Whether you love or hate Christmas (or any holiday, for matter), one thing is clear – you don’t want it to be ruined by the choice of predictable music (unless you’re a masochist, in which case we’ll understand). So we picked suggestions from our followers (and some very respected non-followers) in order to bring you some fresh sonic treats for holidays and beyond!
Up first is December by North Carolina guitarist Shane Parish. We first met (and interviewed) Shane at last year’s Hopscotch festival where he performed both solo and with his band Ahleuchatistas. Since then we’ve been continually learning just how versatile of a guitarist/composer Shane is – in the case of December he presents 18 songs that initially may sound familiar, but take on a whole new meaning in his hands:
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”16″]An album for people who love holiday music, and for people who hate it.
Reimagining songs people play, hear, and sing in December, for solo guitar. Alternate tunings, alternate titles, alternate chords and melodies. My gift to you. Pay what you want/can. [/perfectpullquote]
Up next is Christmas on the Allston-Brighton Line EP from another old-time follower of ours – Clayton Keiber and his band Eldridge Rodriguez! The EP is packed with Boston references (like lamented Old Country Buffet) and on it the band sidesteps their usual darker post-punk style in favor of lighter (but stylish and fun) songs built around the theme of Christmas:
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”16″]Play this, and only this, today. Happy Holimas everybody![/perfectpullquote]
If you like what you’re hearing from either Shane or Clayton (or both) we highly recommend looking at guest mixes they put together for us! Shane’s mix can be found here and Clayton’s mix is here.
Last, but not least, there’s this catchy little ditty from our friend Diego Billordo
Twitter Threads
Christmas themed shoegaze – in which Vogon Laundromat is looking for an answer as to whether such a thing exists! The answer is resounding “yes!” – think Au Revoir Simone, Low, Windy & Carl, Cocteau Twins, Galaxie 500 and more!
Best Non Holiday Holiday Music – thread run by How to Fight Records
Originals and Covers From Disposable America bands – while they’re not following us on Twitter we still think that Disposable America is one fine label! Hence the inclusion of this thread that features Christmas-themed songs by Lilith, Me in Capris, Saccharine, Alexander and Soft Fangs.
Song/Album Recommendations
Ben von Wildenhaus – A Very Reasonable Christmas
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”16″]Ben from Federation X made a very awesome Christmas Ep some years back, I was reminded of that and just listened to it. You should too? [/perfectpullquote]
Suggested by Conan Neutron
See also: Guest Mix by Corey J. Brewer
Mr Weebl / Liquidborn – Jungle Bells – Jingle is Massive
Reworking of the old jungle/drum’n’bass era chant!
Suggested by Pope Dan Gusset
The Fall – Hark the Herald Angels Sing
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”16″]happy holidays from the real Santa[/perfectpullquote]
Suggested by Mistake by the Lake
See also: We Wish You a Protein Christmas (suggested by John Carty) / Christmastide (suggested by The Last Sound)
Silber Records
This North Carolina label (run by Brian John Mitchell aka Remora / Small Life Form) has been in business since mid 90s and by now they got one amazing back catalog! Christmas music has been a theme of many of their releases, so we were excited to find out that Brian put together this great Spotify playlist:
More recently Brian covered Frosty for a compilation put together by British label Happy Incident Collective: