While you are wrapping your presents and hanging your stockings, take a listen to some of the great festive music I’ve found. Some of it is even free!

10. Sufjan Stevens - Silver and Gold
(www.noisetrade.com/sufjanstevens)
Sufjan has done it again. The sequel to his “Songs for Christmas”, Silver and Gold features 58 songs, in which the genre’s range from acoustic to psychedelic rock. You can get a sampler of the album for FREE on the noisetrade link above, but I wouldn’t definitely recommend picking up the full album.

9. Sugar and the Hi-Lows – Snow Angel
(iTunes)
Nashvillian’s Amy Stroup and Trent Dabbs have teamed up to release this wonderful Christmas EP this year. Featuring five original songs, the album blends blues guitars with jazzy vocals from both Stroup and Dabbs. I highly recommend ”Shake that Gift”.

8. She and Him - A Very She & Him Christmas
(iTunes)
Zoey Deschanel‘s voice defines christmas. She teamed up with M.Ward to release this instant classic in 2011. It makes my list this year, because like I said, it’s an instant classic.  Try listening to her voice while curled up by the fire and tell me you aren’t put in the Christmas spirit.

 7. Ten out of Tenn Christmas Compilation
(iTunes)
I’m a huge fan of everything Ten out of Tenn does. If you aren’t familiar, Ten out of Tenn is a group of ten songwriter’s based out of Tennessee. (hence the name) Started by Kristen Dabbs, Ten out of Tenn puts out a new compilation every year and tours. This compilation features some great artists like Matthew Perryman Jones and Andy Davis.

6. Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors – A Neighborly Christmas
Drew and Ellie Holcomb are just too perfect. Their rendition of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” might be my favorite ever. It’s really hard to find this album anymore, but they just released “Another Neighborly Christmas“, which is definitely worth the listen.

5. Andrew Belle - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Single)
(Bandcamp)
The only single that appears on my list is probably my favorite Christmas song ever. It’s so good, I listen to it even when it’s not Christmas. Seriously. You can catch me riding around in July listening to this.

4. Fireplace Songs // The Music Bed Holiday Sampler
(NoiseTrade)
This compilation comes from The Music Bed, a music publishing company. It’s an easy way for artists to get their songs published by photographers and videographers all over. The sampler features Green River Ordinance, Ben Rector, Matthew Mayfield, Trent Dabbs and many more. And its FREE on Noisetrade!

3. Sufjan Stevens - Songs for Christmas
(iTunes)
This is CD 1-4 in Sufjan Stevens’ Songs for Christmas. Released in 2006, it on rotation all throughout Christmas for me. This album is a little more toned down than Sufjan’s newest release, which I think is more fitting for this time of the year. If you want to go crazy, go get all of his songs…you’ll end up with close t0 100.

2. Rosie Thomas - A Very Rosie Christmas
(NoiseTrade)
This came so, so close to getting first on my list this year. Rosie Thomas is currently on tour with Sufjan Stevens for his Christmas tour and released this beauty a couple weeks ago. The first song “Why Can’t It Be Christmas Time All Year” is perfection. It’s FREE right now on Noisetrade.

 1. Vince Guaraldi – A Charlie Brown Christmas
This. Every year. The best. I don’t know if it will ever be overthrown.

Christmas has become an awesome time for musicians to show out and get new fans through recognizable music. Always be on the lookout, because some of your favorite artists are bound to release a song or two related to Christmas. Some of the best are the covers you can find on YouTube. (see: SceneSC’s video of Austin Crane )

Happy Holidays!

P.S – I’d love to hear what you are listening to! Tweet at me @bdesseyn.

The Sea Wolf Mutiny

When bands record Christmas songs it can often come off cheesy and half-hearted. With The Sea Wolf Mutiny’s version of “Jesus Christ The Apple Tree” they not only chose a Christmas song that sometimes gets lost and deserves more attention in the Advent season, but they did a masterful job recreating it. Throw it on your holiday mixtape and enjoy the jubilance Bobby and Danny convey.

Father John Misty

Don’t mean to spoil my list, but the new Father John Misty album Fear Fun is my #1 album of the year. It came out of nowhere to me. Watched them on Kimmel about a month ago and then listened to the album non stop from then on. The video  for “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings”, the first single from the album, does a good job capturing the Cal valley psychedelic scene. Even though I’m a fan of Richard Buckner, Damien Jurado, and Fleet Foxes, I somehow missed the J. Tillman boat. It’s great to finally be on it.

Rocky Votolato-What Waited For Me

Rocky Votolato will bring his rainy day Northwestern folk to New Brookland Tavern this Friday March 11 for what has been a much anticipated show. We tried to get him to Columbia a couple of months ago either at the HoS or at NBT and no one could get it worked out.  He will be joined by Matt Pond PA for what is sure to be an amazing show.

Slow Runner-Damage Points

Slow Runner will be releasing their new album Damage Points Saturday night at The Pour House in Charleston.  Soon after they will leave for a long national tour with William Fitzsimmons, joining him as both opener and backing band.  This song is the title track off the album.  If you don’t have this album yet you should probably obtain it.  It will be in the top 5 albums of 2011 so don’t say we didn’t tell you.

Middle Brother-Blue Eyes

Middle Brother-Blue Eyes

So we got the best shot from the super hip indie buzz folksters Monsters of Folk, now we have a new folk super group on our hands in Middle Brother.  Middle Brother is made up of the frontmen of Deer Tick, Dawes and Delta Spirit.  Their new album spanks the MoF album.  Take note Conor, James James and eM Ward, you must do better.

Bright Eyes-Jejune Stars

Bright Eyes-Jejune Stars

Now that I just gave Conor Oberst some heat in the above post, let me post one of the new Bright Eye’s songs in this weeks jams.  The new Bright Eye’s album might be his best to date.  This is the third song and it starts off with frantic guitars and drums and goes into a verse and chorus that is reminiscent of The Cars.

Bright Eyes will be in Asheville this Saturday and so will we.

too cold for life

Is it baseball season yet? I’m done with winter! I’m holding out hope that we’re going to see Spring sooner rather than later, so here are my “Almost Spring” jamz.

Barton Hollow -The Civil Wars

The Civil Wars’ new album ‘Barton Hollow’ was on my most anticipated of ’11 list that somehow never got posted. Anyways… this song! The title track to their new album is haunting and perfect, bringing me out of my winter slump with great harmonies and while still feeling a little dirty. I saw them play on a porch in southern Alabama last fall and I’m looking forward to catching them again in a few weeks at SXSW since they recently sold out THREE Nashville shows before I could get my grabby little hands on a ticket.

Let Them Burn (Out?) -Madi Diaz and Kate York

Please excuse the video quality, but it’s the only one in existence for this brand new song. I had full body chills towards the end when they played this a few weeks ago. “Love, come out where ever you are” is basically my exact headspace right now. Madi’s vocals are great and this is definitely a ‘go away winter! c’mon spring!’ driving song.

Long Winded Woman -Sequoyah (they finally graduated from Prep School)

Well this took long enough. I’ve worn OUT this song on my ipod. If it were on any form of tangible media I would’ve broken it by now. The rest of the album should rule too! Out March 1st. And I STILL don’t understand how they’re not already huge, especially in the Southeast.

Joni Mitchell-A Case of You

Joni Mitchell-A Case of You

I’ve never been the biggest Joni Mitchell fan, but Meredith bought this record on vinyl at Horizon Records because we’ve been a huge fan of this song for about five years now.  It’s one those songs that is heartbreakingly good and one that everyone should know.  Some of the best and most honest lyrics I’ve ever heard.

Just before our love got lost you said
I am as constant as a northern star
And I said, constantly in the darkness
Where’s that at?
If you want me I’ll be in the bar

On the back of a carton coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice

Oh you’re in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling
And I would still be on my feet
Oh I would still be on my feet

Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I’m frightened by the devil
And I’m drawn to those ones that ain’t afraid
I remember that time that you told me, you said
Love is touching souls
Surely you touched mine
Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time

I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours
She knew your life
She knew your devils and your deeds
And she said
Go to him, stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed

Tallest Man on Earth-The Gardner

The Tallest Man on Earth-The Gardner

I met someone recently that I admire and is slowly becoming a good friend and I asked them if they had any suggestions for my Winter Jams this week.  Randomly they suggested this song and it just happens to be a song that I’ve listened to about 10 times in the last week.  I got one of those tiny iPod shuffles recently and use it when I run.  It’s filled with The Tallest Man on Earth and I hear this song every time I work out.  I got into The Tallest Man on Earth not too long ago by hearing it played on the Travel Channel.  This song is off the album Shallow Grave, find it and download it today.

Jessica Lea Mayfield-Kiss Me Again

I heard Jessica Lea Mayfield a while back on my Pandora Everybodyfields station and it was this song and I loved it.  I tried to remember her name and the name of the song, but it ended up slipping my mind and I never went and checked out more of her music.  About two weeks ago I got an early copy of her new album in the mail and checked it out and it is phenomenal.  Here is the song that turned me on to her, hopefully it will do the same for you.

Treble Charger-Red

I like putting a throw back in my Winter Jams.  And what’s better for Winter jams than a Canadian band from the late 90′s/early 2000′s.  “Red”  might have been the only song that really put Treble Charger on the map in America, and this song wasn’t exactly the best representation of their band.  All of their other albums had a more pop punk influence, but Maybe It’s Me was exactly what I was looking for when I was 16.

Fun-All the Pretty Girls

This song will get you ready for the weekend.  We’re planning on getting SPS drunk with all of the pretty girls, we’re bringing the tambourine and the cow bell this weekend and might even buy a new shirt.  Throw on this jam to get your hips warmed up.

Bridge and Tunnell-Call to the Comptroller

If it’s under 60 degrees I’m in a Bridge and Tunnel mood.  Their guitar tones are warm and their songs really surround you.  You can rock out to it or just sit back and enjoy it, but don’t be sad!

The Wizard by Black Sabbath

Lately I’ve been wanting to listen to nothing but Black Sabbath. I think I’m wearing down the grooves in my old LP’s pretty quickly. This song has been stuck in my head for a few days now and I thought I should at least share it with someone else.

Pregnant by Cold War Kids

It has been such a long time since I’ve listened to the Cold War Kids, but something in the past few weeks has caused me to miss them. I used to play video games while listening to them when it was cold outside so that is possibly the connection.

Abandon Love by Drakkar Sauna

The Upstanding Sons and Daughters of East Heights Country Club by Emmett and Mary

Emmett and Mary are also on bandcamp! I strongly suggest you listen to these guys and also check out everything else My Idea of Fun has to offer!