This year, OC/LB bands have come together to provide us with a smokin' holiday soundtrack called the White Elephant Mix. Melancholic synth-soul project Melanoid performs “I'll Be Home for Christmas” as a straightforwardly pretty and sad ballad, dressed up with some swirly keyboard and synth-string accompaniment.
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Melanoid main man John Hanson employs his aching tenor to great effect on beautifully bummed-out lyrics like “I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.” It's a fitting cover by an artist who can capture the yearning for togetherness that lies at the heart of all great holiday music.
Don't fret, you'll be covered with Christmas cheer as you listen to our twelve local artists belt their hearts out here.
OC Weekly: What's the best gift you've ever gotten?
My first acoustic guitar–it was a Takamine, and I still have it.
What do you want from Santa this year?
A new laptop, which won't be happening.
What do you love most about the holiday season?
The weather and the lights on all the houses.
Were you naughty or nice this year?
Naughty.
Why did you pick this song? What's so special about it?
This song was originally recorded by Bing Crosby during World War II in 1943. I have always loved this Christmas song because it is not about snow men, reindeer or Santa Clause. This song is about a man who is longing to be with his family during the Christmas time. Anyone who has been far away from a loved one during Christmas time can relate to this–but this song really pulls on the heart strings of soldiers who can't be with their families, and have a fear of possibly never returning home. It's a sad, but beautiful song.
What's your favorite Christmas memory?
My family used to gather at this beach house in Oceanside. I have some great memories of my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents all hanging out together. They had these old-school kick scooters that we used to ride around town and wreak havoc on.
