Over the last 11 days, we have been bringing you our favorite new holiday tracks from some great WNY acts, and while we had hoped for this entire 12 Days of Christmas series to be strictly local acts, this !!! (Chk Chk Chk) song is the jam, so fuck it. Merry Christmas from everyone at buffaBLOG!

The end is in sight for our 12 Days of Christmas series here at buffaBLOG. Today, on Christmas Eve (one of my very favorite days), we go back to Rochester for a selection from the alt-folk group Shiv Hurrah. Their darkly optimistic "I Don't Hate Christmas" features harmonies that recall the Jonathan Meiburg days of Okkervil River and could easily be nuzzled onto one of the band's Golden Opportunities mix tapes had they decided to tackle some holidays tunes. Even the biggest Scrooge can get down with this one.

Day 9 of our 12 Days of Christmas series comes from Rochester-based Christmas collective, The Abominable Snowband. Formed two holiday seasons ago, the band reappears soon after Thanksgiving pie and disappears after the final broadcasting of A Christmas Story. Their slightly chilled out version of "Run Run Rudolph" is quite nice, doing justice to this seasonal surf classic. Although it looks like the band is being put back in the attic, there's always next year.  

Bryan Johnson, lead singer of Buffalo's surf infused power pop act Bryan Johnson & Family, sat down with friend and occasional collaborator Tracy Willis to cover the holiday classic "Deck the Halls." Armed with only a ukulele, Johnson and Willis deliver a charming rendition of the tune while lounging in his mirror filled apt. The fun clip is complete with a blooper reel and all. Happy holidays from Bryan and Tracy.

Day 7 of our 12 Days of Christmas and we are still going strong.  We had previously lined up a different song to showcase, but late last night Buffalo/Rochester's indie rock veterans, the gifted children, released a very share worthy Christmas album titled, Christmas, Volume 6. This is the gifted children's sixth holiday themed album, not even counting the hundreds of originals the band has delivered in the roughly past twenty years. This band is a fairly fluid collective, always revolving around lead man Jeff Suszczynski's needs, wants, and visions. The gifted children consistency in delivery is incredibly impressive and noteworthy. You can download the full-length here (which I highly recommend), or individual tracks here. 

When the Gates Circle Wine & Liquor born and bred duo, Rackmastas, dropped their latest release, DESTROYED ME!, back in February, there was a curiously timed holiday tune closing the EP. Fast forward to today, that song, "A Very Special Rackmastas Christmas from Our Family to Yours," seems much more seasonally appropriate. Featuring Magnamasta, the group spits holiday rhymes back and forth, while sprinkling in some beat boxing, sleigh bells, and naturally, a sneaky sample of Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time." Have a jolly Thursday.

 

Day 4 of our 12 Days of Christmas series brings us to a local EP, simply titled XMAS, released on the SUPER RAD * GREAT TIMES collective of performing artists. XMAS was created entirely on an iPad by Aircraft drummer and Bourbon & Coffee's beatnik leader Ian Be. The 7 tracks collection crosses a few genres from chiptunes to avant folk, but for my money, the foot stomping, ukulele led "Go Tell It On The Mountain" injects just the right amount of soul into this predominantly electronic album. The song sounds like you walked into a Frenchman St. bar in NOLA for some southern holiday cheer. Listen below and stream the entire XMAS EP here.
 

Today is Day 3 of our annual 12 days of Christmas countdown. You may 
have a bout of de ja vu, as yesterday Mac posted the same god damn song with The Demos' take on "Silent Night." We have a schedule for a reason Mac, read it! Today's Christmas song is a cover by Buffalo's chameleon producers, Like a Parrot Productions (Justin Gammella and Aaron Bonus). The production house has spent much of the fall ghostwriting songs and making potential licensing jingles, but somehow found time to treat us to some yuletide joy with their Iron and Wine-y take on this Christmas classic. Put on your PJ bottoms, warm up some hot cocoa, and stare out the window longingly to this one.

 

You know it's truly the holiday season when my mom throws on Wooden Waves' "I Don't Want To (Call It Christmastime)" post Thanksgiving cleanup. The single, recorded by Cinnamon Aluminum's Zach Acard in 2011, showcases the Buffalo indie-rockers unanimous apprehension to accept that it is the holiday season. I can identify with Wooden Waves on this one, as I don't really want to call it Christmas time either.