As you can see from some (not all) of the posts, the formatting monster is back at work--throwing in extra spaces wherever the heck it feels like it. I haven't been able to figure out how to stop it (since it may or may not do it to any given post). I've been up going on 36 hours, so I surrender.
And you might wanna know that the "2016 Cigar Box Nation Christmas" collection is out. Details on the Free page.
In advance, I want to say that I don't control the rhythm of the season. And mid - late December, Rock singles usually dominate. But here's one you're going to want to run out and get. Power Pop at its finest from Somerdale.
And you might wanna know that the "2016 Cigar Box Nation Christmas" collection is out. Details on the Free page.
In advance, I want to say that I don't control the rhythm of the season. And mid - late December, Rock singles usually dominate. But here's one you're going to want to run out and get. Power Pop at its finest from Somerdale.
Somerdale are veterans of the Power Pop scene and "Merry Christmas Time" is a perfect Power Pop Christmas original. Imagine this coming on the radio? Man, I'd love to hear music like this on the radio (do we really need to hear "The Christmas Shoes" again? Who wants to hear that crap?). The trio that is Somerdale hails from the Garden State (South Central New Jersey). Among others, they once recorded for Kool Kat Musik, a label I've always liked. They have 3 albums to their credit so far, releasing "Shake It Maggie" on FDR earlier this year. The band just signed to JEM Records and plan to have a new album out this spring. Something to look forward to during these cold winter nights.
Speaking of cold winter nights, "Merry Christmas Time" is just the thing to warm you up. Get it from Amazon and iTunes.
EDIT: I feel like an idiot. I've just been reminded that "Merry Christmas Time" by Somerdale is included on this year's "Arbor Christmas", which is presently a free download. Apologies for my short memory.
Speaking of cold winter nights, "Merry Christmas Time" is just the thing to warm you up. Get it from Amazon and iTunes.
EDIT: I feel like an idiot. I've just been reminded that "Merry Christmas Time" by Somerdale is included on this year's "Arbor Christmas", which is presently a free download. Apologies for my short memory.
Ace Enders of The Early November and Nik Bruzzese of Man Overboard got together for this slice of awesome Indie Rock pie -- "Jacob Marley". There are lots of Christmas song themes, but not enough, in my opinion, about the centuries old tale that there's always time to change. Songs about Scrooge and the Grinch abound, but most focus on those charcters when they're bad and not many about the transformation. I suppose its considered implied, but is it? In the dark days of 2016, I've seen far more evidence of those who aspire to be the Grinch or Scrooge before they change. And that is nothing to aspire to. What kind of world have we become where so many people want to be the bad guy and identify with the villain? Me, I love stories of redemption. One of my favorite shows was "Dexter", but I watched it in the hopes that it was a journey of redemption. In the end, I suppose you could make the argument, but it would be mighty thin. And, in that, I think the writers of that show missed the better story line.
Enough sermonizing. Let's just say there is good in everyone. But its a choice you have to affirmatively make. Or, as all the great philosophers have argued, and to quote Ghandi directly, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
Ace Enders, by the way, put together one of our favorite releases in 2015, the Indie excellent "Silver & Gold". "Jacob Marley" is waiting for you at Amazon ...or in your nightmares, if you don't change your ways.
Enough sermonizing. Let's just say there is good in everyone. But its a choice you have to affirmatively make. Or, as all the great philosophers have argued, and to quote Ghandi directly, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
Ace Enders, by the way, put together one of our favorite releases in 2015, the Indie excellent "Silver & Gold". "Jacob Marley" is waiting for you at Amazon ...or in your nightmares, if you don't change your ways.
I'd say this new song from Dashboard Confessional is along the same thematic lines as "Jacob Marley". And, OK, it's not a Christmas song. Not remotely. But it's pretty great. And "Heart.Beat.Here." is a free download via Soundcloud. I'll take free music from Dashboard Confessional any day. And they do mention "winter" once, so that's all the excuse I need. Heck, I don't even need that much of an excuse. I love sticking non-Christmas songs in a Christmas mix. I do.
