Support Us Button Widget

Columbia musician makes sitar Christmas album

Cover - Sean's Sitar Christmas vol 2
Sean Thomson 01

Sean Thomson’s sits in his studio with sitar + collection of instruments. Photo via Sean Thomson.

“What’s something no one has asked for? More sitar in Christmas music.”Sean Thomson

Columbia-native, Sean Thomson’s fascination with odd instruments + fixing them up led to his recording of a one-of-a-kind Christmas album.

The sitar a stringed instrument of the lute family that is popular in northern India — sat in the corner of his living room for years before he decided to refurbish the vintage possession. After replacing strings, tuning pegs, filing frets, and hours of tuning, he felt a bond with the instrument. The former living room decoration was primed to create its first holiday album, Sitar Christmas.

When the album received a warm reception last year, he decided to not only record a second volume of the quirky novelty album, but present it live as well.

Both albums feature traditional holiday music, ranging from “Deck the Halls” and “Silent Night” to “I Have a Little Dreidel” and “Auld Lang Syne.

What: Sitar Christmas Live

When: Dec. 22 6-7 p.m.

Where: Curiosity Coffee Bar’s Outdoor Holiday Market

Looking for more holiday music to fill your home with cheer? Check out our ‘Home for the holidays’ Spotify playlist, featuring a variety of Cola connected artists.

https://open.spotify.com/album/4mB1Epv5b55EflrVwosmBq?si=u9s14l8wSneEOwLBAK3D1g

More from COLAtoday
“Those Lavender Whales & Friends & Family: A Community Concert Film” premieres at the Nickelodeon Theater to honor Aaron Graves’ life and legacy, featuring performances by surviving band members, friends, and family from a June 2023 tribute concert.
We’re giving you the 411 on the Cola’s landmarks — from the Gervais Street Bridge to Adluh Flour. Learn about their history, fun facts, and just why Soda Citizens and visitors alike find them so iconic.
Get ready for more espresso, teas, and baked goods, Soda Citizens. Construction on the Lazy Daisy Coffee Co. coffee shop is supposed to start in the fall and open in early 2025. Check out a handful of recently-opened restaurants in Forest Acres.
You can’t spell friend without fried — This year’s SC State Fair will take place Wednesday, Oct. 9, and run through Sunday, Oct. 20.
The MAD Festival in Kershaw County is a five-day festival celebrating music, art, drama, and dance.
Looking for things to do, but keep running across the same old stuff? Check out these local-approved (not-so) hidden gems.
Since the historic flooding in 2015, the Columbia Canal has needed repairs. The City of Columbia + Columbia Water held a briefing to share how the restoration will be done by December 2027.
For three days, Segra Park will transform into a donation drop-off site to garner supplies for the Asheville and Augusta communities.
Enjoy local meals and deals through Restaurant Week, happening around Columbia from Thursday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 13.
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up 10 farmers markets around Columbia, SC.