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Julian Koster

A Holiday Party For The Ages, From All Songs Considered

All Songs Considered hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton rented a cabin in the woods for a special holiday party, with Kishi Bashi, Dan Deacon, Carrie Brownstein, and more as guests. Mike Brinson/Getty Images hide caption

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Mike Brinson/Getty Images

All Songs Considered

A Holiday Party For The Ages, From All Songs Considered

In 2012, All Songs Considered hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton rented a small cabin in the woods and invited some of their closest friends for what they were sure would be the party of the century.

Listen to our Holiday Party for the ages

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Holiday Music

The Seasonal Sounds Of The Singing Saw

It's an instrument that sounds like Halloween — a ghostly whine from another dimension. But it doesn't take long to hear the familiar melodies of Christmas: "The First Noel," "Silent Night," even "Frosty the Snowman." The music comes from an album called The Singing Saw at Christmastime.

The Seasonal Sounds Of The Singing Saw

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The Music Tapes: Tiny Desk Concert
Cristina Fletes/NPR

Tiny Desk

The Music Tapes: Tiny Desk Concert

Somewhere inside Julian Koster lives a boy full of wonder and imagination. Performing with his band The Music Tapes, he plays a holiday set complete with bowed banjos, singing saws and tape machines.

The Music Tapes: Tiny Desk Concert

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World Cafe

Season's Greetings With The Singing Saw

XPN

Although Julian Koster's choice of musical instrument is unusual, the songs he plays on it are not. Sometimes lonely and sometimes haunting, the songs on The Singing Saw at Christmastime are childlike, comforting, fresh and warm. Hear a session from WXPN.

Julian Koster in Studio on World Cafe 12/25/08

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