The Dallas-based Polyphonic Spree formed in 2000, and the 22-person band seemed inconceivable. Former Tripping Daisy member Tim DeLaughter pulled together a band that gave him strings, horns, a harp, and host of voices to sing along. At the time, the band's look including choir robes and Dallas' proximity to Waco prompted the British press to speculate on the band's cult-like tendencies. DeLaughter talks about that including the origins of the robes in this week's episode.
In 2012, The Polyphonic Spree released Holidaydream: Sounds of the Holidays Vol. One, and it successfully merged the band's maximalist sensibility, its tendency toward psychedelia, and songs people can sing. It emerged from the band's annual holiday extravaganza in Dallas, which DeLaughter says will return in 2021.
We also talk about the band's new album, Afflatus, which also emerged from a live show. The Polyphonic Spree were scheduled to play a show of covers in March 2020, but decided that it wasn't safe hours before the show. As DeLaughter explains, they decided to record the songs that night to document the arrangements, and this spring he decided to release those versions of songs by Rush, INXS, The Bee Gees, Daniel Johnston, The Monkees and more. For my story on the album, go to MySpiltMilk.com.
This week's episode also includes my favorite band from this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Iceland's Daði og Gagnamagnið. This weekend, I discovered that they recorded a Christmas song in 2020, "Every Moment is Christmas with You." I've included that song in this week's episode and close with the Icelandic version of it, "Allir Dagar Eru Jólin Með Þér."
If you like what you hear or are curious, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts—Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Pandora, or Spotify.
Meryl Zimmerman
Nochebuena with Patricia Vonne
A Latin Music Christmas with Arthur Hanlon
Mitchell Kezin of ”Jingle Bell Rocks,” Jim McCormick, and Bailey James
Amanda Shires, Rodney Atkins and Rose Falcon, and Julian Koster
Bonus Episode: Twelve Songs x Ranking the Beatles
Kristin Chenoweth, Ronnie Milsap, and Paul Gilbert
Jay Landers, Kristin Chenoweth, and Calum Scott on ”A Sentimental Christmas with Nat King Cole & Friends”
José James, Bruce Cockburn, and The Twangtown Paramours
Bonus Episode: Who Dat Jedi Crossover
The Fleshtones, Susan Cowsill, and Numero Records‘ ”Christmas Dreamers”
Mannheim Steamroller
Quad City DJs
”Christmas Jollies” with Bill Adler
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
A Family-Friendly Christmas with Dan and Claudia Zanes
Santa Baby
A Blues Christmas with Alligator Records
Grant-Lee Phillips
Big Freedia and Boyfriend
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