We've been enjoying Salt of the Sound's Christmas album, Waiting for the Dawn, all season long, and after our recent NRT Live interview with Ben and Anita Tatlow, we were left with lots of questions about what sets Christmas apart in Europe and the U.K. 

So in five quick questions, I wanted to get the Tatlows' take on the season in their native country, as well as their adopted home, and Ben indulged my curiosity. This article is best read after buying and listening to Waiting for the Dawn.

You're living in Sweden, having moved from the UK. What are some Christmas traditions you experienced growing up in the UK, and what are some new, different ones you have there in Sweden?

In the U.K., so much happens around Christmas with parties, celebrations and gifts. In Sweden, Advent is the season that brings light into the long and dark winter. My favorite adopted tradition has to be the St. Lucia celebrations, which happen on the 13th December. Choirs of children light up churches and schools wearing white and carrying candles as they sing songs about Lucia, who brings light into the darkness. One child in each procession is always dressed as Lucia, with live candles in her hair--yeah--but fire buckets are always at the ready, just in case!

What would you say the biggest difference is between how Europe does Christmas and how the States does it?

I would say seeing the festivities from across Europe and how each country upholds their own Christmas traditions throughout the season is really special. For example, the Dutch Sinterklaas celebration takes place on the 5th December and many countries (including Sweden) celebrate with their loved ones on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day. I'm still getting used to that! Living in such an international community means that we can join in with everyone's traditions so Christmas becomes a season full to the brim of celebrations. 
 
What are the most sung Christmas songs every year there in Sweden?

That's a good question. Of course the U.S. and U.K. have influenced Christmas radio playlists but Sweden is a country known for its own music, and songs of old continue to be passed down from generation to generation. One favourite is "Jul, Jul, Strålande Jul'," or, "Yule, Yule, Radiant Yule." You might not have heard of this as there is no direct translation with the same meaning, so we wrote one: "White Forests" on our Christmas EP is our take on this traditional Swedish Christmas song.

What does a typical Christmas meal consist of? 

The Swedish Julbord (or "Christmas Table") is a smorgasbord which varies from home to home but you are sure to find some staple dishes on most Swedish Christmas dinner tables: roasted ham, meatballs, Jansson's temptation (a creamy potato dish containing anchovies), cured salmon and a favorite amongst many Swedes is pickled herring--although we haven't quite made the transition to having pickled herring on our Christmas dinner table yet!

Share with us your thoughts and hopes this Christmas! 

Well, I think we'd love to have some down time just to ourselves as this year has been pretty busy on many accounts! But in terms of our music, we hope and pray that it would bring some peace, joy, and moments of calm this season to those who hear it.

Check our our full NRT Live interview with Salt of the Sound below, and pick up Waiting for the Dawn at BandCamp.