Indie Rock Cafe - Feed Me Indie.

After Two Years On The Road, The Fray Jumping Out

2008-01-22T20:38:00.000-08:00

While this blog is primarily focused on independent and alternative music, there are some mainstream bands that are too talented to ignore and who somehow seem to transcend all of the trappings that normally taint once-indie bands that 'crossover'.

mp3: Heaven Forbid - The Fray
mp3: How To Save A Life - The Fray

According to The Fray's official website, the Denver-based band are taking time off after nearly two years on the road. A new full-length release is expected this some time in mid-2008.

The Fray's 2003 independent debut EP Reason has been re-released. The new 'digitally-enhanced' re-issue of Reason includes all of the recordings not found on their 2006 double-platinum, worldwide blockbuster How to Save a Life.

There are some videos, photographs and an online journal of the band's time on the road, but on the whole, considering the 'fame' of the band, their website offers surprisingly little for fans.

You'd think Sony/Epic would put some of its immense resources into creating a website that would at least make an attempt to 'wow' fans. There's not even one MP3 offered on the studio's Fray page, but if you sign-up for the mailing list from their 'official' website, you apparently get one free download. Whoopie! (play smack audio clip here)

But that website is on the U.K. domain system because both Fray.com and more importantly, thefray.com, are taken. Apparently the owner of the latter was either never offered any money for the domain or is holding out.

So, here are some other Fray websites:

- MySpace - The Fray
- AllMusic - The Fray
- Facebook's iLike - The Fray

Coachella 2008 Official Line-Up Includes Roger Waters, Portishead, DCFC, Shout Out Louds, My Morning Jacket

2008-01-22T15:20:00.000-08:00

Organizers of the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival have released the official line-up for this year's event, slated for April 25-27, 2008.

Pink Floyd founding member Roger Waters, Kraftwerk, Portishead, My Morning Jacket, Death Cab for Cutie, Love and Rockets, Spiritulalized, Hot Chip, Madness and Fatboy Slim are just some of the headliners for the three-day music fest and art show. Nothing that great really.

Here is the full line-up in its entirety:

April 25 – Jack Johnson, the Verve, the Raconteurs, the Breeders, Fatboy Slim, Tegan and Sara, Madness, the Swell Season, the National, Animal Collective, Slightly Stoopid, Mum, Pendulum, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Stars, Battles, Aesop Rock, Midnight Juggernauts, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Minus the Bear, Spank Rock, Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobies Pip, Diplo, Adam Freeland, Santo Gold, Jens Lekman, the John Butler Trio, Vampire Weekend, Dan Deacon, Architecture in Helsinki, Sandra Collins, Busy P, Cut Copy, Black Lips, Datarock, Professor Murder, Reverend and the Makers, the Bees, Porter, Rogue Wave, Modeselektor, American Bang and Lucky I Am.

April 26 – Portishead, Kraftwerk, Death Cab for Cutie, Cafe Tacuba, Sasha & Digweed, Rilo Kiley, M.I.A., Dwight Yoakam (this year's token country act, also appearing at Stagecoach the following weekend), Hot Chip, Cold War Kids, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, DeVotchKa, Flogging Molly, Mark Ronson, Turbonegro, Scars on Broadway, Islands, Enter Shikari, Calvin Harris, Boyz Noise, Junkie XL, Cinematic Orchestra, Jamie T, the Teenagers, VHS or Beta, Carbon/Silicon, Erol Alkan, Yo Majesty!, Bonde Do Role, St. Vincent, Akron Family, MGMT, Institubes DJs, Surkin, Para One and Orgasmic, James Zabiela, Sebastian, Kavinsky, Dredg, the Bird and the Bee, Grand Ole Party, New Young Pony Club, 120 Days, Yoav, Eletric Touch and Uffie.

April 27 – Roger Waters, Love and Rockets, My Morning Jacket, Spiritualized, Justice, Gogol Bordello, Chromeo, the Streets, Metric, Simian Mobile Disco, the Horrors, Danny Tenaglia, Booka Shade, Murs, Dimitri from Paris, Autolux, the Field, Linton Kwesi Johnson (in a spoken-word appearance), Les Savy Fav, the Cool Kids, Sons and Daughters, Sia, Black Kids, Black Mountain, the Annuals, Kid Sister with A-Trak, Man Man, Duffy, I'm From Barcelona, Manchester Orchestra, Deadmaus, Austin TV, Shout Out Louds, Plasticenes and Brett Dennen.

Favorite or "Best" Songs of 2007, Playlist II

2008-01-20T05:27:00.000-08:00

Rouge Wave's song "Lake Michigan" is easily one of my favorite songs of 2007.

So it's no surprise that the song is being highlighted in this is second installment of IRC's favorite songs of 2007.

The focus of this series remains fixed on talented, original and under-rated independent music, especially that which rises to a level that it is talked about on many other alternative and indie rock blogs.

However, there are some entries in this series that feature mainstream artists who are currently signed with non-indie records labels. Nevertheless, they are often not artists that are not household names, and I'm always good with that. I guess the best artists fail when they 'sign over', like Taking Back Sunday and to some extent Radiohead a few years back.

IRC's own 'Favorite Indie and Alternative Songs of 2007' series includes songs that are not found on many site's lists of lists for best music of 2007 (to be published later) low).

However, there is no ranking of songs. That's up to all of you, who are best critics. There are definitely songs from 2007 that I haven't heard that would otherwise be on published on IRC's 'best songs of 2007' playlists.

IRC's Favorite Songs of 2007 - Playlist Two

Lake Michigan - Rouge Wave

I'm Home - Starlet

Keep The Car Running - Arcade Fire

It Ends Tonight - All American Rejects

7 Stars - Apples in Stereo

Milk - Magpie

Herectics - Andrew Bird

Spitting Venom - Modest Mouse

DdiamondD - Panda Bear

Powerlines - Western States of Motel

Download and listen to 2007 Playlist One

Radiohead's Mass Distribution of In Rainbows Continues to Fuel Its Historic Success

2008-01-17T01:20:00.000-08:00

With the #1 album in the U.S. and other markets around the globe, Radiohead has probably received more attention from the mainstream music press and the music blogs worldwide than any other band in the past six months. And it was no accident.

Radiohead broke out and totally embraced rock fans in a revolutionary way, initially having released their classic album In Rainbows on the Internet last fall and allowing fans to decide how much they were willing to pay for and download it. (However, now you have to buy the album, but it is arguably worth it.)

Through such innovative marketing and distribution techniques, like free and name-your-price offerings of its music, specially packaged disc sets by the band members (and not a major label) and live webcasts (such as last evening's London webcast at radiohead.tv).

In addition, by setting up and regularly updating pages on various social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, Radiohead has made In Rainbows not just one of the most important albums of 2007 and 2008, but perhaps one of the decade's best albums of all.

Not only is the band remaining relevant 15 or so years after rising to fame with releases like Creep, The Bends and OK Computer, band members Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar), Ed O'Brien (guitar, vocals), Jonny Greenwood (guitar), Colin Greenwood (bass), and Phil Selway (drums) are pursuing all kinds of multimedia projects using the Internet and pushing the envelope in ways to reach fans and attract new fans as well.

But at the end of the day, the evidence is in the music. If In Rainbows sucked, it wouldn't have mattered how much the band and their two new labels promoted it. The band decided to sign on with TBD and XL Records, ditching EMI after a failed reunion with their former label.

Thom was so enraged by "lies" about what went on 'behind the scenes' that led to the rift with Radiohead and EMI, and wrote this semi-rant on the band's blog right after Christmas (left all of Thom's own writing style):

we did not ask for a load of cash from our old record label EMI to re- sign. that is a L I E.
The Times in the UK should check its facts before it prints such dirt.

whAT we WANTED WAS some control over OUR WOrK and how it was used in the future by them-that seemed REASONAblE to us, as we cared about it a great deal.

