Tis the season when holiday music fills the airwaves and the air. I’ve been completely obsessed with creating the perfect holiday playlist this year. It seems it’s easy to compile a list of jolly holiday classics, but my search for fresh and new alternative/indie holiday tunage has been quite the challenge – until this week, thanks to Nicholas the Saint.
Nicholas the Saint is a holiday music group formed in Des Moines, Iowa in November 2009. Composed of the collaborative talents of Bradford Johnson (The Magazines), Luke Pettipoole (The Envy Corps) and Tony Bohnenkamp (Co-owner The Sonic Factory), the group began writing and pre-production just weeks ago in November, which quickly gave way to the recording of an eclectic four-song EP inspired by lost love during the holidays. You can hear more about the inspiration behind the Where is Christmas EP in this story by John Pemble of Iowa Public Radio.
Where is Christmas was love at first listen for me. After rummaging through hundreds of songs on iTunes and Blip.fm to appease my holiday music cravings over the last few weeks, I finally found some songs worth listening to. While most holiday songs are frivolous and upbeat, these four songs capture a more realistic and emotional essence of the holidays. I think we can all relate to the lyrics on some level, whether you’ve actually lost love, longed for love, or just imagined the feeling during the holidays. Don’t be fooled though – these songs may be about the sad side of Christmas, but they’ll still warm your soul like a hot cup of cocoa on a cold winter’s night.
A digital download of the Where is Christmas EP is available for purchase at Authentic Records Online. All profits from the sales of this EP will be donated to the Iowa Homeless Youth Centers.
The Night Before Christmas Eve Special with Nicholas the Saint
Meet the guys behind Nicholas the Saint and see them perform live next Wednesday, on the eve of Christmas Eve – 12/23 on the JG Faux Show at Des Moines Social Club. RSVP on Facebook and help spread the word!
More holiday music selections featuring local artists
The Nadas – Here Comes Christmas (Weekly Ear Snack/Digital Download)
Do You Ear What I Ear, a holiday compilation for the Association to Benefit Children featuring ”Happy Christmas” performed by The Poison Control Center from Ames, Iowa (download/watch video)
If you’ve listened to the Where is Christmas EP, leave me a comment and let me know what you think! Also, if you have any other holiday music selections that you think I’d enjoy, let me know. . . still working on the playlist.
