Ken from the Sounds of Christmas talks to Tower of Power founding member Emilio Castillo, on a break from their current tour. They talk about Tower of Power’s new, and first, Christmas album (It’s Christmas), their Holidays and Hits tour and some of their plans for 2025!
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/soctree1500.jpg16241500e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-12-12 20:51:232024-12-13 08:51:41It’s Christmas With Tower Of Power
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/christmaspodcasts.jpg15001500e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-12-12 18:14:122024-12-12 18:14:12Christmas Podcasts Roundup – November 30th through December 6th, 2024
We’re approaching Christmas, so this week I have excerpts from longer interviews that I’ll run at full length next season. Steven Wilson is the driving force behind the British art rock band Porcupine Tree, and last year on a challenge he used artificial intelligence to write a Christmas song, something he felt that he couldn’t do on his own.
The whole conversation goes deep on the relationship between artists and AI, and the odd experience of encountering an AI version of himself online. Here I tried to capture part of that conversation and keep it relatively focused on Christmas.
I have a challenge for next season though, because he talked about his favorite album being a Christmas album by The Hiltonaires. I’ve seen it under two different titles, and he thinks there might be more. Unfortunately, none of them are for sale in any of the digital stores, so I couldn’t find any music from it that I could play in this episode. If any of you have digitized a Christmas track from the Hiltonaires, please let me know.
The second interview is with É Arenas, the long-time bass player with Chicano Batman. We talk about his relationship with the band as it enters an “indefinite hiatus,” and how he started a yearly project of making songs that he considered Cumbia Navideña–a genre he invited with cumbias for the holiday.
We only get part way though his catalogue of seasonal music, but in addition to talking about his own music, he turned me on to the Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón classic Asalto Navideño and music by Rigo Tovar.
Then I talk to Kelcy Wilburn of New Orleans’ Americana band Ever More Nest. In 2015, I wrote a story for The New Orleans Advocate on her first Christmas song, “Christmas with You (Merry Me),” which at the time doubled as a Christmas song and a celebration of the Supreme Court affirming the rights of same-sex couples to marry. As she explains, it also served as a quasi-proposal to her partner.
We talk about that, the Christmas music of her youth, and the way life as a working musician led to her new Christmas EP, Merry Little Thing.
If you’d like this year’s exclusive listeners-only Christmas mix, email me at alex@myspiltmilk.com.
Finally, follow, subscribe or do what you have to do to get 12 Songs in your podcast feed. We only have one more episode after this in 2024, then we’ll return in time for Christmas in July 2025. If we’re in your feed, new episodes will show up without you having to hunt for them.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-05-21-at-12.48.29 PM.png199269e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-12-12 12:51:002024-12-13 08:51:12Porcupine Tree, É Arenas, and Ever More Nest
13 Days until Christmas. Which version of the Grinch is your favorite?
If you would like to pick up the Closer to Christmas Coloring Book that I released, for yourself, or as a gift for someone, you can do so, by clicking here: https://a.co/d/7n5QjOr… can follow me here: @closertoxmas You can also email me, I would love to hear your feedback. Email me at closertochristmaspodcast@gmail.com Please rate and review the podcast wherever you are listening, it helps spread the word, and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. To check out any visual component to this epidode, check out my Youtube page: / @closertochristmas…
And finally, and HUGE thank you to my brother, Kevin, for allowing me to use his music throughout my show. If you like what you hear, you can pick up his album on Itunes, which can be found here: A solstice night on Apple music or A Solstice Night on Amazon (https://amazon.com/music/player/album…)
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/12165064-1611469236407-b645cb278d3ef.jpg400400e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-12-12 08:48:102024-12-12 11:48:2213 Days, Which Grinch is your Grinch?
