Tag: indie rock

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Pleasure Systems “Merry Christmas” (2024)

Primordial Void
Buy: Bandcamp

Of all places… The Fader (not known for breaking new Christmas music) tipped me off to this excellent new Christmas tune by Pleasure Systems (aka Clarke Sondermann). Well, certainly glad I caught it, as “Merry Christmas” is one of the strongest bedroom pop tracks of the year to date. Laid back, with lyrical and sonic twists that keep you engaged throughout, Clarke’s relaxed speak-singing style (as well as the lyrical approach) gave me some real Soltero vibes (who also have Christmas songs… that I might have to write about as well). (Edit: How did I not hear a Postal Service comparison before! Totally!) The song is warm, with fluttering accents popping in and out of the arrangement. There is a lot here in less than three minutes. Leave them wanting more, and I do.

Reading a bit about the motivation behind the song, I felt this rang true for many of the Christmas-ish songs I tend to feature on Christmas Underground. Clarke states “Merry Christmas” is, “A meditation on holidays as marking points in time… not quite Christmas music, instead utilizing familiar winter imagery as a backdrop for self-reflection on cyclical relationships and past versions of oneself.”

Christmas really does have a power, and whether you are a believer or not, the nostalgia, the sentimentality, or simply the flagpole it plants at the end of every year is something that many of us grapple with, whether we are aware of it or not. There is a heightening to everything… fertile ground for good art if you can find your way inside the artifice. I think Pleasure Systems found themselves a key.

A quick final note. For those who like holiday vinyl, there’s a 7-inch that is limited to 100 copies. Feel free to send me one if you are feeling generous!

Bottom Line: My son really started grooving on it last night, and was happy to have me play it over and over… so that is a rather large vote for this being mixworthy. He is really going to have a weird concept of classic Christmas music when he’s my age 🙂

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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 🙂

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Cheetah Cheetah Bison “A Little More Christmas” & “December” (2020)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp | Amazon MP3 | 7Digital MP3 | Apple Music

A random song in my email. A casual click on a link. VIRUS! EXPLOSION! Wait… that didn’t happen – just wanted to add to the drama. My head bobs, my feet tap… I love this song. Who the fuck is this guy/band/mystery? Well, it only took me a year to properly follow up and figure this shit out. Cheetah Cheetah Bison happens to be Andrew Kerr, who can also be found in the NYC post-punk band Grassfight, as well as his country project Rabbit Montgomery. Grassfight released a couple EPs in the 2010’s and their full-length LP, Vampires, in 2023 (though it was recorded 10 years prior). As for the Cheetah Cheetah Bison moniker, this is pandemic Andrew. In a fantastic, stream-of-consciousness response to my random questions, Andrew explains, “Early into the pandemic in 2020, I realized I was going to have some real time off at home, so I dusted everything off and decided I was going to get into the world of solo stuff and see what happened. I’m very blessed to be able to play most of the key instruments, so I said hey why not.” Why not indeed. “A Little More Christmas” is an affirmation, singing out from the depths of the pandemic. Along with the season synths of “December,” Andrew was feeling the spirit in 2020: “It just felt right releasing some sort of positive project, given everyone’s mood about the possible end of the world.” I feel it, man. I wish I had heard these then… those were dark times.

For some reason “A Litte More Christmas,” gives me My Morning Jacket vibes – hell, they should cover this! Make Andrew some money! I like to imagine these big bands (or more likely, their managers or interns) mining this blog for Christmas album material. Hell, I’m happy to take on a consulting fee! Ha!

Bottom Line: You never know where you’ll find wonderful Christmas songs. The world is a wonderful place. Look… I’m even feeling optimistic now. Crazy shit.

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You, Me & The Curries – Once Upon a Christmas (2024)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

Kristian Noel Pederson is so full of Christmas spirit, he just might burst. Year after year, he releases his jolly spirit in the form of Christmas records, and some years are jollier than most. This year we’re getting two records from Kristian and friends. The first one is a front-to-back reimagining of the classic Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers’ 1984 Christmas record, Once Upon a Christmas. This is Kristian’s wife’s favorite record… so it appears Kristian is putting all of us to shame in the gift-giving department. Teaming up with Rob Currie, Andrew Currie, and Michael McDonald (not that one!), the collaborative project gets a “You, Me & The Curries” billing, with Kristian’s upcoming record continuing his solo series. The guests on this are quite excellent as well, most notably Bet Smith in the pivotal Dolly role!

