Candy canes, tinsel, and plastic Santas go up on store shelves earlier and earlier every year. It’s no longer shocking to see twinkling lights and velvet bows nestled next to the Halloween candy and fall decor. Now, if RiteAid or QFC aren’t decorated with faux snow and artificial trees in August, we begin to panic. Well, sorry to get all department store on you before we’ve even had the chance to eat turkey or duke it out with each other on Black Friday, but I’m just reminding you that KEXP’s 7th Annual Yule Benefit is right around the corner.

This year, local bands The Thermals, The Cave Singers, The Builders and The Butchers, and Grand Hallway will grace Neumos’ stage on Saturday, December 12. Twenty bucks (in advanced) will get you a taste of Northwest indie, pop punk, folk and gothic Americana, and possibly the warm and fuzzy feeling of knowing your money directly benefits KEXP. Conjured up seven years ago, the event was created not only as a fundraiser for KEXP but also as way to bring everyone together for a nondenominational celebration of great music (”You’ll benefit”, get it?). So take out your jingly velor hats, pour yourself a class of eggnog and get your tickets now for this musical holiday extravaganza.

The Thermals

photo by Christopher Nelson

The Cave Singers

photo by David Lichterman

The Builders and The Butchers

photo by Kyle Johnson

Grand Hallway

photo by Kyle Johnson

KEXP Yule Benefit 2009 Information:

Dan Muller

This past weekend, KEXP hosted the 6th Annual Yule Benefit, with The Dutchess & The Duke, Shearwater, and Grand Archives on Friday, and Cancer Rising, Shearwater, and Thao with the Get Down Stay Down on Saturday. Thanks to everyone who came out to support KEXP and to the bands who performed. There was no bad Santa this year, but check out photos to see who was naughty and nice!

Friday (photos by Jim Bennett):

^{view the full set}

Saturday (photos by Dan Muller):

^{view the full set}

Hello!

My name is Mr. Fitz. I’m 8.

Craziest thing just happened to me… I was just accidentally left behind when my family took of for a vacation in France for the holiday season.

At first, I was a little bummed. Who would feed me twice a day? Who would scratch me behind the head? Who would let me chase them around the house?

But then, I realized life is pretty awesome alone! I’m talking parties 24-7. Hanging out in alleys and underneath cars, late night rendezvous with the neighbor cats, and a kilo of cat nip. I was on top of the world!

But then, you’re not going to believe this, this pair of bumbling burglars, who had apparently been casing the neighborhood, tried to break into the house.

Man, were my parents frantic when they realized they left me behind. They tried to make it back to Seattle as fast as they could. They must have been worried sick!

I know what you’re saying. How can a young defenseless cat defend herself from from two burglars? Well, it wasn’t easy, but through a wacky, hard-to-believe series of events, boobie traps, and general stupidity on the part of the burglars, I was able to scare them off.

Finally, my parents returned home! Man, I was so relieved! And to celebrate, we all went to partake in our annual holiday tradition, going to the KEXP Yule Benefit show!

You can too!

Tickets for this 21+ show are available now at Neumos Box Office and at www.ticketswest.com.

• Friday 12/12: Grand Archives, Shearwater, The Dutchess and The Duke (Click for tickets)

• Saturday 12/13: Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, Shearwater, Cancer Rising (Click for tickets)

• Both nights for $25! (Click for tickets)

Nothing says KEXP Yule Benefit better than a man donning velour hot pants and red tights in public. And I would be lying if I said I don’t look forward to doing just that every Yule season. KEXP’s Indie Rock Elf here to get you ready for the KEXP Yule Benefit, happening this Friday and Saturday!

I’ve been so excited that I just had to go out early to catch this month’s Audioasis show at the Sunset Tavern supporting local charity First Place last Saturday night. Sharlese and El Toro hosted an awesome night full of some great local music and tongue in cheek color commentary that we have come to love and expect from them. The Drug Purse opened with, ahem, a druggy set of rock psychedelia that had me seeing snow flakes. I’m looking forward to more of that good ol’ 60’s sound from The Dutchess and The Duke on Friday night. And lord knows Cancer Rising will get the people boogying on Saturday. Oh boy!

Look for me and some of my elf pals on the blog all week and at the KEXP Yule Benefit on Friday and Saturday. And dress in your own yule attire for extra points!

Tickets for this 21+ show are available now at Neumos Box Office and at www.ticketswest.com.

• Friday 12/12: Grand Archives, Shearwater, The Dutchess and The Duke (Click for tickets)

• Saturday 12/13: Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, Shearwater, Cancer Rising (Click for tickets)

• Both nights for $25! (Click for tickets)

or check out the slideshow here.

