Kevin Bronson on December 24th, 2015

0

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.