How do you run a Secret Santa at a radio station where we’re all tight on money? Easy, make it a musical Secret Santa, where everybody gets entered into a pool and randomly gets assigned to make a suggestion for what a fellow WCDB’er might like to listen to. Check out all the recommendations below!
For Kyle –
Speedy Ortiz–I just started listening to them myself but I’ve been digging it and wanting to share it, and if you end up liking it then i would also recommend Waxahatchee if you don’t already know her. Speedy Ortiz has female vocals and kind of a hazy indie rock sound, the album that just came out is good: Major Arcana, tracks I would start with are “No Below”, “Tiger Tank”, “Hitch”, but basically the whole album is pretty cool.
For Ted –
My suggestions for the secret Santa are wye oak- dogs eye and Mac Demarco- ode to victory
For Noah–
It’s a band called Lust for Youth. And I recommend listening to the newest LP NIGHT SINS- To London or the Lake
For DJ Kim Kelly–
I’m giving Chrissy Keaton Henson. Specific tracks: “Beekeeper”, “Lying to You”, “Kronos”, “Don’t Swim”, “In The Morning”, and “Sarah Minor”
For The Finch–
Celebration – The Modern Tribe
Celebration is more on the psychedalic side of indie rock from 2007, and this album is awesome from front to back. Singer’s voice is somewhat androgenous and strange, which I hope Meg will dig based on her love of Panic! At the Disco. Upbeat pop melodies interspersed with some catchy horn lines and fuzzed guitars, really cool stuff!
Tracks: “Tame the Savage”, “In This Land”, “Wild Cats”
For dJ bANANAS iN pAJAMAS–
Band: Voxtrot (Raised by Wolves EP to start, the track, “The Start of Something” has a very Smithsy/Strokesy feel.)
Track: “Water Me” by FKA Twigs. Cool electronic jam that I have loved recently, and don’t think most people have gotten into.
For DJ Milky–
1) Magazine – The Correct Use of Soap
2) The Soft Boys – Underwater Moonlight
3) The Woodentops – Giant
4) Martha & the Muffins – Metro Music
5) Haircut One Hundred – Pelican West
*all available on grooveshark.com Merry Christmas
For DJ Riggs Linus–
I’ve decided to give Brian Bev a song by Vega. It’s the project Neon Indian had before Neon Indian. I hope he already has not heard it. I also hope he doesn’t hate it. He can return it if he wants.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqJ2d_mSDPM
For DJ Gabzilla–
Cocteua Twins, start with “Heaven or Las Vegas”
Cold cave start with “Catacombs”
The replacements start with “bastards of young”
For Andy-
http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Flume+Deluxe+Edition/9377955
I think Andy would enjoy this.
Recommended tracks: “Stay Close”, “Holdin’ On”, “Change”, “Space Cadet”, “Sleepless”.
For John Gentile-
“Mystery Skulls – EP” While Mystery Skulls has a few songs on Spotify, their best material can be found on their EP, which is found on their bandcamp. Electronic in the sense that it has some funky, different beats, Mystery Skulls also has some alt rock blends in it that is all too reminiscent of a darker Passion Pit, especially with such humble beginnings. I’d recommend the EP above all else, which you can download for the cost of a dollar (or possibly less) online. A great band that deserves some play. Check them out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mSBjAcBQIg
For DJ Eric–
Hello. I don’t really know you well but I creeped your DJ playlists. I noticed you play a lot of current, popular mainstream indie rock music (Indie Rock 101, as I like to call it). I was going to recommend you lots of more obscure things to listen to, but I had no idea where to even begin. I did also notice that you haven’t really played anything that was released before the year 2000, save for one Elliot Smith song and one Echo & the Bunnymen song – so here is a short list of essential albums that came out in the 80s and 90s, and some RIYL’s based on artists you’ve played, for your xmas listening pleasure. Apologies if there’s any band on here that you’ve heard already, I’m recommending solely based what the wcdb.org archive tells me you’ve never played before.
