicago with a load of freshly-cut Christmas trees. Families would wait at the docks for their choice of the best trees, but in 1912 the Christmas Tree Ship set out for its final voyage. Unable to withstand the gales of the Great Lakes the ship went down.

The EP is out on 24th November and the tracklisting includes “The Christmas Tree Ship”, “South Shore”, “Two Brothers”, “Three Sisters”, and “Friday, Everybody Goodbye”.

iLiKETRAiNS play live in Leeds at the Brudenell Social Club on 11th December.