Big In 2024
A list of bands I’m hoping will, if not become HUGE in 2024 will at the very least, capture the hearts of a much broader audience. In a world where going viral on TikTok seems
Track Of The Day
The VPME’s curated track of the day. Come Back for new music daily!
A Christmas Alternative:12 Songs Of Christmas : Day 12 : The Boy Least Likely To
We conclude this year’s “12 Songs of Christmas” by revisiting 2010 with “George and Andrew,” a poignant ballad capturing the essence of Christmas cheer and enduring friendships.
A Christmas Alternative: 12 Songs Of Christmas –Eleven : Kathleen Edwards
This cracker comes from the brilliant Kathleen Edwards with “It’s Christmastime (Let’s Just Survive),” and always nice to see that the fine old tradition of Christmas song titles with brackets hasn’t been abandoned. I
A Christmas Alternative: 12 Songs Of Christmas –Ten : Dark Horses
It doesn’t mention Christmas trees, there’s no talk of snow, and not a sleigh bell in earshot. And yet, the sombre and evocative “Jul Song” by Dark Horses has played an intrinsic part of my festive season for the past decade.
A Christmas Alternative: 12 Songs Of Christmas: Nine : Helen Love
Helen Love’s 2012 Christmas single that saw her team up with Ricardo Autobahn (Cuban Boys), which remains her festive opus. “And The Salvation Army Band Plays” has pretty much everything you’d want from a modern-day Christmas song.
A Christmas Alternative: 12 Songs Of Christmas –Eight : Dum Dum Girls/Crocodiles
ack in 2009, cult indie bands Crocodiles and Dum Dum Girls released a song that drew on both artists’ strengths in the shape of “Merry Christmas Baby (Please Don’t Die).
A Christmas Alternative: 12 Songs Of Christmas – Seven : Owl John
Another sometimes overlooked classic is “It Gets Cold” by Owl John, the side project of Scott Hutchison, the lead singer, and songwriter of the Scottish indie rock band Frightened Rabbit
A Christmas Alternative: 12 Songs Of Christmas – Six : Paul Haig
Scottish Christmases weren’t all about Andy Stewart and his bespoke festive sporran. No, “Scottish Christmas” was a special, limited Christmas release by former Josef K member Paul Haig,
A Christmas Alternative: 12 Songs Of Christmas – Five: Half Man Half Biscuit
Pam Ferris’s favourite band Half Man Half Biscuit’s classic “It’s Cliched to be Cynical at Christmas” has all the festive elements in place: a cherubic sounding choir, bells, a sprinkling of the 17th-century classic “I Saw Three Ships,” and references to “Jingle Bells
A Christmas Alternative: 12 Songs Of Christmas – Four : Annika Norlin
12 Songs Of Christmas: Day Four: Annika Norlin – Correspondence – “Silent Night” Over 12 (working) days, I’m suggesting 12 songs that probably don’t get the airplay they deserve this time of year and should be
A Christmas Alternative: 12 Songs Of Christmas – Three : Marsheaux
12 Songs Of Christmas -Day Three Marsheaux: “We Met Bernard Sumner At A Christmas Party Last Night” Over 12 (working) days, I’m suggesting 12 songs that probably don’t get the airplay they deserve this time