12 Days of Christmas Music: “The Nutcracker”

Over 100 years ago, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote a two-act ballet about a young girl, a living nutcracker and mice that captured people’s imaginations and became an instant holiday staple. Some of you might not be that into what you may call “classical” music, but Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” is a real masterpiece. Just think of all the places… Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas Music: “The Nutcracker”

12 Days of Christmas Music: Belle & Sebastian’s Live “Peel Christmas Party”

Back in 2002, our favorite Scottish band Belle & Sebastian recorded a Christmas set for some kind of party thrown by John Peel. What exists of it is a bootleg recording that puts other bootlegs to shame. The quality is awesome and the band is too. They play a bunch of holiday classics as well… Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas Music: Belle & Sebastian’s Live “Peel Christmas Party”

Conor Oberst Live Concert Video

We were courteously informed by our friends over at Amoeba Music that Conor Oberst (of Bright Eyes fame) and the Mystic Valley Band played live at Amoeba Records in Hollywood this past August. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the video online, and now it is finally up! For those of you who… Continue reading Conor Oberst Live Concert Video

12 Days of Christmas Music: “A Very Special Christmas” (1987)

I know that this album is nothing new, and that by now a lot of the songs on it are considered cheesy or stale. But I think it’s an important landmark in the history of Christmas music, and besides, it has a legitimate Christmas rap song! The 1987 album was the first in a regular… Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas Music: “A Very Special Christmas” (1987)

Bionic Pixie

Straying a bit from Knox Road’s usual music selection is electro-dance-beat-maker Bionic Pixie. The woman behind the sound, Zoe Fleury (best name award?), comes from my favorite country in the world New Zealand and tears down the house. There’s hardly a second to stop and think with her songs. The harsh beats stand out from… Continue reading Bionic Pixie

Erin McCarley – Love, Save the Empty

Yep, another post of the female singer/songwriter variety. What can I say, I’m a sucker for them. Erin McCarley‘s debut album, Love, Save the Empty, hits stores January 6 (iTunes December 30) and I couldn’t be more excited. From Nashville, by way of San Diego, McCarley is making a name for herself with her breathtaking… Continue reading Erin McCarley – Love, Save the Empty

12 Days of Christmas Music: Weird Collaborations

Day 5 of our Christmas music series goes to those bizarre collaborations that have happened this year. Seriously, I want to see the meeting where these people get together and say “You know what would be swell? Us making a Christmas song together!” “A Christmas Duel” The first track I came across was the duet… Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas Music: Weird Collaborations

12 Days of Christmas Music: Bright Eyes’ “A Christmas Album”

I’m not going to pretend that I like Bright Eyes usually. And that’s because I don’t. But when my good friend and Bright Eyes fan “Donnie” suggested their A Christmas Album, I decided I had to give it a try. As it turns out, it’s a fantastic album. Instead of overdone, sad covers, front man… Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas Music: Bright Eyes’ “A Christmas Album”

New Song From Coconut Records!

Our favorite actor/musician (and former Phantom Planet/one-time Kings of Convenience drummer) Jason Schwartzman‘s new Coconut Records album Davy is coming out January 13, and he has decided to pre-release one of the songs, “Microphone”. You can download it for free on Amie Street – for every download they donate 1 dollar to the Mr. Holland’s… Continue reading New Song From Coconut Records!