12/15/2013 

THE 209 & FRIENDS XMAS COMPILATION TAPE IS HERE ! ! !                       

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HARDWORK & PATIENCE, XMAS TEAM. WE ARE PROUD 2 PRESENT THE 209 & FRIENDS XMAS COMPILATION 2013 ! HO HO HO. 

Special Shouts out to the contributors that I wasn't able to blog about due to time constraints:

Monster Treasure 

Andres Avalos   

Ryan Muok

& Santa Claus

FREE DOWNLOADS & $5 CASSETTES AVAILABLE NOW! 

CLICK HERE > MERRYXMAS209.BANDCAMP.COM  

STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES IN THE DAYS 2 COME.

 12/13/2013 

  XMAS ALERT ! : MLTD - Heartbroken For The Holidays     

  "...MLTD Is Sad..."  

Xmas Countdown! Only a couple more days until The 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation Tape is revealed! Trust me, you're gonna wanna check this compilation out. Especially now that we have received a top grade contribution from none other than Stockton Ca's own, MLTD band! 

MLTD (pronounced "Melted") is a four piece music band led by Logan Arthur Wells. The group features Jose Mesa on skins, Jacob Porta on bass guitar & Nick Coleman on lead shred. What an all star line up! These are four young rockers that we are delighted to finally see out in the streets ripping up local music shows, etc. 

MLTD has been building up hype over the course of the last year w/ their safely guarded debut EP which is soon to be released via cassette in collaboration w/ Antonio G.'s 
40 PROOF Tape Label. 

So far MLTD have only released one single (Sunday), which can be heard here: 

MLTD SUNDAY 

So technically, the release of MLTD's Xmas chiller, Heartbroken For The Holidays, on The 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation will be the 2nd ever release by the group in the history of time. Wow. What an honor! Ho Ho. I hope U Xmas freaks R as excited for a 2nd dose of MLTD's infectious jingle pop as I am!

Heartbroken For The Holidays is a forlorn tale of Ho Ho Heartbreak accompanied by a cool & dreary pop compostion. Coleman really shines on this recording, undoubtedly asserting himself as the master shredder behind MLTD(Check out his solo)! You can take a listen to MLTD's jingle pop masterpiece, Heartbroken For The Holidays come December 15th 2013 via The 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation Tape Official Bandcamp Website, which will be revealed to you as a gift on the aforementioned date. 

 Stay Tune HOGH HOGH 

 12/12/2013 

 XMAS INSPIRATION + SOME NEWS 4 U 

Hey, Gang! Only a couple days left 'til The 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation Tape makes it's web debut! Sorry I haven't posted any new Xmas artist features. Been kinda busy lately. Expect some exciting news about Stockton group MLTD's brand new Xmas Single tomorrow! In the meantime, here's a little inspiration for you. Ho Ho Merry X. 



 Stay Tuned Ho 

 12/10/2013 

  XMAS ALERT ! : VANN MASVIDAL -  AULD LANG SYNE    

  ...Ho Ho From 45 Minutes North...  

Hey, Xmas fans! Big news! Only 5 more days 'til you can wrap your ears around the entirety of The 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation! While this is exciting news, it also means that we will only be accepting submissions for 5 more days... So get your submissions in! 

Sacramento CA's Vann Masvidal wasted no time sending his submission in along with a cheerful & merry electronic mail! Thanks, Vann! We are delighted to include Masvidal's excellent cover of the traditional Scottish classic, Auld Lang Syne! 

While Auld Lang Syne is a tune more synonymous w/ the New Year, Masvidal's noble interpretation reminds us that the ushering in of things to come is an important part of the Ho Ho Spirit that we must always remember. This slow building orchestra of reckless, lo-fidelity layers hone in on sonics reminiscent of Spector's Wall of Sound, all the while maintaining a carefree, Ho Ho edge. A must hear for fans of Traditional Scottish folk songs as well as devotees to hard hitting, home recorded blasters.

You can hear Masvidal's masterful interpretation of Auld Lang Syne for yourself come December 15th 2013 via The 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation Tape Official Bandcamp Website, which will be revealed to you as a gift on the aforementioned date. 

