Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. This week, we are featuring Christmas-themed songs selected by Brian Foss.
Brian Foss started hosting KEXP's Sonic Reducer on Saturday nights in 2004. That first year, Christmas fell on a Saturday, and since his friend Pete (former owner of the punk record store Singles Going Steady) owned a decent Xmas punk collection, he joined Brian on air and started a tradition of doing a yearly punk rock Christmas show. In 2007, Pete moved out of Seattle and Brian felt obligated to keep the tradition going and began his own dumb collection of holiday hardcore tunes. All non-traditional songs - no White Christmas's, no Jingle Bells. Only originals. Now it's a sickness and he can't stop.
Brian's pick for today is "Comin' Out for Christmas" by Voltaire from the 2006 album Live on Mars Needs Music.
Voltaire - Comin' Out for Christmas (MP3)
Says Brian...
Voltaire (a.k.a. Aurelio Voltaire) is a Cuban-American dark cabaret musician, perhaps best well known for songs played on the Cartoon Network show The Grim Adventures of Billy And Mandy. This track is from his self-released album "Live!" from 2006. Personally, I was really struck when my wife's best friend (and a good friend of mine), fresh out of high school, came out as gay. It was both a painful and uplifting experience for me. As someone who is straight yet (as any normal teen) went through some agonizing times as a teenager, it's hard for me to even fathom what a young gay person must go though. Thankfully, the world is becoming less homophobic, and hearing songs like this track from Voltaire is both humorous, hopeful & defiant.
Check out more music from Aurelio Voltaire on his website and Facebook page, and look for more Christmas music this week on the KEXP Blog.
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. This week, we are featuring Christmas…
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. This week, we are featuring Christmas…
