Elizabeth & The Catapult, Acrylics and Carlon Get Merry With Dirty Projectors, Wham! And Rum Punch

Elizabeth Ziman of Elizabeth & The Catapult

Brooklyn's Elizabeth & The Catapult have steadily built a local following for several years, but the band - singer/pianist Elizabeth Ziman, drummer Dan Molad and guitarist Pete Lalish - broke in a big way this year with their debut album on Verve, Taller Children. The album, produced by Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes and Monsters of Folk, gave Ziman and company their first radio impact track with "Taller Children," a song we liked a lot on The Alternate Side.

What Christmas carol do you never tire of?

I love "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)". I used to always sing that song during the holidays when I was a kid and my dad would say to me "You know honey, that song was written by a Jew just like you", which ultimately just made me feel even more self-conscious about it.

Gifts: the good, the bad or the just plain ugly?

The worst holiday gift I ever received were a pair of musical socks. They had bright pink musical notes written on them and a built in radio chip that randomly played jingle bells. Ugh. Really, what's the point?

What albums or songs made you happiest in 2009?

Hold Time by M. Ward. The Crying Light by Antony and the Johnsons. Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors. "The Strangers," St. Vincent.

What's your wish for 2010 ... and the next decade?

All I wanna do is go on a world tour with Rufus Wainwright and David Byrne. And I want to learn to play the entire score to "Jurrassic Park" on the piano. With my eyes closed. That one shouldn't be too hard.

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Jason Klauber of Acrylics

Songwriters Jason Klauber and Molly Shea of Acrylics met at Oberlin College, but the duo's roots are now firmly planted in Brooklyn, where they're part of a hopelessly cool circle of musician friends from bands like Chairlift, MGMT, Amazing Baby and Grizzly Bear. If songs like the breezy single "Molly's Vertigo" and the twangy insouciance of "All of The Fire" are harbingers of things to come, Acrylics are a band to watch in 2010 ... if Jason doesn't get busted while watching "Avatar" in a cineplex this Christmas.

Your strangest - and favorite - holiday tradition?

I always smoke grass and see a movie with my high school friends after we're done with our families on Christmas night. I usually fall asleep during the movie. Especially if it's "Lord of the Rings" related.

Any Christmas carols The Acrylics would be tempted to cover?

I love everything on Phil Spector's Christmas Album. Darlene Love's "White Christmas" is hard to beat but but she might have managed to outdo herself on "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)." "Last Christmas" by Wham! is pretty good too.

We love recipes. Do you one to share?

I like making holiday spiced rum punch. I sometimes add some ginger beer at the end to make it fizzy. Obviously, you can pour in more rum to take it to the next level:

3 tbsp. whole cloves

3 sm. oranges

1/2 gallon apple cider

2 cinnamon sticks

1 1/2 c. rum

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degree C). Press cloves generously into oranges. Place in a baking dish. Bake 45 minutes. In a large saucepan, heat cider and cinnamon sticks. Prick hot oranges with a fork. Place in a punch bowl or chafing dish. Pour hot cider over oranges. Stir in rum. Serve warm. Makes 12 (6 ounce) servings.

What were some records or concerts in 2009 that you admired?

We saw Golden Silvers from the UK do an acoustic set during CMJ. That was a favorite moment. I like their record as well. We played with Besnard Lakes at Mercury Lounge and their set was captivating. Our friends in Chairlift continue to impress us a lot both on stage and on record.

The greatest holiday gift you ever received - as a child or an adult - and why?

Our first guitars were the most meaningful gifts we've ever received, but probably the worst idea our parents ever had.

What's the best advice you can offer anyone - especially yourself - for the decade ahead?

Learn from mistakes. Don't look back. Always look forward.

If you could have one wish that could come true for 2010, what would it be?

I'd wish to finish, release and tour the album we've been recording for so long.

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Michael McWilliams of Carlon

Rootsy, reverb-loving rockers Carlon released their debut Johari Window on the Philly-based label Ropeadope Records earlier this year. They'll be playing Arlene's Grocery on January 22 with Business For Pleasure and are currently stewing and plotting over songs for their next album.

What are your holiday or New Year's Eve plans? Do you and your bandmates exchange gifts?

We all usually go our own way for Christmas, but I think a band exchange would be cool. Perhaps we'll try that this year. I'm headed to my parents' house. I grew up in a "Christmas" town. I'd rather be nowhere else in the world. Can't wait. I'm not that into New Year's, perhaps because I live in the past more often than not.

What's the most meaningful gift you've ever received?

My father bought me a Gibson 1970 Es335 a few years ago. Not sure that could be topped. But it's hard to say otherwise.

Five of your favorite albums of the year ... or the entire decade?

Beck, Sea Change. White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals' Jacksonville City Nights. Radiohead, Hail to the Thief. Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago.