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HBM Presents: Sleigh the Holidays, Volume 2 (2025)

A cartoon of a woman in a mrs claus outfit laying down with "Sleigh the Holidays" in script above her.

Head Bitch Music
Buy: Bandcamp | Apple Music | Spotify

If you’re a casual reader of my blog, you probably have a sense of what my values are. I’ll admit that some topics have more gray areas than others, and I can entertain good-faith arguments from folks on many issues. However, when it comes to racism, sexism, or homophobia, I don’t have time for it. There’s a basic human decency that should be the bare minimum—our shared humanity. The pendulum has been swinging the wrong way on this most fundamental principle, so when I see something that pushes back, I’m going to give it a listen.

Head Bitch Music, a full-service music production house based in LA, dropped HBM Presents: Sleight the Holidays, Volume 2 today, partnering with Jack Antonoff’s charity, The Ally Coalition, to raise funds for LGBTQIA+ youth by supporting organizations dedicated to improving their lives. The record is full of excellently produced, modern pop Christmas songs. There are classic covers (e.woolf’s “A Marshmallow World”), modern covers (Niki DeMar & Julianne Hope covering girl in red’s “Two Queens in a King Sized Bed”), a solid number of originals, and even something in between a cover and an original (Olivia Reid’s “Singing in the Snow”).

There’s a lot here to check out. The record does skew quite pop—very well-done pop, the kind you could easily hear out and about this Christmas season—but pop isn’t the language I’m best suited for. Still, I’m going to highlight two tracks for you to check out that I feel come closest to the Christmas Underground vibe.

The Blah Blah Blahs’ “retro glamwave” take on “Jingle Bells” had me thinking about The Waitresses ripping through this classic Thanksgiving (yes, THANKSGIVING) song. It’s not a tune I normally find particularly enjoyable, but they’ve infused it with a level of fun that should require a photo ID.


LA’s Skyler Cocco‘s “snowglobe” is an indiepop ode to a Los Angeles Christmas. Skyler is originally from NYC, so I can imagine the balmy LA Christmas making you feel out-of-sorts… and this song captures that beautifully.

Can we pretend we’re in a snowglobe?
Shake up this city Christmas Eve
Stick out your tongue
And taste the falling snow
Like silver glitter on the beach

This is on my mix shortlist now, as it is giving me strong girlhouse vibes, who released one of my absolute favorite Christmas tunes a few years ago (“Ugly Xmas Sweater Party“).

Bottom Line: Absolutely essential for those pop music Christmas fans, and even has a few treats for weirdos like me.

LISTEN

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The Bret Tobias Set “25th December” (2023)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp (NYOP)

There are so many songs that I’ve been meaning to write about – had this one in the drafts for 2 years! You should see my email or my text messages… even worse.

Philly’s The Bret Tobias Set, led by the titular Bret Tobias (ex The Bigger Lovers), recorded this lovely version of Everything But the Girl’s “25th December,” lending a jangling, more dense orchestration to contrast with the more sparse original. A very nice change of pace indeed.

Bottom Line: A great cover of an indie-Christmas classic.

LISTEN

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Patience “Fire Baby” (2017)

Intro screen, black screen with Patience written across it in handwritten font.

The Glasgow School of Art
Buy: Video (free!) | Soundcloud (stream)

I do love some synth pop Christmas music. I also love the band Veronica Falls (I miss them!). Smash those two loves together, and you get Patience’s “Fire Baby,” the soundtrack to The Glasgow School of Art’s 2017 holiday video. Patience (aka Roxanne Clifford from Veronica Falls – duh!) does not appear to have released this song in any other fashion than as this music video (Edit – also on Soundcloud). Thankfully, the video is downloadable, and you could strip out the music rather easily should you be so inclined. Give it a listen!

Bottom Line: Some Christmas synths to warm your ears to.

LISTEN/WATCH

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Alela Diane & The Hackles – It’s Always Christmas Somewhere (2023)

Rusted Blue Records
Buy: Bandcamp | CD/Vinyl

I know I write about a lot of grubby little songs. I love grubby little songs. I love weirdo Christmas—it nearly became the title of this entire site. However, every so often you come across a Christmas record that’s just good. I’m talking about the kind of record you might put on while opening presents with Grandma and Grandpa.

Alela Diane & The Hackles’ It’s Always Christmas Somewhere is exactly that kind of record. The album is filled with expected classics (“Christmas Time Is Here,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” etc.), some lesser-known covers (“One Little Christmas Tree,” “Pretty Snowflakes”), and a solid original (“The Santa’s Gospel”).

However, I’m here specifically to talk about her cover of Joni Mitchell’s classic “River.” If there’s a standout on an already lovely record, this is most certainly it. The gorgeous woodwind lines, the contemplative guitar, the delicate harmonium—each contributes small melodic variations that sneak up and make you smile. Perhaps my favorite cover of this song ever—it might be yours too.

Bottom Line: What a lovely Christmas record. Recommended for the alternativo folks, as well as for those who just love classic, non-cheesy Christmas records.

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Boston Cream “Satan is on the Way” (2016)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp (NYOP)

When a song begins with jingle bells, and is released on Christmas Eve… that shit is a Christmas song. So file “Satan is on the Way” in your Christmas folder, folks. I don’t make the rules (I do), I only follow them (I don’t). Boston Cream hasn’t dug deep with these lyrics, “Oh! / Satan is on the way! / Ooo, / It’s hot,” but what they lack in eloquence, they make up for in ROCK. Turn it up, shout the lyrics, and screw with your friends when this comes on as the leadoff to your weirdo Christmas mix. \m/

Bottom Line: Just a little Christmas fun with Satan Santa Satan.

LISTEN

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Pentire “Good Luck It’s Christmas” (2024)

Self Released
Buy: Stream on Soundcloud

Pentire are a bunch of guys from a small town (Herefordshire, England) who “make pop songs for the post-jangle generation through the smiles and sweat of the mosh pit.” A fun turn of phrase indeed, which makes my next sentence sound bland as hell. Here’s a nice slice of indie pop/rock that, inexplicably, I can only find on Soundcloud. Enjoy my nearly flavorless introduction and press play. You’re likely to enjoy this one.

EDIT: Well I’ll be… it is a cover and I hadn’t realized it. This is a cover of Tellison, which can be found on their Bandcamp. And… I did have that song already and just plum forgot. Thanks Randy!

I swear I’ll get my Christmas music mojo flowing soon.

Bottom Line: Pentire are indeed Christmas music fans – keep an eye on them. They are who I discovered Devon from…

LISTEN

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Alex Maas “X MAAS (Take Me Away)” (2023)

Innovative Leisure
Buy: Bandcamp

Just as he was finishing up some work with his band The Black Angels, lead vocalist Alex Maas released a very interesting, downtempo holiday song, “X MAAS (Take Me Away).” I’ve been listening to it for a little while now, and I’m quite intrigued by the vibe of the song – his voice, the chiming melody, the lyrics that seesaw between fleeing and love. These elements mix and create a complex, disorienting, yet somehow soothing vibe. It sounds like Alex achieved his goal: “I’ve never written a Christmas song. Christmas has a very dark side that not many people take into account. The holidays are as painful as they are beautiful for most people. This song is for people who fall in love during Christmas and for those who want to escape completely from the holiday.”

Bottom Line: There’s something here. Not quite sure yet… but I’m listening…

LISTEN

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Devon “Staying Home…” (2021)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

It’s quickly coming up on November — that time when we all start to expect new songs to drop. There have been a few here and there, sneaking onto records (like the excellent Sister Ray track), but these October days are often full of old songs newly discovered. So, let’s flash back to 2021 — which feels like both yesterday and forever ago.

Devon hails from Gloucestershire, England, and back in 2021 he dropped a very COVID-era Christmas single, “Staying Home…” While you can certainly feel those days coming through in this song, the roots haven’t quite anchored it in time, never to leave. This is a song about mental health, compassion, and all those feelings of love and loss that get mixed up and spun around at Christmas.

This isn’t just a COVID Christmas song. Multiple listens, folks — it’s a grower.

Bottom Line: It’s sad, happy, thoughtful, loving, quiet, loud… and worth your time.

LISTEN

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J. “Christmas” Phillips – Spring Into J. “Christmas” Phillips (2024)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

I may have tipped my hand in the last post… something about cocaine (Edit: The more I think about it… it must be heroin, not cocaine being referenced in the song I’m about to talk about) and New Zealand if you recall. This blog is, of course, a serial that requires you to read every other post to get the context of what is going on. So get to work, new readers… you’ve got a few years to catch up on before we really get going in December.

A member of the Christchurch, New Zealand electropop band Mount Pleasant, J. “Christmas” Phillips dropped this solo record last November, Spring into J. “Christmas” Phillips, which continues a massive back catalogue of Christmas-related releases under both the Mount Pleasant moniker, as well as via the duo of J. “Christmas” Phillips and Tobias “Santa” Brockie. There is a LOT to sample here… I’m counting over 10 obviously-Christmas releases. How the heck did these guys fly under my radar for so long??

Readers of this blog will know that I’m going to pick out a few tracks to talk about, rather than the entire record, as I am terrified of setting such a precedent. So let’s begin with the track I’ve been teasing, “Snorting a Line.” I love discovering songs so unexpected that you inadvertently pull a face- WTF is this thing going to be? Well, obviously, an alt-country via indiepop Christmas song about getting high with your love on Christmas! Can’t say I partake, but lines like “I can’t believe I have your love. / Hold me close, hold me tight! / Like it’s our last Christmas tonight!” are both incredibly sweet and low-key dark… making it a truly intriguing song. “Snorting a Line” proved to be the hook that pulled me into the rest of the record, so grab my hand and let’s jump in further.

“Christmas with Chloe” is crooning electro-pop that feels equally genuine and glossy, two unexpected flavors bound to tease your tastebuds. J. “Christmas” Phillips has a swagger in his delivery that pairs perfectly with his imperfections – he sounds both incredibly personal, yet affected at the same time. I can’t pin this song down… but it sure does explode with love, and I’m happy to wrap myself in the shrapnel.

Finally, let’s talk about the WONDERFULLY-titled final track, “Christmas Artist of His Generation.” This is an indiepop/electro-pop instrumental that blends these (post-punk?) guitar lines with electro-pop synths. What a fucking combination. I’ll have a second helping.

I am only one album into J. “Christmas” Phillips’ holiday back catalogue. Let’s GOOOOOO.

Bottom Line: This artist/band is totally something I’ll bet a reader sent me years ago. To this person who no doubt exists, I apologize. How the hell did J. “Christmas” Phillips elude me for so long?? WELL. That ends today!

LISTEN

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Remy Bond “Christmas in Kokomo” (2024)

Self Released?
Buy: Stream (so far)

Half the fun—and the struggle—of having a hobby and a website like this silly one is the search. I love and hate it equally. Still, the rush of finding a great song is real—you know the feeling. I hate to admit I can often judge a book by its cover, but… years of experience suggest I usually can. So when someone defies my inner bias, well, I find that delightful.

Which brings me to New York–based singer-songwriter Remy Bond, whose image is a mix of Sabrina Carpenter and Paris Hilton, sent back in time with Lana Del Rey to hang out with the Ronettes. Remy’s been a child actress and a child reality TV chef (no joke), but over the past few years, she’s been steadily working in the NYC music scene—eventually signing with Warner Records in February of this year.

So far, that bio and the major-label connection don’t exactly scream Christmas Underground material, do they? Well, screw that—I don’t have enough readers to maintain an image anyway!

Remy dropped a Spectoresque Christmas single last December, “Christmas in Kokomo,” that’s damn enjoyable—though complicated by the fact that it’s impossible to buy and hard to stream. Spotify? Nope. Apple Music? Nope. YouTube? Yes. SoundCloud? Yup. Super weird that this genuinely great single is, by all accounts, “unreleased,” though I suspect it’s primed to resurface this holiday season with a major label behind it.

Look at me! Covering the big leagues! We all know I’ll be back to writing about weird cocaine Christmases from New Zealand tomorrow….

Bottom Line: I’m pretty down with this retro futurism.

LISTEN