Cocteau Twins- “Heaven or Las Vegas” (4AD, 1990). Tracks: “Iceblink Luck”, “Heaven or Las Vegas”, “Cherry-Coloured Funk”. RIYL: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
New Order – “Substance” (this is a singles / ‘greatest hits’ album) – (Factory Records, 1987). Tracks “Bizarre Love Triangle”, “Ceremony”, “Blue Monday” RIYL: Metric, (new) Arcade Fire, The Postal Service
The Pixies – Dootlittle (4AD, 1989). Tracks: “Debaser”, “Wave of Mutilation”, “Monkey Gone to Heaven” RIYL: Best Coast, Metric
Guided by Voices – Bee Thousand (Scat Records, 1994). Tracks: “I Am A Scientist”, “Tractor Rape Chain”, “Echos Myron” RIYL: Neutral Milk Hotel, Modest Mouse
Jawbreaker – “Dear You” (DGC Records, 1995). Tracks: “Bad Scene, Everyone’s Fault”, “Accident Prone” RIYL: Brand New, The Front Bottoms
For Luuk-
the band: White Denim
tracks: “At Night in Dreams”, “Pretty Green”, “Drug”
For Liv–
Artist: Alex Winston
First track I heard by her: “Sister Wife” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzObsfboaJ0)
Personal Favorite track off the album King Con: “Choice Notes” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNT_KGweANU)
And an awesome version of “Locomotive”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKt7hiE-xvc
Artist: Bear Hands
Listen to
1) Crime Pays (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97W_mgA8Ytg)
2) What a Drag (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtUrU5Csevk)
3) Tablasaurus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd6WUL111Po)
For Enzo–
Enzypeny,
Ho ho ho, bro. Santa recently got a better Internet connection at the North Pole, and he has been listening to your show every week! Santa likes your show, and noticed that you’re into a lot of British stuff. Well, Santa also has a major hard on for British music, so here are three different artist recommendations… From me! F***ING SANTA!
1. The Young Knives.
The album Voices of Animals and Men is one of the absolute best albums to come out of England. It’s not as popular because it came out in 2006, when bands like the Futureheads, the Enemy, and the Babyshambles had already captivated the British folks. Santa argues however that this is a quintessential album that perfectly embodies the British music scene from 2004-2008.
Stand outs on the album are
– “Another Hollow Line”: a great sentimental song about how all women are just a waste of time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LPEqD_18fE
– “She’s Attracted To”: a song about meeting your girlfriend’s shitty parents.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fulTIh3toMQ
– “Here Comes the Rumour Mill”: a song about how rumours (yes, santa is purposely using the British spelling) are annoying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDX_–a9XDI
After this album the Young Knives inexplicably lost a lot of their spunk. It’s a damn shame.
2. Art Brut
Very similar style to the Young Knives. This is another band that never really lived up to the expectations after their first album (even though their later releases are still very good). They have a fun, ‘cheeky’ style, and the lyrics are very enjoyable. Pitchfork praised these guys as the second coming of Christ in 2004 when they released Bang Bang Rock & Roll, and that album still holds up today. It’s definitely worth a listen.
Standout tracks by Art Brut are:
– “Bang Bang Rock and Roll”: “I CAN’T STAND THE SOUND OF THE VELVET UNDERGROUND”. A great energetic and satirical song about the state of rock and roll.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wFXhxhZxKY
– “Emily Kane”: a fun song about that one girl that got away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvA0UBesfbY
– “People in Love”: this is Santa’s favorite breakup song of all time. Off Art Brut’s second album It’s a Bit Complicated this song has a very refreshing and pragmatic take on break ups. Listen to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBxu939PoVI
3. The 1990s
Another fun little band that doesn’t take themselves too seriously, this time from the year 2007. The 1990s are notoriously hard to google, and the lead singer is quite… Ugly. However, their debut album Cookies is a masterpiece filled with upbeat songs and lots of references to drugs. Santa believes that the 1990s are also very under appreciated.
