Tag: indie folk

Posted on

Have Yourself a Merry Indie Christmas (Volume IV) (2024)

A Benefit for Crisis
Buy: Bandcamp

Today is the day. The fourth and final (…you never know for suuuuurrre) volume of this magnum opus of alternative Christmas music has dropped with a whopping 65 songs. Amongst these 65 songs, you’ll find many names that I’ve championed on an occasion or two (Whyte Horses, Dark Horses – ha! – The Photocopies, Skiing, Aux Caroling, and many more) – but unless you’ve been reading this silly blog since 2012, you likely haven’t come across many of these songs. If you have been close-reading this blog, you might even take special notice that Applennium’s “Is this Christmas” is on the tracklist. Not only is this a great track for that imaginary shoegaze/dreampop Christmas mix someone out there is making, but this is the first time one could get an actual FLAC of this song. I honestly had forgotten how great that song was.

This record is a fantastic afternoon listen, one that may very well get you in the spirit enough to finally put up your tree, finish your mix, or dig a bit deeper into that band whose song has just made you hit the back button to listen again. For a quick £7/$8.50, you’re that much closer to indie-Christmas nirvana. That, and ALL proceeds go to  Crisis at Christmas, a UK charity supporting people experiencing homelessness. Sounds like an easy call folks.

Bottom Line: If this is the first you’ve heard of this series – there are 4 of them, totaling 208 songs. They are required listening if you are at all interested in this alternative Christmas music. Now go! Listen!

LISTEN

Posted on

Joe Pernice “A Song for You” (1986/2024)

Ashmont Records
Buy: Stream on Substack

Joe Pernice of Pernice Brothers/Scud Mountain Boys/The New Mendicants (to name a few) just published a rather sweet story about this song on his substack. Originally written and recorded in 1986 after finishing his first semester at college, Joe’s cassette copy of the song was lost and largely forgotten. Thankfully his cousin who had helped him demo the song had kept a copy for himself. When Joe’s cousin passed away, a box of cassettes brought it back from the abyss. The song was a gift to his family that he played for them that Christmas in 1986. The version that we hear now is not the original cassette demo, but Joe’s re-recording he just made, to not risk a brittle old cassette in an off-brand Walkman any more than he had to. Pretty cool that it made it back to him…

Bottom Line: It is a simple song, written from the heart as a present to his family… how much more Christmas-spirit do you need than that?

LISTEN

Head on over to Ashmont Records’ Substack. The song is embedded over there.

Posted on

Arny Margret “Happy New Year” (2024)

One Little Independent Records
Buy: Bandcamp | Apple Music | Amazon MP3 | Amazon.uk MP3 | Amazon.de MP3

I’ve had my eye on this one for a while. After coming across Icelandic singer/songwriter Arny Margret through her wonderful 2022 holiday duet with Asgeir, “Part of Me,” she was fully on my radar. So when I got the Bandcamp notification for a new record, I am going to check it out. I Miss You, I Do comes out in March, so you can imagine my distress when I saw the closer was called “Happy New Year,” and it wasn’t the first preview track for the record. I simply assumed that I was going to have to circle back in the spring and stash a track for next year. But no! Arny dropped a second preview track with plenty of time for Christmas mix consideration. “Happy New Year” has that blanket of melancholy that, if you read this blog, you know I’m a sucker for. However… the turn at the end is so satisfying and hopeful, as the orchestration expands and Arny’s voice raises – that I could see this track finishing off a mix beautifully.

Dang. I want this whole record pretty bad.

Bottom Line: I’m not sure if I’m happy for a new year, but I’m certainly happy for this song.

LISTEN

Posted on

King Hannah “Blue Christmas” (2024)

City Slang
Buy: Bandcamp | Apple Music | Amazon MP3 | Amazon.uk MP3 | Amazon.de MP3

I do not get excited for covers of “Blue Christmas.” I have heard a million versions… and rarely do I enjoy them. Liverpool duo King Hannah has somehow done it. Simply said, their voices sell it for me… how well they meld, how nicely they part, the warmth of their tone. Take away one of them from the mix, and the song is just another song. Definitely check out their non-seasonal music, which is damn good and might just distract you from working on your Christmas mix.

Dammit. Back to work.

Bottom Line: One of the nicest versions of a boring song I’ve heard in a long time. That sounds like a backhanded compliment, but truly, this is a great version… you’re just talking to someone who has heard this song too many times 🙂

LISTEN

Posted on

The Reed Conservation Society “Funny Christmas” (2020)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp | Discogs (Vinyl)

As we enter the darkest timeline, I’m going to do my best to keep moving. I’m going to provide support to those around me (you all included), and do my part to make this world just a little bit better. I’m going to try to redirect my anger and sadness and be constructive… and boy is that going to be hard because nothing seems to matter. That is going to be me on a good day. Lets hope the good days outnumber the bad.

So, on that note, let’s talk about a lovely song about depression at Christmas! The Reed Conservation Society is a French duo who for some reason has me thinking about Village Green Preservation Society-era Kinks. It could just be the “…servation society” similarity, but the orchestration is the same ballpark for sure. Throw in the Clientele as a touchpoint as well and now you’ve got an idea of where I’m going. The protagonist begins by eating oysters, cheese & crackers alone, and buying themselves “new pillows for my old dream into the sea.” The song might sound sweet, with lines like “Feeling so good to be alone now. Cheers to me, cheers to me, cheers to me.” Though follow that line with “I’ve got a special gift for free. / Médicine pills / angels talk slowly,” and everything takes on a much darker tone. It sure sounds like someone is finding a way out…

I must say, this is a lovely song. Without getting a little insight from the band, I might have thought this song was the happiest “I’m alone at Christmas” song I’d ever heard. I couldn’t quiiiite make out all the lyrics, which also kept me from knowing the true intention of the song. So… perhaps I will stick with that interpretation. Once an artist releases a song out into the world, we are all given a chance to interpret the song our own way. Perhaps “Funny Christmas” is a good barometer as to how I’m doing from day to day – is today going to be lovely and full of “David Crosby singing just for me,” or dark as fuck? Pretty much a toss-up – does today end in Y?

