Christmas time is upon us! To celebrate the season this year, I brought together talented musician friends Alexander MacNeil (Alexander and the Great Ones), Andriana Chobot and Chris Blades (Birds of Bellwoods) to form The Christmas Gang and asked past guests of the show to contribute a Christmas song of their choosing (us gangsters did a song each as well). Sit in on the Gang as we hear those songs for the first time, reacting in real time and bantering our little hearts out. Also featuring skits, totally authentic ads for definitely real products that absolutely exist (for sure!), and there might even be a seasonal poem in there. Best listened to while sipping your favorite holiday beverage in front of a roaring fire, while cooking a beautiful holiday meal or while driving down snow-covered lanes on your way to nowhere because holiday travel is off the table this year folks! C'mon, say goodbye to this year with us in style--you shan't regret it.

Featuring music by Eric George and Nina Szenasi, Honey Badgers, Hillary Capps, Amelie Bouffard, Jon MacAulay, Harrison Hsiang from Couchsleepers, Alexander MacNeil, Cricket Blue, Joe Diaco, Chris Blades from Birds of Bellwoods, Izra Fitch and Andriana Chobot.

Egg nog not included.

That's right, folks: it's December. Time to deck the halls with boughs of holly, don some gay apparel and all that seasonal goodness! And what better way to celebrate "the most wonderful time of the year" than with a Christmas special produced by your favorite music podcast?

No better way exists. I've checked.

That's right. Announcing the Very Quarter Rest Christmas Special Radio Hour and Fireside Chat, the music podcast Christmas special that sends your ears on Christmas vacation... with full pay!

Tune in on December 20th for music, merriment, cups of good cheer and all the holly you can eat! Which isn't much.

I've checked. Holly does not digest well, I do NOT recommend eating holly.

Partner is a Polaris Prize shortlister Canadian power trio that brings the rock. We talked about their new album, the music of Rush (RIP Neil Peart) and awkward encounters in the gym class changing room. You'll laugh, you'll cry... Partner delivers the goods.

In which I gloat cacophonously.

NYC denizen Hillary Capps makes pop music that's as inspired by her jazz vocal background as it is by the sounds coming from the radio. We talked about the Big Apple, the challenges of releasing new music in 2020 and listen to some songs from her new album, The Way Back Home, available today on your favorite streaming platform!

VOTE!

Nova Scotian Izra Fitch makes indie pop music so dynamic you can shake a stick at it. She joined me to talk about motorcycle helmets, movies, pop music and more movies. Featuring Izra's debut single "The Hollywood Kids."

Jon MacAulay is a singer/songwriter and guitar player from the Eastern Townships of Quebec, soon to be a mainstay of the Calgary scene. We talked about Americana music, jazz guitar and the blue eyes of Frank Sinatra.

An important message from the Quarter Rest bunker deep in the earth's crust.

The Honey Badgers is a folk duo from Newark, Delaware with a sound as sweet--and wild--as their woodland namesake. Erin and Michael joined me to discuss the non-stop thrill-ride that is Delaware, managing life as musical collaborators who also happen to be married, and the ultimate gigging controversy: wineries vs. coffee shops.