EPISODE 71 of Z-GR! Radio
December 19, 2025
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Z-GR! Radio promotes emerging, independent, and underrepresented artists through curated music and non-exclusive airplay, respecting rights while supporting exposure, audience growth, and long-term visibility.
Neo Swingers - Deck the Halls - Electro Swing Version 2025
Of COURSE we’re opening this show with electro swing, specifically a track by Neo Swingers, a modern electro swing project who have released an AMAZING version of ‘Deck the Halls’ that not only brings the swing, but actually reimagines the Holiday staple in a very cool way.
Valerie Giglio - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” by Boston’s Valerie Giglio leans into restraint rather than spectacle – and comes away with a remarkable take on the holiday classic -letting tone, phrasing, and mood carry the performance. I really, really like the mid-song drum break and overall vibe of the track.
Bob Zuga - What Will Santa Say When He Finds Everyone Swinging
This fun and energetic cover of a Louis Prima swing track imagines Santa Claus walking in on a lively party where “everyone is swinging”—a cheeky, festive twist on holiday tradition. Bob Zuga combines nostalgia for 1930s–1940s swing with modern production touches, making ‘What Will Santa Say When He Finds Everyone Swingin’ a really fun holiday track.
JW Velly/Trap Remix Guys - Carol of the Bells - Trap Remix
I’m always on the lookout for a cool version of the traditional Ukrainian holiday favorite ‘Carol of the Bells’, and believe me, there are some really great versions out there, but you know if I hear something quality that’ also expands the Z-GR! Radio sound, I’m all for sharing. JW Velly and Trap Remix Guys turn ‘Carol of the Bells’ into a trap-powered, bass-pumping ton of Christmas fun.
JW Velly
Trap Remix Guys
Seratonal - 2512
I almost put UK electronic/synth‑pop music project Seratonal’s ‘2512’ on the show last summer before realizing that it’s a holiday track – yes, I am a bit slow sometimes – I dumped it into my stack of Holiday listens and it easily earned a spot on this year’s Christmas show – the track is a catchy modern, electronic take on Christmas, and it’s it’s perfect for our Christmas Episode 71.
Mowelan/Rubenson - Colored Lights
Mowelan is the musical project of Netherland’s Ed van der Molen, and Rubenson is an electronic/indie pop artist known for blending melodic vocals with electronic production – together, they put together an excellent Holiday original that is both nostalgic and fresh.
Mowelan
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Rubenson
Cookie - Christmas Magic
Cookie, AKA Jennifer Lucy Cook, is a Los Angeles–based composer, lyricist, vocalist, and songwriter who is known for her theater and choral work, but I was immediately taken with her 2019 holiday track ‘Christmas Magic’ – I absolutely love the lyrics in this track – you can almost smell the gingerbread and peppermint.
Parralox - Little Drum Machine Boy
Parralox, AKA Australia’s John von Ahlen, is very well known for his awesome covers – I had him on Episode 2 with his amazing version of Lucretia My Reflection, so it was a no-brainer to bring one of his Holiday tracks onboard for this year’s show – ‘The Little Drum Machine Boy’ is exactly as you’d imagine, and is a really fun high tech take on the song that surprisingly, dates back to 2014 and holds up very well.
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Corbin Dooley - Holiday Road
Episode 23’s Corbin Dooley chose a fantastic Holiday track to cover – made famous by the Summer holiday road-trip movie ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’, Lindsey Buckingham’s ‘Holiday Road’ fits right into the late year season festivities just as well.
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Mad Sugars - Christmas Wrapping
The Waitresses’ ‘Christmas Wrapping’ is about the hectic pace of modern Christmas life, and it’s become a beloved holiday pop staple that’s been covered by many artists, including Nashville garage rock / dance‑pop outfit The Mad Sugars – their version features vocal quartet the Sugar Cubes, hence the name and out of the myriad versions I sifted through, their version really captures the vibe of the original while making it their own.
Cavedoll - Happy XMAS (War is Over)
“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” is a Christmas classic originally written and performed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono with the Plastic Ono Band and the Harlem Community Choir. It was released as a single in 1971 and has since become one of the most beloved seasonal songs ever recorded. Utah’s Cavedoll has been on the show a few times now, and I really dig their laid back yet somehow epic take on the track.
able machines - Christmas Time Is Here
I know, I know, I just had able Machines on the show yet again for Episode 69, but they just had to go and release their modern take on ‘Christmas Time is Here’, the 1965 song that was written by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson for a little Christmas Special called ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’. It is, as would be expected, excellent.
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Whitney Tai / Michael Trainor - Silent Night
It’s been a long minute since I’ve had NEWHD Featured Artist Whitney Tai on the show – she’s always great and this turn is no different – Whitney’s teamed with Michael Trainor for a wonderfully atmospheric cover of the classic Christmas carol “Silent Night”. The song was originally composed in 1818 by Austrians Franz Gruber and Joseph Mohr and is the definition of Christamas staple – This rendition features modern production, ambient alt‑electro elements, and a moody, expressive interpretation of the traditional melody. It’s awesome.
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Bill Williams/BB Hayes - O Come All Ye Faithful
“O Come All Ye Faithful” is one of the most enduring Christmas carols, traditionally attributed to John Francis Wade (18th century) with an English translation by Frederick Oakeley and has been recorded in countless styles — from traditional choral renditions to pop, gospel, jazz, and instrumental arrangements. My favorite version, of course, is a joint between DJ BB Hayes and the better half of my band, Producer Bill Williams on their album ‘Deck the Halls’.
Producer Bill Williams
BB Hayes