Standout tracks:
– “You’re Supposed to Be My Friend”: Have you ever had that one annoying friend, who’s a notorious flake and never hangs out with you? This song is about that guy/girl.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh4Y3MW1jwI
– “See You at the Lights”: this song will instantaneously make you sing along. It’s catchy, it’s happy, it’s just an all around good time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EURfmrWJcPY
– “Cult Status”: I won’t ruin the surprise, but around the 3 minute mark you will probably laugh very hard. It’s also musically a solid little symphony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc2lnf25eSo
Hopefully you enjoyed reading all this! Santa rather enjoyed writing it, as he takes any opportunity to ramble endlessly about British rock, while making lots of sweeping generalizations! Anyway….
MEEEEEERRRRYYYYYY CHRIIIIISMASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
For Robby Red-
Roses are red,
And so is Robby.
That is all that matters.
Merry Christmas fgt.
CRMNL HYGNE LP by Criminal Hygiene.
Its a free download at: http://criminalhygiene.bandcamp.com/album/crmnl-hygne-lp-2
I recommend the tracks “Rearrange”, “Blak Water”, “Dirty Knees”, “Summertime in October”, “Alan I’m in Love”, and “Andrew’s Song”.
For Zsa Zsa Couture–
Jets to Brazil- Perfecting Loneliness
For Cassie–
Based on your radio show, I feel like you like (maybe funky) electronic-influenced indie music. My first recommendation for you is one of my favorite acts – Blood Orange. They have a new album (2013) but their older stuff is gold. I recommend the song “Sutphin Boulevard.” Also, on the off-chance that you are familiar with them (him) already, I highly recommend Cold Cave. It doesn’t seem exactly like your cup of tea but I can see you digging them – try the song “Catacombs.”
For Nicole-
Heavens – Patent Pending
For FatMan-
The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Kidnap Kid, and C2C
For Mike-
To Campana,
You are like Yoda while I am Jabba the Hut. What celestial sounds could I possibly grace your ears with? You are so all knowing while I am a fat trapezoid. I can’t help but think that you have most musical gift so I thought long and hard (~20min) to find some artists that might suit your fat suit. So, here are a few gifts that I managed to secrete from my oozy crevices:
-Bohan Pheonix – http://bohanphoenix.com/
-Chewing on Tinfoil – http://chewingontinfoil.bandcamp.com/
-Calls – http://calls.bandcamp.com/album/booster-pack
-Dark Horse – http://www.darkhorsesmusic.com/
-Whitehorse – http://www.last.fm/music/Whitehorse/The+Fate+of+the+World+Depends+on+This+Kiss
-dEUS – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9OILKwaFNA
They are not in any particular order. Enjoy or eat coal.
~Santa
For DJ Hillary Clinton-
First off I’ll say Sleater-Kinney since you haven’t played them yet this year and they’re a classic all-female punk rock band; suggested tracks: “One More Hour”, “I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone”, “Turn It On”
Next I’d say Dinosaur Jr. since they fit the description of guitar-dominated rock very well and helped to define the alternative rock scene; suggested tracks: “Freak Scene”, “Kracked”, “Don’t Pretend You Didn’t Know”
More of a shot in the dark to give something more current: Dananananaykroyd. They’re an inconsistent listen and they’ve already packed it up after releasing two albums, but they have some awesome singles mixed in; suggested tracks: “Infinity Milk”, “Black Wax”, “Song One Puzzle”
And for the sake of a change of pace, early Black Keys. Pre-Brothers they were one of the best modern blues-rock bands you could find; suggested tracks: “Meet Me in the City”, “Things Ain’t Like They Used to Be”, “She Said, She Said (Beatles Cover)”
For Nora-
For Nora the nicest grimey lady I know.
The Art of Sleeping – Shoulders
Thelma Plum – Rosie EP; “Around Here”, “Father Said”
Loon Lake – Gloamer; “Carolina”, “Cherry Lip”
Tapes N’ Tapes – Outside; “Badaboom”
Bored Nothing –Bored Nothing; “Popcorn”
The Rubens- The Rubens; “Lay It Down”,”Don’t Ever Want To Be Found”
Have an amazing time in Pana gurllll
WCDB Airwaves 