Song of the Day: Dawn McCarthy and Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Christmas Eve Can Kill You

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. This week we have some special holiday treats for you! Today’s selection is "Christmas Eve Can Kill You" by Dawn McCarthy and Bonnie "Prince" Billy from the 2012 7" of the same name on Drag City.

Dawn McCarthy and Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Christmas Eve Can Kill You (MP3)

Bonnie "Prince" Billy (a.k.a. Will Oldham, Palace Music, and the white cop from Trapped In The Closet) has been weaving his trembling vocals around softly strummed acoustic guitar patterns for close to twenty years. Dawn McCarthy has been fronting the traditional and experimental folk group Fawn Fables for nearly as long. Along with their own respective projects, Oldham and McCarthy have been sporadic collaborators for the better part of both of their careers, and this year, they sat down to record a proper full-length collaboration, an album of Everly Brothers covers, entitled What The Brothers Sang (due February 9th through Drag City). "Christmas Eve Can Kill You" finds the pair presenting a preview of that forthcoming album while also getting into the holiday spirit. Embodying the spirit of Don and Joe's gorgeous harmonies while putting their own languid spin on the tune, McCarthy and Oldham float over an airy arrangement. Reverent, warm, and spirited, the cover is a faithful tribute to both the Everlys and a vibrant reminder of the effect of kindness during the holidays.

There's no word on if there will be a tour behind What The Brothers Sang, but you can hear about it first if you keep track of Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Faun Fables at their websites. Watch the festive video, directed and edited by Lara Miranda, for "Christmas Eve Will Kill You" now: