The Pack A.D.
Adeste Fideles
“My favourite Christmas song is Adeste Fideles. Mostly for the singing. At my elementary school we were taught to really, really overemphasize the enunciation of all the words, stretching our mouths out into impossible contortions. It was a little crazy, but fun to sing that way. Try it and you’ll see.” – Maya Miller, drummer
The Pack A.D. play the Edgefest Jingle Bell Concert Series at the Sound Academy tonight (Thursday, December 19), doors 7 pm, all ages. $24.50-$49.50. RT, SS, TM.
Skydiggers
Good King Wenceslas
“I never get tired of playing Good King Wenceslas during the holiday season. A great melody driven by a compassionate story, it reminds me of what is truly important not just during the holiday season, but year-round.” – Andy Maize, vocals and trumpet
The Skydiggers play an Xmas Show with Devin Cuddy Band at the Horseshoe, Friday and Saturday (December 20 and 21), 10 pm. $27.50. TF.
Freeman Dre and the Kitchen Party
Fairytale Of New York
“Only one Christmas song matters: Fairytale Of New York, by the Pogues. We don’t play it, because it’s perfect the way it is, but I love it. Of all the holiday jingles, it may be the only one that’s based in any kind of reality.” – Freeman Dre, vocals, guitar
Freeman Dre and the Kitchen Party play a Holiday Show at the Cameron House Friday (December 20), 10 pm. thecameron.com.
The Beauties
Fairytale Of New York
“Fairytale Of New York always struck me as such a romantic song – a romance you’d read in a Bukowski book. I’ve played it every Christmas for the past 25 years, and I’ve had to relearn it each time. It’s harder than it sounds. Nothing really repeats it’s as chaotic as the love story. The Beauties joke about it every year: that’s what we’ll get each other for Christmas – charts for Fairytale Of New York. You can bet we’ll pull it out at our Christmas show.” – Shawn Creamer, guitar, vocals
The Beauties play the Dakota Tavern tonight (Thursday, December 19), 10 pm. thedakotatavern.com.
julial@nowtoronto.com | @julialeconte