"Pumpkin Pie" is a track from the latest Castros EP, "My Dear", which you can find on Bandcamp (in CD or digital formats) and pretty much everywhere else. And, as it turns out, all of their music seems to be equally as irresistible as "Pumpkin Pie". Have a slice. Go on. MMmmm. Good, isn't it? It's free from Noisetrade. Enjoy. You'll be back for more soon enough.
Jumping the line to Thanksgiving... The Castros sing a song about "Pumpkin Pie". But its not just a song about "Pumpkin Pie". It's a song about love. Love of "Pumpkin Pie". No, wait, that's not it. It's a song about unrequited love (sort of). And, maybe, as you're staring into the eyes of the object of your affection, maybe, maybe you're thinking, "Hey, I bet she'd like me if I was a Pumpkin Pie. She couldn't resist me, then. She'd realize how delicious I am." Only your inner voice doesn't sound quite so stalkery. It's more of an Indie Folk/Sunshine Pop inner voice. Yeah, that's the ticket. I keed, I keed. But this song from The Castros is irresistible. As irresistible as "Pumpkin Pie" (do you ever feel you're caught up in an Abbott & Costello mind loop?).
"Pumpkin Pie" is a track from the latest Castros EP, "My Dear", which you can find on Bandcamp (in CD or digital formats) and pretty much everywhere else. And, as it turns out, all of their music seems to be equally as irresistible as "Pumpkin Pie". Have a slice. Go on. MMmmm. Good, isn't it? It's free from Noisetrade. Enjoy. You'll be back for more soon enough.
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Born in Texas, Tanya Godsey is currently based in Nashville. "In One" was her Christmas single last year and it's currently available on Noisetrade as a free download (though it should be noted that all of her Noisetrade tips from the single will be donated to Doctors Without Borders). Tanya has that Indie Singer/Songwriter sound that lies somewhere between Ingrid Michaelson and Norah Jones. "In One" is sung from Mary's point of view as she sees the perfection of God's work and love in this one beautiful child. I expect that feeling is fairly universal among new mothers. How could you hold and look at a newborn child and not ponder the miracle and perfection of it all? It, naturally, has a larger meaning when you're holding and looking at the Christ child. If you're digging "In One", you might be interested to know that Tanya Godsey also has a sampler EP on Noisetrade. Same terms apply, with all tips going to Doctors Without Borders. And she has a 2013 Christmas single--"O Holy Night"--available through Bandcamp (that one will cost you a dollar). Look for a new album from Tanya in 2016 and stay up to date on that via Facebook. Not sure if we've ever featured this gentleman on the Free List before. Heck, I'm not even sure what his real name is. But I am relatively certain we didn't post "YUUUUUUUL" last year, when it was released (free from Day One). I actually found this as a free download on Amazon. Under the name Jacques Saccquarine. And, before I forget, Amazon has a bunch of free holiday downloads right here. Some junk in there, sure, but some good'uns, too. Like 2 cuts from the new Christmas set from Kristin Chambers. I probably should be posting about her, here, rather than Mr. Bold, but.... I've done my due diligence by pointing you in the proper direction. Anyway, Jacques Saccquarine--aka Jose Bold, aka John Osebold--is a Seattle musician who likes to make quirky, off balance, subtly deranged music...but only in November and December, for some reason. Not that its all winter or seasonal music; that's just when he likes to do it. Not sure what he'll be coming up with for this year, but last year's set was, indeed, a Christmas EP, "YUUUUUUUL". I'm not a big fan of the goofy, but, being truly (if subtly) deranged, this is somehow less goofy and more...hmm..."relatable" isn't really the thought I was reaching for. More like a college course in abnormal psychology. How's that? I suppose the "hit" here is "Eggnog", but it's also the deranged mind at its most basic. It's a song about Eggnog, but its not a song about Eggnog. A perfect example of textbook schizophrenia. But its a tad creepy, too, as he's singing about "his favorite glass of human". It could be an analogy. Or he could be Dexter Morgan. Not sure, but I'm leaning toward the latter. We also get some special strangeness in the form of "Don" (featuring Justin Redwine). Don is apparently a guy with some issues, who shows up to the office party dressed like Santa and then...sits on a pizza. He ruins the party and then...inexplicably dies (apparently), thus becoming legendary. Wow. I haven't had enough psych classes to even begin to break that one down. And then there is "Put A Bell on Your Sled", in which seemingly innocuous words are bleeped out, making the song seem utterly filthy. Now, I know a lot of people who love this kind of stuff--the off-kilter and quirky--qnd those folks are already happily downloading. But, for me, the saving grace of the EP is "Black Friday"--primarily because so many people have been (and will be) precisely where the protagonist is (and I mean mentally and emotionally, not physically...although they'll be that do). And using music that sets a solemn tone, well, it makes the whole thing rather poignant. And I'm just kidding about the "derangement"....mostly. Anyway, if you're up for getting down with Jacques Saccquarine (and Don), head on over to Bandcamp (or Amazon) for the free download. And keep a watchful eye on Jose at Facebook. Somebody should.
