The Holiday Season has crept up on us, and it’s moving quickly! We didn’t want to waste any time getting some great Canadian Holiday music out to you!
Here is a look at this year’s newly released music that is sure to get you into the Christmas spirit. Add these songs to your tree-trimming playlists, get your holiday parties going, or simply enjoy with friends and your favorite festive drink.
Reeny Smith
Award-winning Canadian R&B/Soul artist Reeny Smith has just released her first-ever Christmas EP, Where You At Santa?, on November 18, 2022.
With the title track “Where You At Santa?”, Smith seamlessly weaves Christmas magic into the groove of the upbeat, satirical, and soulful song, blending elements of Jazz, Soul, Ragtime, and R&B to implore Santa to stop by her house. Moving away from the common theme of keeping misbehaving children in line during the holidays, the artist cheekily confesses to being a mischievous adult who believes Santa should still be paying her a visit. Filled with stunning harmonies, out-of-this-world vocal runs, and energetic instrumentation, “Where You At Santa?” is a perfectly textured and easily addictive modern Christmas tune.
Connect with Reeny Smith:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Stars
Stars release their wistful 2022 holiday single, “Christmas Anyway,” exclusively for Bandcamp Friday for a ‘pay-what-you can’ price on November 4, 2022. In the holiday spirit, the group will split the track’s proceeds with the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, which provides
The band offers these sentiments about the song,
“In a world where the algorithm (and other horrible things) has made us all feel further apart, going home for the holidays isn’t easy for everyone. What is it about these days that makes us feel we have to go home to face the loved ones we simply cannot ever be at peace with? We have no idea, but we do know that sometimes a simple song can get you through at least a few minutes of holiday hell. We hope this one does that for you. We love you all. Merry Christmas.” -xo stars
The band continues on The Christmas Anyway Tour, with three Canadian dates remaining. On the tour, they partnered with PLUS1, an organization that allocates $1 from every ticket sale to be put towards charity. For the Canadian shows, the band has again chosen the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal. For the shows in the USA, the funds will go towards the NOISE FOR NOW Reproductive Health Access Fund, which supports grassroots organizations working tirelessly throughout the USA to provide and protect our Reproductive Rights.
November 30, 2022 – Waterloo, ON – Maxwells
December 1, 2022 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
December 2, 2022 – Montreal, QC – Theatre Fairmount
Connect with Stars:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
David Myles
No stranger to holiday collections, David Myles steps into the studio with his dream crew of musicians from his award-winning album That Tall Distance and his most recent 15th studio album It’s Only A Little Loneliness to record a beautiful new rendition of “Silver Bells” (turtlemusik).
“There’s just nothing as fun as singing a classic Christmas song;” says David. “The melodies are so strong and that’s why they stand the test of time. “Silver Bells” is that for me. I find it a particularly interesting one as well because it feels less like a jazz song, like many of the other standards, and more like a country song. I tried to tap into my inner Jim Reeves on this one.”
Connect with David Myles:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Alex Whorms
Canadian artist Alex Whorms is a prolific singer-songwriter and professional screen composer who has scored multiple television and film soundtracks throughout her career.
With her skillful ability to craft words and music that captivate audiences with honesty, imagery, and authenticity, Alex has just released a brand new, nostalgic holiday single dedicated to her family titled “Christmas Morning.”
Warm and inviting, the video for “Christmas Morning” distinctly personifies the song’s heartfelt lyrics by bringing both Alex’s memories and imagined moments from the song to life. Teaming up with Canadian director Jason Lin and cinematographer Raymond Tuquero and filmed in her childhood home, the music video invites viewers along as the artist flips through family photo albums, sets out milk and cookies for Santa, and performs the cinematic ballad on the piano. With incredible attention to detail, the video opens with the glow and crackle of the fireplace. It features several personal mementos, including actual VHS footage of Alex’s family from Christmases past. With both a passion for and extensive experience in the film industry herself, the video came together with the generous support of the Hamilton film community, who provided many pieces of vital production equipment that helped complete the project. Notably, the video was partially filmed at night. Yet, the video glows as if it was filmed in the early morning light through the incredible expertise of the crew and the combination of lighting styles, blackout curtains, and intentional reflecting of light. A beautiful and comforting visual indulgence in the feeling of warmth and gratitude that Christmas morning provides, Alex’s elegant and graceful video for the song flawlessly sparks her favourite memories in the imagination of the viewer.
Connect with Alex Whorms:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
Avery Raquel
Billboard charting alternative soul artist Avery Raquel rings in the holiday season with her independently released single, “Christmas Isn’t Christmas (Without You Here).” Inspired by classic Christmas songs, the single takes traditional jazz-influenced harmonies and places them over contemporary rhythms with a modern R&B production intertwined into one dazzling piece of music. Raquel cleverly comprises a track with lyrics that fans can visualize and feel across all senses, from snowflakes falling and the warmth of a fire to twinkling lights glistening on the tree and the smell of hot cocoa. The multi-talented singer-songwriter proves that Christmas would not be Christmas without this festive song added to your playlist.
