Tag: indie folk

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The Ornaments “Would It Kill You To Kiss Me Under The Mistletoe?” (2023)

Folkmonger Records
Buy: Bandcamp

It wouldn’t be Christmas without The Ornaments. I rather think they would agree… though, time does march on, and all good things do end. Thus, each year when the email comes in, I take a moment to appreciate that this dark tradition continues. The Ornaments‘ tunes are not your normal Christmas songs… they are dark, weird, and interesting. This year’s song, which my wife LOVED the title of, is “Would It Kill You To Kiss Me Under The Mistletoe?.” The song centers on a Mrs. Claus whose marriage is mistletoe-dependent… on a good day. Pair this one with Elliot Manigot’s “The Ballad of Mrs. Claus,” and the strained, yet devoted wife of Santa, and you’ve got two sides of the Claus coin. Needless to say, since it is an Ornaments song, Mrs. Claus is in a bad place. Hell, the song ends with this: “i’m not sure i can be mrs. claus anymore.” Santa, get your shit together!

Bottom Line: The Ornaments are as old as my son. Thankfully, I am not paying for their college… but I’m happy to listen as long as they deem fit.

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The Oh Hellos “December ’04” (2023)

No Coincidence Records
Buy: Bandcamp (full holiday record) | Bandcamp (song) | Apple Music | Amazon MP3 | Amazon.uk MP3 | Amazon.de MP3 | Amazon.fr MP3

The Oh Hellos are no stranger to Christmas music, as I recall their E.P., The Oh Hellos’ Family Christmas Album, was released 10 years ago! I had also completely forgotten that they pressed it on vinyl in 2016… try to get ahold of that one, I dare you. This year they return to the seasonal fray with “December ’04,” which begins with the memory of an inch of snow in Texas – an inch that didn’t melt away immediately and became a childhood moment encased in amber. The song moves to the present day, and grown-ups dealing with cold weather, frozen pipes, and slippery asphalt… while clinging to that beautiful moment and the love of their family. There are great, touching lines throughout this song, but I particularly enjoyed this stanza.

sure, the days are colder and the nights are long
but don’t you worry, I don’t think the magic’s gone
we could light a fire
we could lift our voices higher
we can believe in you

Just a lovely song that deserves your ears, and maybe a spot on your mix.

EDIT: They have released this song as part of a 6-song holiday record, The Oh Hellos’ Family Christmas Album: Volume II.

Bottom Line: Some folky goodness from some old Christmas friends.

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Châteaubriand – Laisse le sapin allumé (2023)

Chalet Musique
Buy: Bandcamp | Apple Music | Amazon MP3 | Amazon.de MP3

After what seemed like a pretty slow start to the season… it has, as expected, heated up FAST. Large releases everywhere, procrastinating bloggers struggling with work, making dinner, self-worth, and Covid in the house. How about we slow down, and enjoy one of the most beautiful releases of the season, Laisse le sapin allumé, by Montreal’s Châteaubriand.

As I have mentioned before, I do not speak French. I can sure listen to it though. I can also listen to the gorgeous french horns on “Romance de Noël,” and those warm drum fills on “Tempête.” I can let the outro of “21 décembre” wash over me. I can soothe my mind to the plucking of a banjo on “Notre dernier sapin.” This entire E.P. is a thing of beauty… well… musically at least. They could be singing about shooting puppies on Christmas eve for all I currently know. But… what a lovely massacre that would be, I suppose.

Bottom Line: This is the shortest, least informative review of what is bound to be one of the best releases of the season. Perhaps put a pin in this one and buy it tomorrow, on Bandcamp Friday.

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A Very Cherry Christmas 17 (2023)

Cherryade Records
Buy: Bandcamp

Weirdo, underground Christmas music is a labor of love. Believe me, our community is quite small… small, but dedicated. It would make sense that one of the biggest flagbearers for this scene is a small compilation, released by Cherryade Records and lovingly assembled by Gareth Jones of Dandelion Radio, for 200 lucky collectors each year. This is the 17th year of the A Very Cherry Christmas series, a CD-only compilation that collects underground bands from France, America, England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Canada, and Japan this year. There are 16 brand-new tracks recorded for this release, as well as 9 more that have never had a physical release. Highlights for me include the punk-infused “Keep Your Christmas Tree for Burning” from perennial Christmas superstars Goddammit Jeremiah, the indie-rock fuzzy fun of “Christmas Number One” from Problem Patterns, and the percussive “I’m Not Coming Home for Christmastime” by The Photocopies. There is a lot more to dig into on this record, from surf Christmas by The Surfisticats (“Santa Bring Me a Surfboard Please”), the glitchy, electro-infused indiepop of ToyDisco (“A Gameboy for Christmas ’96”), to the oddly-touching emotional comedy of Canadians in Space (“Peace & Gravy”), there is something here for everyone. I wish I could do it justice and highlight every single band, but I don’t want to set any unattainable precedents here. All that said – keep that flag flying Cherryade, I’m here for you.

Bottom Line: It comes out today, so best of luck being one of the lucky 200. Especially if you live in the States (as I do), you best jump on this, as Europe has had the jump on you.

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Brittany Ann Tranbaugh “Put a Bow on It (Holidays are Hard)” (2023)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

If you aren’t writing a new Christmas song, at the very least record something unexpected. I believe I fall asleep every night muttering something along those lines… thankfully we are all psychically connected, and Philly’s Brittany Ann Tranbaugh took it to heart. Today, Brittany Ann releases a cover of a Jackson Emmer & Clint Alphin song, “Put a Bow on It (Holidays are Hard),” which is a great little song whose clever lyrics will put a smile on your face: “we’ve got us / we don’t need to fit in / I know we’re both a little crazy / but we ain’t half as bad as them.” I doubt it’s much of a stretch to say that readers of this blog (you interesting people who take time to read about Christmas music) might be a little bit crazy yourselves… so… relatable! Brittany Ann’s voice is, as always, full of character and beauty, but this time she brings in her friend Emily Drinker to add harmony – a perfect seasoning to the dish. Brittany Ann is now 2-for-2, with a pair of songs (check out “The Christmas Flannel Song” from last year) destined for a discerning mixtape. Keep it up!

Bottom Line: From song selection to performance and production, Brittany Ann has earned a spot on the good list for sure.

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Photo Ops “Odd Christmas” (2023)

Paul is Dead Records
Buy: Bandcamp | Apple Music | Amazon MP3 | Amazon.uk MP3 | Amazon.de MP3 | Amazon.fr MP3

This song came in via a tip from a friend… AND I CANNOT HUNT DOWN WHO SENT IT. So… here I am, not giving credit where credit is due… feeling like a jerk. Gotta soldier on, but if you did send this to me, let me know so I can properly thank you. I think it was in Twitter notifications… but of course, those don’t work as well as they used to and I can’t go back to summer/spring, because I don’t pay for it most likely.

Photo Ops, the recording project of Los Angeles’ Terry Price, brings electro-indie-folk goodness with “Odd Christmas,” a wonderful new track off Burns Bright, his latest full-length which came out earlier this year. “Odd Christmas” is going to appeal to folks who love the Sufjan Stevens’ Christmas records, as it shares the complex emotional content of the best songs from those records. It also doesn’t hurt that Terry and Sufjan share similar vocal qualities. The bits of synthesizer really fills out the sound, taking what would have been a lovely folk song and adding just enough color to separate it from the crowd. Multiple listens have brought me closer to this song… perhaps they will for you as well.

Bottom Line: An early highlight of the season.

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UPCOMING: Lenny Kaye, Cedar Sparks – Holiday Split 7″ (11/24/2023)

La Societe Expeditio
Buy: Rough Trade

This upcoming release looks quite interesting and has the pedigree to be fantastic. Lenny Kaye, guitarist, founding member of the Patti Smith Group, and curator of the touchstone Nuggets compilation series, contributes a new song, “Santa’s Knee,” as well as scribbles his name on the cover of this Rough Trade-exclusive 7″ release. The B-side is the only known quantity from this slab of wax, as Lenny Shares the flip with Cedar Sparks, comprised of Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth) and Lou Rogai (Lewis and Clarke), as they share their 2018 folk-Christmas track, “Gathering Song.” Inspired by seasonal depression and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Gathering Song” is infused with beautiful, melancholy violin melodies and some wonderful sing-along lyrics. I can only vouch for 50% of this release, but so far so good.

EDIT: This is also an RSD Black Friday release. So… there are a few more than the 150 Rough Trade has. Whew!

Bottom Line: This looks like a very solid Christmas 7″ for the fan and the collector – Rough Trade is the exclusive retailer of 150 green vinyl signed copies. Grab them fast!

