It is a truth universally acknowledged – to paraphrase Jane Austen – that Christmas gets earlier every year. So in the world of the blogger, that means that end of year lists get earlier (and there’s still albums I’ve been trying to get around to hear) and Christmas submissions get earlier.

I’ve always enjoyed Christmas music, and have featured a lot over the years the blog has been running. It’s great to get new pieces – so I will start off this year’s post with one that dropped into my inbox this week : Girl Ray’s ‘(I Wish I Were Giving You A Gift) This Christmas.’

…and just for fun, their version of The Waitresses’ ‘Chrisrmas Wrapping’ as well, which dates from last year.

The band will be on tour again in 2018:

10 April – Bristol, Thekla
11 April – Nottingham, Bodega
12 April – Hebden Bridge, Trades Club
13 April – Glasgow, Art School, Glasgow
15 April – Middlesbrough, Wegarth Social Club
16 April – Sheffield, The Leadmill
17 April – Manchester, Deaf Institute
18 April – London, Heaven
19 April – Brighton, The Haunt

Finally, it goes without saying that Girl Ray’s debut album is out now and is really rather good.