Tag Archives: alternative christmas mixtape

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 14… HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

  By Culch.ie | December 25, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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Well, here we are. No more sleeps. Santa’s flahed out. The turkeys are deaded. Happy Christmas, you ravishing and urbane Culchies! We’re wrapping up our Alternative Christmas Mixtape with a delightful trio of our own favourites, for the day that’s in it. Aaron: Christmas in Hollis - Run D.M.C. The tune that has it all, composed from a pinch of ‘Frosty the Snowman’, a dollop of ‘Jingle Bells’, a splash of ‘Joy to the World’ and a dusting of the innuendo-laden ‘Back Door Santa’. This was released, naturally, on cassette and vinyl back in 1987. It comes from the “golden age” of hip-hop, just as it was entering the stereotypical guns ‘n’ bitches phase that some people only see, even to this day. Some say Run DMC had their day sitting on the steps in the sun a few years previous but to me, they were always just pure gravy … There’s more →

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 13

  By Culch.ie | December 24, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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On account of it being Christmas Eve, and because we like you, we’re going to do a quick and dirty double header. Today’s Mixtape is brought to you by Dermot Whelan and Síle ní Bhraonáin. Never again shall we see so many tracksuits in a Christmas No 1 video - unless Usain Bolt and his mates release a charity single. My favourite song at this time of year has to be ‘Fairytale of New York’. Okay, a bit predictable, but I love it. The lyrics are wonderful and it’s just the tune to get me into the Christmas mood. Love listening to it while wrapping my presents!   Síle ní Bhraonáin is a weather presenter with TG4. Dermot Whelan presents Republic of Telly and co-hosts 98FM’s Dermot & Dave Show Monday - Friday, 4pm-7pm. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to guess who chose which song. Culch.ie’s … There’s more →

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 12

  By Culch.ie | December 23, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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Only two more sleeps to go, folks! That’s assuming you could possibly sleep this close to D-Day. We’ve already had our sleeps ration here at Culch Towers, and are rocking back in forth in totally platonic unison at the excitement of it all. Recognising our agitation, The Dying Seconds have sent us a most soothing ditty for our Alternative Christmas mixtape. Bless their Santa socks. Our choice is Sufjan Stevens’ “That Was The Worst Christmas Ever”, because it has a nice air of melancholy which we are really partial to. It’s simple, with really nice male/female harmonies and lovely instrumentation.   The Dying Seconds are from Dublin and are The National’s Aaron Dessner’s favourite band (apart from maybe The National). They make lush, orchestral electronica and their second album, Glimmerers, was one of our Albums Of 2011. It’s available here, on the band’s own website (yay indie Ireland!) The video … There’s more →

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 11

  By Culch.ie | December 22, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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It’s the final countdown. Emigrant mates are arriving back for the few days, boxes of Tayto are making their way into your gaff, last ditch effort shopping is leaving you a panicked mess… but take a minute, chill, and listen to this, the Mixtape choice of Ms Michelle Doherty, who also wished everyone a happy Christmas - how lovely is she? I have chosen Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing Peace On Earth/ Little Drummer Boy. Richie introduced me to it on Pure Morning as one of our Christmas moments and I want other people to see it. Bing and Bowie’s voices complement each other so well and I like the little intro at the start. Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2012.   Michelle Doherty co-presents Pure Morning on Phantom 105.2, weekday mornings from 7am-10am. Culch.ie’s Alternative Christmas Mixtape is curated by Sinéad Keogh, Lisa McInerney and Aaron McAllorum (yeah, … There’s more →

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 9

  By Culch.ie | December 20, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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Only a few days left to go on the countdown. So many deadly alternative Christmas tunes and so little time. She tells us there were about 10 choices she wanted to go with, but Bernie Divilly’s eventual mixtape selection gets the thumbs up from Culch Towers. I love it because it’s got that old school Christmas sentiment of wanting to be near those you love (+ jingle bells!) but it’s also got that edgy YYY’s sound and of course, Karen O’s amazing voice. Plus it came out at a time when everyone was DYING for new YYY’s tunes so it filled the gap for a while!   Bernie Divilly is PR Manager for [PIAS] Ireland - home to tons and tons of awesome indie labels. She’s on Twitter at Twitter.com/BernieDivilment Culch.ie’s Alternative Christmas Mixtape is curated by Sinéad Keogh, Aaron McAllorum and Lisa McInerney. (Yeah, we said curated…)

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 7

  By Culch.ie | December 18, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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How’s the hangover? Can’t handle anything too heavy today? Paddy McKenna has picked a nice gentle Christmas tune to soothe you through Sunday… It’s just a few years old but this song has become my favourite Christmas song. There’s not many quality, modern Christmas songs around but this is magical. It isn’t your classic ditty with mentions of ‘santy and sleighbells’ but it’s got a real old and familiar feel, stunning harmonies and beautiful winter inspired lyrics. More Fleet Foxes awesomeness.   Paddy McKenna is a RTE 2fm DJ. He is also the lead singer of Storyfold who themselves have released a Christmas song this December, with all proceeds going to the Society of the St. Vincent de Paul. Check out the video here. Culch.ie’s Alternative Christmas Mixtape is curated by Sinéad Keogh, Aaron McAllorum and Lisa McInerney. (Yeah, we said curated…)

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 6

  By Culch.ie | December 17, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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On the sixth day of Mixtape Culch.ie gave to you… the song choice of a genuine authority on all things winter Mr Kieran Frost. Frost? Winter? See? Yeah maybe we’ll just get on with the mixtape… There are times when a cover is better than the real thing, and this is probably the best example ever. The original song is overplayed, and to me, sounds dated (and the meaning is lost behind all that synth). Step in Florence and her Machine who covered it a few weeks back at a BBC Introducing gig in London. Accompanied by acoustic guitar and harp her voice gives the song completely new meaning.   Kieran Frost is a music photographer. You can find him at www.kieranfrost.com Culch.ie’s Alternative Christmas Mixtape is curated by Sinéad Keogh, Aaron McAllorum and Lisa McInerney. (Yeah, we said curated…)

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 5

  By Culch.ie | December 16, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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Ever wondered what FRED have on their playlist for the festive season? Justin O’Mahony is here to answer the question that keeps you awake at night on Day 5 of our mixtape… This song was the title track on an alternative Christmas Compilation Album released in 2002 that also featured artists like Bright Eyes, Ben Folds, Neil Finn and Coldplay. I’ve been a huge fan of Ron Sexsmith for years. For me this is not just a great Christmas Song, it’s just a great song that happens to mention Christmas. It stands up against any other of Ron’s songs as a wonderful piece of songwriting, plus it does also have sleigh-bells which are the staple of every Christmas classic.   Justin O’Mahony is the drummer with FRED. Cork’s finest, along with special guests, play Triskel Christchurch in Cork on Thursday December 22nd at 8pm. Tickets priced €18/€16 are available here or for more … There’s more →

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 4

  By Culch.ie | December 15, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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10 days out from Turkeyfest 2011, we’re settling into our stride with three top alternative Christmas tunes already in the bag. Today it’s the turn of Jenny Headen… I love this Christmas track by LaptopPunk – a nice bit of a festive intro then a mash up featuring the late great Johnny Cash and Chemical Brothers – with a bit of Kool and the Gang thrown in to boot. It’s taken from the ‘Santastic 4’ album (http://santastic4.com/) – which is well worth checking out. Some of the tracks are belters and a nice change from the usual Christmas fare… It’ll be on full blast at EA Towers for the festive season!   Jenny Headen is the Music Manager at PR, Marketing and Consultancy outfit Entertainment Architects: www.entertainmentarchitects.ie Culch.ie’s Alternative Christmas Mixtape is curated by Sinéad Keogh, Aaron McAllorum and Lisa McInerney. (Yeah, we said curated…)

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 3

  By Culch.ie | December 14, 2011 - 12:00 pm | Music
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Day 3 in the Alternative Christmas Mixtape house. Can Aidan Coughlan please come to the Diary Room… Fountains of Wayne are at their best when they’re combining humour, poignancy and utter despondency, then bedding it all on top of a tasty melody to make everything seem just fine. And so, this is very much Fountains of Wayne at their best. Like Hackensack and Stacy’s Mom, this number is built around a hopeless, childlike naivety which is endearing upon first listen - but heartbreaking once you consider that, come Christmas morning, this is going to be one disappointed little kid. We’ve all been there. But hey. That tune and those backing vocals would lift anyone’s spirits.   Aidan Coughlan is a music journalist with the Irish Independent. Check out his article on the greatest riffs throughout musical history in this Saturday’s paper. You can find him online at Twitter.com/aidancoughlan. Culch.ie’s Alternative Christmas Mixtape … There’s more →

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 2

  By Culch.ie | December 13, 2011 - 1:00 pm | Music
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Dismayed by Slade? Ready to damn Wham to their Last Christmas? We continue our Alternative Christmas Mixtape - a safe haven from the likes of John, Yoko, their Plastic Ono band and that swarm of caterwauling children they dug out of a landslide for the occasion - with today’s jolly ditty, as suggested by Cork’s cuddliest, RedFM’s Victor Barry. While keeping the Christmas flavour, this Weird Al track is something I’ve been playing on the talk show on RedFM for years. It’s something very far removed from the usual bells, baubles and bollocks, and always manages to raise a smile. Plus, its catchy too and sticks in yer head like a knife. Victor Barry presents RedFM’s “Cork Talks Back” and is editor of The Movie Bit blog. Culch.ie’s Alternative Christmas Mixtape is curated by Sinéad Keogh, Aaron McAllorum and Lisa McInerney. (Yeah, we said curated…)

Alternative Christmas Mixtape: Day 1

  By Culch.ie | December 12, 2011 - 4:07 pm | Music
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This day two weeks we’ll be gathering up the Roses wrappers and looking into a future filled with turkey sandwiches until the leftovers are dealt with. Ever ones to enjoy a countdown, we’ll be marking off the days to Christmas with our alternative Christmas mixtape, some off the beaten tracks to celebrate the season as selected by our friends in the land of music. Today’s choice is by Ronan Hunt-Murphy. There’s a saying that many religious people say about this time of year: “You can’t have Christmas without Christ”. I’m not religious, but it’s the one time of the year I actually do go to mass. And you know what? I like going and hearing the nativity story. It has all the gift giving you need, but no mistletoe or wine. Surely that’s not a bad thing. Similarly, my favourite Christmas song is simply titled ‘Christmas Song’, by Dave Matthews … There’s more →