Connect with Avery Raquel:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Jerry Leger
Singer-songwriter Jerry Leger releases a two-song collection of holiday tunes via Latent Recordings. His debut original, “Christmas Without You,” highlights the beauty of this time of the year, as well as the melancholic side as he sings, “For how will I ever get through, Another Christmas without you.” And then Jerry and his band kick up a rowdy rendition of The Kinks’ iconic holiday single “Father Christmas.” Listen to both of the songs here. On December 23rd, Jerry will join the Skydiggers for their annual Toronto Holiday show at the Danforth Music Hall. Tickets are available here.
“Christmas Without You is a song about missing a loved one during the holidays, which I think most of us can relate to,” says Jerry. “I know this time of year brings back many joyful but bittersweet memories. For me, I find these kinds of songs comforting.”
Connect with Jerry Leger
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Nikki Yanofsky
Nikki Yanofsky has shared her lively and jazzy versions of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Marshmallow World.”
With this release, Nikki gives new life to classics that have been loved for years and does so with history in mind. Songwriter, Hugh Martin, co-wrote “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” which Judy Garland then made famous in 1944, and “Marshmallow World,” written by Carl Sigman and Peter De Rose, was first recorded by Bing Crosby in 1950. To capture the rich history behind these holiday staples, Nikki recorded to tape on an old ribbon mic. The cover was photographed on old film, creating a truly retro experience. Nikki again co-produced these Christmas covers with Paul Shrofel; this time, Shrofel adds soft and tasteful piano accompaniment.
Connect with Nikki Yanofsky:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Goodnight Sunrise
Do you hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting, tingling too? Duh, of course! They’ve been jingling since November 1st. In the spirit of the holidays, one of Toronto’s hottest rock duos, Goodnight Sunrise, released a new pop-punk holiday banger, “Single All The Way.” Contrary to every popular rom-com movie or the many renditions of “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” the single is an ode to the joys of being single during the holiday season. Think about it… more Christmas cookies and mulled wine just for you – no sharing required!
Vanessa Vakharia (vocals, keytar) explains her love for Christmas music saying,
“To me, Christmas is a feeling. It’s about twinkly lights, being kind, magical moments, hot drinks and all things cozy! Christmas music is the soundtrack to some of the most magical moments of the year. It’s a glimmer of joy during a time when everything is cold and frozen. The sonic landscape for when we gather, do nice things for strangers, hug and laugh with each other. It has been a lifelong dream to write an original Christmas song and finally, this year, I convinced David (vocals, guitar) to make my dream come true.”
Connect with Goodnight Sunrise:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Celeigh Cardinal
Award-winning artist Celeigh Cardinal shares her debut holiday original, “Christmas Letter to My Friends.”
Co-written and co-produced with her bandmate Brennan Cameron, the new single sparkles with a timeless quality inspired by Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, and Nat King Cole.
“Crooning Christmas songs has always been my favourite style of music to sing;” says Celeigh. “It was only natural that the first Christmas song I wrote would have a vintage sound because we adored all the reminiscent ballads like “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “The Chrismas Song” at the Cardinal home.“
This song also touches on the more challenging parts of the holidays.
“Christmas isn’t easy for everyone. For anyone who has lost a loved one, or isn’t close with their family, holidays can actually be really tough;” shares Celeigh. “I wanted to create a song that included the stories of people we don’t often hear about in Christmas songs. Folks who have chosen families, folks who are grieving, folks who prefer plants over people, folks who are single… The line “Life does bewilder, no matter the season” speaks to the contradictory feelings we can have while celebrating. Grief changes over time, but never disappears completely and is present within every celebration. However, my line “that you will always call on me, for any reason” is the reminder that we can still lean on the ones we’ve chosen to be in our lives.”
Connect with Celeigh Cardinal:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Monique Angele
With the sound of sleigh bells just around the corner, Canadian-Australian singer-songwriter, Monique Angele brings a message of hope and joy to those who may need it most this Christmas, with her single “Sing Together On Christmas.”
“Christmas is a time where we all want to be together, sing together and love one another. Through difficult times we should all try to love one another and care for each other.”
Produced and mixed by Sean Peter O’Sullivan from Highway 9 Productions and mastered by Joseph Carra from Crystal Mastering, ‘Sing Together On Christmas’ was written during one of the many and long Covid-19 lockdowns within Melbourne, Australia. Monique’s mother had been asking her to write a Christmas song for many years, and feeling distant throughout lockdowns, provided the deep and reflective inspiration to write.
“I wrote it during the time I did because it felt right, and the writing process just came out naturally. I usually always write my songs when I’m feeling something very deeply, some kind of emotion or I get inspired by something. The lyrics came first because I was thinking about how I truly felt about Christmas and especially during the pandemic. I was trying to portray a song that was happy and hopeful yet sad at the same time.”
Connect with Monique Angele:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok