Playing the Holidays By Ear: Merry Everything and Happy Whatever To You and Yours

Zappagram 139: RIP Slim Dunlap and Alfa Anderson, Prince, The Clash, Thievery Corporation, Massive Attack, Bonnie Raitt, Melvins, and much more...

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Is it just me, or does this holiday season feel…weird?

I don’t know if it’s the chaos of the world, the exhaustion that comes from being alive in 2024, or just the collective burnout we’re all carrying around like so much check-on luggage, but something about this year feels far less festive—like maybe the holiday spirit forgot to RSVP. I hope you’re feeling differently—festive af even! Maybe you’re drowning in eggnog and twinkly lights, bopping along to The Chipmunks Christmas Album, and fully embracing the season.

I couldn’t bring myself to compile a holiday playlist this year, and let’s be honest—most of us are over holiday music by now anyway, or we will be in a couple more days, right? Plus, how many covers of “Jingle Bells” do we really need to hear? I think we’re good.

So instead of forcing the cheer, I want to take a moment to thank every single one of you who has stuck with Zappagram, reading every week, sharing incredible music, and generously sup…