With a reminder that, this year, Hanukkah and Christmas are sharing the same space (Hanukkah begins at sundown on Christmas Eve and ends on the evening of January 1....which is kinda scary, if you think too much, like I do...I mean Hanukkah and Christmas at precisely the same time.....and with all the deaths this year....Prince, Bowie, Sharon Jones, Ali, Arnold Palmer, Florence Henderson, Alan Thicke, Choo Choo Coleman....I mean what better time for the world to end, right?), we haven't shared out much Hanukkah music this year. And I do feel a little guilty about that (even if you're not Jewish, there's a Jewish mother inside of us all).
Alright, so are you familiar with The Macaroons? The Macaroons are a group that does Indie Alt Pop music that sounds like it's for kids--which it certaonly could be--but is also pretty awesome if you're all growed up. Think Kids music meets Brave Combo. If it helps you any, they're actually a spin-off group of the LeeVees. They've done Hanukkah songs before, but they've got a new one out now. Since EIGHT days of Hanukkah are so cool, they're campaigning for TEN. Oy! Sounds like there's either a theramin or a musical saw in the mix, too. What more could you want already? Get yer "10 Days of Hanukkah" from the Macaroons on over at Amazon.
Alright, so are you familiar with The Macaroons? The Macaroons are a group that does Indie Alt Pop music that sounds like it's for kids--which it certaonly could be--but is also pretty awesome if you're all growed up. Think Kids music meets Brave Combo. If it helps you any, they're actually a spin-off group of the LeeVees. They've done Hanukkah songs before, but they've got a new one out now. Since EIGHT days of Hanukkah are so cool, they're campaigning for TEN. Oy! Sounds like there's either a theramin or a musical saw in the mix, too. What more could you want already? Get yer "10 Days of Hanukkah" from the Macaroons on over at Amazon.
One more Hanukkah song we'll mention, here, though this one won't be released until December 24. The artist is Kyra Goldman and her coming single "Nes Gadol Haya Sham" isn't a tune about latkes or dreidles. "Nes Gadol Haya Sham" (A Great Miracle Happened There) is the story behind the celebration. A Folk Pop artist who has drawn inspiration from and comparisons to Joni Mitchell, Kyra grew up in a mixed household, both Christian and Jewish; and, although apparently considered a Christian artist, has tried to use her music to bridge divisions between faiths and between the faithful and the secular. Four songs from Kyra's debut record, "By The Light", were translated to Hebrew by an Israeli for Kyra and the resulting EP is available through Amazon. Kyra is working on a video for "Nes Gadol Haya Sham" and, though I'd think it has to be close to completed if the plan is to get it out this year, you can donate to the project if the spirit moves you (Kyra figures the cost at around $5000). Donations, she says, are tax deductable through Shema Music. We don't have audio of "Nes Gadol Haya Sham" to embed, but the 30 second clip at Amazon sounds tremendous.
Back in 2010, we had the exclusive free download of "No Better Time" by Natalie Prass for a very hot minute. Since then, she doesn't call, she doesn't write.... What am I, chopped liver? Now I have to learn about her new music out in the streets. *sigh* I thought we had something.
We still love Natalie, here, even if it's unrequited. While "No Better Time" had a bit of a throwback sound (somewhere between the era of "Baby It's Cold Outside" and 70s Folk Pop), her new Christmas song--"Everybody's Having Fun (It's Christmas Time)"--has more of an 80s Synth Pop meets 90s Indie feel. And look at that cover art. It almost looks like she stepped right out of a Devo album cover. She just needs one of those stupid hats.
Natalie says she has had trouble connecting with the spirit of the season, this year. But, if you fall into a funk like that, you can either sink into the quicksand or get up and fight. Says Natalie:
"This holiday season is, for many of us, a confusing and frustrating one. This Christmas video is a statement on all of that. To try your hardest to be a self contained vessel of joy. To fight against what seems like a decaying wasteland of the world around you.... I'm hoping this video makes you want to dance and feel free to be who you are - no matter how alone you feel or how different you are than your family or community. There's a place in this country for everyone."
