Fun While You Wait, "Blue Christmas"

Fun While You Wait at Wonder Bar

From Arose Such a Clatter

We've been doing kind of an unplanned Christmas music thing here over the last couple of days. NJ artists keep releasing holiday songs, so I'm just going with it.

Freehold's Fun While You Wait actually released this cover of "Blue Christmas" a few weeks ago as part of the Arose Such a Clatter EP. That set also includes holiday songs from Garden State Line, Backyard Superheroes, Milan and The Sour Goat, and P-Funk North. All of the proceeds from the EP go to the Toys for Tots Foundation, and you can grab the collection over on Bandcamp.

Today, Fun While You Wait also give us a video for "Blue Christmas" featuring live performance footage from the Arose Such a Clatter release show / party at the Dunellen Theater as well as sets from both The Wonder Bar and House of Independents in Asbury Park. Check out the video below; and, as you contemplate your end of year giving, think about grabbing yourself some holiday tunes and helping out Toys for Tots.

Black Flamingos, "Jingle Bell Rock"

Black Flamingos at The Little Dickman Records / CoolDad Music holiday benefit show.

Live on WRSU

Our good buddies, Black Flamingos, have been busy. They recently played the Little Dickman Records / CoolDad Music holiday benefit at Porta. Since then, you've been able to catch them around Asbury at places like Convention Hall or the Asbury Festhalle and Biergarten. They also just happened to pick up an Asbury Music Award for Top Surf / Garage Band.

At this time of year, the guys are not above including the occasional holiday classic in their sets. Last week, Black Flamingos made a stop at WRSU Rutgers Radio; and, true to form, spread some holiday cheer with a live rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock" complete with sleigh bells. This one will have to tide you over until Black Flamingos come back in January from a short, well-deserved holiday break, but you could always pick up their excellent self-titled EP for yourself or your special holiday someone.

Where Is My Spaceship Release Holiday EP and Video

Everybody Hates Christmas

Earlier this month, I posted my list of favorite albums of the year. One of the albums on that list was Mostly Crocodile by Where Is My Spaceship. The album is an emotional and cathartic ride, and many of its themes hit home for me, maybe even a little uncomfortably.

This holiday season, Josh Evensen and Where Is My Spaceship have a subtle holiday message for you in the form of 3-song EP Everybody Hates Christmas. From the simple message of "don't bother" to the ode to parenthood "no greater joy" to the title track, Where Is My Spaceship again touch on some uncomfortable themes. They're uncomfortable because they're true. At least a little bit. Sometimes.

The title track also gets a video. The Will Frazier-directed clip deftly and, as I said, subtly delivers the EP's overall message.

Watch the video below, then head over to Where Is My Spaceship's Bandcamp page to grab Everybody Hates Christmas as a Name Your Price download.

Happy holidays!

Holiday Song from The Hoboken Holiday All Stars ft. Deena & Jon of The Cucumbers. Proceeds Benefit Community Food Bank of NJ.

"Light Shines Through"

It's Christmas week, and I've started two weeks of vacation to end the year. Whatever your own winter holiday celebrations involve, this is a great week to spend time with your friends and family, put a bow on the year that was 2015, and give back to the community.

Deena & Jon of Hoboken indie pop band, The Cucumbers, have released a holiday single with the Hoboken Holiday All Star Band called "Light Shines Through." The song is available via iTunes, Spotify, and CDBaby with all proceeds going to the Community Food Bank of NJ. The Food Bank does great and important work. We live in one of the richest states in the entire country, and some of our neighbors still go to bed hungry every night.

In addition to Deena & Jon, "Light Shines Through" features Julio Fernandez of Spyro Gyra, Ed Fogarty, Gary Frazier, Dave Stengel, Tom Vincent, Annalee Van Kleeck, and Abbe Rivers. Written by Deena Shoshkes, "Light Shines Through" is a warm and easy-going, alt-country tinged holiday song that belongs on your holiday playlist.