All I want for Christmas.
Hopes, Christmas dinners, and playlists ...
I asked some Christmas-tinted questions to a big group of my favourite musical artists, and the answers are now in. They're bangers, so settle down with a mulled wine or two and read on to see what they said. Don’t miss BERRIES’ playlist choices, Cloves’ best and worst presents, who Ber would invite to Christmas dinner, what 2025 holds for Katherine Priddy, and whose vibe next year is “more rage rock and roll…” Plus lots more! At the end of this post, you can find out a little about each of the contributors.
What do you most hope for this Christmas?
Alexandra Leaving: “You could get deep with this one. 2024 has been a defining year. Whilst so much is uncertain, I hope we all find ways, big or small, to channel our energy into kindness - for each other and toward the planet.”
Amy Papiransky: “I live hours away from where I was brought up and don’t get to go home as much as I would like. I am REALLY looking forward to quality time with my close family and friends – it’s what Christmas is all about. We are staying with my uncle who has a beautiful cosy house in the middle of the countryside. Escaping the city for a bit will be lovely! You will find me wrapped in a blanket by the stove, eating too much cheese whilst watching Wallace and Gromit! Bliss!”
CLOVES: “I’ve spent a lot of time in the last year trying to work out what’s going to make me happy in my work and in my personal life. I feel like I’m starting to carve that path for myself, so really I’m just hoping to continue down that road for now.”
Dictator: “A sold out Sneaky Pete's so we can fund our trip to the states 🤣” [This was Dictator's headline fundraising show at the legendary Edinburgh venue on 15th December... and I can confirm it did indeed sell out!]
The Eves: “Being truthful, we would really like to rest and recharge. Being independent artists, we run everything ourselves - writing the songs, organising studio sessions, booking performances, arranging rehearsals, doing the performances, running our social media, website and merchandise store, designing the merch, posting out the merch... there is always something to do. We both make a lot of personal sacrifices by working so hard, as we don't see family and friends as much as we would like to, so it will be good for us to take some time out, reconnect with our nearest and dearest, and reclaim a bit of time back to allow the creative juices to start flowing again.”
Rosie Gault: “I tend to work very hard until I burn myself out, so this Christmas I'd really love to have some time to look back on my journey so far and give myself credit. I think feeling proud of yourself is a very important thing, and something you need to actively work on just like you do your projects or career. Positive reflection is what I'm hoping for!”
Tizane: “Funding so we can get in the studio and make our next album!”
What do you dream of finding in your stocking?
Alexandra Leaving: “Higher streaming royalties”
Amy Papiransky: “A surprise trip to Vietnam, Japan or Thailand would go down a treat! However, my favourite skin care products and a massive net of Babybels would also be great!”
Ber: “Burts Bees chapstick, hand warmers, a new phone case and a Nando's black card.”
BERRIES: Lexi - “Some sweet festival slots, A and K custom cymbals and an endorsement from Promark." / Holly - "I would actually be devastated if my stocking isn't bursting at the seams rammed with more chocolate than you can possibly eat in a year, so there is no room for anything else unfortunately.”
The Eves: “Opportunities! We spend a lot of time creating opportunities for ourselves, being persistent and knocking on doors to try and progress in the music industry. Occasionally you get a few opportunities that come your way unexpectedly and it is truly lovely when that happens and gives you a huge boost; the most recent one is our invite from Scottish Television to bring in the bells this year across their TV and online network. We didn't see that one coming…”
Grace Calver: “A new guitar! You can never have too many guitars! But I’m not sure that would fit in a stocking…”
Katherine Priddy: “I'm one of those nightmare family members who never really knows what they want when asked, but it's honestly because there's not a great many physical things I feel like I need! I've also hit an age where the things I do want are very boring and practical, but make me really happy. Breadmakers, blenders, yarn, cookbooks etc. It's a non-stop rock 'n' roll dream and I'm living it. If I had to pick something though this year, and it could be extravagant, I think I'd like some sort of European Interrail pass that I could use to do some travelling. I love that music takes me to new places, but it's been a while since I did some travelling just for me, without gigs to get to. I think it would provide some great new inspiration for songs, and also some much needed adventure and headspace.”
Maya Lakhani: "I always love receiving anything guitar or songwriting related! It’s so awesome to start the new year feeling inspired with some great tools for new music!"
Plasticine: "A never ending supply of picks would be nice, fed up of losing them! Maybe we could manufacture an infinity pick!"
Silvi: “A million quid. Or I’d settle for a choccy orange.”
Tizane: “Some musical inspiration for the year ahead...”
