As we're sure you're aware, it's that time of year again, when everything seems a little brighter, a little busier and just a tad more festive. There are those who love the holiday season and those who don't, but everyone loves spending time with family and friends, though not necessarilly while listening to mind-numbing holiday music
To prove we're not just a bunch of humbugs, we'd like to turn your attention to a new Christmas single by the local indie pop band Old Tiger. Singer and guitarist Dustin Lothspeich actually contributes here at SoundDiego, and even though he's an extremely swell guy, we had no idea he had a thing for Christmas tunes until, without warning, he dropped the band's sugary single, "The Best Part of Christmas," on our earholes yesterday. [Listen to it here]
"I've always loved Christmas music," Lothspeich said. "As soon as it hits Dec. 1, I put that stuff on repeat. I've definitely driven my fair share of co-workers insane."
Needless to say, we're lucky he uses headphones at work now. While everyone's heard "Jingle Bell Rock" a jillion times, "The Best Part of Christmas" is a fresh slice of candy cane pie. It starts off unassumingly enough -- Lothspeich hams it up as an old-timey crooner, waxing poetic about carolers, the season of giving and "ribbons and bows." But out of the blue, the trio (also comprised of bassist Matt Phillips and drummer Eric Boone) busts into a joyous romp, complete with sleigh bells, organ and a bouncy surf beat.
"I think it has the feel of some of the classic R&B Christmas songs from the '60s," Phillips said. "The stuff that Phil Spector did with groups like the Ronettes is always my favorite."
Indeed, it's got an old-school sound -- similar to what we heard from the band on its 2013 San Diego Music Award-winning album, "Love Have Mercy." But the best part about "The Best Part of Christmas" (yeah, we did that), is that Old Tiger are donating every dollar made through the song's sales to the San Diego Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), a nonprofit that provides a "home away from home" for families with children being treated for serious, often life-threatening conditions at local hospitals.
According to Phillips, donating the proceeds to the RMHC was really the only route to go: "It is the season of giving. As a new dad, I can't think of any better way to give back than to help kids who are battling illness."
Good call, guys. Count us in too.
Be sure to visit the band's Bandcamp page to purchase the song, and contribute to a worthy cause.