Jetty Rae is a young singer/songwriter whose current musical direction is in the tradition of some of the best modern Folk Pop and Alt Folk artists--Ingrid Michaelson, Brandi Carlyle, and Priscilla Ahn to name a few. She first picked up the guitar while spending a few years in Hawaii and I picked up the subtle island influence right away (the same way people adept at accents can pick apart my life history--which featured a couple of years in Boston, more in New York and New Jersey, and, I'm told, I've had a smidge of the southern from my earlier stay here back in 1979 and 1980). Interestingly enough, Jetty Rae worked with an island Rap/Hip Hop band--Soul Chronicle--early on. And that influence I'm not hearing (there's a soulful quality, but that's a ways removed from Hip Hop). These days, she's working hard at balancing her music and career with motherhood and the demands of everyday life.
The "More Than December" EP was released in 2014. It's nice to hear "Little Drummer Boy" without any drum and the other holiday standards are impressively delivered. The title track, which Jetty wrote, is probably the most interesting and energetic of the five, but "Christmas Kiss" (which she wrote with Eric Sproull) is one of those gorgeous love songs that grows out of a single moment frozen in time (no pun intended) and was instantly my favorite. You can get this fine little present as a free download from Noisetrade (tips gratefully accepted). And you can follow Jetty Rae on Facebook and via her website.
I'm on more mailing lists than I care to think about and I'm not always sure how I got there but its usually from having purchased or downloaded Christmas music (and my memory isn't good enough to recall all of that, because I really can be quite excessive about it). But its never really a bad thing. So I'm not sure, exactly, when or how I got on Tristin Roberts' mailing list, but he's sent out a few music alerts through the year and I generally check his stuff out. Some of it I really like, and some not so much.
This selection of Christmas music, however, I really REALLY like. Tristin is a CCM artist and a worship leader for his church in Sherwood, Oregon. His sound leans toward Alt Folk, though he slides easily into Indie Rock when he's a mind to, and he obviously has a good ear for winning pop melodies. Often, CCM is either more Christian than Contemporary or more Contemporary than Christian, but Tristin's music on "Come Adore" maintains an equitable balance of the two. "Come Adore" is a collection of Christmas songs, a few of which I recognize as earlier recordings and (I'm guessing) a few are likely newly recorded. The EP is available via Noise Trade as a free download (tips gratefully accepted). Preserving the original beauty of these mostly ancient carols, Tristin nonetheless makes them his own--sometimes with new lyrics, sometimes through combination with other songs or through fresh arrangements, and sometimes just through sheer presence and ability. "Come Adore" opens strong with uptempo Indie Pop Rock takes on "Joy To The World" and "Angels We Have Heard On High"--the latter quite awesome and perfect for most any holiday playlist. A lot of people don't like "Little Drummer Boy" much, but there's a quality to this Alt Folkish version that makes it sound fresh and uplifting. "Come Adore Him"--a re-working of "O Come All Ye Faithful"--was written for last year's Crossridge Music EP, "Spirit of Christmas" and is filled with quiet beauty and grace. "Lord, Jesus I Love Thee" is a pretty straight forward worship song, delivered as a Folk Pop ballad. Not my personal cup of tea, but there's no denying its very pretty. The tempo picks up again for "O Come O Come Emmanuel". And the set closes with "Auld Lang Syne" wherein (intentionally or not) Tristin's vocals remind me of some of Art Garfunkle's best. It leaves you wanting more and that says as much as anything else I could say.