OF NOTE – I’m waiting on an email back from TRCS

Bottom Line: A very pretty or very dark Christmas song… a choose-your-own adventure of sorts.

LISTEN

Posted on

Les Hay Babies “Mam pis Pap” (2020)

Simone Records
Buy: Bandcamp

I’ve been thinking about this song for a while. Of course, you all might expect that as an American, I do not speak any other languages. You would assume correctly. Do I wish I could? Damn right I do. I was born on Bastille Day… boy I would love to go to France for my birthday, watch the Tour de France, drink great wine and pass out in a tiny camper on the side of a very windy road. Perhaps not quite the Quebecois French experience lived by the indie folk trio Les Hay Babies, but hey… in the neighborhood! Of note, I had my car stolen in their neighborhood… Montreal… on July 4th! Kind of a reverse Bastille! Fun times…

Les Hay Babies happens to feature a performer that I’ve had on this site before, Julie Aubé, who has not only been featured on CU, but also on a yearly mix! But I did say trio and this is very much a group affair, including the equal efforts of Katrine Noël and Vivianne Roy, each a wonderful solo performer as well. The group took a break after their 2020 LP, Boîte aux lettres, but have since reunited, have a new record (Tintamarre), and are touring once again… thus a perfect opening to talk about this song! “Mam pis Pap” is sung by a daughter who is watching her parents stop celebrating Christmas, as they are older and there is nobody to celebrate with in their house anymore. So, she’ll save her pennies and go home next year, try to recapture the holiday and celebrate with her parents. It is a simple sentiment, one that I can put myself in, both as a son… and as a parent. The holidays are a lot of work – I could see myself phoning it in someday as well. But hey, sing it in French with 3 wonderful voices? Sounds far lovelier a song than this realistic rumination on aging could ever be.

Bottom Line: A lovely trio with a gorgeous, unique, and realistic approach to Christmas.

LISTEN

Posted on

Young Jesus “Christmas Day” (2024)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

This is a very small community – I see my stats. I feel like I know most of my readers’ full names and have even met a few in real life (Hi!). So I was delighted to get a ping to my Twitter this morning, as Bennett sends me notes from time to time (sometimes hidden in a package of REAL MAIL), and today he tipped me off to this wonderful song by Young Jesus (aka John Rossiter). “Christmas Day” can be found on John Case, a 5-song benefit EP that dropped today, with all proceeds to be split between the hurricane relief efforts of BeLoved Asheville, and a Gofundme that is created to help a 93-year old woman find a new place after being evicted. So the motivation behind releasing the record is great… how about we take a look at the song itself? Bennett highlighted the first line in his note to me, which is no doubt fantastic, but get a few lines in and you get lines like, “Love’s the only prayer that lasts.” I mean… fucccck.

I met your ass on Christmas Eve
broken nose and your torn-up sleeve
You said God won’t love you
unless you bleed.

I met you and your fancy shoes
gold necklace and a crooked tooth
Love just waltzed into the room

They say the holy ghost gone mad
so walk with me and take my hand.
Love’s the only prayer that lasts.

Those lyrics may be the highlight (for me), but I must also mention John’s intriguing voice. John’s voice has a patina far more interesting than those who can belt it out like you hear on the TV. I love this kind of voice… like a gap-toothed supermodel; The flaws are part of the package, part of the beauty – what makes someone uniquely interesting. Thanks again Bennett – this one’s pretty damn fantastic.

Bottom Line: “Christmas Eve” benefits from multiple listens, so why not throw some money down (on this #bandcampfriday) and get cracking. I need the universe to send me more of these.

LISTEN

Posted on

Arny Margret & Asgeir “Part of Me” (2023)

One Little Independent Records
Buy: Bandcamp

I’m going to Wisconsin this weekend. I rather thought that I’d be heading up north for a quick jolt of brisk weather, something to get me more in the mood to write about this stuff. I looked up the 10-day forecast and it was 87 in Madison today, a solid 10 degrees warmer than it is in Virginia. Just wild. I’ll just have to plug along without my anticipated mood enhancer and get down to what we’re all here for… writing and reading about Christmas music in September.

Hailing from Iceland, Arny Margret and Asgeir have a lot of sweater weather to get themselves in the mood to write Christmas songs. 30 seconds into my first listen to their 2023 collaboration, “Part of Me,” I was already equating the song to staring at a low fire, even before I read the description on Arny’s Bandcamp page:

A winter warmer with rich, acoustic tones and stirring melodies, the track showcases the kind of intimacy and nostalgia that Iceland’s homegrown singer-songwriters have become known for. ‘Part Of Me’ is a fireside duet with a timeless quality and comforting ambiance.

I mean… ditto? What else can I say? Fireside. Nostalgia. Pull me up a log – I’m there. Arny & Asgeir’s voices nestle perfectly together, with an ease that feels like a casual conversation. Their control and restraint are perfection – I love when a singer doesn’t need to sing, if you follow. The minimal orchestration is equally gorgeous, suggesting a steady heartbeat, occasionally swelling with emotion. Well look at me with all those pretty words – I feel like I’m getting a bit too flowery here for what is such a simple, beautiful song that you should already be listening to. I mean… this thing is fucking gorgeous, what are you still doing reading this?

Bottom Line: This song practically makes a big mug of hot cocoa for you.

LISTEN

Posted on

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.

LISTEN

Posted on

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.

LISTEN