LA-based singer and multi-instrumentalist Kadhja Bonet announces
‘California Holiday’ - a holiday themed EP in which, across 6 Charlie
Brown inspired tracks, we see the talented artist channel her newfound
appreciation of the festive season in what she describes as a ‘modern
take on the typical magical Christmas story’. Released on the 2nd
December on Ninja Tune, Kadhja today shares lead single “Little
Christmas Tree”.
Speaking more on the release Kadhja says -
‘I have never been a holiday person. As a kid I spent holidays hiding
under beds and in the back of closets. But as an adult, I somehow picked
a partner who is a true holiday lover. Opposites attract, or so I hear.
I started making a playlist of all my favourite holiday songs and deep
cuts to at least feel like I had some control over the celebration, and
then I felt it was a shame to not appreciate good songs just because I
can't get behind the commercialism of Christmas. I am Charlie Brown and
he is me’.
Throughout the 5 soulful renditions we see Kadhja challenge and explore
holiday standards as she ponders her own personal entry into the holiday
canon, title track 'California Holiday', and how it 'draws on personal
feelings beyond the holiday itself'.
‘I won't be asking Mariah Carey to step aside anytime soon, but it's
nice to make holidays relevant to your own story. California Holiday is
my attempt at just that. It's a song that I wanted to write because it
makes no mention of Christmas, or any one holiday. Instead it focuses on
a relationship and how the markers of the year can change your
perspective on one, whether by revealing stagnation or jumpstarting a
change in the quality of care. I also wanted to make this song because
as much as it is about personal relationships, it also signifies my
relationship with California, which is a place I've tried to leave many
times, but I just keep coming back to. California has that kind of a
hold on people. For all its beauty and opportunities, the cost of living
and lack of social services make it nearly impossible to survive. I
think a lot of people will relate to that angle of the song, this vision
of California as a golden state and the hypothetical opportunities they
are scared to leave’.
Tracklist:
1. California Holiday
2. Little Christmas Tree
3. Someday at Christmas
4. Wonderful Christmas Time
5. It's Christmas Time
6. Keep Christmas With You