Mr Hands was not interested. So neither were we.

We made the sign of the cross and walked away. Sadly.

We are extremely upset that this crap is being spread about.

To bedigging up such bullshit, or more politely airing yer dirty laundry in public,
seems a very strange way for the head of an international record label to be proceeding.

On a happier note we took no 'BRead-HEAd' advances at all from both independent labels XL and TBD for our new record.

So judge for yourself.

AND we are really excited to be working with them. SHock!

AT least they do not behave like confused bulls in a china shop.

much love - Thom

However, the release is historic - on the level that The Bends was - and not only put Radiohead back on the rock map, it also has made their music available to a new generation of fans around the world.

It seems like every other day the band is releasing some new material, reworked and remastered recordings, announcements of concerts, alerts of new videos and live webcasts, such as the one the band performed last evening.

There was some confusion from fans in London who showed up at the Liverpool area Rough Trade shop for live, first-come, first-serve performance only to find that the location had been moved next door to the venue 93 Feet East.

Here's what Thom wrote on the RH blog about the change:

On the advice of the police and the local council, it was decided to change the venue to the larger one in the interests of public safety and due to the size of the crowd that turned up for the event. Rough Trade and the band apologise for any inconvenience caused.

While there is no official word yet on whether the webcast from last evening will be replayed, or available in full anywhere on the web, here are some great links to RH music, videos, news and more. As soon as we find the webcast, you will too. If you're not subscribed via a feed reader, choose one now or pick the ATOM or RSS plain feed.

Also, news is coming up soon about Radiohead's 2008 concert and festival tours. While no specific dates have been set, some of the 20 or so U.S. cities include Chicago, Boston and New York and San Francisco. (really!?!)

More Radiohead Links:

Contest: Contribute to Radiohead's BuzzNet rainbow and enter to win a special edition of In Rainbows.

Watch: Radiohead play In Rainbows via the AT&T BlueRoom concert and festival series.

Visit: In Rainbows website put together by Radiohead and their new official TBD Records label

Coming Soon: Music Choice will be airing the Best of Radiohead on cable from January 21 to February 3, 2008 in a tribute to the band. For more information on how to tune in, check out the Music Choice website.

Watch: Check out this YouTube clip of "Videotape" from the recent Scotch Mist performances.

Subscribe to this feed to stay updated on the latest and greatest in indie and alternative rock.

The Triangle's Mid-January Indie Rock Shows Low-Down; Save Your Money?

2008-01-16T23:09:00.000-08:00

There are always plenty of shows to see in Durham-Raleigh-Chapel Hill, North Carolina area, commonly called "The Triangle."

Upcoming performances include shows from Eberhardt, Butane Variations, Leon Russell, Lotus, Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Yeasayer.

Despite their relative popularity right now in the 'underground' music world, Tri-Cities music critic Grayson Currin isn't expecting much from Yeasayer (who made many best indie songs of 2007 blog lists with the release of All Hour Cymbals):

Sonically, Yeasayer isn't far removed from the Technicolor melodic phases of TV on the Radio or the hard rhythm-versus-smeared sound technique of Animal Collective, but its apocalyptic images emerge from its sonic mess without much punch.

(What do you really think!?)

And if that wasn't enough, the tell-it-like-it-is (TILIS), Yeasayer-naysayer Currin also slams the venue owners of MGMT @ Local 506 for booking Yeasayer:

New York nothings with major-label moneys who fall in the same why-does-this-matter genus. Chapel Hill's Soft Company is the better band on the bill

Currin has the raw wit and unapologetic sting of a good music critic, especially considering there is so much music available nowadays.

In the same set of pre-show reviews, Currin also dismissed aging alternative 'rockers' Big Head Todd and The Monsters with a grapefruit-sized slingshot to the head, attacking the band members' lack of progress as musicians over the last two decades by reverting to "overly cared-for guitars and recycled riffs," adding that "one can only hope" that the band's upcoming release, All the Love You Need, is "more inventive." Currin, surprisingly, isn't optimistic: "Your odds would be better if you'd just learn poker

Currin's less-than-positive critiques surely piss-off some of the artists, labels and local venue managers, but if it saves a college student from wasting $20 or more on a show, he's doing his job in more ways than just one.

And so do the other writers of the staff, who also need to be recognized for keeping a pulse on the local scene. On an up note, Currin does like Butane Variations, deeming it as a "great band with a bright future."

MP3: Angels - Butane Variations
MP3: Golden Hawn - Butane Variations

Read more show announcements and reviews for "The Triangle" by checking out the "Hearing Aid Guide."

Other artists from The Triangle area:

- Pressure Boys
- Superchunk
- Flat Duo Jets
- Southern Culture on the Skids.
- Polvo
- Squirrel Nut Zippers
- Ben Folds Five
- Archers of Loaf
- Corrosion of Conformity

Arctic Monkey's Newest Video, Upcoming DVD of Manchester Show and Rare Booklet of the Band

2008-01-14T17:11:00.000-08:00

Arctic Monkeys, riding high on the success of their latest album Favourite Worst Nightmare, and their new single "Teddy Picker" (video below), are resting up following a nearly non-stop touring schedule in 2007.

Last month, the band launched a 11-day, seven-show sold-out concert tour of the U.K. and the Netherlands. The tour extended from Dec. 4 to Dec. 15 with the final show of 2007 performed at Manchester's Apollo Theatre.

For hard-core fans, you may be interested to know that Warped Films - which has produced some wildly successful British film since 2003, including Dead Man's Shoes and This is England - was at the Apollo filming the show. The "theatrical" DVD special is expected to be released in the spring.

Warped also filmed Arctic Monkey's short film Scummy Man.

By the way, after much searching, I was able to get my hands on an exclusive and rare print (handed out at the shows in December) of the Arctic Monkey's "Christmas special" with Big Issue magazine.

The spread includes many photos of the usually shy band members and an extensive article.

"Teddy Picker" video - released Dec. 31, 2007

Teddy Picker Lyrics

They've sped up to the point where they provoke
The punchline before they have told the joke
Plenty of desperation to be seen
Staring at the television screen

They've sped up to the point where they provoke
You to tell the f**king punchline before you have told the joke
Sorry sunshine it doesn't exist
It wasn't in the top 100 list

And it's the thousandth time that it's even bolder,
Don't be surprised when you get bent over,
They told ya,but you were dying for it

She saw it and she grabbed it and it wasn't what it seemed
The kids all dream of making it, whatever that means
Another variation on a theme
A tangle on the television and the magazine
D'you reckon that they do it for a joke?
D'you reckon that they make 'em take an oath?
That says "we are defenders
[Teddy Picker lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]

Of any poseur or professional pretender around"

When did your list replace the twist and turn
like a fist replaced a kiss, don't concern us with your bollocks
I don't want your prayers
Save it for the morning after

And it's the thousandth time and it's even bolder,
Don't be surprised when you get bent over,
They told ya, but you were gagging for it

Lets have a game on the Teddy Picker
Not quick enough can I have it quicker?
Already thick and you're getting thicker
Lets have a game on the Teddy Picker
Not quick enough can I have it quicker?
Already thick and you're getting thicker

Assuming that all things are equal,
Who'd want to be men of the people
When there's people like you?

90+ Essential Music and Audio Links Collection

2008-01-08T04:37:00.000-08:00

With the huge popularity of online social networks in recent years, combined with the unstoppable demand for everything music via the Internet, there are so many choices today that it is impossible for anyone to get a good grip on what are the best music websites, social networks, audio tools and downloads, widgets, musician hubs and more.

The Mashable Team has assembled perhaps the best all-in-one, 'essential' website directory for music and audio links ever published on the Internet. (Yeah, I know what you're saying: 'it better be good!')

Not only has the team provided screenshots, links and reviews of pre-approved quality music sites, but they also packaged it for ease of use and with no frills or hoops to jump through.

Categories include Internet radio, music discovery, social networks, music sharing applications and widgets, mobile music services, music marketplaces and charts, lyric and chart databases, music search engines and audio conversion tools.

A must have link! Hope you love it as much as I do. Thanks Mashable Team!

+ Online Music: 90+ Essential Music and Audio Websites

Trailer Park Fashion Show

2008-01-06T22:38:00.001-08:00

I've travelled by land across the continential United States at least five times now and have passed many trailer-park communities along the way. Sometimes in life, stereotypes have a tinge of truth in them, huh?

But this next video takes it to a new level by featuring two amateur actors (who do a fairly good job 'acting') participating in their own little twisted Trailer Park Fashion Show. It's not as trashy as you would expect a home-made video to be, but it's enjoyable nonetheless.

From Crackle: Trailer Park Fashion Show

Best Indie and Alternative Songs of 2007, Playlist I

2007-12-30T06:19:00.000-08:00

To kick-off the playlist series for 'best', or favorite, songs of 2007, I have posted the first list below.

While there are some mainstream artists included in this series, the focus is mainly on independent, or indie, and alternative songs by some of rock, pop and electronica music's most talent, and in some cases, vastly under-rated artists and music groups.

You can subscribe to get these songs and playlists through any medium you prefer whether it be via your iTunes, email or favorite feed reader.

Here's the first playlist of songs from 2007:

Brainstorm - Arctic Monkeys from Favourite Worst Nightmare

The Night Starts Here - Stars from In Our Bedroom After The War

Sleeping Lessons (RAC Mix) - The Shins from Wincing The Night Away

Your English is Good - Tokyo Police Club from Your English is Good

My Sword Hand's Anger - Apostle of Hustle from National Anthem of Nowhere

Hollywood Bass Player - Jose Rouse from Country Mouse City House

For Agent 13 - The Besnard Lakes from The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse

Keep The Car Running - Arcade Fire from Neon Bible

Imaginary Man - Ray Davies from Working Man's Cafe

Fucked Up Kid -Broken Social Scene from Spirit If...

Bank Holiday Monday - Stereophonics from Pull The Pin

Heretics - Andrew Bird from Armchair Apocrypha

Lake Michigan - Rouge Wave from Asleep at Heaven's Gate

If I Could Cry - Jens Lekman from Night Falls Over Kortedala

If I Saw The Bright Shines - The Octopus Project from Hello Avalanche

Go to Part II

Various installment of this series will include "lists of lists" for the best music of 2007, including songs, albums, music videos, concerts, artists, festivals, album artwork, MySpace pages and more gathered from dozens of mainstream music websites and established music bloggers.

If you need indie songs year round, subscribe to Feed Me Indie

The 12 Plays of Alt-Indie Christmas Songs - Mix Twelve

2007-12-26T12:05:00.000-08:00

Another Christmas has come and gone, but just in case you can't let go just yet, here's the final playlist of the alternative-indie Christmas songs series. Expectedly, there is somewhat of a departure from the Christmas theme in the interest of some getting more holiday and seasonal music in the list.

Stay tuned, the best songs, albums, artwork, concerts and festivals of 2007 will be published next week, including playlists and a playlist of New Year's songs. If you don't want to miss out, especially on the dozens of theme-based playlists to be released in 2008, sign for the Feed Me Indie feed.

Anorak Christmas(Club Mix) - Sally Shapiro

A New Hope - The New Royal Family

A Marshmallow World - Los Straightjackets

Buying Pine Cone Scents - His Clancyness

Christmas With Derek - Mertle

Christmas on the Beach - Irene

Goodbye Charles - Over The Rhine

Holiday - The Hopefuls

In This Home on Ice - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Last Christmas (George Michael cover) - The Fire Apes

Let Me Sleep (Christmas Time) - Pearl Jam

Listen the Snow is Falling - Galaxie 500

Mookie's Last Christmas - Saosin

Plant a Little Fir Tree - Half-Handed Cloud

Santa Stole My Baby - Mistreaters

Sleigh Ride - The Late Greats

The Friendly Beasts - Sufjan Stevens

Do you want the zip file of the 12 Plays of Alternative-Indie Christmas Songs - please email contact( at)indierocksongs (dotcom)

