Jeanette Lynne - It's Gonna be a Good Christmas // Advent 18

A very 'real' Christmas song for you today, sang with a smile by a songwriter we can all relate to this time of year.

Jeanette's lyrics are fun and carefree. She paints a picture of the perfect Christmas day with a sweet intimacy that makes you feel like you're sat right there in front of the tree.

Le Mieux - Let it Snow // Advent 17

Here's a traditional song in its simplest and rawest form.

This beautifully smooth a cappella cover is fun, free and an enjoyable listen. She's covering a new Christmas song every day for the month so make sure to keep your eyes peeled for more!

Father Christmas Bananastan - No More Leroy // Advent 16

Now this is alternative Christmas!



Listen to the end. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be creepy but I found it pretty creepy. Well produced track though! Nice one.

Dante Bucci - Carol of the Bells on Handpan // Advent 15

Here's an alternative take on a classic tune. The handpan is a beautiful instrument and Dante's playing is incredible.

Carol of the Bells is one of my personal favourites. The handpan is my favourite. I love this take on the track. Today's feature is entirely for myself. But I think you'll love it too!

Tongues of Fire - Empty X-mas // Advent 14

If there are any grunge / punk fans listening this Christmas, you'll be a fan of this one.



Amongst all the upbeat Christmas cheer we've been spreading this month, there's been a couple from the other side and this is one of 'em. I especially love the lyric sheet on bandcamp with its guitar descriptions : '(Shranggg... Da da dun dun). Ace. Check it out.

Communal Bathroom - Peace and Love and Spilt Gravy // Advent 13

'Save your beef til boxing day'. It's day thirteen!



Dispatches From The Communal Bathroom is a podcasting project but here, Chris Delamere writes a funny, clever and charming Christmas song about mishaps around the dinner table. Listen to the end. It's ace!

Learn By Sight - Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere // Advent 11

So we've had a couple of winter tracks and songs about snow so far this month. But here's one from the other side! 

South Africa based musician Learn By Sight is outside in his t-shirt? What? Where's the snow? 
Watch out for another feature for this guy with the release of his new album, The Long Time Gone.

Kludo White - It's Christmas Time Again // Advent 10

So funny dog videos are always a winner, yeah? Here's one for ya!

Kludo White's Christmas album is well produced, funny, charming, and features both original songs and favourite oldies (with an original twist).
With a bit of a Beatles, surf rock vibe, have a rock n roll Christmas!

The Village - Christmas Song // Advent 9

A Christmas song with a message. I can dig a bit of that. Here's The Village

This track builds up throughout with some good instrumentation. It's a down-to-earth, rough-around-the-edges, genuine Christmas tune that has a lot to offer lyrically. Check it out! 

Remora - Christmas Drones for One Guitar // Advent 8

Amongst all the hype for Christmas with high energetic songs, it's a breath of fresh air to find something a bit more chill.



Remora's Christmas EP was released last year and received a lot of interest through Silber Records (check out the bandcamp page to find similar artists). For a drone album it remains interesting enough to warrant close listening but is also the perfect background soundscape. Check it out!

Mutha Luvin Chimps - Christmas at the Poundshop // Advent 7

December 7th. Christmas at the Poundshop - the hilarious hit single by Mutha Luvin Chimps. 

Especially loved by those in the North. Here's a bit of a laughter track for ya. This song is perfect. Check 'em out!

Merrym'n - I want Oatcakes (For My Christmas Dinner) // Advent 6

Now this is why we love independent music so much. Check this out for a Christmas tune. 

For a lo-fi, honest to home, funny, charming track, this guy's got a knack! (that was bad... sorry...) I like this song. Have a listen and a watch! 

Liberty Hall Collective - The Holly and Ivy // Advent 5

Day five brings back the wonderful Liberty Hall Collective who were featured here on SunStock many moons ago!



Their cover of The Holly and the Ivy is track two of their short Christmas EP 'Gather 'Round The Libertree' and just so happens to be the first thing the young pop-rock band ever released back in 2013. They're still going strong and have come on leaps and bounds since! Check it out.

Def Neon - Winter // Advent 4

I don't know about you but I'm loving our independent advent so far. There are some great tracks coming through and we've still got a belter of a line-up for the rest of the month. Here's Def Neon with their track Winter.



Winter is the penultimate track from this band's debut album. A combination of synth pop, rock and bassy electronica, this super energetic record has got something for everyone. The sound is solid, it's interesting and full and this track is a great representation. Check 'em out!

Joe Solo and The Hatfield Brigade - Merry Christmas From Hatfield Main // Advent 3

Day three of the special advent features and this one is a little different!

Joe Solo, the Scarborough based political musician and activist worked with a choir of former miners and their families to release this poignant Christmas single.

Every penny raised from iTunes sales goes to independent food banks in the UK. 

iTunes 

Winsome Kind - Sweet Second // Advent 2

Winsome Kind's new seasonal single is our second advent feature!

With subtle winter-y hints in the lyrics and beautifully delicate harmonies, this is a song for the fireside. Check out the lovely Winsome Kind.

The Fog - Vukovar // TOTD

Nestled amongst a fairly dark and dirty album, this gorgeous ambient track is a breather from it all. But then with added elements of spoken word - recorded incredibly intimately - it's a hard hitting interlude.

All Female Rappers - Tamara Bubble // TOTD

Today's track of the day is one fuelled by a passion to confront prejudice towards female rappers.
Songs with a solid message are always the best, and I like this a lot.
Thought the backing vocals aren't always spot on, this track is one to admire!

Nothing to Lose - The Haze // track of the day

Fuzz vocals! Yes!
This groovin' bit of Rock n Roll is loud!

Nothing Stays The Same - BREVE // track of the day

Melbourne based bane BREVE have just released this dark and powerful track ahead of the release of their debut album. Passionate vocals, thick bass sounds and an ace riff all pull together to create on hell of a track. Check it out.