Who's your dream Christmas dinner guest (and why)?
Alexandra Leaving: “Leonard Cohen, I’d ask him to sing Chelsea Hotel and make sure he’s cool with me naming my artist project after one of his songs.”
Ber: “Buddy the Elf and Jovie from Elf. I’d serve them breakfast spaghetti with maple syrup.”
Bottlemoth: “David Bowie. He is Chessa [William]’s ultimate icon - he’d have amazing stories, and I reckon he’d be lovely with the family too. Super cool guy and a real creative genius.”
CLOVES: “Well, I might make it more of a guest list and invite Chappell Roan, Trisha Paytas, Ziwe, Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri & Lana Del Rey. purely for the chat, the perfect round table to debrief the year.”
Hazlett: “I think my dream guest this year would just be my family. It's been a long year of touring and I haven't been able to see them as much as I would like, so I'm missing them a lot at the moment.”
Maya Lakhani: “It would be awesome to have Christmas dinner with Rick Rubin! He’s worked on some of my favourite albums by my favourite artists, so it would be so wonderful to hear stories and anecdotes about how those albums got made. I think he’s a really interesting person, with a unique view on creativity, so I’m sure I’d walk away feeling very inspired and with a new outlook!” (photo credit Guy Hurst)
What’s the best and worst present you've ever received?
Alexandra Leaving: “The worst present by FAR was a fake scratch card. I thought I’d won £250,000. It was from a boyfriend on my birthday too - it didn’t last long :)
Best present - a painting of Kate Bush that a friend gave me when I was younger. I still love it and it remains on my bedroom wall.”
BERRIES: Lexi - “Ok, we’re combining this one - an electric toothbrush (age 12, thanks dad) - what a s*** but great present.” / Holly - “Best presents over the years include a pair of moon boots, my guitars, vinyl and worst is always clothes for me unless we are talking about very bright socks. They are great.”
Blue Violet: Sarah's best - “The best Christmas present I ever received was a tape player/radio that was shaped like a coca cola can. I got so excited when I opened it that I accidentally ripped the little doors off the front of it.” / Sam's worst - “A bottle of shampoo shaped like The Stig from Top Gear. To this day it remains unopened.” (photo credit - Stuart J Clapp)
CLOVES: “I’ve gotten a cup with my name on it but spelled wrong a few times. I feel like that gift gives 'I just discovered Moonpig bulk ordering'. Best gift, I love getting a new perfume because then you can always associate that scent with that Christmas.”
The Eves: Caroline - “Well, the worst presents I've ever received all came at the same time! One year my mum and dad clearly didn't know what to get me as an adult. As I unwrapped my presents one by one, lo and behold I realised that every one of them was a mug gift set in varying styles. I acquired three or four mugs that Christmas. I'm sure one had my name on it, and there was a 'Best Aunty' in there, too. It was truly ridiculous. However, I couldn't fault Mum and Dad for my childhood gifts which were truly the best considering we were a skint working-class family. It's a toss up between a white racer bike or a ZX Spectrum computer. Absolute class.” / Marissa - “My best present was the Saxophone my mum and dad bought me which I then went on to study at University. What no one tells you is there aren't a lot of jobs out there for those who studied classical saxophone so I had to quickly pivot to singing! My worst presents are always novelty or patterned socks. I can't bear to even put them on my feet! I'm strictly a plain black sock girl - no compromise!”
Hazlett: “You know what, I don't think I've ever received a bad present to be honest. Although I did receive a shaving kit before I could even grow facial hair one year. Would come in handy now though. But the best present I ever received is a toss up between my first pair of basketball shoes I got when I was a kid and fairly recently I received a little pouch organiser for all my cables and everything. Might sound boring, but organisation excites me.”
What's a must for your Christmas Day playlist this year? And what will definitely not be on it?
Alexandra Leaving: “My fave Christmas tune is Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses. Banger. Also Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade, gotta represent the Midlands. I skip Michael Bublé aha (sorry Michael)”
Ber: “A must is Last Christmas by Wham, and the entirety of Bing Crosby’s Christmas catalogue. The soundtrack from White Christmas is essentially my hymnal. However Michael Bublé is banned.”
BERRIES: Lexi - “80s-90s Christmas classics of course. We can exclude that Mary’s Boy Child song though, that one sucks. Can we have The Darkness’ Christmas song too please.” / Holly - “I fully invest when it comes to Christmas music and pretty much don't listen to anything else from the 1st December onwards. Obviously all of the usuals make the playlist: Slade, Wizzard, Mariah but then various versions of Carol of the Bells - one of my favourite versions is by The Big Moon. Also Lonely This Christmas covered by Liines always gets a few spins. I am yet to come across a Christmas song I don't like honestly and I have to disagree with Lexi because I love Mary's Boy Child - haha - will agree on Darkness though. That has to be in there somewhere.”
