Bandcamp Friday - SRN Aotearoa Xmas Recommendations

Summer's here and the final Bandcamp Friday for 2022 arrives today, wrapping up an unforgettable twelve months in Aotearoa that future historians are sure to puzzle over with furrowed brow. For our final SRN x UTR Bandcamp Friday feature of the year we've decided to shake up our monthly format with a very special CHRISTMAS EDITION. We've invited Student Radio Network representatives to highlight some of their personal favourite local Xmas / festive / summer / related / whatever jams (new or older) to start the silly season right and get the ball rolling for Bandcamp Friday. The online music platform will waive their revenue share on all artists' music and merch sales from 9pm NZST tonight, until 9pm NZST on Saturday (handy countdown clock HERE) — support local artists and get amongst.

Sharing their festive-themed selections are reps from Radio One 91FM, Radio Control 99.4FM, Radio Active 88.6FM, RDU 98.5FM and 95bFM. On top of these options, be sure to check out the impeccably curated and diverse buyaotearoa wishlist, and of course dive into Bandcamp's New Zealand tag page HERE for more to the minute local music discoveries...

'A Wonderful Christmastime' - Lucky Boy^

A wonderfully haunted and f**ked up version of the song originally by Paul McCartney and Wings. Every classic chord is warped and bent out of shape, and a few great guitar chords are chucked in the middle. Like the eggnog-and-pastry residue that builds up in the corners of your grandfather's mouth on Christmas day, it is both gross and oddly charming. — Liam Donnelly, RDU 98.5FM Programme Manager & Host of RDU's Burnt Breakfast, Ōtautahi / Christchurch

'Jesus Christ' - Brian Tamaki and the Kool​-​Aid Kids

Cover of Big Star's Christmas classic from their 1978 "3rd" album by Christchurch band Brian Tamaki and the Kool-Aid Kids. This cover defies the odds by being terrible and great at the same time. DISCLAIMER: This is not the Brian Tamaki, just another person called Brian Tamaki. — Liam Donnelly, RDU 98.5FM Programme Manager & Host of RDU's Burnt Breakfast, Ōtautahi / Christchurch

No Xmas For John Key - compilation (2014)

This Yuletide season, while you try to clean your BBQ and work out your best excuse as to why you won’t wear that Christmas sweater your mother knitted for you 5 years ago, why not take a break and jam on No Xmas For John Key. This 2014 compilation [a different one to the 2016 compilation featured above — Ed.]  is full of cheer and joy, from Strange Harvest's cold-wave to cool you down from the summer heat, to Michael Cathro (Ha The Unclear) reminding us what Christmas is all about — drunken fights and commercialism, there's something off everyone's stocking. — Jamie Green, Radio One 91FM Breakfast Host & Producer, Ōtepoti / Dunedin

'Best Wishes' - Pixie Williams

This song was recorded at TANZA studios, just around the corner from Radioactive.FM and is now the home to Field and Green restaurant in Wellington. I'm fortunate to have interviewed Pixie's daughter Amelia Costello which was a very memorable conversation about a beautiful slice of Aotearoa music history. — Maggie Tweedie, Radio Active 88.6FM Breakfast Host, Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington

'Pretty Paper' - Tami Nielson

Another song that pulls on the heart strings and proves Tami has long been devoted to the music of Willie Nelson. A song full of empathy and aroha for those who struggle at Christmas... all Bandcamp proceeds from this song are donated to the Auckland City Mission ['Pretty Paper' is available for purchase HERE] — Maggie Tweedie, Radio Active 88.6FM Breakfast Host, Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington

'I Don’t Know What To Get You For Christmas (Do I Really Love You?)' - Hans Pucket

As Hans Pucket get set to take on the world touring their INCREDIBLE new album No Drama, what better time is there to harken back to their supremely pretty and characteristically sincere contemporary Christmas ballad 'I Don’t Know What To Get You For Christmas (Do I Really Love You?)'. This one’s really got me in the feels as I rack my brains for the perfect office Secret Santa present. I’d suggest this and / or the aforementioned No Drama as the ideal Chrimbo gift for the love in your life. — Josh Dominikovich, Radio Active 88.6FM Breakfast Producer, Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington

Welcomer EP - Welcomer

The much anticipated self-titled EP by Te Whanganui-a-Tara misty emo pop group Welcomer is finally here! Cop this album, they spent all their next album's budget on their Christmas party, Let's help them out for next years! — Anna Fairweather, Radio Control 99.4FM (Events and General Legend), Te Papaioea / Palmerston North

'CiTy RePPa' feat. Samir - Club Tremaine

Who needs a Christmas parade when the legend that is Samir (aka Decktrick) is giving you a guided tour of the CBD, ending up at the family institution that is Princess Street McDonald's. — Anna Fairweather, Radio Control 99.4FM (Events and General Legend), Te Papaioea / Palmerston North

'Marie Te Po!' - Lucky Boy

A gorgeous te reo version of classic Christmas carol 'Silent Night'. Immediately puts you in the sleepy, summery Christmas mindset and conveys everything I love about Christmas in Aotearoa. Also, More! Shreds! In! Christmas! Carols! Plz! — Zoë Larsen Cumming, 95bFM Breakfast Producer, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland

'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' - The Beths

There’s something really special about Christmas songs that feel unique to Aotearoa when we’re so often listening to classics about snow covered fields and fires (which don’t get me wrong, I’m very into) when it’s muggy as hell outside. That’s why I love this cover of 'Have Yourself A Merry Christmas' by The Beths. It feels like it’s just for us while still being warm and familiar. — Zoë Larsen Cumming, 95bFM Breakfast Producer, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland

'Xmas Sux' - Thee Golden Geese

Looking for the perfect song to listen to as you storm down to the pub after a Christmas-eve family argument? Your rock uncles Thee Golden Geese have your back with their furious festive rager ‘Xmas Sux’. Pop in your headphones and power-walk it off mate. — Rachel Ashby, 95bFM Breakfast Host, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland

'Unholy Night' - Louisa Nicklin

Move over Joni Mitchell ‘cos Louisa Nicklin’s got the festive blues covered with her empathetic ballad ‘Unholy Night’, full of existential pondering and general world anxiety. Who needs a river to skate away on when you've got a Toyota Corolla to lug your Christmas Tree home? — Rachel Ashby, 95bFM Breakfast Host, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland