By Kevin Wirth
For On Mekahel, A Hoe-y Christmas is more than just a collection of songs. It’s a celebration of queer joy and chosen family. “I grew up in Israel, where we didn’t celebrate Christmas,” he explains. “But I always loved the decorations and the lights. When I met my husband, Christmas became part of my life, too. Our first Christmas together was one of the most magical moments of my life, and I wanted to share that warmth with all of my fans this holiday season.”
While the title and tone are undeniably cheeky, Mekahel says the albums comes straight from the heart. “It is a love letter to the holidays,” he says. He explains more.
If you could describe A Hoe-y Christmas in three words to someone who hasn’t heard it yet, what would they be?
Sexy because the whole EP has this sultry, playful energy running through every track. Warm because I poured my heart and natural warmth into these songs. Cozy because A Hoe-y Christmas is all about that feeling of being cuddled up with good vibes and holiday spirit all around you.
What inspired you to create the album?
I wanted to create an experience for people who love Christmas and the holidays but from a different perspective than the wholesome, family-oriented one we’re used to. I wanted the songs to feel festive and familiar, but with a sexy twist. Something a little less traditional, a little wild, and definitely fun.
You’ve included a mix of originals and reimagined holiday standards like “Hoe-y Night” and “Hark the Herald Who?”. How did you decide which classics to twist and make your own?
I chose my favorite traditional holiday songs and simply added a little of me to them.
For example, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” has always been one of my favorites, but coming from a culture where I didn’t grow up with these songs, I used to wonder: who’s Harold? So I decided to explore that in a playful way. And “Silent Night” is such a beautiful song full of spirit, but I turned it into “Hoe-y Night” because that felt a little more like me; still warm, but cheekier.
Your version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” brings a queer, soulful warmth to a timeless favorite.
I sang it exactly the way I’ve always sung it. I wanted to keep it authentic to how I naturally perform it. Our pianist, Ark, followed the melody the way I’ve always done it, and we recorded it raw and soulful.
“Under the Blanket” sounds like it could be the perfect cozy (or steamy!) winter anthem. What’s the story behind it?
That one was written entirely by my husband, Dave, who writes most of my music with me. I only gave him the title, because that’s exactly where I want to be with him during the holidays. The song really captures one of our winter traditions. Every year, we go up to our cabin with our puppies and spend a few days, just the two of us. No work, no distractions, just snow, a fireplace, and each other under the blanket.
The humor in A Hoe-y Christmas really stands out, but so does its heart. How did you strike the balance between campy fun and genuine holiday emotion?
The whole EP is full of emotion. I wanted every song to flow naturally into the next, creating a cozy little journey. Between the traditional covers and the originals, everything came from a place of love.
On Mekahel’s holiday album, A Hoe-y Christmas, released on November 14, and is available everywhere you stream your favorite music.