Bottlemoth: “All the absolute classics from Wizard to The Pogues to Slade - hugely nostalgic and really fun songs. We are putting together a few Christmas covers for a show this month, Last Christmas, Driving Home for Christmas - so these are definitely on the playlist. Mariah can stay frozen though I think, and a bunch of the newer Christmas songs are maybe not so great - but maybe I’ll feel differently in a few years!”
Blue Violet: “It's not a playlist but our unofficial Christmas album that we always play is The River by Bruce Springsteen. Feed The World will definitely NOT be played.”
CLOVES: “Well,Shrek the Halls will always make an appearance as it’s a childhood classic. Then, at some point, my dad will get tired of Christmas music and play an album front to back, highly likely to be something by Eddie Vedder … And what will not be on it: Just anything too dreary. I’m usually a ballad girl all year round, but Christmas feels unfair to subject myself and everyone to that.”
Dictator: “The entirety of the Christmas on Death Row [compilation album], including such hits as Santa Clause goes straight to the ghetto and Party 4 da homies.”
Grace Calver: “Christmas Drag by I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME is my absolute favourite Christmas song! Dallon Weekes is the king of emo Christmas songs and I listen to this one loads every December! A song that definitely will not be on it… hmm Hotter Than The Sun, but actually I can’t make any promises.”
Hazlett: “I love all the crooner Christmas songs so probably a lot of Nat King Cole etc. My mum used to come home from her work with a Christmas Compilation CD each year and it's all we would listen to. They always remind me of her so for me, no Christmas song is turned away this time of year.”
Katherine Priddy: “Now, I'm a firm believer that Christmas is not a time for guilt. Whether that's guilt about what food you're eating, how early you put up your decorations, how much or how little you plan on celebrating OR what music you want to listen to. I know there's some real cheesy Christmas bangers out there that it would be easy to pooh-pooh, but if there's ever a time to fully indulge in some cheese it's Christmas. With that in mind, I can't think of a song that definitely wouldn't be on my playlist. It's all about whatever brings you joy and gets you into the festive mood! A couple of musts for me would be Greg Lake's I Believe in Father Christmas, Jethro Tull's Ring Out, Solstice Bells and Chris De Burgh's A Spaceman Came Travelling. My Dad hates that last one though, so I have to sneak it on before he notices what's happening.”
Plasticine: “It's got to be Stop the Cavalry, it's a Christmas icon! We also love the modern classics like Christmas Lights by Coldplay! Offt, I can think of a few I’ve never been a fan of... Bing, Brenda, or any 50’s/60’s Christmas tunes, so they’re staying off my playlist.”
Rosie Gault: “My new favourite Christmas song is Merry Christmas, Please Don't Call by Bleachers. It's a very good one for any fellow festive overthinkers and the slightly sad. Definitely won't be listening to Christmas Lights by Coldplay, not because I don't like it but because I can't get through the song without crying...”
Silvi: “A must for Christmas Day is Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses cause it’s an absolute bop that’ll get everyone going and my mum and I do a really good impression.
A song that won’t be on it is Feliz Navidad cause I have a real problem with getting songs stuck in my head and this one replays over and over for days every time I hear it.”
I've created a Spotify playlist of all the "must haves" (plus a couple of my own) which you can find here.
2025 - what's the vibe?
Alexandra Leaving: “More rage, rock n’ roll and EP two. Our first show is Jan 22nd in London - come on down!” (photo credit - Laurie Barraclough)
Amy Papiranky: “I would be delighted to spend some more quality time at home or abroad with my family. Carry on making great memories with my best friends. And, of course, play some fab gigs and write and record more music.”
Ber: “It’s debut album time! Lots of new music from me in 2025, I can’t wait to share what I’ve been working on ❤️”
Bottlemoth: “Building on our foundations and taking things bigger. We’ve spent this year introducing the band to the world with our debut album - next year is about taking that on the road, with loads of ideas for ‘rock holidays’ and festivals, as well as getting back into the studio to keep creating. Very excited for all that’s to come!”
Blue Violet: “The vibe is Faux Animaux - Feral, ferocious and foxxxxy!”
