Merry Christmas Sounds of Oz readers! While many of us are sweltering in the Southern Hemisphere, we’re also conscious of the Winter Wonderland our loved ones enjoy on the other side of the planet. Local indie-pop artist Katie Wighton celebrates the different ways we celebrate the season with her latest single “Other Side of the World.” I love the way this track has an old-timey festive feel despite its references to modern traditions like playing backyard cricket and listening to Paul Kelly.
“I wrote Other Side of the World with my friend Kai during the height of summer in Nashville last year. It was absolutely sweltering and my friends back in Australia were freezing. It got me thinking about how differently we Australians experience things in the land “down under”…!” Katie said. “Our Christmases are usually hot – with Paul Kelly on the radio and pavlova and an esky full of beer (you might have to Google what an esky is…) And every Christmas song or movie I’d ever seen always had these Christmases full of snowmen and ice storms and someone drinking cocoa in the “den”. So we sat down and brainstormed all of the quintessential things about our respective Christmases and this is where we ended up! I really hope this song conjures up the nostalgia I feel every Christmas – on the other side of the world.”
I hope no matter how you’re celebrating the holidays, this song brings you a little cheer.
Photo credit: Studio Sarah Lou @ Flickr