BIOGRAPHY
Vocalist Courtney Collins and multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Ylvisaker have teamed up with drummer J.T. Bates and bassist Michael Lewis to make "Welcome To Christmastown," a collection of mostly lesser-known holiday songs with a dreamy, indie rock/modern pop sound. The disc includes covers of seasonal songs by Neil Young, Low, and Vince Guaraldi, and songs from Rankin/Bass and Dr. Seuss holiday television specials. Standards such as "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" round out the recording.
Ylvisaker plays guitar with Andrew Bird and fronts his own rock outfit Alpha Consumer. Bates and Lewis, also of Alpha Consumer, are part of the Minneapolis-based jazz trio Fat Kid Wednesdays. Bates plays with The Pines, Face Candy (with Eyedea), and sometimes drums for "A Prairie Home Companion." Lewis is a multi-instrumentalist who plays with Dosh and Happy Apple. Collins has released a solo album and albums with her previous bands, all recorded by Ylvisaker. She has contributed music to the comedy series "Chad Vader," which she also produces.
"Welcome To Christmastown" was recorded by Micheal Larsen of the hip hop duo Eyedea & Abilities.
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