 STAY TUNE 4 UPDATES & XMAS COUNTDOWN 

 12/9/2013 

  XMAS ALERT ! : ABSOLUT RED AKA LUCA LOVISETTO - XMAS97  

...XMAS97...

The 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation society is proud to welcome Bologna Italy's Absolut Red to the Xmas family! Singer/Song writer Luca Lovisetto penned the beautifully nostalgic, XMAS97 2 be featured on this year's compilation. Welcome aboard, Luca! I've enlisted the aide of our over seas correspondent, Sam Regan to help introduce & preach 2 you a little bit about Lovisetto & Absolut Red. Check out Sam's insightful analysis below!
--------------------------------------------------------

  Absolut Red by Sam Regan  

ATTN! HISTORY IS IN THE MAKING! For the first time EVER, we here at Ho Ho Inc. have received an international submission to the annual "209 and Friends Xmas Cassette Compilation." Luca Lovisetto, singer and guit. player of the top-notch Italian scorchers Absolut Red, whipped up this christmas classic "Xmas 97," abandoning Red's usual high energy No-Wave sound on this haunting, nostalgia-ridden bedroom composition. Check out Absolut Red's debut album, "A Supposedly Fun Thing We'll Probably Do Again," as well as the remix EP, both of which are available for free download at the bandcamp link here below:

 ABSOLUT RED   

Lovisetto and Co are prominent members of the local scene in Bologna, Italy, and have a bright future ahead of them. I have recently befriended Lovisetto and Red's guitarist Simone D'Avenia, both of whom have since been named Honorary Stocktonians. Welcome to the fam, bois! Sources suggest that there is a split 7" in the works, feat. Absolut Red and other bologna hero's "Altre Di B," possibly to be released by the world renowned Bolognese venue The Covo Club as part of their ongoing series of 7"s. Keep your ears peeled and your google translate tabs open to find out more in the coming months. 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you, Overseas Correspondent Sam. Lovisetto's XMAS97 is a tearful tribute to holidays past. A sweet, yet painful sentiment that plays out beautifully atop Luca's heartfelt acoustic composition. Feast your ears on this undeniable Xmas Classic come December 15th 2013 via The 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation Tape Official Bandcamp Website, which will be revealed to you as a gift on the aforementioned date. 

 Stay Tuned HO HO 

 12/5/2013 

XMAS ALERT ! : SOFTTOUCH's NICK COLEMAN & GAS PRICES - Cold Turkey  

"...Yo, U like dope beats...?" 

   The rumors are true! Softtouch's Nick Coleman & Gas Prices have co-produced a chilly Xmas slapper 2 be featured on this year's 209 & Friends Xmas Complilation Tape! Softtouch's NC, Gas Prices & Glass Mural are a crew of long time Stockton natives that produce very dope beats, soundscapes & chiller tracks under the aforementioned moniker. These young pioneers' expansive library of slaps is a must hear for connoisseurs of icy-cool, introspective compositions & sleek, with-it sensibility. Links 2 SoftTouch & Gas Prices respective material below:

G A S  P R I C E S    S O F T T O U C H 

   In addition to Softtouch, Nick Coleman also contributes Guitar Shreds to up&coming local music band, MLTD  w/ Logan Wells & Co. Sources say that MLTD is set to release news of their involvement w/ the 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation very soon, so keep your xmas-ears peeled for that fabulous news in the weeks 2 come! 
Cold Turkey is a frosty Xmas slap that weaves & winds w/ icy precision. An undeniable holiday staple that we r pumped to include!  Just toss this chiller on at your next freestyle rap meetup & watch things pop off in the most real way...
Cold Turkey can be obtained free 4 download & purchased on cassette come December 15th 2013 via The 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation Tape Official Bandcamp Website, which will be revealed to you as a gift on the aforementioned date. 

 STAY TUNED 4 XMAS !  

 11/27/2013 

XMAS ALERT ! : SAMUEL CHARLES REGAN - Tears Of St. Nick & Chief Claus (?) 

 "...I'm writing a song about Santa drinking bleach..." 

   
   OK. I wanna start off by addressing a few rumors that have having swirling the web for the past couple of weeks. There has been a lot of hype surrounding Sam's first 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation submission, Tears Of Saint Nick, but recently news has surfaced that SCR is in the process of creating a second submission ! 

   Last week this image was released via twitter: (Image top, left. Courtesy @SATANWRIDERS)
The image depicts what looks like artwork for Sam's latest Xmas single. Sources say that Sam has retreated 2 an isolated hotel room somewhere in Italy & has been working on a revolutionary new track that re-imagines the timeless 'claus mythology w/ a rich, urban-contemporary twist. The work in progress begs the question: What if Chief Keef were Santa Claus? 

   In addition 2 Sam's album art leak, he recently released this tweet that has his puzzled fans scratching their heads: (Image bottom, left. Courtesy @SATANWRIDERS)

   Does this mean that he has decided to deviate from his original concept? 
SCR has yet 2 resurface w/ any news so we'll have to wait 2 find out!

All speculation aside, SCR is a tru golden homie & whatever he decides 2 contribute is sure to be an instant classic. This boy is destined to b sensation !!!
His dreary, seasonal ode, Tears Of St. Nick & his unannounced mystery track can both be obtained free 4 download & purchased on cassette come December 15th 2013 via The 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation Tape Official Bandcamp Website, which will be revealed to you as a gift on the aforementioned date. 

 BONUS : EXCLUSIVE SAM PROMO TEASER CLICK HERE ! 

STAY TUNED 4 MORE HO !  

 11/22/2013 

XMAS ALERT ! : KENYA EAST AKA John Steiner - Rock 'n' Roll Santa Claus 

He'll give you what u need !!!

Big shouts 2 John Steiner of Stockton legend fame 4 producing another hit 2 be featured on this year's 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation Tape! John has been a driving force in the 209 for the past several years; booking shows, ripping bass & guitar in various bands, working hard & chillin' for the good of the community. Whether he is tearing it up live w/ the SW boys or hitting the books @ the University of the Pacific, there is no doubt that John is always killing it. 
Click on the links below 4 more John stuff :

 Kenya East
GODSPEED209 
 Satan Wriders

John's featured Xmas track, Rock 'N' Roll Santa Claus has been kept on ice (or should I say, snow? lol) for a while now. Needless 2 say, we are thrilled to finally release it as part of this year's compilation!  Featuring none other than Ryan Muok on drums & a very rare guitar solo courtesy  of John himself,  you can be sure that this track is pure fire!  A searing holiday shredder that is sure to become an Xmas classic in the years 2 come! 
Don't be a fool, get scorched W/ Rock 'N' Roll Santa Claus come December 15th 2013 via The 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation Tape Official Bandcamp Website, which will be revealed to you as a gift on the aforementioned date.
 Stay tuned for more Xmas HO HO updates !  

 11/19/2013 

    SOME  HOLIDAY XSPIRATION 4 U     

 JUST A LITTLE XSPIRATION(XMAS INSPIRATION) 2 HELP YOU ALL TO GET INTO THE HO HO SPIRIT. MERRY X !  

Stay tuned for more Xmas Artist Spotlights and Alerts as the days pass! Ho!  

11/18/2013 

 XMAS ALERT ! : THE BEACH BOY - These Presents Suck 

Congratulations to Bryce & Jagger of Seattle Washington's The Beach Boy for creating a very killer Xmas track 2 be featured on this years 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation Tape. For those who might not know, The Beach Boy (Formerly DADS) is a two man fuzz crew that has been PWN'ing the PNW HARD since circa 2011 w/ their slumber'-centric brand of power driven party-punk.  While I have yet to catch one of The Beach Boy's legendary live sets, I was fortunate enough to partake in a very scandalous game of  Milton Bradley's DREAM PHONE w/ Jagger & Co. this past summer. 

Popular electronic children's game, Dream Phone.

He also let us store some crap in his garage overnight. Very cool. Thanks Jagger.
Check out Beach Boy's 2 Bandcamp releases, PUNISHMENT & Van Diesel if you're in the mood to get totally PWN'D (in a good way) by a couple of hardcore PNW PWN-punks !  

T H E  B E A C H  B O Y  B A N D C A M P  L I N K 

The Beach Boy's scorchin' Xmas ripper, These Presents Suck, will be available free for DL & purchase(physical) via The 209 & Friends Xmas Compilation Tape Bandcamp 

website, which will be revealed to you all as a gift on December 15th. Stay tuned for more Ho Ho Updates    ! HO ! HO !