Joy to the world! It’s the return of our favourite festive tradition, the Joyzine Advent Calendar, back for its 22nd consecutive edition, which as far as we’re aware makes it the longest running on the net.
As always, every track is completely free to download and we don’t require you to sign up for a mailing list (though you can if you want to) or hand over your personal data – it’s our way of saying thank you to everyone who’s visited the site during 2025 and to hopefully bring a few more listeners to some very deserving artists.
However, if you do enjoy the tracks we would love you to consider making a donation to our chosen cause, which this year is HOPE not hate, and their stirling work researching, campaigning, and supporting communities to build HOPE and oppose far-right extremism. You can make a donation here.
Syd Howells is a neurodiverse ‘musician’/vocalist from Swansea. Sometimes he is a photographer, sometimes he is an artist. He is a multi (lack of) disciplinary artist.
His material has appeared on Radio One, Radio Wales and other places. He has played with Steveless/Syd Howells, Photographed by Lightning, My-Ra Superstar, The Disasters, Agronauts etc. During 2025 he has released several recordings including an album as part of psychedelic techno duo, Bisgedi and a limited 7” single of extracts from Radio Free Ponty. His most recent release is as part of Fled Astray with Alig Fodder of prog-punk-new-wave weirdos, Family Fodder. Their album, Demagogue Go is out now on Wormhole World Records.
Syd currently has no idea what his upcoming releases are, gut guaranteed 2026 will be filled with more of his lo-fi weirdness. Ever the collaborator, as always, these releases will be in various guises.
We caught up with Syd for a festive q&a:
Tell us a little bit about your track please
I was originally going to create something seasonal then common sense interrupted. ‘Heavens to Betsy’ is a polite track about the everyday chaos and horror. Obviously, it’s a pop song…
What have you been up to in 2025?
It’s been a busy year.
- 1 x 7” single (‘Extracts from Radio Free Ponty’)
- 1 x reissued ep (Radio Wales Session by Steveless/Syd Howells)
- 2 x albums, one with Bisgedi (‘Bisgedi’), one with Fled Astray (‘Demagogue Go’).
- 1 x new live episode of Radio Free Ponty (@NAWR Fest Abertawe).
- A track on the ‘Dead Right’ album by Officer! (CD on Klanggalerie Records, vinyl on InPolySons)
- A track on the forthcoming Wormhole World Records Xmas Album (that track is also non-seasonal)
And what are your plans for next year?
If the world’s still here I have plans…more records, more Radio Free Ponty, more sleep.
What have been your musical highlights of the year from other bands/artists?
Kraftwerk live at Forever Now in Milton Keynes. Richard Dawson (& Rhodri Davies) live in Cardiff. Virtually every act I’ve seen at the NAWR events in Swansea (Eugene Chadbourne was a highlight as was Eddie Prevost.) The Master Musicians of Joujouka in their home village in Morocco’s Rif Mountains. The new Cardiacs album. The malfunctioning office shredder.
Christmas: The most wonderful time of the year or a big bag of humbug?
It’s bobbins. The days off are OK but it gets old quickly. The only highlight of the season is the Mari Lwyd.
Stream and download ‘Heavens to Betsy’ below
Make a donation to HOPE not hate
Syd Howells: Instagram / Bandcamp / Youtube
Check out more fantastic free music on this year’s calendar:
1: Piney Gir & Parenthesis Dot Dot Dot
Check back tomorrow for another free festive download!
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