Holiday Music Mixer 2023
The holiday season can bring about a mixed bag of emotions ranging from nostalgia, to merriment, to pure, unadulterated rage. This musical roundup includes a wide array of artistic takes on this special time of year. From the gritty streets of Philadelphia, to the one-horse town of Wilmington, and even into the mysterious realm of Maryland, this roundup has something for everyone.
Ladybug Music Festival alumni and Philadelphia singer songwriter Roberta Faceplant, lead singer of soul funk band You Do You, has a special holiday message in her single ‘Merry Gritmas’ featured on The Philly Holiday Album. The song is a soulful nod to the beloved Gritty and all who have seen themselves in the bright, joyful, yet familiar grunge mascot for the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team.
Brian Turner and Matt Casarino
‘Christmastim” is a fun, funny and grumpy musical collaboration between Wilmington-based musician Brian Turner and saxophone wielding ½ of Delaware’s premier dork-rock duo Hot Breakfast! Matt Casarino. With lyrics by Turner, and big band instrumentation, including a rocking sax solo from Caserino, this song has got all the hum and bug to get you through another year of avoiding mistletoe and chugging eggnog.
Ladybug Music Festival Alumni and award-winning Philadelphia-based artist Brittany Ann Tranbaugh is back with another holiday bop in ‘Put A Bow On It(Holidays Are Hard)’. Written for her by music friend and fellow folk artist Jackson Emmer and his bud Clint Alphin, this song is done up in classic country style with twangy slides guitars and comically sad lyrics like “I know we’re both a little crazy, but not half as bad as them”.
If you’re feeling nostalgic check out Maryland-based singer-songwriter E.Joseph’s version of ‘The Christmas Song’. Joseph’s version has an original arrangement and dreamy synth on top of deep vocals and acoustic guitar to give it a comfy cozy feeling perfect for wrapping up in a blanket in front of a fireplace.
If you’re searching for something festive, electronic, and cute then you need a helping of loopy lofi HOLIDAY.HOAGIEWAVE. This 8bit bop is a collaboration between multi-dimensional artist Tony Trov providing the music and Johnny Zito with the visuals. The video is a collection of found footage from past years of Philadelphia-based Christmas past.
