Los Campesinos! was formed in 2006 by six students at Cardiff University in Wales, three male, three female, but none Welsh. Further confounding matters, the band’s name is Spanish (roughly translated as “the Peasants”), with all members adopting Campesinos as his or her surname, much like the Ramones or the (Traveling) Wilburys.

The indie-pop band has always made something of a joyful noise on record, which I thought perhaps was inevitable as a sextet, but then I was reminded of Linkin Park. Since some changes in the lineup last year, Los Campesinos! now counts eight members in their musical family. After releasing their third album, Romance Is Boring, in February, followed by the All’s Well That Ends Well EP this summer, Los Campesinos! are closing out 2010 with the launch of a quarterly zine, Heat Rash. The subscription-only publication will deliver news, exclusive music, access to concert tickets, and other advance goodies.

Which brings us to this bit of O Christmas Free. Fans of Los Campesinos! who subscribe to Heat Rash before December 20 will receive two Christmas songs, “Kindle A Flame In Her Heart,” and “The Holly And The Ivy,” digitally packaged with artwork and hymn sheet. But in a display of goodwill to men and women (even the Welsh), Los Campesinos! has made “Kindle A Flame In Her Heart” available for free download. 

The tune features a trumpet and that’s pretty festive, even if the lyrics are less so. Hear here:

And yes, that is Missouri in the corner of the cover art for “Kindle The Flame In Her Heart,” which Los Campesinos! chose as its Heat Rash logo. I haven’t a clue as to why, and this teaser video from the band doesn’t clear matters up in the slightest. 

Free download of Los Campesinos! – “Kindle A Flame In Her Heart” via the band’s official website.