[Happy Holidays] 2015 Indie Christmas Playlist

The holiday season is in full swing, with Christmas’ velvet red hat peeking right around the corner. By now, most of you have had your fill of Bing Crosby, Mariah Carey, Dean Martin, and Elvis, and for obvious reasons. Yes, they are timeless classics sung by musical greats, but they’re also classics from a very small pool of selections. With this in mind, we scoured the internet to collect some newer Christmas tunes from acts you listen to on a daily basis, and some from acts you might not have heard just yet. Some just popped up in our feed this year, some are favorites from years past.

If you can convince your parents or grandparents to let you take the musical reigns at your holiday gatherings, throw this on. Who knows, maybe your family will find a new favorite from this mix.

Lastly, happy holidays to all of our fans out there. We wish you a happy and healthy season filled with great food, great booze, and great memories with your loved ones.

’The Shins – Wonderful Christmastime ‘
’Andrew Bird – Auld Lang Syne ‘
’Niia – The Christmas Song’
’Hunter Hunted – “New Christmas”‘
’King Cardinal – Alone On Christmas Eve’
’Death Cab For a Cutie – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’
’Shawn Sanderson – Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!’
’Sky Barbarick (NOOSA) – Silent Night (The Music Ninja Exclusive)’
’Blitzen Trapper – Christmas is Coming’
’She & Him – The Christmas Waltz’
’Niia – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’
’Subi – Christmas Time Is Here (prod. kev)’
’Clever and the Casual – Home for the Holidays’
’The Oh Hellos’ Family Christmas Album – Mvmt IV,
Every Bell On Earth Will Ring
’Hey Rosetta! – Carry Me Home’
’Phoenix – Alone on Christmas Day’
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[Event Preview] LAMother NYE ft. Chris Malinchak – 12/31

Finding the right thing to do on New Year’s Eve is always a difficult task. Sometimes you might ask yourself it’s really worth it, deciding to stay in for a quiet night with a few choice movies and a bottle of bubbly. However, there’s always that slight fear that you’re missing out on an epic evening. So, what’s your other choice? Head out to some sort of year-end celebration, in hopes of dancing it up past the countdown and well into 2016.

This year, we’re going with the latter. One of the events we have highlighted is NYE at LAMother, which features a collection of artists which promise a deep, danceable selection of tunes. If you haven’t heard of LAMother yet, it’s probably because they don’t typically host events like this. Promoters L’Affaire Musicale and Oujia Entertainment promise to turn this space into a indoor and outdoor wonderland, complete with champagne toasts, confetti cannons, food trucks, live visuals, premium open bar, and, of course, some top notch talent.

The night kicks off with a collection of accomplished LA-based artists, including Eli Glad b2b Brian Tarney and Adam Auburn. From there, you’ll see two artists that we’ve previously featured on the site, first with with Eric Sharp then Bobby Nourmand. The headliner is, as you probably guessed, Chris Malinchak, the NYC-based Producer/DJ who is best known for his smash hit, “So Good to Me.”

After you get done jamming out to the playlist below, make sure to pick up some tickets, before it’s too late.

’Crystal Waters x Bertrand Dupart – Gyspy Lolita (Adam Auburn’s Summer Anthem Edit)’
’Eric Sharp & Tenova – Slow Me Down’
’Melanie Martinez – Carousel (Eric Sharp Club Mix)’
’Bobby Nourmand – B E C A U S E’
’Bobby Nourmand – The Sound’
’Bobby Nourmand – THE DOORS X PEACE FROG’
’Chris Malinchak – When The World Stops Turning’
’Chris Malinchak – Happiness (feat. MNEK)’
’Chris Malinchak – So Good To Me’
’Chris Malinchak – Stranger (feat. Mikky Ekko)’
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[Indie Pop] Aeroplane Mode – Aphrodite

Aeroplane Mode
Aphrodite

Typically, the end of the year brings us smaller selections of new releases. It’s probably due to the intense schedules so many industry folks hold throughout the year, mixed with the need to spend some time with friends and family around the holidays. This year, though, we’ve had no shortage of great tracks to cover, and our next highlight comes via New York-based duo Aeroplane Mode.

We’ve had these two on our radar since their first release, just a month ago, but this is actually the first time we’re writing them up. What caught our ear with “Aphrodite?” Well, there are Jess’ ethereal vocals, which carry equal parts finesse, range, and power. Her vocals effortlessly convey her story of finding love from adolescence to maturity, roping the listener in after just the first verse. The backdrop for those lyrics is equally impressive, bringing a myriad of fluttering synths, booming percussion, and softly strummed guitars, all of which create an expansive soundscape.

Seeing as how this is just the second song from these two, you have the unique opportunity to get onboard early. We highly suggest you do so.

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Noah Kenton – Crimson [TMN VIDEO PREMIERE]

Noah Kenton
Crimson by Noah Kenton

It’s probably safe to say that this is the first time you’re hearing about Noah Kenton. It’s also probably safe to say that this certainly won’t be the last. We have a pretty strong feeling that after folks catch wind of his latest few releases, this Virgina-based indie popster will get his much-deserved attention.

Today, we’re excited to bring an instantly memorable track, as well as the accompanying music video. “Crimson” simply dazzles from the beginning, initially locking listeners in with subtle finger picking. From there, momentum picks up, carried by the powerful vocal prowess from this youngster. The hook is radio ready, complete with catchy-as-hell sections that might get you caught in an embarrassing moment at a stoplight. But, don’t let that awkward look from a stranger stop you from belting it out. Based on what Kenton said in regards to the track, he would probably want you to have as much fun with it as he did.

Crimson was the first track we recorded for the EP and when it was finished I felt incredible. We were perfectionists when it came to these tracks, which can be stressful, but I think that Crimson really just shows how much fun can come out of all the hard work. Lots of people worked on the video and I felt so thankful for it. It’s truly Incredible to see people breathe their own life into my work.

The music video, which was shot by HMD Films, displays a captivating story from director Nathan Mcfarland. Take a quick break from work and check it out below.

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[Alternative/Rock] Ty Segall – Buick Mackane

Ty Segall
Buick Mackane

The thing we love most about Laguna Beach-born garage rock prodigy Ty Segall is that his, or their, music speaks for itself. Without the need of an introduction, one listen to their stuff and you’ll know exactly what they’re all about—some badass, lo-fi, grungy rock n’ roll. The prolific Segall has done it again with his band in his track “Buick Mackane” off of his latest release Ty Rex. The fantastically named EP gives birth to more of what Segall has blessed us with over the years with upwards of eight studio albums, and we couldn’t be happier for the times their music brings us back to.

“Buick Mackane” features a Hendrix-esque introduction and a final product that perks up our ears especially as Zeppelin fans. We know these are intense comparisons, but trust us, their work deserves it. We find this release to be particularly refreshing in a world of electronic music (which we’re not knocking at all) and are thankful for groups like Ty Segall that continue to take us back to the roots of where one could argue it all began—rock n’ roll. Paired with a more modern mix of drums and hyper-distorted vocals, “Buick Mackane” is a song that can be enjoyed by all. Like, our parents would like this stuff. But like, cool parents. How awesome is that. Isn’t music grand.

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[Resident Artist of the Month] Introducing: VenessaMichaels

Well, 2015 has been one hell of a year for our Residency program. Looking back, we’ve featured all kinds of artists, big and small, giving you a taste of some of our favorites in the game. To close things out, we’re roping in one of our favorite up-and-comers, Ms. VenessaMichaels.

If you’re not familiar with her #2090 style, you certainly will be after we highlight her and her work over the next few weeks. We just premiered her latest remix a few days ago, and we have a lot more on deck, including this tasty selection of her music. So, make sure you stay tuned in all month long, as we close out the year in style.

’Are You That Somebody’
’VenessaMichaels
S@y My NaMe’
’Gallant – Weight In Gold (VenessaMichaels Remix)’
’I Need That ft. Tay Jasper’
’Whatcha On ft. Tay Jasper’
’Touch Me ft. Kiana Brown’
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Brandyn Burnette – Down [TMN VIDEO PREMIERE]

Brandyn Burnette
Down

It’s been a little over a month since this soulful St. Louis-based artist released “Down,” and the enchantment that fans felt upon their first listen is being revived. This time, though, they’re getting to experience it’s engaging charm visually, as we offer up a first look at the official music video.

If you haven’t heard of this midwest-born progressive soul singer, you’ll surely be more in tune after today. Brandyn Burnette comes from an esteemed lineage of musicians, following in the footsteps of his father who was an R&B singer himself, on Capitol Records. Having appeared on the Billboard charts in the 1980s with hits like “The Gigolo,” it’s easy to see both how Brandyn was influenced through the years, and where his talents came from.

After his musical upbringing, he was offered a full ride to NYU on a musical scholarship, which eventually led to the gorgeous mix of genres you’re experiencing now. This song, as expected, is one that’s close to his heart. Check out what he had to say about it.

“Down” is a song for the fans, it is a song for my girl, it is a song to my friends, peers & collaborators. But more importantly & if I’m being completely honest, it’s a song to myself. I was going through changes as an artist & embracing my darkness out in the open with my artistry for the first time. I guess that’s kind of what inspired the visual as well.

Below you’ll find the captivating lyric video that will have you following along with the words in no time. Press play and get ready to sing along.

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