The 12 Plays of Alt-Indie Christmas Songs - Mix Eleven

2007-12-25T00:39:00.000-08:00

This installment of the alt-indie Xmas songs series includes tunes by Coldplay, Galaxie 500, From Mars, Big Star, Liz Phair, The Long Blondes and Saosin. One more mix to go!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Freddy Johnston

You Gotta Get Up - Five Iron Frenzy

Jesus Christ - Big Star

Listen, The Snow is Falling - Galaxie 500

Shout for Trout At Christmas - The Fountain

Amazing Grace - Sufjan Stevens

You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Deanna Kirk

Mookie's Last Christmas - Saosin

Winter Wonderland - Liz Phair

2000 Miles - Coldplay

Christmas is Canceled - The Long Blondes

Last Christmas - From Mars

Let It Snow - Her Space Holiday

White Christmas - Zakk Wylde

The 12 Plays of Alt-Indie Christmas Songs - Mix Ten

2007-12-24T18:39:00.000-08:00

This mix, the tenth installment of the Christmas playlists series, offers Xmas songs from punk legends Sex Pistols and The Ramones and modern-day popular artists like Arcade Fire, Yo La Tengo, The Killers, Something Corporate and Stars. My personal favorite track on this playlist is Guster's "Donde Esta Santa Claus." It's different, upbeat and infectious.

All I Want For Christmas is You – Countdown
Anorak Christmas (Club Mix) – Sally Shapiro
Another Rock and Roll Christmas – Gary Glitter
Blue Christmas – Banjo or Freakout
Christmas Piglet – The Presidents of the United States
Christmas Time Is Here – Gatsby's American Dream
December Cliché – Beneath Her Parachute
December Slow – Aerospace
Don't Shoot Me Santa – The Killers
Donde Esta Santa Claus – Guster
Festive Friends (Forever) – Parenthetical Girls
Forget December – Something Corporate
Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
Have a Punky Christmas Everyone – The Mangkuks
I Took Some Time For Christmas (Live) – Belle and Sebastian
It's Christmas So We'll Stop – Frightened Rabbit
It's Christmas Time – Yo La Tengo
Jinglebell Rock – Arcade Fire
Last Christmas (Part Two) – Parenthetical Girls
Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) – Joey Ramone
Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) – The Ramones
Punk Rock Christmas – Sex Pistols
Santa Claus – Wild Billy Childish and The Musicians
Santa Claus (Live) – Belle and Sebastian
Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Bobby Baby
Santa Claus is Coming...To Get You – Das Wanderlust
Silent Night – Nullsleep
Silent Night (Live) – Belle and Sebastian
The Woods – Stars
Who Put The Dick on the Snowman – Bob and Tom Show
You Are My Joy – The Reindeer Section

The 12 Plays of Alt-Indie Christmas Songs - Mix Nine

2007-12-23T23:23:00.000-08:00

Almost there! The 12 playlists of alternative-indie Christmas songs are riding through the snow on the way to gramma's house. (She better have lots of egg nog!)

Here is Mix Nine. Mix Ten will be delivered soon, and later tonight - when I actually have a few minutes away from festivities - Mix Eleven will be posted.

9 Flowers in December - Mazzy Star

All I Want For Christmas is You – The Trekky Yuletide Orchestra

Alone This Holiday – The Used

Black Christmas – The International Karate Plus

Carol of the Bells – The Bird and The Bee

Carol of the Season – Parenthetical Girls

Christmas At Home – Crawling With Kings

Christmas Party – The Walkmen

De Ushuaia Ala Quiaca – Gustavo Santaolalla

Ghost of Christmas – Manic Street Preachers

I Won't Be Home For Christmas – Blink 182

Amazing Grace – Jeff Buckley

Joy to the World – Sufjan Stevens

Here Without You Baby – Nickelback

Silver Bells – The Pines

Sleigh Ride to Christmas – Flowman

Song About Christmas – The Snowballs

Space Christmas – Shonen Knife

The Mods of Christmastown – Zumpano

Xmas Song – Fireflies

The 12 Plays of Alt-Indie Christmas Songs - Mix Eight

2007-12-23T20:16:00.000-08:00

Today I'll be publishing Mix Eight and Nine and tomorrow, Mix Ten and Eleven, and finally Mix Twelve on Christmas Day.

