Stream: Buzz Band LA’s ‘2015 miXmas’

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Photo by Kate Zaidova via unsplash.com
Photo by Kate Zaidova via unsplash.com

Have yourself an very eclectic Christmas with Buzz Bands LA’s “2015 miXmas,” this year featuring 17 songs, including some cool new originals, favorites from years past, cover songs and a knock-your-socks-off remix. Included: Savio Savio, Jeff Schroeder, Henry Pope, Pop Noir, Jet Watling, the Living Sisters, Freedom Fry, Matt Ellis, Bestfriends, Hunter Hunted, Arrica Rose, Kyle Krone, Dirty Sidewalks, Hobart W Fink, Ego Amigo, J. Marie and Duniven. Find notes on the songs below the playlist.

And also recommended: Checking out the videos, including the new one from Macy Gray.

The playlist:

Savio Savio, “This Time of Year” (feat. Wendy Wang) — Savio Savio is Ray Suen, multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire who has played as a side man with a host of great bands, teams up with the Sweet Hurt on a sweet new original.

Jeff Schroeder and the Majestic High, “Christmas Time Is Here” (feat. Wayne Everett) — The Smashing Pumpkins guitarist, with his former Lassie Foundation bandmate. Gorgeous. And there’s something about a guy named Schroeder taking on a “Peanuts” song.

Henry Pope, “Linus and Lucy remix” — Henry Pope is genius.

Pop Noir, “Father Christmas” — This is brilliant: O.C. twins Luke and Joe McGarry collaborate with their 3-year-old selves, incorporating audio from old family movies into a new song. Really, go watch the video.

Jet Watling, “Reindeer Romp & Roll” — Jet Watling is 6 years old. This spaghetti Western-sounding holiday song appears on “A Colorful Christmas” from Fetal Records.

The Living Sisters, “Jingle Bells” — No mix would be complete without a song from the all-star L.A. quartet’s holiday album.

Freedom Fry, “Oh Santa (Bad World)” — Great boy/girl vocals from Bruce Driscoll and Marie Seyrat on this humorous original.

Matt Ellis, “Another L.A. Christmas” — Beautiful and melancholy track from the L.A. roots-rocker.

Bestfriends, “Drummer Boi” — Windy City electro-poppers have some fun with a classic.

Arrica Rose, “Dear Santa, I’m Asking for World Peace This Year” — Revisiting the L.A. songstress’s still-relevant plea.

Hunter Hunted, “New Christmas” — Something new an pretty from Dan Chang and Michael Garner.

Kyle Krone, “California Christmas” — Dating back to his days with the Shys, the O.C. singer-songwriter’s take on Christmas in San Clemente.

Dirty Sidewalks, “It’s Xmas” — When something is advertised as “a very shoegaze Christmas,” we’re there.

Hobart W Fink, “White Christmas” — The L.A. rockers get a little punk. The video is fun too.

J. Marie, “Celebrate Christmas”— The L.A.-via-Oklahoma singer adds quite a bit of soul the mix. Just stir.

Ego Amigo, “Count to Three” — The new L.A. duo “don’t care for Christmas”? Bah humbug.

Duniven, “Angels We Have Heard on High” — Patrick Duniven, with an assist from Grammy-winning producer, does a buzzy version of the hymn.

And finally, here is Macy Gray’s “All I Want for Christmas,” in which she addresses gun control, health care and world peace, featuring the youth choir from L.A.’s Agape International Spiritual Center:

And to all a good night.