**UNDER COVER** Footsteps On The Dancefloor

**ONES TO WATCH**

In the last few months despite lowering funds in the old bank account I've still found myself on numerous occasions perusing the rails on Oxford Street. When I'm there, it usually happens whenever I walk into New Look, a certain song breaks through the usual chart drivel and stops me in my tracks. For months I only knew it as my shopping song, now I've found out what it is. 'Katy on a Mission' by upcoming artist Katy B is the soundtrack to my shopping sprees.




Katy B, a 20 something BRIT school and Goldsmiths University graduate, has been making waves in the underground garage and funky house scene for months after her debut single 'Katy on a Mission' was released earlier this year. Somehow she's the perfect mix of unique and marketable making her Radio 1's new favourite act. Both '... Mission' and her latest, 'Lights On' have played heavily on the Radio 1 playlist.




'Lights On' is a dancing song about dancing. The best kind of dancing song. While Katy sings about her love of throwing a few moves on the floor Ms Dynamite waxes lyrical making us wonder why she ever went away. Katy B is working with Ms Dynamite on her upcoming album so hopefully we'll be getting more of the same and better.

Julie Ruin is Back

You probably heard the best music news this year already but if not I shall enlighten you.

Riot Grrrl legend Kathleen Hanna has announced she will releasing new material under the name The Julie Ruin.

Hanna made the announcement whilst performing at her own tribute show, a fundraiser for the upcoming documentary about Hanna's life.

Hanna said: "Thanks you so much for coming. This is a really special night for me. We're The Julie Ruin and we're writing a new album but we're going to do some oldies."

The Julie Ruin also features Kathi Wilcox bassist in Bikini Kill and The Frumpies.

The Julie Ruin seem to be the full ensemble version of Hanna's 1999 solo outfit Julie Ruin of which featured cult hits such as 'Stay Monkey' and 'Aerocide'.

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #1**

Yay It's the big day and the end of Don't Dance Her Down Boys countdown to the greatest Christmas songs ever.

Number one on the list is the brilliant, Phil Spector produced classic Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by the wonderful Darlene Love.

Well it's been a long month I'm sure you'll agree with me that it's been worth it. Merry Christmas, see you after the big day.

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #2**

Probably the sexiest song about Santa ever made, the late Eartha Kitt's version of Santa Baby knocks the socks off every other version, including Marilyn's, in my eyes.

The 1953 Christmas song was orginally recorded by Kitt and has been covered by numerous others including Madonna, the Sugababes and, oddly Taylor Swift, I bet you good money our wholesome Ms Swift didn't even understand most of the double entendres that make the song what it is. They all tried to top our Eartha but none of them reached the sultry heights that she did so easily.

Also this song employs the rarely used christmas double entendre involving Christmas trees. To my memory only Lady Gaga has been brazen enough to invoke that imagery, see my earlier post, and she went full throttle with it.

This is probably Kitt's most well known song and for good reason. The perfect Christmas song for the lovers of the high life.

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #3**

Number three on the list it's my old friends Karen O and the gang, ok they don't actually know me..yet, with their amazing Christmas tune 'All I Want For Christmas', not related to the well known Mariah Carey tune, number 4 on our list. This is a stand out tune, one I can listen to any time of year.

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #4**

"He's gone 2000 miles/ It's very far"

One of those Christmas songs that you hear every year but never really know who it's by or even what it's called.

It's such a classic I'm just going to stop talking and listen to Chrissie sing "The children were singing/ he'll be back at Christmas time."

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #5**

Only five more days to go till Christmas and we're nearly at the end of our countdown to the greatest Christmas songs of all time. It's like those Channel 4 Greatest shows but ... better.

At number five is a tune I know a lot of people will pretend to hate in public but when they reach the safety of their bedrooms or lose their ambitions in the shower that's when they show their real feelings.

Yes the song that everyone sings at the top of their lungs at this time of year, it's 'All I Want For Christmas' by the ultimate, I-don't-do-stairs, diva that is Mariah Carey.

A controversial one but a good'un all the same, get out your hairbrush it's time to sing along.

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #6**

Only one week to go are you sick of Christmas yet before it's even begun, cuz I'm not and for those of you that are on the same page as me here's the ultra cool Raveonettes with their ultra cool santa related tune.

It sounds like a Christmas rave in a snow globe. All mysterious and twinkling riffs with bounding beats.

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #7**

Present face is something we've all had, admit it. Garfunkel & Oates have just put it in a very comical form for us all to enjoy.

Focusing on the more awkward part of Christmas day G&O hate getting dodgy gifts and don't want to stay quiet anymore.

I love the idea of present face being a worldwide expression.

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #8**

A new song Christmas song for this list has been offered up by the amazing Beach House.

Earlier this week they released 'I Don't Care For The Winter Sun' for free on their website as a thank you to devoted fans. This is classic Beach House with added snowflakes and winteryness.

I Don't Care For The Winter Sun

Hello, Hello, Hello Kathleen

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #9**

Tracey Thorn entertains us on this sombre cover of 'Sister Winter' by Sufjan Stevens.

The track has a lot of meaning to Tracey as it was recorded around the time Tracey's mother passed away earlier this year.

Close your eyes and let the track take you away

Sister Winter- Tracey Thorn

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #10**

This really needs no introduction. Classic.

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #11**

Cocknbullkid went a bit quiet for a while but now she's back with a new album, single and Christmas song to boot.

'Amazing Dave' is a pretty interesting reworking of a church choir classic with added weirdness, if that's even a real word.

For those of you who liked to day dream about being a popstar during Sunday School.

Amazing Dave- Cocknbullkid

**SONG OF THE MONTH**

The song of the month is one that you've probably already heard before but I still have to post about it.

I know technically a ten-year-old should not be able to make a hit song good enough to rival Rihanna but stranger things have happened. I've fallen for the kooky hairstyle and shrunken Lady Gaga clothes of Willow Smith.

The coolest ten year old in the world has already raised the bar for inventive, catchy pop songs and is waiting for everyone else to catch up.

'Whip My Hair' is amazing I don't care what anyone says, though I do have a pretty nasty neck injury after trying to copy the dance.

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #12**

I really don't have to say anything for this one, it's just a classic.

You can't go wrong with The Crystals anyway.

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #13**

Today's modern Christmas carol is from the lovely Imogen Heap. 'Just For Now' from her second album Speak For Yourself.

I love her perspective on the little different parts of Christmas that make it the best and the most annoying day of the year.

Just for now get me outta, get me outta here...

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #14**

Das Wanderlust are no strangers to the odd Christmas song. As well as recording a riot grrrl cover of the classic 'Santa Claus is Coming To Town' they have also released this sweet little tune.

'Someone To Pull Crackers With' features harmonious, choral like vocals and a little drummer boy-esque drum beat that lines the track.

I think I just felt about 50% more Christmassy, if that even is a word. If it as then I DO.

Someone To Pull Crackers With- Das Wanderlust

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #15**

Today's song is probably one that you hear at this time of year every time at many a shopping centre across Britain.

If you're a bit slow like me you will probably have not even realised who it's by or what it's even called.

'Christmas Wrapping' by the 80s new wave band The Waitresses is an upbeat, jolly song about this time of year.

It was considered a modern classic Christmas song in it's day and you can see why.

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #16**

Here's Kate Bush's festive number called 'December Will Be Magic Again' complete with Kate wide-eyed and writhing around on a red wicker chair in matching red pyjamas.

Not the most obvious video for a Christmas song but it works.

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #17**

Punk royalty Viv Albertine is back to show the youngun's how it's done when it comes to and all things festive.

After seeing Viv in all her glory at Ladyfest Ten I couldn't wait to devour all of her solo work in one almighty gulp, so you'll probably understand why I'm so happy she has recently released a christmas song.

'Home Sweet Home (At Christmas)' is basically a re-recording of an earlier song, 'Confessions of a MILF', but with some holly on top.

HSH is a lament to troubles of a lonely housewife trapped in a monotonous, soul destroying routine of "washing, cleaning, fucking" that spirals to the point where she could think of nothing worse than entering the house that has become the bain of her life.

Yeah... It sounds a bit depressing but if you love a bit of dark humour it's amazing.

(Not for fans of Cliff Richard)

Home Sweet Home (At Christmas)

New CocknBullkid Single

Cocknbullkid, aka Anita Blay, aka pop's new saviour, has been off my radar for a while after astounding me with the brillant 'There's a Mother in Our Bed' way back in 2007.

News on the grapevine says Blay will be releasing a new single soon as a prelude to a full length album, no more single yay, in April next year.

'Hold On To Your Misery' is apparently an 'anti-anthem' song that was inspired Blay's teenage years.

You can listen to it on her Myspace page, but while your still here take a peek at her latest video 'One Eye Closed'.

www.myspace.com/cocknbullkid
h/t The Girls Are

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #18**

Hello world, here's the next instalment of Don't Dance Her Down Boys Does Christmas and today it's all about Ms Gaga and her lovely 'Christmas Tree' or rather who's under it.

Oh yes Gaga has managed to take the wholesome and completely non sexual image of a christmas tree and turn it into a sordid, innnuendo ridden ditty.

A great one to play in front of Grandma, she won't even notice it's dirty.

**DDHDB's DOES CHRISTMAS #19**

Open the door of the indie advent calender to find today's christmas song.

Dear readers, I never got over the break up of The Long Blondes, their songs were indie pop perfection why did they have to leave me, as a result I've offered up there take on a christmas song.

If Christmas to you is just another day, you hate merriment, joy and are just a general grinch when it comes to anything seasonal then you'll probably love Christmas is Cancelled.

This is probably the most sour Christmas song ever written but that's why I love it.

Kate paints a picture of a lonely, bitter woman, regretting a love that went wrong leaving her alone on the worst day of the year to be alone.

All she has to keep her company is a plate of fish and chips and the Queen's message on the TV.

It's depressing, but catchy.

The Long Blondes- Christmas is Cancelled

***DDHDB'S DOES CHRISTMAS #20***

Since I'm having a little trouble with 8 Tracks I can't make my usual mixtapes each month. Until I find a replacement, or 8 Tracks gets it's act together, I'm just going to post a new Christmas song each day till Christmas Day. I've been racking my brains for some good ones and I think I got a few you'll love.

For now here's Black Christmas by the genre defining punk rock heroine Poly Styrene. 'Black Christmas' is the first release from Poly since last year's single 'City of Christmas Ghosts' with Goldblade. Poly is hoping to follow this seasonal single with the full length album Generation Indigo next year.

Featuring her daughter Celeste 'Black Christmas' is a reggae kissed driving song that focuses on the 'true meaning of Christmas' i.e not buying presents and getting pissed in front of grandma. If you're expecting Poly's usual shrill shouty way of singing you'll find it's not but instead replaced with a grown up soft, lulling vocal.

I couldn't think of a better way of getting you into the Christmas mood.

Download 'Black Christmas' at: www.poly-styrene.com