Michael Kiwanuka
Winner of the Mercury 2020 award and companion of a secret band de an Sault year
It’s been such a good year for my album, but it feels so weird saying that. Mercury ‘s win in September was fantastic, of course, but to think in January I was in America for four weeks, and at the Brits in February… that feels like another world now.
I have learned to stop waiting for things to return to normal, and try to be creative in the situation we are in. I’ve done some new things like a revised version of 13th Century Metal in Brittany, and a song for Steve McQueen’s The Small Ax films. I did something on the first Sault album and was asked to do something for the new one, but I couldn’t get down there – and no, I’m not going to tell you who they are!
I have also learned to be grateful. God, I would complain about stuff in the studio. If I ever complain again I have told the people I work with that they will slap me! The complaints of Black Lives Matter were so great too. It felt hard to process, and being on social media, I knew I had to say something [Kiwanuka’s long 4 June post was widely praised]. There is a pressure there that is sad. The motion has allowed us to talk about things, however, involving a lot of things that I would be closing in on, and I’m happy with that.
Christmas for me has always been about slowing down, and not knowing the day, which is very strange this year, because that’s how our lives are have been for months! I’ve always loved Christmas movies, though, so there will be a lot of those. I used to watch Am Muppet Christmas Carol all year round as a child. If we are with my wife ‘s family in the north east, there will be lots of country walks with our dog, Whiskey. If we are with me, there will be lots of food: turkey, stuffing, pigs in blankets, but also goat curry and chapatis. No one can move after that.
Kiwanuka is out now on Polydor
Michael Kiwanuka Christmas Playlist
1. Donny Hathaway This Christmas
The sound of his voice is what Christmas should feel like.
2. Laura Marling Greetings from England (covered in snow)
Laura takes you easy for those long, comfortable days.
3. Sim & Garfunkel 7 O’Clock News / Silent Night
After a year of heavy news, Silent Night with the news broadcasts feels okay.
4. Sufjan Stevens We need a little Christmas
It’s hard to make cool, modern Christmas songs, but Sufjan knows how.
5. Marvin Gaye Purple avalanche
I didn’t know about this until a few years ago, and I have no idea about it, but I still love it!
6. John Lennon & Yoko Ono Happy Xmas (War is over)
Because you have to.
7. Johnny Cash Little boy drummer
It looks like Santa Claus here!
8. PJ Morton I’ll be home for Christmas
He is a Maroon 5 keyboard player, but also a solo artist. This is from his new Christmas album, which already feels classic.
9. Isaac Hayes Mistletoe time and yours
The artist who taught me more than anyone else to embrace the freedom of my music.
10. Stevie Wonder Someday at Christmas time
Young Stevie is so healthy. This will make me discover the white wine.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
A pop star whose family’s Instagram kitchen discos have been hugely successful
Christmas is usually very cunning with the children [Ellis-Bextor and partner Richard Jones have five sons between 16 and one]. Of course Christmas is going to be different this year, but we will be a family of seven, whatever. I used to get a lot of stress on Christmas as a kid because my parents separated when I was four, so I was always moving between houses on my own. He recovered when they remarried and had other children. Christmas is a season with us now, not a day, and of course there will be music and dancing.
Making kitchen discos helped me a lot through locking down. It was very comfortable to get to Friday night after a week of heavy news and home education, then put on makeup, a dress and some music, and have a community share that online. It became valuable very quickly, but I have also been very immune to what it represents. It’s about family and taking a place for us all away from the stress of stress. Of course, I can’t wait for the Christmas one.
On Christmas Day itself we can all see him going. Even the 11-year-olds and 16-year-olds still want their socks. Richard and I have had a great time making a big deal – starting with buck fizz and smoked salmon – although he may have put a playlist on it about five times before we ready, which will make me sick. My favorite Christmas music is at one move from the saccharine. I love another world about it, that takes you to a different, special place.
Songs from The Kitchen Disco are out now on Cooking Vinyl
Sophie Ellis-Bextor Christmas playlist
1. Ella Fitzgerald What are you doing on Hogmanay?
The perfect, smoky, romantic and seductive song at Christmas time.
2. Ed Harcourt The way I live
It’s not an obvious Christmas song but it feels like “buying for gifts in the snow”. It was used in the Burberry Christmas ad so they agree with me.
3. Kate and Anna McGarrigle The first was born
I sang this with the Wainwrights at their big Christmas show last year. A beautiful song about a son born first, so Jesus loves him, perhaps.
4. Joni Mitchell River
A few videos of Snoopy skating with this on an online frozen lake, which makes it timeless, romantic and wintry.
5. The feeling Feels like Christmas
A great Christmas song by my husband’s band which includes one of my favorite Christmas song verses: “feels like Christmas… and baby I’m not even religious”.
6. Harold Darke In the Midwinter Bleak
Not the one you learned in school with Christina Rossetti and Holst, but the other weird one. It’s catchy and is part of witchcraft folklore.
7. Martha Wainwright Mary had a child
A traditional song that Martha makes sexy. Sexy Christmas is very hard to achieve.
8. The Jacksons I saw Mum kissing Santa Claus
His message is very dubious, but this is the best version.
9. East Side 17 Wait Another Day
For the sleigh bells and white-hooded parkas in the video.
10. Anndra Williams This is the most amazing time of the year
To play when it all goes bonkers. Play this loud, grit your teeth and grin.
Tim Burgess
Indie veteran who Twitter listening parties were very popular this year
Last Christmas was my last one with my dad, who died in April [after a long illness]. I was very fortunate to have spent his last days with him in a separate section of his care home, with all warnings taken. I only started my Twitter listening parties then, but they became so important to me. They kept me focused, which was great, especially after days of trying and not always going to my seven – year – old son ‘s home school.
I’ve come to realize that listening parties is about more than just listening to a record. They have become a safe haven on Twitter for many people, away from the sound of the news. To be able to connect with the people who made those records you loved, and ask them to tell you things about them as you listen, also feels powerful right now. Music has comforted so many of us this year. The New Order and the Prefab Sprout ones were particularly emotional for me.
As for Christmas, my son has been talking about it since his birthday – which is in May – so this year will be good, I think. And of course the music will go on.
Tim Burgess’ new EP Ascent of the Ascended is out now on Bella’s Union
Tim Burgess Christmas Playlist
1. Crass Christmas
My first favorite band, which I saw live in a scout booth when I was 13. There’s nothing like hearing Jingle Bells and Crass songs on Bontempi.
2. Cat power Merry Christmas
I saw her live so much when I was living in LA [for 12 years until 2011], and I am so much a fan. Her voice here is excellent.
3. Dan Hicks and his hot Licks Carol of the Bells
A very strange, very strange version of the song, both funny and beautiful.
4. Trio Vince Guaraldi Linus and Lucy
I play Charlie Brown ‘s Christmas records every year, which is very sad. This is one of the happiest!
5. Lee Marvin Wand’rin star
Elegant, unexpected croon. I have this on a seven-inch along with it in a candle light covered with a cowboy hat.
6. Basement 5 Last White Christmas
A guttural Christmas song, post-punk by Dennis Morris, who would take pictures of the Sex Pistols, produced by Martin Hannett, performed by Joy Division and Buzzcocks.
7. Bob Dylan It must be Santa
Bob is the original actor. This is up there with Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands for me!
8. Lou Reed Xmas in February
Christmas with my all-time favorite celebrity bite.
9. Chris Rea Driving home for Christmas
Because if a push came to fire, this is my favorite Christmas song.
10. Saint Etienne and Tim Burgess I was born on Christmas Day
Doing this forward Top of the Pops the better. This song is still such a big part of my life.