….And I think to myself….what a wonderful world!

Lots of generous musicians have truly entered into the spirit of Christmas this week by deciding to give something back to those who’ve supported their music this year.

Bring on the cover versions!

Le Galaxie - Do They Know It’s Christmas
Juno Falls - White Christmas
Queen Kong - Twelve Days of Christmas

James O’Toole take note! Bats‘ EP Cruel Sea Scientist was released last week and spam-bulletins have been non-existent. Instead they post little bits and pieces of furry-faced fun, like this short’n’silly YouTube vid for the lovers of their their leather-winged thing. While you’re at it, check out their brand new website too. They do the art thing so well…

And while they ain’t gifts as such, Dark Room Notes want everyone to know that t-shirts will be available from their Whelans gig with Lauren Guillery and the Claws tomorrow night. 

Also tomorrow night: Death Via SantaClaus!

 In the meantime, tonight is the night when that frantic gig-spirit really kicks off fine-stylee. You can take your pic from any of these shows:

Belfast: Kowalski - Two Step, Polemics - Pavilion Bar
Dublin : Les Bien at The Hub, The Rags at the Button Factory, Lauren Guillery at The Globe, Redneck Manifesto at Whelans
Galway: Only Fumes and Corpses & The Ghostwood Project (GSPCA fundraiser) - DeBurgos. GiveAManAKick - Roisin Dubh
Limerick: Declan O’Rourke
Louth: Paddy Goodwin and the Holy Ghosts (Rape Crisis Centre fundraiser) - McHughs, Sankzkrit & Angel Pier - Spirit Store

 And on the note of Kowalski, who are planning the most extravagant extravaganza at their show tonight (horns, trumpets, choirs, guest vocalists and three drummers), I’ll leave you with their regal indie Christmas message from last year. They’ve promised to post regal indie Christmas message 2007 on the Big Day itself. So excuse yourself from Hot toddies and brandy butter on the premise of a nap (for Christmas day is aaaall about toddies, brandy and naps) and get your MySpace fix of the Seesaw funsters. 

Get a scooch on over to HotPress.com for the preliminary release of our brand-new Fall 0′7 Tisch Videos from Adela Meally, David Geraghty, Grand Pocket Orchestra and Noise Control. G’wan!

Murphy’s Live ‘08 have announced fourteen finalist bands:

Cork - My Evil Ex, Painting By Numbers, Setmaker and Chucklehead,
Dublin - Bravado, Superjimenez, Stagger Lee and Story of Hair,
Waterford - Gorbachov and Floyd Soul & The Wolf,
Limerick - Seneca and Walter Mitty and The Realists
Killarney - B-Movie Monster and Japan Four.

Chosen from a record-breaking 450 entries from around the country, covering a wide variety of musical genres, each band will now compete in regional heats to qualify for the semi-finals in April 2008. Selected local venues will also feature headline performances from Delorentos, Fight Like Apes, Future Kings of Spain, Giveamanakick, Fred, Ilya K and Ham Sandwich.

*image links undergoing temporary maintenance*

Niall of Ilya K - winners Murphys’ Live 2007

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Hooray for the Evil Harrisons, who’ve posted a lovely blog thanking everyone involved in making their Tisch video for A Pickle Like You. See it hereCan’t wait to see the others popping up in the days to come. I’ll keep you posted! It was SuperHotPressChristmasParty at The Bridge last night. Great food, wine, people you haven’t seen all year. We were booked until 2am and Gav brought along his decks so there was zilch time and phone credit wasted crossing the city in cabs. 

Christmas is definitely on the way when Tisch rolls around again. My first social assignment for HP was the 2005 premiere with videos from The Radio and Ham Sandwich. Now the event’s expanded into a twice-yearly showcase of transatlantic talent thanks to New York’s finest young directors coupled with a diverse array of Irish bands.

House of Cosy Cushions with director John Lamensdorf (rear centre)

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With a glut of gigs lined up to really chuck us into the swing of Christmas season proper, this’d be a fine place to start as your money goes towards Crumlin and Temple Street Children’s Hospitals. Relax! Your collection of Jem dolls is safe: this Thursday’s Bodytonic/Thumped gig is asking admission of €10 or a new, non-plush toy (unwrapped) and in return you’ll get be treated to divine rock vs rave DJ sets from the likes of Large Mound, Jim Carroll, Richie Jape and Johnny Moy. And with a line-up like that, it’s safe to say Shakin’ Stevens won’t get a look-in….