In anticipation of Christmas, something darker, different, and magical takes flight. The Exceptional Mr Hyde and Soho Jackal, a goth/post‑punk collaboration from Yorkshire, have reunited to release "The Christmas Crow" — a hauntingly beautiful festive single with an animated video, inspired by the gothic imagination of Tim Burton and the northern charm of L.S. Lowry.
At its heart lies a poignant tale: a father returns from beyond the grave, in the form of a crow, to visit his daughter at Christmas. It is a dark poem of love, loss, and the spirit that never truly leaves us. Yet this release is about more than music. Every penny raised from "The Christmas Crow" will go directly to The Sophie Lancaster Foundation — a charity born from tragedy, dedicated to promoting tolerance, understanding, and acceptance for alternative subcultures. Following the horrific murder of Sophie Lancaster, her family founded the charity to ensure a lasting legacy for their beautiful, creative daughter — by educating others and challenging prejudice wherever it is found.
The Foundation shared these words about the release:"We're deeply moved that The Exceptional Mr Hyde has chosen to support The Sophie Lancaster Foundation with their beautiful and haunting Christmas single, "The Christmas Crow". Its message of empathy, loss and hope captures the very heart of what we stand for — a world where difference is embraced and kindness always wins. This song reminds us that even in the darkest moments, compassion can still shine through".
Through this project, we honour that mission — showing that being different is something to be celebrated, not feared.
Join us in making this a Gothic Christmas for a Cause. Support the fundraiser (HERE), share the song, and help us keep Sophie's light shining in the darkness. Link
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"It's my kind of duty to provoke people and to make sure they feel something — to dance, cry, do whatever they feel. I do motivate them, because that's my purpose." - Chris Corner
"This time we're trying not to complicate things too much. We want to have a simple message, but that doesn't mean there will be fewer arrangements or less songwriting..." - Pedro Paixão
"We're really into oxymorons and that sort of thing. Years and years ago, we came up with this idea—well, we didn't invent it, but we called it "happy sad"." - Matt James
"I'm sort of asking questions - where are the heroes? Where's the defiance? Where are the people who oppose this?" - Alan "Nemtheanga" Averill
