Breathe Me - Sia
I Predict a Riot - Kaiser Chiefs
Wake Up - Arcade Fire
Banquet - Bloc Party
I’m feeling a bit melancholy as I write this post. It’s snowing here in London, and even though it’s so pretty and all the shops are done up with Christmas decorations, I can’t help but feel a little lonely. I’ve never really celebrated Christmas, not like other people. I haven’t had a real family to celebrate it with for so long, so I usually just spend it alone, reading or watching movies.
In my dreams, there’s a special person who comes over to my flat, and we watch those movies together. It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, You’ve Got Mail. And yes, that one’s already a Christmas classic, I don’t care who you are. Norah Ephron is a genius. Me and this special person will huddle up in the tiny bed in my room, wrapped up in each other while we watch, drinking warm muddled wine while the snow falls gently outside. It’s a nice dream, right?
I miss Lucy a lot right now, and I know this holiday must be hard for her, too. I just don’t have the time to fly to Toronto. Ziggy’s gone to spend time with her family. They don’t celebrate Christmas, instead it’s Ramadan for the month of December, and Eid al-fitr at the end.
So it’s just me in the flat, for now, listening to music and eating way too much chocolate and cookies. I’ve got the DVDs ready for the movie marathon, though. All you have to do is call.
Anyway, let’s talk about music before I get too off-course. I’ve been listening to Breathe Me by Australian singer Sia on repeat lately. It’s just such a gorgeous and heartbreaking song, and her voice is phenomenal. She hasn’t really hit the mainstream yet, but I have a feeling she’s going to be something special.
Be my friend, hold me
Wrap me up, enfold me
I am small and needy
Warm me up and breathe me
Maybe those lyrics feel a bit too poignant on a day like today, but what is music if not a mirror into ourselves?
Okay, let’s get a little more upbeat. The Kaiser Chiefs single I Predict a Riot is the perfect jam to get you in a better mood. This is a great British band from Leeds, just like Jim & Jules, and they’ve got a really murky, cool sound that still feels fun and lively. I’ve been blasting this song in the dark of the morning to get me moving until I’ve had that first, sweet coffee.
Arcade Fire have also released a new track from Funeral, which, if you’re not listening to that album in full, what are you doing with your life? This time it’s Wake Up, a song I cannot wait to hear live and listen to everyone in the crowd singing along with. The guitar riff is catchy and the chorus is epic. You’re gonna love it.
Finally, we’ve got Banquet by British band Bloc Party. This single is everywhere over here, and it deserves to be. Bloc Party have a unique sound that still feels at home in the indie rock world, and this song has got a beat that won’t let you down.
Turning away from the light
Becoming adult
Turning into myself
I wanted to bite not destroy
To feel her underneath
Turning into the light
I’ve got a feeling this band is gonna have a lot to show us in the coming years.
Well, it turns out I might have a visitor tonight to watch Christmas movies with me, so it’s time to sign off. Thanks for sticking with me, I know I’ve been a bit busier the last few months with the show, but I’m so happy you’re all loving it, even if they did end up calling it Today’s Tunes.
Whatever you celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful holiday, and I’ll see you in 2005!
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