To those ends, Natalie wrote "Everybody's Having Fun (It's Christmas Time)" with Kyle Ryan, made the video, and, to further be a positive force fighting the descending darkness, 100% of the proceeds of her Christmas single will go to the School of Performing Arts in the Richmond [VA] Community. That's a school that's open to all children and which was founded on the principle that no child should be turned away simply because they can't afford the tuition. You can find "Everybody's Having Fun (It's Christmas Time)" at Bandcamp. And, if you can afford it, consider paying in a little bit more than the sticker price. Remember, 'tis better to light a single candle--or purchase a single Christmas song--than to curse the darkness.
We still love Natalie, here, even if it's unrequited. While "No Better Time" had a bit of a throwback sound (somewhere between the era of "Baby It's Cold Outside" and 70s Folk Pop), her new Christmas song--"Everybody's Having Fun (It's Christmas Time)"--has more of an 80s Synth Pop meets 90s Indie feel. And look at that cover art. It almost looks like she stepped right out of a Devo album cover. She just needs one of those stupid hats.
Natalie says she has had trouble connecting with the spirit of the season, this year. But, if you fall into a funk like that, you can either sink into the quicksand or get up and fight. Says Natalie:
"This holiday season is, for many of us, a confusing and frustrating one. This Christmas video is a statement on all of that. To try your hardest to be a self contained vessel of joy. To fight against what seems like a decaying wasteland of the world around you.... I'm hoping this video makes you want to dance and feel free to be who you are - no matter how alone you feel or how different you are than your family or community. There's a place in this country for everyone."
To those ends, Natalie wrote "Everybody's Having Fun (It's Christmas Time)" with Kyle Ryan, made the video, and, to further be a positive force fighting the descending darkness, 100% of the proceeds of her Christmas single will go to the School of Performing Arts in the Richmond [VA] Community. That's a school that's open to all children and which was founded on the principle that no child should be turned away simply because they can't afford the tuition. You can find "Everybody's Having Fun (It's Christmas Time)" at Bandcamp. And, if you can afford it, consider paying in a little bit more than the sticker price. Remember, 'tis better to light a single candle--or purchase a single Christmas song--than to curse the darkness.
We get lots of bands from Austin, Seattle, NY & NJ, Kansas City, LA, Cleveland, and even a fair amount from Florida. You don't see too many bands from Arkansas.
Knox Hamilton got a little bit of help getting their name out there when, earlier this year, Katy Perry took to Twitter to praise the group's "Washed Up Together" video. The praise was well deserved but, hopefully, the video didn't distract from how cool the song was. As big as this year was for Knox Hamilton, next year figures to be even bigger as the Indie Pop Rockers will be releasing their first full-length album ("The Heights") AND appearing at SXSW.
A few days ago, Conan O'Brien's Team Coco debuted the group's update on the Beach Boys classic "The Man With All The Toys", which you can now get at iTunes and Amazon. The band's Boots Copeland said they felt the Beach Boys Christmas album doesn't get the recognition it deserves. Really? I don't know, man. Maybe in Arkansas. But, on the east coast at least, it gets plenty. Only Spector and Guaraldi get more. Just sayin'. Of course, none of that takes away from the super sound treatment Knox Hamilton brings to the table in their super cool cover of the Christmas classic "The Man With All The Toys".
Knox Hamilton got a little bit of help getting their name out there when, earlier this year, Katy Perry took to Twitter to praise the group's "Washed Up Together" video. The praise was well deserved but, hopefully, the video didn't distract from how cool the song was. As big as this year was for Knox Hamilton, next year figures to be even bigger as the Indie Pop Rockers will be releasing their first full-length album ("The Heights") AND appearing at SXSW.
A few days ago, Conan O'Brien's Team Coco debuted the group's update on the Beach Boys classic "The Man With All The Toys", which you can now get at iTunes and Amazon. The band's Boots Copeland said they felt the Beach Boys Christmas album doesn't get the recognition it deserves. Really? I don't know, man. Maybe in Arkansas. But, on the east coast at least, it gets plenty. Only Spector and Guaraldi get more. Just sayin'. Of course, none of that takes away from the super sound treatment Knox Hamilton brings to the table in their super cool cover of the Christmas classic "The Man With All The Toys".
Still waiting for the first snow of the season in Eastern Carolina, but I'm guessing folks in Doreen Taylor's hometown of Alden, New York, have already seen enough to last them 5 winters.
