Yes, this is the first Christmas song of the year to feature on Folk Radio UK. It arrives courtesy of acoustic folk-rock troubadour Newton Faulkner who has maintained that DIY craft trademark to his music since he hit the ground running with his 2007 debut ‘Hand Built By Robots’. His latest album ‘Interference (Of Light)’ showcased his undeniable genre-hopping ability resulting in an altogether ‘chunkier’ and ‘heavier’ sounding offering which covered an array of influences from folk, pop, rock, and everything in between.
Now entering the festive season, his attention has turned to the inevitable challenge of Christmas songs which has already found him delivering a catchy and contemporary approach to the well-known ‘Driving Home For Christmas’ featuring Chris Rea’s Niece, Cat Rea.
Not stopping there, Newton wanted to collaborate with other artists he has recently discovered through lockdown which is how he happened upon Scottish TikTok star, Nati Dreddd, who has made a big name for herself on that platform delivering on requests from followers. She delivers a broad array of songs, from old folk classics, Scottish Gaelic songs, pop songs and covers of songs by the likes of Joshua Radin and Gregory Porter. She’s always up for a challenge.
They have now both come together for this simply heartwarming folky-minimalistic version of ‘Winter Wonderland’, which features on Faulkner’s new EP ‘Christmas Light’, both are released tomorrow (19th November).
Speaking behind the creation of ‘Christmas Light’, Newton explains:
“My goal with the ‘Christmas Light EP’ was to make something that had all of the fun and emotion of the original tracks but with a fresh modern twist that brings them up to date. I love all these tracks and really I hope that comes across in the way I treated and changed them. Both Cat Rea and Natti Dreddd totally smashed their vocals too!”
Nati Dreddd on “Winter Wonderland”:
“I think the second I was approached to do this, my initial reaction was, “Are you actually joking?” Stunned disbelief, I think they call that.
“We originally recorded it remotely but after listening again it just didn’t have enough fun in it. So a hopped on a train to London, stopped by Newton’s studio, had a couple of whiskys and we bashed out a much more fun and lively song! I had a blast and it’s gonna be a bizarre feeling hearing our voices on a song together whilst a decorate ma tree. What a world!”
Watch the accompanying vide below:
‘Christmas Light EP’ is out on November 19th: Pre-Order here: https://wmg.click/ChristmasLight_PreSaveAY