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DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? Christmas is coming, and with it, the fi fth annual Christmas Songwriters’ Club. Danny Abercrombie, (pictured) co-organiser of the night and performer with ‘Very Well’ explains more
‘This is the fifth year I’ve had to conjure up some festive spirit (in October) and write original Christmas songs for the Songwriters’ Club. It’s not an easy thing to do. It’s especially tricky to write a happy pop song (like Shakin’ Stevens, Elton John et al), so in the past I’ve seemed to focus on remembering loved ones and other sombre things. This year I’m aiming for some middle ground, channelling the twin joys of Chrissie Hynde and my friends coming home for Christmas. I’ll also be seeking inspiration from my new rancid Christmas jumper (green with snowdrops and little Santas if you must know . . .) Christmas can mean different things to everyone, that’s why this idea really works. We don’t know how each songwriter is going to approach it until we hear the songs on the night. There are no covers allowed, just new
songs that the audience will be the first to hear. I think that’s pretty great for an event like this. Over the years we’ve had topics as diverse as Santa taking a year off and Christmas number ones, plus some really beautiful songs from very talented musicians. I can’t wait to hear what everyone’s come up with. We’ve added new acts to the regulars and there will also be spoken word performances. Ultimately the event is about raising money for charities and having fun with friends and families. We always host it two or three days before Christmas so it feels like Christmas really begins with the Songwriters’ Club.’
Christmas Songwriters’ Club, with Adam Stafford, Alan Bissett and others, see christmas-songwriters.com for info. Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Sat 22 Dec.
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T E N Y D L O F Y T S W T W W W .
HITLIST THE BEST ROCK, POP, JAZZ & FOLK
✽ The Twilight Sad Big drama, soaring post-rock and chances are, some festive
patter too. With We Were Promised Jetpacks and Holy Mountain. Barrowland, Glasgow, Sat 15 Dec. (Rock & Pop)
✽ Jimbo Crimbo One of a run of festive parties, (for more, see our round-up on p107, and also left.) This one features Silk Cut, Mother Ganga, the GSA choir and more. SWG3, Glasgow, Sat 15 Dec. (Rock & Pop)
✽ Fence Collective NYE party Bring in the bells, with help from the Pictish Trail
and friends. For more Hogmanay events, see p35. Mono, Glasgow, Mon 31 Dec. (Rock & Pop)
✽ Miaoux Miaoux, Roman Nose and
Organs of Love A triple bill as part of Tuts’ New Year’s Revolution, featuring Organs of Love,
who pop up on Some Songs Side by Side. Read review, page 109. King Tut’s, Glasgow, Sun 6 Jan. (Rock & Pop)
✽ Celtic Connections Several excellent
female vocalists appear this year, including Beth Orton, Martha Wainwright (see interview, page 106 and Trembling Bell’s Lavinia Blackwell (right) – plus Congolese rapper Baloji and Ethiopian jazz-folker Mulatu Astake repping for the males. Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 17 Jan– Sun 3 Feb. (Celtic Connections)
✽ Kendrick Lamar Hype-deserving LA rapper with droll rhymes, big beats and big showbiz friends in his corner. See page 107. O2 ABC, Glasgow, Wed 16 Jan. (Rock & Pop)
13 Dec 2012–24 Jan 2013 THE LIST 105