A versatile singer and actress, Doreen Taylor got plenty of praise for her Country Pop album "Magic" in 2012. Her Christmas single, "My Christmas Wish", which Doreen wrote, is more of a "standard" which should be playing well with Adult Contemporary audiences (Josh Groban is currently #1...again).
And, while you can certainly find "My Christmas Wish" digitally at iTunes and Amazon, you can get a signed CD-single from Doreen (and, I know I'm a dinosaur, but hard copy still matters to me). Not only that, but $1 from every sale of a signed CD-single of "My Christmas Wish" will be donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, one of the many charitable foundations Doreen supports (and I think those are some of the kids in the video).
A versatile singer and actress, Doreen Taylor got plenty of praise for her Country Pop album "Magic" in 2012. Her Christmas single, "My Christmas Wish", which Doreen wrote, is more of a "standard" which should be playing well with Adult Contemporary audiences (Josh Groban is currently #1...again).
And, while you can certainly find "My Christmas Wish" digitally at iTunes and Amazon, you can get a signed CD-single from Doreen (and, I know I'm a dinosaur, but hard copy still matters to me). Not only that, but $1 from every sale of a signed CD-single of "My Christmas Wish" will be donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, one of the many charitable foundations Doreen supports (and I think those are some of the kids in the video).
Blues Traveler have weighed in with a new version of "Go Tell It On The Mountain". I don't have any audio to embed, but you know those guys, right? And you gotta love the cover art. Best of all 100% of the proceeds go to The Salvation Army. And, let me tell you, The Salvation Army is always there even when no one else is. I've seen disaster situations where The Salvation Army are the only ones who will help you out. Everyone else seems content to just count their money. Love The Salvation Army, I do (oh, dear lord, I'm starting to talk like Yoda). You can pick up the single just about anywhere, including Amazon and iTunes. And, though I'd rather not, here is (allegedly) the link to listen to Blues Traveler's Christmas song on Spotify. Can't swear to it. I can't do Spotify. It won't load and usually crashes the computer. My college roommate always says to me, "Stubby, these are things that only ever happen to you." And that may well be, but it doesn't change the fact that they do happen to me.
I'm gonna give you a couple of singles that owe some heritage to T-Rex. Here's a new one from BLAHA! (I know just how he feels).
BLAHA! is Mike Blaha of The Blind Shake and there's a lot of stuff in the mix, here. He's calling it "Freak-Roots", but there's Blues, Psych, Punk, Garage. Tell me you don't hear T-Rex in there, too. (Marc Bolan, man, the world misses you). "It's Christmas Time (And I Have Nothing Left To Lose)" might be the best Christmas song title of the year. Fortunately, it's also a great sounding record. Get your download at Bandcamp or Amazon.
Now the other new tune borrowing a page from the T-Rex playbook is one we told you about before it was released and, thus, we had no audio to share (oh, yeah, that formatting monster has been busy screwing up the whole website). Carly Jamison's "Keeping Christmas" is a good enough song for us to remind you to pick it up before the season's over. And, now, we've got sound!
You can find Carly's "Keeping Christmas" on Bandcamp, Amazon and wherever fine downloads are sold. Be sure to check out her other Christmas singles from Christmas Past, if you don't already have them.
By the way, have you seen Carly's blog? It's like she sees all. She knows when I'm posting about her practically before I do. Hey, you don't suppose she's.....Santa?
By the way, have you seen Carly's blog? It's like she sees all. She knows when I'm posting about her practically before I do. Hey, you don't suppose she's.....Santa?
No audio available for this next one (as yet), but it's an old favorite of ours, Tristen, with a new Christmas song (or, more accurately, a new seasonal song). Nashville based Indie singer/songwriter Tristen has swum (swam?) in Christmas waters before. Back in 2011, I think it was, she released a 3-song EP on vinyl. Then, a few years back, she recorded "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" with Battlepod 8. There's at least one big difference between those earlier Christmas outings and "In Winter Blues". The others were covers and this one she wrote. Tristen has such a sense of melody, it had to be her's.
There's another big difference, too. This one counts. Tristen is donating all proceeds from "In Winter Blues" to the International Rescue Commission. The IRC was founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein. The IRC has, for 83 years, provided aid to those forced to flee their homes and their countries because of conflict or natural disasters. And, if you've seen the news at all, recently, you know about the slaughter in Aleppo and the ongoing turmoil in Syria. So the IRC needs all of the financial support they can get right, now. The crisis abroad is worse than any since WWII. So, though the cost of "In Winter Blues" is one dollar, Tristen asks you to please give more if you can.
As for the song, itself, it's gorgeous. The 3-song EP she released in 2011 was a little raw and hewed closer to Indie Rock. "In Winter Blues" qualifies as Indie Folk Pop, but, to me, it sounds very much like an early 60s Pop ballad. Except, there's some beautiful layering and the lyrics aren't about boys and dating (although you could read them that way, if you were of a mind to; I'm reading them more as the passing of a season and the year...but then I'm pretty literal).
Buried my sorrow in a sad song
Cried behind the evergreen
Real friends make a toast to remind me
they never like you anyway
in Winter Blues
With Tristen on "In Winter Blues" are Erin Rae McKaskle, Austin Hoke, Jim Hoke & Diederik van Wassenaer. The song is being offered at Bandcamp and every penny helps.
There's another big difference, too. This one counts. Tristen is donating all proceeds from "In Winter Blues" to the International Rescue Commission. The IRC was founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein. The IRC has, for 83 years, provided aid to those forced to flee their homes and their countries because of conflict or natural disasters. And, if you've seen the news at all, recently, you know about the slaughter in Aleppo and the ongoing turmoil in Syria. So the IRC needs all of the financial support they can get right, now. The crisis abroad is worse than any since WWII. So, though the cost of "In Winter Blues" is one dollar, Tristen asks you to please give more if you can.
As for the song, itself, it's gorgeous. The 3-song EP she released in 2011 was a little raw and hewed closer to Indie Rock. "In Winter Blues" qualifies as Indie Folk Pop, but, to me, it sounds very much like an early 60s Pop ballad. Except, there's some beautiful layering and the lyrics aren't about boys and dating (although you could read them that way, if you were of a mind to; I'm reading them more as the passing of a season and the year...but then I'm pretty literal).
Buried my sorrow in a sad song
Cried behind the evergreen
Real friends make a toast to remind me
they never like you anyway
in Winter Blues
With Tristen on "In Winter Blues" are Erin Rae McKaskle, Austin Hoke, Jim Hoke & Diederik van Wassenaer. The song is being offered at Bandcamp and every penny helps.
Of late, the off genre singles have really sucked. So I'm going to close with another album cut, just to get a bit of variety in here.
As it happens, I only just discovered Kerry Patrick Clark's wonderful Americana/Folk Pop album, "The Heart of Christmas", which is a 2016 release. Rushed it to our List (though you've got to drift back to, like, October 28). Hard copy CDs available from the artist.
For some reason, Fruitcake songs are always a big hit, so here's another one, "Fruitcake Round", trading off the pros and cons of the thing. Pros about fruitcake? I didn't think there were any (although that College of the Ozarks fruitcake is actually delish...and I'm not being paid to say that).
And I see our friends at Lie In The Sound have found the new "Ho Ho Ho Canada" release (and I was just over there yesterday). Ah, well, I try to be first with Polaroid and Brigitte is always first with "Ho Ho Ho Canada". There is balance in the universe. You'll have to wait at least a day for my thoughts.
As it happens, I only just discovered Kerry Patrick Clark's wonderful Americana/Folk Pop album, "The Heart of Christmas", which is a 2016 release. Rushed it to our List (though you've got to drift back to, like, October 28). Hard copy CDs available from the artist.
For some reason, Fruitcake songs are always a big hit, so here's another one, "Fruitcake Round", trading off the pros and cons of the thing. Pros about fruitcake? I didn't think there were any (although that College of the Ozarks fruitcake is actually delish...and I'm not being paid to say that).
And I see our friends at Lie In The Sound have found the new "Ho Ho Ho Canada" release (and I was just over there yesterday). Ah, well, I try to be first with Polaroid and Brigitte is always first with "Ho Ho Ho Canada". There is balance in the universe. You'll have to wait at least a day for my thoughts.
RSS Feed
