Together In Our Holiday Sweaters

I'm just about to wrap Christmas presents (yes I always leave wrapping to the last minute) but I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Too late to order it now (and it's also sold out) but Viva Moz' interpretation of the ugly Christmas sweater with Morrissey's mug smack dab on the chest is something to behold. I think I'd actually wear it, at least during Christmas, if I had it. A conversation piece, for sure. [via Retro To Go]

While running some errands and picking up some last minute items, I popped on the ol' iPod and came across a Yuletide offering from The Raveonettes entitled 'Come On Santa' which I'd realized I'd never got around to hearing until today. Vice made the MP3 available for download earlier this year, and it's still up for grabs:

MP3: The Raveonettes - "Come On Santa"

Zunior's offering up a free mp3 sampler of holiday tunes performed by Canadian indie artists.

Largehearted Boy's been collecting some holiday-related downloadable audio links over the last week or so and of those I've checked out I really like the following. I especially like the track from San Francisco's My First Earthquake and I definitely recommend checking out the video - fun track, and vocalist Rebecca Bortman has awesome energy:

MP3: My First Earthquake - "Together In Our Holiday Sweaters"
Video: My First Earthquake - "Together In Our Holiday Sweaters" (music video)
MP3: Adam and Sara - "Wonderful Christmastime"

Finally, here's Little Boots performing an ol' Christmas classic:

Video: Little Boots - "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"

The Heavy Blinkers Return With New Holiday Tune / Other Holiday Audio Goodies

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The last time I'd seen The Heavy Blinkers live was back in September 2005 at the Casbah in Hamilton, a trio configuration including the band's leader Jason MacIsaac, multi-instrumentalist Dave Christiansen and at-the-time new hired vocalist Jenn Grant (who of course, went on to have her own successful solo career). I'd had the opportunity to chat briefly with Jason (who was really a nice guy, btw) who'd mention working on a new album, but 4 years later and I'd lost hope on whether it'd ever see the light of day. A glimmer of hope is now on the horizon as chartattack reports that the band's highly anticipated double-album "Health" is still planned for release and according to a press release I received through e-mail it should be out this March. However with founding members Andrew Watt and Ruth Minnikin leaving the band in 2008, I wonder if Jenn Grant will continue to sing with the band in the future. She did however sing on the band's newly released holiday tune "Silence Your Drum", exhibiting that sparkle I'd seen/heard when I'd seen her with the 'Blinkers four years ago:

MP3: The Heavy Blinkers - "Silence Your Drum"
Video: The Heavy Blinkers - "Silence Your Drum"

And to go off on a Christmas tangent, here's some other holiday audio goodies:

The Line Of Best Fit has an intriguing indie Christmas mix for download featuring many of Canada's top indie acts. This one is one I need to hear.

Viola-playing vocalist Anni Rossi has a free Christmas EP for download for the price of your e-mail address. Via The Independent Ear.

Stereogum collects a batch of new indie rock Christmas mp3's for 2009 for download. Sweet.

Music Under Fire has some new and some older indie rock Christmas mp3's for download.

Up for grabs still at Saddle Creek is Bright Eye's hurtin' version of "Blue Christmas".

NME has a collection of indie Christmas mp3's from the likes of Lucky Soul, Slow Club, The Hush, and The Crookes. NME also presents "An Alternative Christmas Playlist" and although only YouTube clips, there's some interesting choices there to seek out in MP3 form.

Get in the holiday spirit with The Anti-Hit List's holiday edition. As usual, Mr. Sakamoto has an intriguing selection.