Christmas a GoGo! did a great job giving more context to the production of the record, quoting Kristian, “I’ve always been a bit turned off by the 80s production, and wanted to reimagine the album as a fast paced, country album. Admittedly, it gets a little wild at times, but all in all, I’m so happy with how it turned out.” They have created an absolutely charming, heartfelt cover record that I’m sure you’ll find a few favorites on. Of particular note, this is the first time (if I am not mistaken) that Kristian is releasing a record on a physical format – the beloved cassette tape! Only 15 available online (2 gone already – ordered one for me and one for @noloveforned), so go now if you want one!

FYI: This is not the first time Kristian has covered an entire record. Check out his cover of Hanson’s Snowed Inn from back in 2019 if you are curious!

Bottom Line: The first of two records from camp Kristian is yet another triumph in a string of steller indie Christmas records.

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Better Watch Out!

One of the rarest things in our little scene of alternative Christmas music… is the birth of a new music blog. Hell, it was only a few years ago that Hip Christmas changed the description of this little site from being the “new kid in town.” Round these parts I think you’re a new kid for about 10 years… well, better start the clocks on this one. Better Watch Out! is the project of my buddy Jim (yes, we are both Jim’s), who I’ve chatted back and forth with about Christmas music for years now. Whether he truly wanted to or not, Jim has become as much a part of Christmas Underground as I am. I’m nothing without folks reading this thing, and those who care enough to say hi… well, dammit, that’s what keeps me going. Comments! Replies! DMs! Find like-minded folks in such a niche interest… well, you learn those folk’s names and check in with them when you haven’t heard from them in a while.

Thus, I’m extremely happy to introduce you all to Better Watch Out!, a new and wonderful resource for alternative Christmas music. Jim shot me a few sentences about how the site came to be.

For a long time, I used to send out yearly Christmas music mixes. I stopped for various reasons, but I’ve continued to build my collection of offbeat and vintage sounds of the season. Last year I came across an old Tumblr account I’d neglected. Being a cranky old Boomer, I decided Tumblr is the perfect venue to tell the story of my collection. It has turned out to be a fun project, and I’ll be sharing it between November 1 and Christmas.

I’ve framed it as a highly subjective history of alternative pop Christmas music, which I’ve traced back about a hundred years. The posts will appear in reverse chronological order to ease readers back into the more obscure eras of this super-niche phenomenon.

So the journey is just beginning, and you can follow Better Watch Out! this holiday season, alongside myself and hopefully many other adventurous listeners. I know I’ve already been surprised by some releases I missed a few years back, especially these stellar Oldfolks Home tracks Jim introduced me to. Can’t wait to see what else Jim has in store for us.

Nice to have a distraction. Even better to have that distraction provided by such a good guy.

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There Will Be Fireworks – No Christmas Bells / This Christmas Is Forever (2023)

The Imaginary Kind
Buy: Bandcamp

This blog started off pretty preoccupied by Swedes (and their neighbors), but has moved around the globe to French Canada and Australia of late. There is one country that I keep a particular eye on though… Scotland. When Scottish bands release a Christmas song, nine times out of ten… it’s fantastic. I’m thinking Kid Canaveral, Frightened Rabbit, Pictish Trail, Randolph’s Leap, Annie Booth, U.S. Highball to name few. This entire post would be a list of names if I let it get away from me. Thus, when There Will Be Fireworks dropped their Christmas single last year, I took note (I should have written about it then… but I am not a machine!). If you aren’t familiar with There Will Be Fireworks, they are big, emotional indie rock in the vein of Frightened Rabbit/Twilight Sad/We Were Promised Jetpacks. That’s a recipe for success in my book. Not a new band to me, as they featured on a very early mix of mine, 2010’s Write About Christmas, with their excellent song “In Excelsis Deo.” Initially only available on Avalanche Records’ Alternative Christmas compilation, you can now grab this great track on their excellent Because, Because EP.

Side A of this Christmas single, “No Christmas Bells” begins with a Sigur Ros-esque piano melody, setting an emotional scene that is only heightened by lyrics that are honestly, getting me a bit misty as I write. I tried to think of a lyric that I’d want to highlight… but fuck it… I keep changing my mind. The entire song is below. Let’s listen along.

