Once again, this year we scoured the indie music world to find some cool, and hard to find tunes from some of our favorite artists. There are a lot of lists with all the usual songs you see every year, so we did our best to try and find some gems for you. Feel free to spread the love. And Merry Christmas!
We also have the pleasure once again to have a nice cover for this mix for those of you who are planning on making physical versions for your Christmas festivities. The design was done by two-time Muffin Christmas artist Bregan Hubbard of The Lead Chandelier. She has some cool stuff at her little shop, but is always tinkering with new stuff, so don’t be afraid to ask her about what’s new if you like her style.
And now for the tunes!
I don’t know too much about Jenny O., but of all the Christmas music I sifted through of bands I hadn’t heard of, this one was my favorite. It’s pleasant, simple, and is a nice opener to subtley ease you into Christmas music listening time. This song is featured on a free bunch of Christmas songs from Target.
Jenny O. – Get Down for the Holidays
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Best Coast and Wavves also teamed up to put a track together for Target. Okay, this is the last song from that album, but serious kudos to Target for making the best Christmas album this year and for giving it away for free.
Best Coast & Wavves – Got Something For You
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I was first introduced to The Boy Least Likely To from their amazing cover of George Michael’s Faith. Their music is just so happy, and they don’t disappoint with this jolly tune about Christmas longing.
The Boy Least Likely To – Christmas Isn’t Christmas
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I’m not going to lie, I put a lot of work into finding Christmas songs. I spent a good amount of time just searching the internet for bands I liked and seeing if maybe they had done a Christmas song. That is how I came across this one from Fanfarlo that they recorded for NPR’s Tiny Desk. What a beautiful rendition of War’s classic. This one is for Bootsy!
Fanfarlo – Just Like Christmas (War Cover)
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Jukebox The Ghost put out a bunch of great tunes this year. They have just a weird nostalgic sound but somehow fit right in with many of the hot bands that see their way around the blogs. Here is a nice little jam that fits their style perfectly.
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I’m not sure who Summer Camp is, but hot damn they made one hell of a song. Their take on the classic Waitresses’ song is very impressive. This tune got me searching for more of their stuff and I suggest you do the same, you won’t be disappointed. I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear a lot from Summer Camp in 2011.
Summer Camp – Christmas Wrapping (The Waitresses cover)
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Florence + The Machine released this live Christmas song a year or so ago. Personally, I like Florence best paired with The XX, but my friend Kate just can’t get enough, so this one is for her.
Florence + The Machine – Last Christmas (Wham! Cover)
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I feel like every time I go looking for Local Natives songs, I find some “bonus” song I’ve never heard before. This is apparently their holiday bonus, although I’m not sure where it was released. You know it is Christmas because of the bell shakers.
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For the last ten years or so Sufjan Stevens has recorded a handful of Christmas songs and distributed them to his friends. The first six years he released as a box set, but… he kept doing it. The last known volume was released in 2008. This track is from that seven song disc. Was there a 2009 edition? Is there one this year? Any information leading to the apprehension of this music will be greatly rewarded.
Sufjan Stevens – Do You See What I See
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Here is a nice little song from The Swell Season that was recorded for a Daytrotter session. This is a regular song of theirs that they make super Christmas-y around the middle.
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I asked Bootsy to help me find some songs this year. And after I had come to the conclusion there were no more songs to find she found this little gem in Frightened Rabbit. Just another great Christmas tune.
Frightened Rabbit – It’s Christmas So We’ll Stop
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I know I shouldn’t do this, but I’m gonna add another Sufjan song to this list. This one is also from the 2008 leaked Christmas disc. Such a great original Christmas song. I’m sorry if this double-artist post offends anyone.
Sufjan Stevens – Christmas In The Room
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As a little bonus here is a sweet little New Years song by Regina Spektor. I think she put this out last year for some iTunes benefit. Really great song and proves she was using sound bites before Kanye.
Regina Spektor – My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)
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If you liked these songs, you should check out last year’s indie Christmas songs. It is another ten songs and they are also downloadable.
Thanks Audio Muffin! I’m so happy to be a part of your Christmas post again this year.
This is so awesome – going to throw this on the playlist for the Train Station holiday party, good looking out Big FRANK!
Frank you’re really really good at this. and as always Bregan’s artwork is superb!
You forgot these boys! Entire indie, midwestern Christmas album for free! http://dogsontour.co.cc/?p=676
Man, I wish I knew this list existed a few years ago. I’ve been wearnig out my Sufjan album, along with a few other indie holiday favorites.
I’d like to humbly submit a compilation from some of Nashville’s up-and-comers. I was at the CD release party for an indie collective Christmas album, and it was pretty outstanding. Here’s a link to a vid of one of the tracks:
http://vimeo.com/17666548
DUDE. Thanks for the goldmine.
Thanks so much, these are great!
Anyone who likes these might enjoy the mixes I put together each year. The past four years’ worth can be downloaded here:
http://www.christmasmusic.webs.com/
Hope there’s something there for you to enjoy as much as I’ve enjoyed the tracks you’ve shared here! Happy holidays to all!
Just an FYI: ‘Just Like Christmas’ (and Fanfarlo’s cover) is a song by the band Low, not War.
Andy’s Tea Party, a local band, did a creepy cover of All I Want for Christmas is You. You can download it at their bandcamp.
Thanks for these.
Some more if you’re interested here (the Super Desserts track is a freebie):
http://www.donewaiting.com/category/a-very-ohio-christmas/
He’s My Brother, She’s my sister did a great cover of Merry Christmas Everybody.
http://hesmybrothershesmysister.bandcamp.com/
Thanks for these songs!
Just want to say merry christmas…….youtube/hoopy507
I have to say, the “Dogs on Tour” comment is great. Such a great (AND FREE) Christmas album.
In case you’re too lazy to scroll up. http://dogsontour.co.cc/?p=676
How do I download these? I clicked on the name of the song but it just sends me to an error page.
@Lauren, you should be able to right-click on a song name and Save As…
nice post and nice blog guys! i thought i’d just tell you the jenny o link doesn’t work. the link misses the ’3′ in the .mp3 extension. merry xmas!
Fantastical List ! Been listening all day!
nice post and nice blog guys! i thought i’d just tell you the jenny o link doesn’t work. the link misses the ’3′ in the .mp3 extension. merry xmas!
These are great. Will be playing them at Christmas dinner this year. Thanks heaps!
where can i download/buy this?? it’s terrific!!!!!
whoops, sorry for my cynicism! right clicking, saving as Link and adding .mp3 at the end of the file does work, haha. my foolishness. thank you, this is really a phenomenal list.
have a merry!
Fabulous list! Totally original and well composed music! Are you putting together a 2011 list?
I hardly ever like an entire playlist but this is definitely an exception! u guyss are gooooood:)
So, where is Merry Muffin 2011??? Last year’s was fantastic!
we r bless with ds songs in christmas,………………
plzz snd more songs………. aman
thanks you so much for this playlist! found some really great treasures, love it so much!
merry Xmas and a happy new year!!!