CLOVES: “Well, I’m releasing some new music top of the year as well as some collaborations I’ve been working on so really looking forward to sharing that! <3”
Dictator: “Super chill, like taking a step back, enjoying the view and very much living in the moment.”
Grace Calver: “2025 starts with my 21st Birthday woop! And I have an EP coming out in 2025 which I’m very excited for. After the EP is finished I’ve got two more songs to be released as singles which are currently at demo stage - the vibe for next year is sparkly and sassy.”
Katherine Priddy: “This year was an album release year so it's all been very hectic. I think 2025 is still going to be busy (I've got a new single with Simon Armitage coming out in January, and then a UK tour in March), but I'm determined to make lots of time for writing and recording too. I think that needs to be the main focus. I do have some other goals in mind, but it's important to remain flexible and open to changes - particularly in this industry.
There's always something just around the corner that you wouldn't have necessarily predicted, but ends up being a wonderful, unexpected opportunity. So I'll be keeping focussed but remaining open to whatever comes my way!”
Maya Lakhani: “2025 is going to be a really exciting year for me! It’s the year I will release my debut EP, and I have new singles ready to go for the new year. My last single Drive into the Sunset, which was released in December, was the first single from this. Keeping my fingers crossed for some big shows and festivals! Working to make it happen as we speak!”
Plasticine: “The vibe is bigger, better, and bolder. We’ve got so much prepared and planned for PLASTICINE! Since signing with TRUST booking agent, we’ll be up and down the country. We also have a few releases lined up for 2025, so keep your eyes and ears peeled!”
Rosie Gault: “Diving into the unknown of graduation, slightly scared but I think that means it's exciting.”
Tizane: “Building on our fan base and recording new music. It would be great to collaborate with some other artists and producers also! Overall we look to spend the year enjoying the process of making music, as well as doing some good shows including support slots along the way.”
You can listen to music from these artists on my 2024 playlists, which are collected here.
Alt-rocker Alexandra Leaving excels at power-packed indie bangers (read a recent Earmilk review here) and is seeing a rapid, well-deserved surge of support. Amy Papiransky is a Scottish singer-songwriter with a beautiful voice, and plenty of deep and engaging stories to tell (read my review of her exquisite album 'Friday's Daughter' for CLASH here). Ber has had a wild ride from viral TikTok collab in 2021 to festivals and Radio 1 playlisting now (more on CLASH here) - I really enjoy her warm, down-to-Earth songwriting. Meanwhile, BERRIES write satisfying angular indie-rock with plenty of unexpected twists and turns - I reviewed their eponymous second album for CLASH recently. Blue Violet perform multi-faceted alt-rock and they've taken their music in an exciting direction this year (they spoke to me about this recently) as they head towards a 2025 album release.
Bottlemoth adeptly inhabit a world where indie-folk, crisp pop/alt-rock drum production, warm Americana inflections and sublime vocals overlap (here's my recent album review). The artist known as CLOVES is an Australian singer-songwriter whose music I've been captivated by for years, with her records featuring in two of my top 10s. She conjures up immersive atmospheres from the very air she breathes. Scots mega indie/hip-hop/alt-rock mavericks Dictator never put a foot wrong, with every release getting doubly-stronger; their live experience is unparalleled (read this review for an example). The Eves are Caroline and Marissa, also from Scotland; they produce music which possesses immense warmth - epic, yet intimate and always with pinpoint care.
Grace Calver is an inspirational force in the new music world: a blogger and podcaster turned musician who writes sassy, straight-from-the heart alt-rock. Indie-folk troubadour Hazlett creates sublime sounds: subtle, poignant and encouraging surrender (CLASH review here). Breakthrough folk artist Katherine Priddy just keeps on having great years. 2024 saw her release her acclaimed second album, 'The Pendulum Swing'. My thoughts on her track 'Indigo' and her performance at Folk by the Oak in 2021 were some of my earliest posts. British-Indian bedroom-rocker Maya Lakhani is a stunningly refreshing voice in the genre, outspoken and skilled. Plasticine are another blazingly-skilled Scottish band, combining grunge-sensibilities with emotive delivery and one heck of a loud live sound (check this for example).
Rosie Gault is a singer-songwriter and music student who I interviewed in August, after her warm, vibey music caught my ear ('Dim Lights' comes out on 11th January 2025). Singer-songwriter Silvi is a Scottish artist with an incredible voice and an incredibly generous yet humble spirit. Her song 'Burning' caught my ear in 2022, and I interviewed her earlier this year. And finally, Tizane: hailing from South East London and pioneering a new wave of emo-rock with blazing riffs and soulful vocals (here's a live review).