Anarchy Xmas

Anarchy Xmas is a internet-based project in which UK students and university staff are attempting to reach the Christmas Number One Spot after writing and recording their own single, Smells Like Christmas Time, and promoting it through social channels.

Project History

The project was started by Sheffield students Iz El-Bahnasy and Tom Langhorn in January 2007, and fellow student musicians were recruited through the social networking site Facebook. The plan was set out to write and record a Christmas-themed single together that would be made available to download in December 2007, with proceeds going to charity. The grass-roots group was strongly motivated to challenge the coveted Christmas Number One spot that has, in recent years, been held by the winner of The X Factor TV Show. Members were encouraged to spread the word and the group grew to over 1000 people in one month.

Songs were suggested by members and in June 2007 Tom Rosenthal's demo, Smells Like Christmas Time, won the vote to be the song of choice. In a similar manner members submitted suggestions for the charities to benefit from the project, and in September 2007 NSPCC, Oxfam, Shelter, Friends Of The Earth and Cancer Research UK were chosen.

The song was recorded in Mosaic Studios, Sheffield by the musicians in September 2007. Throughout the autumn the team worked at promoting the song through the media and internet. Along with the musicians and reps that created the song, the Facebook group has grown to over 5200 people as the members encourage everyone to get involved, even if only by telling one friend or buying the track.

The song has been available to download since 10th December through digital outlets such as iTunes, and HMV Digital.