Music

All They Want

Musicians share some Christmas wishes.

By Cole Haddon 

Every year around the office, it's the same old pickle: What do you buy for the Secret Santa gift exchange? You don't want to go supercheap, because somehow everyone always figures out you were the jackass who bought the stupid Bush-isms desk calendar. But you also don't want to spend so much that you can't buy gifts for the loved ones at home. For some inspiration, we asked some musical artists what they wanted for Christmas.

Sam Endicott, The Bravery: I'm wishing for the same thing I wish for every Christmas — that they build a biosphere over New York City so we can control the weather. Once we have that handled, N.Y. will be the perfect city and L.A. can just cease to exist.

Taylor Swift: Stationery. I know that may sound weird, but I just love beautiful stationery. I am big fan of writing letters — I think it is a lost art!

Andrew Volpe, Ludo: "If I could have one wish this holiday season, it would be that all the world's children join hands around the globe and sing in harmony. I heard that somewhere once, and it brought tears to mine eye. That was until I thought about it. After crunching the logistical numbers on such an operation (and recognizing the mortal terror most children would experience as they brave the elements across vast stretches of wilderness), I've pared down my holiday wish to something a little sexier and a little less impossible. I'd like an iPhone.

Missy Higgins: I really, really want a solar-power charger for my laptop. I spend so much time traveling, and I figure if I can replace even a little bit of the energy that I use with electricity and use solar power instead, then I'm ultimately contributing a bit extra to the fight against global warming. This, I reckon, makes for a very cool Christmas prezzie!

Rachael Yamagata: I'd like clarity and perspective. Why do I want it? Because with those things, I can unclutter the unimportant noise of this life and get on with connecting to each other and just expressing love, love, love. On a superficial level, I really want a year's supply of Marlboro Lights. It helps with the procrastination of clarity and perspective.

Cary Brothers: Other than my two front teeth, a Red Rider carbine action 200-shot range model air rifle, and getting troops the F out of Iraq, all I want for Christmas is a teleporter. Now, I understand that such a thing hasn't been "invented" yet, but I'm sure somewhere in the bowels of a government research facility, some dude is working on it right next to the vomit guns and flying cars they're fooling around with for military use. So, Dr. Geerling of Lab #48 in Tucson, if you're reading this, I would appreciate an e-mail. Then I (a) can tour from home and just beam the band into venues, therefore not having to miss my friends (and bed) so much on the road, and also (b) no longer deal with L.A. traffic that seems to make me late for the dentist every ... single ... time.