This weather’s getting old
And Tinseltown is grey
And work, it gets me nowhere
I need a holiday

But the Christmas lights are on
In the home that we have built
And the love that we’ve put in it
Is all that matters still

And it’s not like me to say this
And I know you never asked
But you know you are the greatest
And there’s a time for saying that

When the kids are in their beds
And the tv flickers on
And we stumble round the kitchen
Dancing to those Christmas songs

I’m done with looking back
There will be time for that
A movie reel of memories
Shines golden through the black

Next year will be our year
I feel it in my bones
But for these short few hours
For once we are alone

No Christmas bells are ringing
No star in Glasgow’s sky
No choir of angels singing
But who needs that tonight?

If this is all there is
It’s all there needs to be
A simple quiet moment
Unfolding happily

Damn. It really gets going in that second verse and doesn’t let up. Why is it that you hear a song one day and are completely fine… walking the dog… just listening, then hear it another day and you are in fucking tears. I never claimed to have this be a real musical review blog… this really has always been an emotional review blog. Anger, sadness, anxiety, nostalgia… those are my references, the tools of my trade. Christmas music is just the vessel I suppose.

Now… can I maintain and talk about the back half of this single, “This Christmas is Forever?” I’ll give it a run. This song is a quick snapshot of a loving family at Christmas. I’m tempted to post the lyrics here as well… but instead, drink in this stanza that sets up the dramatic finish – it is so damn great.

And maybe I’ll sing a little thing
Some half-remembered hymn
It’s here and it’s gone
But aren’t we all?

Do you have a family to share this Christmas with? Well, this song will tear you up. Are you without a family to share the season with? Well, this song will tear you up. These guys are laser-focused on your heart, so don’t press play if you sometimes cry at commercials and you happen to be in public.

All proceeds go to Social Bite, which provide meals, gifts and essential items to homeless and vulnerable people. Easy purchase.

Bottom Line: There Will be Fireworks are back in the game with a 1-2 punch of beautiful, heartfelt Christmas songs.

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Eyes Lips Eyes “Slept In Through Christmas” (2011)

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp

Every so often I’m going to highlight a song that some of you may have missed, often from years ago. Hell, throw in a pandemic and it feels like a lifetime ago. Provo, Utah and/or Los Angeles’ Eyes Lips Eyes “Slept in Through Christmas” is simply a damn fun song. Angular guitars, handclaps, jingle bells, and a baseline that will get you grooving enough to reach your movement goals. Gotta keep your figure so you can ruin it over the holidays. I don’t think the band is still together, as their social media hasn’t been updated in years… but time marches on for us all. Some groups disband and delete everything, and thankfully this is not the case so far. “Slept in Through Christmas” was featured on my 2018 mix, How to Solve Our Christmas Problems, and if it hasn’t been on your mix yet… well, what are you waiting for?

Bottom Line: Great, upbeat Christmas songs are like finding gold in a stream. This one glows – so grab it.

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Brave Baby “It’s Christmas Time… Oh Yeah” (2012)

Self Released
Buy: Soundcloud (Free!)

I want to stress to folks who submit songs and records… I can’t promise I’ll get to your song this year, next year, or any year. I will very likely listen to it pretty quickly. I will digest it. I will live with it. I might get so crazed that I must write about it immediately. I might let it sit around for a few years, then put it on a mix… and still not write about it. I can’t tell you what gets me to write a post, nor when. I’m just one guy, with limited time, looking for that hook to get me writing about Christmas music.

So… all that said, this song from 2012 – I discovered it last week. I haven’t been sitting on it for 12 years… but you know I mentioned the need for a hook? Well… in this post, that’s the hook! The hook is the hook! I don’t make sense. But this song does! Charleston, South Carolina’s Brave Baby crafted a clever song from Santa’s perspective, with cheeky (slightly-dated, “Sears??”) lyrics and a rollicking, familiar chorus. “It’s Christmas Time… Oh Yeah” isn’t as happy as the title (and my initial description) suggests, with lyrics about reindeer who have passed and children who are alone at Christmas, but the chorus kicks it up to a high enough gear to leave you feeling like the song was a good time. Hey man, I just dug it… the oddly dark lyrics, the echoey vocals, and the indie rock casual attitude… this is most definitely a recipe this site supports.

It always surprises me when a song like this can elude me for 12 years…

Bottom Line: A clever, free original for clever, free people.

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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.

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UPCOMING: Dean & Britta & Sonic Boom – A Peace of Us (11/22/2024)

Carpark Records
Buy: Bandcamp | Rough Trade (exclusive Christmas splatter vinyl variant) | Carpark Records | Amazon | Amazon.uk

I don’t have the time for this today. Two of the biggest releases of the season, each popping up in succession on my Bandcamp feed. I’m not going to give away the other one yet (those in the know… know already), so I’ll start with the biggest news – a full-length holiday record from Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500/Luna/Dean & Britta), Britta Phillips (Luna/Dean & Britta), and Sonic Boom (Spacemen 3). While this was not necessarily expected, it is not exactly a surprise. Dean & Britta have long-dipped into holiday music, with Luna’s “Egg Nog” being a particular favorite. Dean did a Lagniappe holiday session a few years back on Aquarium Drunkard, and the pair also booked a full, holiday-themed livestream concert a few years ago (which was wonderful). However, the spiritual ancestor to this release is most certainly the holiday 7″ from back in 2007, “He’s Coming Home,” which features all three of these folks – and was absolutely killer. I’ll drop the press release below.

From Dean & Britta’s Bandcamp:

In a season where we all seek comfort, tradition, and a return to a home of sorts, a trio composed of indie music’s foundational members have gifted us A Peace of Us—an album of diverse holiday tunes filtered through their musical imaginations. Dean & Britta, well-known from their work defining a genre with Galaxie 500 and Luna, join Spacemen 3’s Sonic Boom, another bastion of indie’s collective adolescence, to bring to life a collection that draws from early ‘60s pop, garage, country, James Bond soundtracks, Christmas carols, and electronica. Dean Wareham recalls a sentiment from his DJ friend Chris: “You can experience all the emotions of Christmas through music: love and hate, joy and heartache, nostalgia, regret, anticipation, and frustration.”

Their venture into a holiday album was organic, spurred by a few cover tunes over the years, a Christmas special during the pandemic, and finally collaborative sessions between Dean & Britta in L.A. and Sonic Boom in Portugal. The trio all contributed vocals, with guitars by Wareham, bass and keyboards by Phillips, effects, and mixes by Sonic. The result is an album of exploration as well as comfort, “like Bing Crosby…on acid,” Britta adds, the tracklist a reminder that the holidays are complex and tragicomic.

As is often the case with holiday merriment, the album has a soft undertone of the bittersweet. Wareham sings one of David Berman’s final songs, “Snow is Falling in Manhattan,” one Dean believes is “destined to be a holiday classic.” Its lyrics foreshadow Berman’s tragic death: “Songs build little rooms in time / and housed within the song’s design / is the ghost the host has left behind.”

The Christmas blues surface again with Willie Nelson’s “Pretty Paper,” rendered here as a duet between Britta and Sonic Boom, their pulsing synth-heavy production updating the song for a darkened nightclub rather than a bright honky tonk. This collection steers clear of the usual Christmas chestnuts, but fans of classic indie haze may find a new favorite in “Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy” (created for Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s 1977 TV duet). Wareham notes that “Our favorite version is the German one by Marlene Dietrich, so that was our jumping-off point.” All three sing this one together: Wareham’s tenor, then Sonic Boom’s thrumming baritone, and finally Phillips’ soothing contralto making the plea for peace.

If collaboration is the fuel, peace and mutual understanding is surely the fire, and A Peace of Us has us gathered around it. “Christmas is mostly for children anyway,” says Dean. Sonic adds, “Or the inner child in all of us. Goodwill to all men. Hopes and fears for the year to come. And light in the darkness. Where this festival began.”

I must say, this record sounds incredibly promising. I already know that it features both “Old Toy Trains” and “He’s Coming Home,” both stellar tracks, the first single – a cover of Willie Nelson’s “Pretty Paper,” is an electropop gem. One might say they found some wonderful new wrapping on this track… you could call it pretty for sure. And a cover of David Berman’s “Snow is Falling on Manhattan!” Not the first time Dean & Britta have tackled it, as it was featured on a Section26 compilation a few years back… curious if they’ve reworked this in a similar fashion…

The anticipation is killing me, and boy was this an expensive holiday music day.

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