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Christmas-Morning.png20482048e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-12-12 03:39:492024-12-12 06:40:0413 Days Until Christmas! (“Blue Christmas” Song Battle)
In his ongoing journey of festive discovery, Cousin Seth has taken another holiday leap—his very first advent calendar! What did he choose? What surprises await behind those tiny doors? And will he dive into it live on the air? Join the Cousins for this delightfully festive and curiosity-filled episode.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.#adventcalendar #christmas #advent #december #christmascountdown #xmas #christmasiscoming #christmastime #adventskalender #calendrierdelavent #merrychristmas #calendariodellavvento #christmasgifts #christmasdecor #countdowntochristmas #handmade #natale #day #adventcalendars #winter #christmastree #calendar #love #christmasmood #christmasspirit #daysofchristmas #noel #smallbusiness #lego #skincare
🎄It’s 2020, and a gift-wrapped puppy licked my face and made my skin turn blue.
From the Chiodo Brothers comes a charming stop-motion Christmas special about how an alien invasion of the North Pole almost ruined Christmas — and the entire planet’s gravity, but also Christmas. Plus: A “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” Easter egg, some cameos from “Elf,” and Santa with nunchucks.
We made our way to 30 Rock and transported ourselves back in time to take a look back at some of the best Christmas skits from Saturday Night Live in this latest episode of The List!
Welcome to episode 128 of Holly Jolly X’masu! In this special X’mas Stars On 78 episode, I talk about a selection of my Christmas 78s. I hope you enjoyed this look at older Japanese Christmas records. The work and care that goes into these really make me appreciate them even more. Even though I’ve been collecting them for nearly five years, every time I listen to one, I can’t help but think about how remarkable it is that they’re still available. The best example of this is my Fumiko Noso record from 1909. The fact that this brittle disc of shellac has survived 115 years without any major damage is impressive enough, but it’s also lived through numerous earthquakes, tsunamis, two world wars, and a nuclear attack, not to mention being shipped halfway around the world. Being able to listen to records like that is one of the most fulfilling things about this hobby. Towards the end of the episode, I mentioned how Yuji Koseki’s record was the perfect bookend to the episode. Other than having it end with another version of “Firefly Light,” and spacing out the two versions of “Jingle Bells,” the other coincidences weren’t planned. Before I started writing this episode, I didn’t realize he was born the same year Noso’s “Firefly Light” was released, and that Ichiro Fujiyama, the singer who most helped boost the success of Koseki’s Pop songs, had started out by taking piano lessons from Noso and her father. I loved that it worked out that way. As for the picture discs, I have quite a few more that I’ll talk about eventually. Keep an eye on my social media for pictures of them. As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know. Remember, I’ve added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you’d like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
14 Days until Christmas. Have you ever heard the story, The Cinnamon Bear?
If you would like to pick up the Closer to Christmas Coloring Book that I released, for yourself, or as a gift for someone, you can do so, by clicking here: https://a.co/d/7n5QjOr… can follow me here: @closertoxmas You can also email me, I would love to hear your feedback. Email me at closertochristmaspodcast@gmail.com Please rate and review the podcast wherever you are listening, it helps spread the word, and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. To check out any visual component to this epidode, check out my Youtube page: / @closertochristmas…
And finally, and HUGE thank you to my brother, Kevin, for allowing me to use his music throughout my show. If you like what you hear, you can pick up his album on Itunes, which can be found here: A solstice night on Apple music or A Solstice Night on Amazon (https://amazon.com/music/player/album…)
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Christmas-Morning.png20482048e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-12-11 03:13:332024-12-11 06:13:5114 Days Until Christmas! (“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” Song Battle)
A Bahamian Christmas and a cozy family cabin? What an episode!
In the latest installment of the beloved CCP series, “My Favorite Christmas Ever” series, Cousin Chad is joined by none other than Brian Earl, host of the amazing Christmas Past podcast. Brian takes a stroll down memory lane, sharing the magical details of his most cherished Christmas. From favorite traditions to the moments that define the season, you’ll feel the joy of Christmas past.
If Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus, and we celebrate it on December 25, then Jesus must have been born on that day, right? Not so fast! We actually have no good idea when Jesus was born. And besides, the observance of his birth on December 25 is a 4th century contrivance. But why December 25 of all days? In today’s episode, professor and author Michael Foley joins Brian to make sense of it all.
Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday’s Traditions makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Available in hardcover and audiobook. Find it wherever books are sold, like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Christmas-Past-1.jpg14001400e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-12-11 01:12:302024-12-11 06:12:53Backstory: Why is Christmas on December 25?
In the first of our December episodes this year, we take a look at a boy band called East 17 telling us to Stay Another Day, chat about some Outnumbered parents back in 2011, & discuss some more festive emergency questions about nativities and Quality Street!
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/merrybritmas.jpg15001500e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-12-11 01:11:542024-12-11 06:12:18Merry Britsmas 71: Stay Another Day To Be Outnumbered This Christmas
What’s up, dudes? “Disney’s Sing-Along Songs” was a series of videos first released in October 1986! Disney connoisseurs Mike Westfall from Advent Calendar House and Charlie Ague from Closer to Christmas and Ague Designs are here with me to break down one of the releases: Disney’sVeryMerryChristmasSongs!
Originally released Oct 4, 1988, Disney’sVeryMerryChristmasSongs featured music from various Disney movies, shows, and theme park attractions. Lyrics for each song appeared onscreen, and a Mickey Mouse bouncing ball helped keep track of tempo. Unusually, the first few used theme songs with footage of Professor Owl. There were also a few with Ludwig von Drake and Jiminy Cricket as well. In this case, Jiminy takes center stage as narrator.
This was the 5th of 6 videos that make up part of the first series, using clips of various Disney animations. Pluto’s Christmas Tree, Donald’s Snow Fight, The Night Before Christmas, and Santa’s Workshop are just a few of the sequences. Also, each song was introduced with a splash page of the the score and title card written in neo-Victorian font. Andrew Belling used various synthesizers to compose transitions from musical piece to piece, including several distinct Roland and Yamaha machines. Phil Savenick and Harry Arends contributed additional lyrics.
Canon verses? Check. Color changing lyrics? Got ’em. Off beat claps from “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” spliced in? Definitely! So grab your songbook, put on an oversized coat, and sing along to this episode!
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/7418CA16-2CBF-45F1-893C-8E5ACBC3D471-scaled.jpg25602560e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-12-10 23:10:582024-12-11 06:11:16Disney’s Very Merry Christmas Songs (w/ Mike and Charlie)
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/christmas_cures_facebook_fun_full_podcast-mp3-image.jpg14001400e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-12-10 21:10:092024-12-11 06:10:43It’s A Wonderful Life Festival
Ken from the Sounds of Christmas talks to writer Kevin McGrath about the latest Christmas compilation he’s put together, which has a massive 65-song tracklist!
Who is Father Christmas, and how is he different from St. Nicholas? In this episode, we unwrap the fascinating history of Father Christmas, from his roots in British folklore to his evolution into a symbol of holiday cheer. Learn how ancient pagan traditions, like the mysterious “Green Man” and “Wild Men of Winter,” influenced the stories and imagery of this festive figure.
We’ll also explore how Father Christmas differs from the saintly St. Nicholas and how their tales became intertwined in holiday lore. Discover the rich mixture of myths, traditions, and cultural shifts that shaped Father Christmas into a beloved holiday icon.
At the end of the episode, I’ll read an excerpt from The Lost Years of Santa Claus, the book that delves into the hidden history of Santa’s adventures and the stories behind his legendary role in Christmas. Don’t miss this journey into the magical past of the holidays—perfect for history buffs, holiday enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a good story! 🎅✨
https://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Lost-Christmas-New.jpg15831583e_xanderhttps://christmaspodcasts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/logo4-300x138.pnge_xander2024-12-10 14:08:562024-12-11 06:09:20Father Christmas – Origins, Legends, and the Wild Men of Winter
/ @closertochristmas… 