Hey there… it’s Indie Rock Elf again. I just wanted to remind you to get your tickets for the 5th Annual Yule Benefit. Come to the Showbox tonight, where you’ll be sure to find me and all of my friends. Here are a few more of my pals who will be attending:

Punchy the Powerpop Elf, who knows from good music:

Holly the Admin Elf, who keeps all of Mr. Claus’ appointments — well, there’s really only one, but it would suck if he missed it:

Even the mysterious Mail Elves, like Carol here, may get out for the festivities — that is, when they’re not packing up gifts like Live at KEXP Volume Three for the children:

Blink and you’ll miss Sneaky Elf — in fact, I think he’s been sneaking the holiday brew:

My buddy IDM Elf had a weird run-in the other day. Here’s what he told me:

After a little walk underneath the Alaska Way viaduct, I was confronted by very angry reindeer that smelled heavily of Egg Nog. Things quickly got out of hand (as they usually do with reindeer) and I found my self face to to face with belligerent ungulate who wanted a piece of me!

Just as he was ready to let into me with his mighty hooves, I was saved by the Rat City Roller Girls, who came out of no where and beat the Yule Tide right out of him!

Super Special Elven thanks to Drew Blood (pictured with red hair) Jojo Stilletto (pictured behind me) and Electric Fanny (with the iron fist!) all of the Socket Wenches team! This elf would have been a nightmare if she hadn’t pull his Christmas out of the fire!

So I invited them all down to the 5th Annual Yule Benefit. Come meet my saviors.

Wow, I really dig chicks with elbow pads. I can’t wait to see them.

Ok, it’s time for me to run. Just look for the elf in the red tights and buy him a drink — he earned it!

By the way, I hear the Big Guy will be there and getting his drink on — so look out, you naughty boys and girls!

You will not believe the sights we have seen in the far away land of Seattle. We have traveled a long road but the pilgrimage has been well worth it. THE YULE BENEFIT IS TOMORROW! Yes, it is a right of passage for every elf to see the bright lights of the big city that is Seattle, and participate in its finest of attractions – the Yule Benefit. And yes, the rumors of Seattle are all true. People are still wearing flannel. And it is always raining.

We got into town last night, and stopped by a local establishment for food and refreshments. I ordered my usual, Fairy Blossom Juice, but I think it had gone bad. It tasted really sour. Yuck!

But, after a few more sips, I didn’t mind the taste so much. Boy, was I thirsty:

Mix Master Mistletoe really liked it too:

The kind owners of the establishment let Mix Master Mistletoe and myself get behind the wheels of steel. Luckily, I brought all my favorite records: Elf Power, The Pixies, Elves and Sebastian, Snow Patrol, the Long Winters and the Decemberists.

Then we met some of the locals…

like Oly Elf (she introduced me to a cultural celebration called Taco Tuesdays):

and Mr. Roboto Elf (check out his moves!):

and Obscure Music Nerd Elf (you should have seen his collection of rare, white label, import-only, colored-vinyl 7 inches!):

but the strangest Elf we had ever seen was there too — Ninja Elf:

I can’t wait for you all to get here tomorrow and meet all of my new friends at KEXP’s 5th Annual Yule Benefit! I’ll teach you how to participate in the most ancient of Seattle rituals, the Mosh Pit. See you there!

What’s cooler than wearing red tights at work? Having Tim from Les Savy Fav tug at your red tights while you sprawl yourself across the band… while at work. And there might be one thing cooler than that — which is wearing red tights and creating a general ruckus while Feral Children rock out on “Me Me Just Me” (see below) at the 5th Annual KEXP Yule Benefit. God, I love that song. I can’t wait for the show this Saturday. Come dressed in your own elf interpretation and dance with me and my fine-ass legs. Look at these stems!

There are only two occasions when they let us out:
1) the KEXP Yule Benefit on December 8th
2) for 15 minutes every day at “Yard – Out” time, in the snow.

Come and see us on our one night out, and buy us drinks, we deserve ‘em. We guarantee, Yule have fun!

Don’t forget to pick up your tickets soon! I’ll save a spot for you.

KEXP is proud to announce the 5th Annual Yule Benefit at the Showbox at the Market on Saturday, December 8th. Help spread that raucous holiday spirit that only KEXP can with our friends:

YEASAYER

DEAD CONFEDERATE

FERAL CHILDREN

THE VALLEY

Tickets for this 21+ show are available through Ticketmaster and Showbox at the Market.

This is me with some new favorite aural delights found at a local CDmonger:

Here’s me with some sort of great Seattle music legend:

And this is me with one of my favorite 60’s songwriters, John Lenin:

He looks a li’l different from all the pictures I’ve seen, but maybe this is him in his later years. I sure like his beard. It reminds me of the big man.

Anyway, now I’m really excited for the show. I’ll be waiting here at the Showbox — I’m already first in line. Look for me. And don’t forget to pick up your tickets soon! I’ll save a spot for you.