With the fragmented ways of music listening nowadays, I don’t expect to hear a new Christmas classic any time soon. All people seem to want for Christmas are Mariah Carey, Wham!, Chris Rea and a few other popular holiday tunes. If you have a broader taste, maybe you’d like to try my playlist Werner’s X-Mess for a change… Every year I add my favourite new festive tunes and it really is… different.

Hailing from the US, The Indie Pea crafts lush, emotionally resonant indie rock that’s as cinematic as it is intimate. A month ago, the band released a gem that seamlessly fits my playlist. All the band’s signature sounds are there: shimmering guitar work, melodic vulnerability, and rich string arrangements.

A potential future X-Mess classic for people who are fed up with the standards and the clichés. It’s Christmas anyhow…

Lights On, Lights Out by The Indie Pea is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.

More of The Indie Pea @ Carte Blanche Music

Follow the band on Facebook | Spotify

In the Wildcards 2025 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.

Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.