This collection of 'more modern day' Christmas and holiday songs classics has easily surpassed 120 MP3s.

Many of the songs from the playlists are just as much of a discovery for me as I hope they are for you, as are the artists who performed them. You're not going to find any of the old AM radio Christmas songs from decades ago (not that there's anything wrong with that) on these 12 playlists.

There are many cover versions of traditional Christmas songs. The vast majority of these covers are from artists that most people have never heard of, including many music enthusiasts.

All I Ever Get For Christmas is Blue – Over The Rhine

Breaking The Ice – Mojave 3 (one of my favorite not-necessarily-Xmas songs)

Carol of the Bells – The Bird and the Bee

Christmas – Nieznany Wykonawca

Drinking Up Christmas – Dwarves

Fallen Snow – Au Revoir Simone

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Bright Eyes

Happy Christmas – The Maytals

Here Comes Christmas - Unknown (help?)

Here Without You Baby – Nickleback

Holiday – Glo-Worm

I Hate December – Ivy

I'll Be Showgazing For Christmas – Postcode

In All The Christmas Trees – Le Man Avec Les Lunettes

Joy! Joy! Joy! - Sufjan Stevens

Listening to Otis Redding at Home – Okkervil River

Little Drummer Boy – Mink

Mele Kalikimaka – Asylum Street Spankers

Plastic Christmas Trees – Summer Cats

Silver Bells – The Pines

Space Christmas – Shonen Knife

Thanks For Christmas – XTC

The Christmas Song – Weezer

The Mods of Christmastown – Zumpano

This Christmas Mix – Louis XIV

Wake Me Up When Christmas Is Over – Listen Lisse

Winter Paradise (I Miss You This Christmas) – Liam and Me

The 12 Plays of Alt-Indie Christmas - Mix Seven

2007-12-22T13:30:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, the days up to Christmas are flying by. Yet the lists of alternative Christmas songs out there is much, much longer than I ever anticipated.

There are literally hundreds of worthy Xmas and holiday songs performed by an exciting and diverse line-up of musicians, groups and bands. Here is yet another example featuring artists such as Manic Street Preachers, Thick Pigeon, The Weepies, Monster Bobby, Green Day and dozens of others.

The 12 Plays of Alt-Indie Christmas - Mix Seven

- A Very White Christmas - Le Man Avec Les Lunettes

- All That I Want - The Weepies

- Christmas Time is Here - Vice Guaraldi

- Do They Know It's Xmas (Feed The World) - Far w/ Chino Moreno

- Holiday - Green Day

- Ghost of Christmas - Manic Street Preachers

- I Feel Like Going Home - Yo La Tengo

- Jingle Bell Rock - Thick Pigeon

- Last Christmas - Le Sport, Montt Mardie and Mr. Suitcase

- Not Christmas At Home - Crawling With Kings

- Not Giving In - Rediscover

- Silent Night - Monster Bobby

- So This is Christmas - Acceptance

- O Little Town of Bethlehem - Bright Eyes

- Santa Claus is Smoking Reefer - Squirrel Nut Zippers

- The Christmas Sound - 44.1K

- X12 Days of XMas - From First to Last

- Christmas Cake - Rilo Kiley

- The One About The Mistletoe - The Loyal Trooper (courtesy of EarDrumsMusic)

- A Change At Christmas - The Flaming Lips

- Christmas Extravaganza - Ladybug Transistor

Post a review of any song and win an iTunes Gift Card!