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EDIT: Well… it appears that I may have hipped Cedar Sparks to the fact that their song was still available (for free) on Bandcamp. (And now it is gone)

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The Natural Lines “Quiet Magic” (2022)

Bella Union
Buy: Bandcamp (NYOP)

The Natural Lines are an indie rock band helmed by Matt Pond and Chris Hansen whose debut EP, First Five, came out in October. While we wait for the full-length LP due in 2023, the band has given us the gift of “Quiet Magic.” First… let’s quickly take note of that name we might be familiar with here at Christmas Underground – Matt Pond. This new band rose out of his recent collaborations, and he felt it best to ditch the somewhat-eponymous band name to reflect the collaborative nature of this new setup. Now back to The Natural Lines, and this beautiful track, “Quiet Magic.” I love that the song gives all the weight and all the credit to the love he already feels. It is possible to dislike Christmas, yet comfort in your love for friends and family. The small moments of togetherness that he points to are so simple and beautiful, like in this passage:

If it’s real
Then I’ll take it
On the couch, with you
And the dog
Late at night
Quiet magic

Those quiet moments just enjoying the company of those you love… you don’t have to love Christmas for that.

I rather liked their own description of the song, so I’m going to share it here as well.

It might initially sound like a disgruntled yodel from the complaint department, but it’s far from it. It’s about the sensation that predates all celebrations — the love of family, the love of friends, the love of your life and the love of music. All I’ve ever wanted is the quiet magic of a love that’s real. (If that’s your thing, I hope you get some, too.)

Bottom Line: Simply beautiful.

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The Ornaments “A Cold Wind” (2022)

Folkmonger Records
Buy: Bandcamp

A seasonal staple here on Christmas Underground, this year The Ornaments (Mike Behrends and Lance Owens) cut a hole in the wall and let us hear this exchange in what might be their most devastating Christmas song yet… and they’ve sung about a holiday plane crash before. We get to observe these people, then imagine the aftermath… the emotional shrapnel… you are desperate to delete that message for him. Oh lord, that was so well done and so heartbreaking.

Bottom Line: The Ornaments paint these tiny canvases that always leave you wondering what lies outside the frame. Keep them wanting more… or fearing more, I’d imagine.

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OK Pal presents Now Prancer! (2022)

OK Pal
Buy: Bandcamp

I’ve been waiting on this one with bated breath ever since Christmas Underground favorite Virgin of the Birds hipped me to its existence. Scotland’s OK Pal Records is taking a stab at their first holiday compilation with Now Prancer!, compiling their roster of Scottish artists alongside far-flung friends, with 50% of the proceeds going to charity. The quality of this compilation is quite impressive, as I thoroughly enjoyed it twice now. However, I am not one to go track-for-track on any record, largely because of time constraints and partially out of the sheer terror of the blank page. Thus, I’ll pull out a few here to chat about. You listen to the rest!

Brightonian singer/songwriter music​+​magic gives us the funny, clever and poignant “Christmas Number One,” who travels through time and space to ponder Jesus through LSD, an agnostic substitute teacher, a retail park nativity scene, and ancient pagans. I think about that kind of stuff a lot too – how unnecessary actual Jesus might be to our living a good life, as all these things are going on within us that help us live a good live and have a deeper connection with the universe. Love that this song made me ponder this again…

Hailey Beavis‘ “Snow” has me returning to another thought I often have – how great it would be for these huge artists to not cover the same old same old, and cover some of the incredible songs I try to write about here. Not every song is a good fit, and I get that, but there are so many that would work incredibly well on a contemporary Christmas record, and this beauty by Hailey Beavis is most certainly one. Put this on a Dolly Parton Christmas record and let Hailey pay rent for a year. Sound good, universe?

I remember my fellow record store clerks listening to Baltimore’s Viking Moses‘ Crosses allllll the time back when I worked at a shop in Roanoke, VA. I’ve been a fan for years, and Brendon does a wonderful job covering Roger Miller’s “Old Toy Trains.” This is one of those old songs I haven’t gotten sick of yet… perhaps because it is so short & sweet!

San Francisco’s Virgin of the Birds is always going to deliver you some wordy goodness, and “Christmas for the Confessor” most certainly satisfies. However, it is those MIDI flourishes that have captured my attention. Somehow these electronic tones play against type and create this warm musical cocoon. Just beautiful.

Of course, there are seven more tracks on here, but as promised earlier, I aim to disappoint! So I’m giving you work – go listen to this comp and you may find yourself captivated by the beautiful traditional folk of Hildegard Von Cubase’s “Coventry Carol,” the beautiful spoken word of Arum Sood & Hank Tree’s “Song for Baby T,” or the snowy drones of Hardsparrow’s “Voice of an Angle,” which is “about geometry and spiders and hearing voices in the snow.” So get in there and see what’s up!

Bottom Line: The Scots (and friends) have finally shown up in force this season, delivering a great lineup and a very solid compilation!

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