I have to remind myself that I really make these mixes for me. I know I force them on people, such as yourselves, but when it comes down to it, I and only I, have to love these songs. I have to recognize this and accept it, or I will have nonstop waffling back and forth as to whether a song is “cool” enough, or whether it will surprise a listener, or whether the whole damn thing will feel expected and boring. Half the fun of giving it away is surprising folks, and I’m in the business of letting you all know what I’m thinking. So… maybe there’s stuff on here you might not expect from me, a band you might think is too big, or a singer who is too pop, but this is for me. I wish I could have a more distanced view, really curate a mix that would kill with an audience – that is a skill I don’t have. What I do have is an official acceptance into my family’s holiday tradition… and even if you know the song already, maybe hearing it within another context might feel different. I you find a song or two that you love, that would be beautiful.
I’ve been sick for a bit over a week now, which has delayed my work on this. There were some days I just couldn’t lift my head from the couch. I’m up now, coughing, with an extra week of releases feeding this beast. I wonder what it might have looked like, had I finished it last weekend as planned? There sure wouldn’t be an anarchist Christmas song on here, nor would there be that amazing Billy Bragg tune. Funny how things work out.
Well, have at it, folks. I hope you enjoy it as I do. Let’s finish out this new year happy and healthy, and keep your neighbor in your heart, wherever they may be from.
| 1. | Jason Anderson | Toll Booth |
| 2. | World News | Xmas 101 |
| 3. | Pentire | Good Luck It’s Christmas |
| 4. | Wold Wiggen | Gaver er det meste med jula synes jeg |
| 5. | Devon | STAYING HOME… |
| 6. | Straight White Teeth | Let Me Be Your Rudolph |
| 7. | The Blind Suns | One More (Christmas) Song |
| 8. | Exnovios | Noche de reyes |
| 9. | King Hüsky | December95 |
| 10. | besphrenz | for christmas |
| 11. | Bleachers | Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call |
| 12. | Jenn Grant | Bells Are Ringing |
| 13. | Al Nicol & Evelyne Brochu | On Christmas |
| 14. | Aux Caroling | December |
| 15. | Home Counties | Better Last Year (Home Counties for Christmas) |
| 16. | Yea-Ming And The Rumours | Different This Year |
| 17. | Skyler Cocco | snowglobe |
| 18. | Moi Caprice | The Year of the Rat |
| 19. | Tim Baker | Full Rainbow |
| 20. | Delacey | Christmas in California |
| 21. | Yawners | 1 de enero |
| 22. | e.p. nap feat. melody almroth | john lennon, bono, bob geldof |
| 23. | Billy Bragg | Put Christ Back in Christmas |
Christmas Underground 
I’m ambivalent about Jack Antonoff, but that Bleachers track is a real banger. I especially love that Yawners track!
And King Husky is my favorite discovery from your blog this year, I went and listened to his full-length off the strength of the December95 track and it’s legit one of my favorite albums of the year. Thanks for doing what you’re doing!
Yeah. That Bleachers track is excellent. I somehow didn’t put it on last year’s… just didn’t fit then.
Glad you dug the King Husky!! I need to listen to his non-seasonal stuff now too…