Yup, anyone, anywhere can post a review (using the Comments section) of any one song on this playlist in 100 words or less.

On Thursday, December 27, 2007, a winner will be chosen and will receive the gift card (can only send to valid email addresses - obviously). This is a great way to perhaps become a regular contributor to this site. We are always looking for writers, photographers and videographers who have original material they would like to see published on a high-profile site.

Good luck and Happy Holidays everyone. Watch for the remaining five Xmas playlists as they will be all published by Christmas day. Then the "best of music" series for 2007 begins, including bloggers' lists for best songs, albums, music videos, concerts, festivals, artists, album cover artwork and more for 2007.

IRC will publish the 'Best of 2007' series during the next week or two. Each installment will feature artist profiles and links, MP3s and playlists, song and album reviews, music videos, artwork and more from the greatest musicians and bands of 2007 that will unlikely surface on any of the mainstream award shows like the Emmy's and the MTV Awards.

The 12 Plays of Alt-Indie Christmas Songs - Mix Six

2007-12-20T17:30:00.001-08:00

Here is Mix Six in the 12 Plays series. This playlist includes a diverse collection of Christmas and wintry songs, just in case you are somewhere in the world where it is not going to be a white Christmas.

Indie giants like Yo La Tengo, Comet Gain, Chris Letcher and Belle and Sebastian, plus relatively new favorites on the non-mainstream music circuit - whether you call them 'indie', 'alt' or whatever - like Band of Horses, Great Lake Swimmers and Phantom Planet contribute to the Christmas songs anthology.

(Above: The note Santa is reading in the cartoon reads: "Dear Santa, If you leave a new bike under the tree, I will give you the antidote to the poison I put in the milk - Tommy.")

A Change of Pace offers up the introspective "Christmas on the Coast" and the Parenthetical Girls present indie cheer with "I Love Christmas", plus holiday season songs by Dave Melilo, The Halo Brothers, The Reindeer Section, Phofo and Jason Gleason.

A Hooves Christmas - The Hooves
I Love Christmas - Parenthetical Girls
All I Want For Christmas - Dave Melilo
Asleep On The Snow - Comet Gain
Christmas on the Coast - A Change of Pace
Deep Frieze - Chris Letcher
Here Come Christmas - Remington Super 60
It's Christmas Time - Yo La Tengo
Light The Menorah - Phofo
My First Christmas as a Woman - The Vandals
Santa Claus - Belle and Sebastian
Sleigh Bells and Wine - Jason Gleason
Snowfall - The Halo Brothers
Song For The Angeles - Great Lake Swimmers
The First Song - Band of Horses
Winter Wonderland - Phantom Planet
You Are My Joy - The Reindeer Section

The 12 Playlists of Alt-Indie Christmas - Mix Five

2007-12-19T22:51:00.000-08:00

This Christmas playlist features a great mix of indie and alt Christmas songs from Reliant K, The Fine Lines, The National Splits, Milton DeLugg & The Little Eskimos and The Used.

There are also xmas tunes from Alien Sex Friend, Sandry Mooy, Gatsby's America, Arcade Fire, Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues.

Enjoy the songs, and if you dig something a lot, help support the artists - buy some of their music, get tickets and share with friends.

Alt Xmas Songs - Mix Five

1. Alone This Holiday - The Used
2. Angels We Have Heard on High - Reliant K
3. Stuff The Turkey - Alien Sex Friend
4. O Santa - The Fine Lines
5. Christmas Time - Gatsby's America
6. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Belle & Sebastian
7. Get Behind Me, Santa - Sufjan Stevens
8. Holiday on the Moon - Love and Rockets
9. Hooray for Santy Claus - Milton DeLugg & The Little Eskimos
10. Star of Wonder - Sufjan Stevens
11. Let's Wrap Each Other - The National Splits
12. Holy Night - Sandra Mooy

Bonus Tracks
/ Yeah Toast - Arcade Fire / Silent Night - Belle & Sebastian / Fairytale of New York - Kirsty MacColl and The Pouges