I can't believe I missed this one last year...especially with Randy from Hip Christmas recommending it. I mean, sure, he's got a bit of a leg up in that Miranda Dodson is from Austin and Randy's home base is somewhere around there. Randy's got great taste, though, and, with his recommendation, why didn't I just click the darn link last year? What's the matter with me? WhatamI? Stoopid?
So, today, I finally came across Miranda while strolling through Soundcloud. Wasn't even looking for Christmas music, just trying to see what's been added lately. And in the midst of all the EDM and House (and goofs from people who should really just give it up) was this gorgeous flower blooming up through the concrete. "Christmas Glow" by Miranda Dodson. It's a sweet Indie Folk Pop number and I loved it instantly. Followed the links, as I do, to Miranda's website and, from there, to Bandcamp. At Bandcamp, I discovered "It's Merry Christmas Time", Miranda's collection of holiday music. It's a living collection, meaning Miranda will be adding to it each year with this year's new additions being the original "Christmas Glow" and a cover of "Winter Wonderland" infused with a bit of Ska/Dub. And it's Name-Your-Price! Me, I'm figuring there's no way anything else here compares with the beauty of "Christmas Glow". And, boy, was I wrong. The title track, "It's Merry Christmas Time" has future standard written all over it. I haven't felt that strongly about a new Christmas song in 25 years. A word to all those artists looking to record a Christmas cover that hasn't been covered to death (yet).... This is the song you're looking for. It's gorgeous, Christmasy, and I think it would sound great on an Indie, Rock, Country, Folk, Pop, Jazz, or Traditional album. Not sure about Blues, but just about anything else. "Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming" has been reworked into an entirely new song--respectful of the original yet somehow completely contemporary and not the least bit ancient. "Peace On Earth Tonight" brought tears to my eyes from its sheer beauty and understated power. Often, I'd head straight to "O Holy Night". It's my favorite carol and I find I'll usually either like or dislike a Christmas album based on how well they do with that one. With Miranda, I left it for last. And it is singularly about the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. Miranda's voice on this one is at its most delicate and fragile. Much opposed to the booming versions we often hear, Miranda's sounds like a prayer, delivered by someone all alone, turning darkness to light like some musical alchemist.
Miranda has been blessed with a wonderful voice, which she uses to wonderful effect. Depending upon the song, her voice can sound powerful or as fragile and delicate as a snowflake. From her bio, it sounds as though she wants to create positive and uplifting music. With her Christmas songs, at least, she is very much succeeding. These songs just fill you with holiday spirit, hope, and love for humanity and all things Christmas. There's an innocence here--clearly knowledgeable about the big bad world, but unsullied and standing strong.
Don't be Stoopid like I was last year. Head straight to Bandcamp and grab Miranda Dodson's "It's Merry Christmas Time". And share with everyone you know. As Miranda plans to continue adding a song or two each year, this will truly be a gift that keeps on giving. No doubt, Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" succeeded as well as it did because of its big retro Phil Spector kitchen sink sound. Great...the first 450 times you heard it. Now, its just kind of annoying. UK Indie artist Charlotte Carpenter has a more low key, modern Indie take on the song that, son of a gun, makes it enjoyable again. And who can argue with free Christmas music in January anyway? Am I right or am I right (or am I right)? Yeah, OK, we missed it when she posted it last month. But it's still free via Mediafire, so grab it while you can. You might also want to check out "Siren Song"--also free--and, before you know it, you'll be happily trapped in Charlotte's web (ouch). Pay the lady a visit on Facebook or her web site. |
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