Are you tired of the same old Christmas carols? Can we interest you in some new ones? Here are some of the great holiday tunes we heard from east coast musicians this year!
Ian Foster & Nancy Hynes – A Week In December
Taken from their Christmas album of the same name, Ian Foster & Nancy Hynes combine a song about the heartbreak of revisiting your family home over the holidays with a video featuring old family footage.
Cassie & Maggie – The Angel Gabriel
We’re used to Cassie & Maggie switching between English and Gaelic amongst all that fiddling, their wheelhouse is pretty clearly marked out, but let it never be said they don’t draw from a wide pool. They’ve put their own spin on the classic Basque Christmas folk carol ‘The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came.’
Lennie Gallant – Christmas Day On Planet Earth
Prince Edward Island folk jewel Lennie Gallant teams up with Zimbabwe-based A-cappella group Black Umfolosi to spread good wishes and fortune for all.
The Town Heroes – O Holy Night
Everyone’s favourite Halifax 4-piece return to drop their own rendition on the divinity trope of the holidays.
Smaller Hearts – Christmas At Home
If you’re looking for something rhythmic, yet atmospheric, check out one of the latest from the electronic/pop duo Smaller Hearts. The bouncy tune and echoey vocals emulate a gentle glide through the winter, perhaps through the use of iridescent ice skates powered by the Northern Lights and hot chocolate.
Christina Martin – This Christmas
Christina Martin celebrates the similarly-named holiday with an upbeat pop-rock tune, a nice mix-up from the gentle lulls that tend to come with Christmas music.
Hillsburn – Like The Winter
On the other side of the energy spectrum, Halifax’s Hillsburn spins a hymn about a relationship that fell like the snow. It’s almost a Christmasy as Joni Mitchell’s “River.”
The Galpines – Passed Out In A Manger
The Galpines recently released this cheeky rendition of a holiday hymn. What better way to ring in Christmas than a song about being hungover in Church?
Anne Janelle – Angels We Have Heard on High
Anne Janelle and touring/life partner James Hill create a soulful, stringful take on the classic tune with the unlikely combination of cello and ukulele.
Wesley Smith – Saint Nicolas the Christmas Kitty
Smith truly brings home the holiday spirit of love with Saint Nicolas the Christmas Kitty. With more bells and keys than you could shake a stick at, Smith spins an ode to his beloved cat.
The B+ Players – Mandible Claus
The Halifax band wrote this humorous “Wrestle Rock” track as a tribute to author, actor and former professional wrestler Mick Foley.
Joshua Van Tassel – Winter
A beautiful crafted atmospheric track by Van Tassel, with mysterious sounds generating imagery of a gentle snowfall upon frozen lakes. Short and sweet, this is more of a Christmas jingle than a full carol.
Still looking for some more holiday tunes? We’ve got a whole list of songs from past years for you! Click here for more.