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Christmas music tends to be pretty polarizing, but we're firmly in the Love It camp. A bunch of local musicians have been keeping themselves busy in the pursuit of holiday music, too. Here are a few gems we've found from our local reserves — from bands that are still knocking around local clubs and those long gone by. Enjoy, and let us know if you know of any others.
Each year at this time, Middle Distance Runner reminds us about their excellent song, XMas Party. And we, in turn, remind you.
D.C. DJ Triobelisk remixed Norwegian indie rock artist Stina Stjern's Christmas song, "Give Me Christmas Time", and turned it into "Give Me Christmas Time To Dance." Take a listen here.
He's from Philly, but Adam Arcuragi plays with the guys from These United States from time to time, so we're counting him as local for the sake of sharing his wonderful tune, "The Christmas Song".
Photo by SuperTopher
Jukebox The Ghost recently covered "What's This?" from The Nightmare Before Christmas (don't forget to catch their show tomorrow night at the Rock and Roll Hotel; although, as is now a tradition, the Federal Reserve -- featuring members of These United States and Vandaveer -- are also hosting a holiday show on Friday night at Iota. Those bands sure do love to split a crowd.):
Jukebox The Ghost - What's This? / We Survived (Live at the Knitting Factory) from Ray Concepcion on Vimeo.
Vandaveer is giving away his lovely holiday EP for free over here. If you've heard Vandaveer's music before, you'll know that a holiday album from him is something not-to-be missed. It's three covers of standards -- "The Little Drummer Boy", "Silent Night" and "Auld Lang Syne". Mark says, "I have a limited # of handmade copies that we'll be selling at IOTA on 12/12 for charity and at Vandaveer's last show of the year at IOTA on 12/22 (w/ Evan Dando)... you can also buy the physical copies at Propper Topper here in DC."
Deleted Scenes have some words of advice off of their new album: "Get Your Shit Together for the Holidays".
If you have some time to scour record stores, the out of print Velocity Girl/Tsnuami split 7" Season's Greetings from 1992 is worth your effort.
One of my personal favorite songs, Christmas or otherwise, comes from D.C. natives The Walkmen (now spread out along the eastern seaboard). "The Christmas Party" (this seems to be a very common way to name your indie rock Christmas song, doesn't it?), with its jingle bells and piano, will make long for falling snow and crumpled wrapping paper.
One of the most beloved disbanded D.C. groups, The Dismemberment Plan, did take the time to record a cover of "This Christmas" when they were still kickin'. And for that, among so many other things, we thank them.
The late, great, Marvin Gaye was born in the District, and so, we'll recommend his Vietnam-era song, "I Want to Come Home For Christmas".
And, there's one more thing to look forward to. The Hsu sisters (Emily and Susan), of Exit Clov, Laura Burhenn and May Tabol (collectively named e.l.m.s.) are working together to record a holiday song, "inamorati", that will be delivered as a belated Christmas gift to everyone on New Year's Day here.
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Christmas ain't Christmas without Mojo Nixon's Horny Holidays. "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto" is worth the price of admission.
Good one, Monkey.
I'd follow that shot with a chaser of Mojo & Skid Roper's infinite classic "burn down the malls"...
i'm just sayin'...
Speaking of malls, Reason #574 why I stay the hell out of them: xmas music. Does anyone really like that $h!t? Burl Ives with his warm, cuddly pedophile voice; Bing Crosby with his warm, cuddly childbeater voice; any R&B singer with their goddamned arpeggiated "WOA-AAAAA-AAAOOOO-AAAAH" voice. Then there's that goddamned "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" song. I don't know whose version is more irritating, the Jackson Five or Bruce Springsteen (trick question: I HATE THEM BOTH EQUALLY). Is this supposed to make me buy my crap and get the f**k out, because I've BEEN OUT the past half dozen xmases and have no intention of going back, thank you, Free Amazon Shipping.
Little-known ambient musician (and DC-based) Nicholas Szczepanink recorded a winter holiday-inspired song, "It's Been So Cold Since You've Gone" for the Last Winter We Didn't Sing compilation put out by Thor's Rubber Hammer. He's streaming the song from his MySpace page. It's beautiful and depressing... just like Christmas!
Am I the only one who prefers "Purple Snowflakes" to "I Want to Come Home For Christmas"?
Anyone know when that D-Plan gem was recorded? I totally didn't know it existed. I googled it down to this benefit album, released around Christmas '05, but the recording couldn't've been made after '02, and it sounds like something from the Is Terrified days.