Guest blog: Thomas Western

Having recently moved north to Scotland and immersed himself in the Edinburgh music scene, singer-songwriter Thomas Western looks back on his year and talks about the kind of seasonal songs that strike the right note...

It is widely accepted that the notion that different musics can be said to belong to either 'high' or 'low' culture is outdated. Yet there may be something left in this concept that emerges at this 'most wonderful time of the year'. Before I elucidate, I better explain that I am writing from a non-religious but happy to celebrate Christmas nonetheless perspective; for family togetherness and all that.

Commercial Christmas music is largely unavoidable to some degree. It has the same intrusive character as the music that emanates from those kilt shops on Nicolson Street the rest of the year: an aural interloper, an unwelcome guest.

This is why my favourite yuletide music comes in the form of carols. To reiterate, not for their religious content, but for the purity of sound, the harmony, the goodness that shines forth from them in the season that often sees us at our most debased, debauched, and of insectoid deportment. 'The Holly and the Ivy', 'In the Bleak Midwinter', and 'Coventry Carol' are beacons, exposing the crudeness of their pop counterparts, and for me, providing that inner-warmth that we associate with Christmas, but in reality can be hard to find for those of us who don't believe.

I don't ordinarily go in for such elitism, but Christmas pop is usually pretty low.

Speaking of Low, however, gives a good example of how a middle ground has been reached. The band's 1999 Christmas record is great. The covers, original songs, and their arrangement of 'Silent Night' all capture the seasonal sadness, without the sham goodwill of tin-pan tripe, or the didacticism that comes with more overtly Christian carols. Sufjan Stevens fits the bill too, and provides good proof that it is possible to write good pop songs about Christmas (see 'Sister Winter', 'Put the Lights on the Tree', and 'That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!').



Such melancholy flies nicely in the face of forced festive goodwill, which for me is one of the more irksome yuletide gestures. Our moral compasses should point toward kindness and generosity throughout the year, not just when the Coca-Cola adverts appear, and we are allowed to drink glühwein during the day.

For me personally, this Christmas feels special in the sense that it is my first in Scotland. I have hugely enjoyed my first few months in Edinburgh, and would like to thank Ruth from the Bowery and Michael from Jesus H. Foxx for welcoming me with such warmth to a fine music scene. Also thanks to Matthew, Dylan, Jason & Stevie. Ta very much.

The album will be finished in the New Year, and I look forward to more musical good times in 2010.

Thomas Western: Plough


Thomas Western: Your Front Door