The festive season is in full swing, and Merry Muntjac’s debut single, Santa's Off The Wagon, is spreading laughs and holiday cheer far and wide.
We sat down with the merry music-making muntjac to chat about the inspirations behind the track, his favorite Christmas tunes, and what’s next on his festive journey.
Merry, congratulations on your debut single! Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind Santa’s Off The Wagon?
Thank you! The song was inspired by a cheeky poem I stumbled across in a forest clearing—scribbled on the back of a candy cane wrapper, believe it or not.
It’s a playful take on holiday traditions, imagining Santa in a hilariously human moment - overdoing it after a long night of being tempted by the eggnog, mulled wine, and sherry left at nearly every house he visits.
Even Santa can’t resist a festive tipple!
Describe one of your earliest musical memories.
Oh, that has to be the time I found an abandoned tambourine in the forest. With a nudge of my nose, it jingled, and before long, I was leading the woodland creatures in a festive jam session. The squirrels were chattering harmonies, the birds provided backup vocals, and even the grumpy badger thumped along with his paws. That was the moment I realized music could bring everyone together—muntjac, human, or otherwise.
What are your top 3 favorite albums, and why?
Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi Trio
Perfect for cozy, jazzy evenings by the fireplace.
Let It Snow! by Dean Martin
His crooning makes me feel like I’m prancing through a snowy wonderland.
Now That’s What I Call Christmas!
It’s a festive treasure trove of hits that keeps my hooves tapping all season long.
Is there anything left on your bucket list as an artist?
Absolutely, I've only just released my debut single! But my ultimate goal is to headline Santa’s Christmas Day party at the North Pole. It’s the biggest festive bash of the year, with elves dancing, reindeer grooving, and Mrs. Claus leading the conga line. I’ve heard Santa’s quite the music lover, and I’d love to see him jamming along to one of my tracks.
What’s one of the most memorable moments in your career so far?
The moment I played Santa’s Off The Wagon for the first time in front of an audience was unforgettable. Seeing everyone laugh and tap their feet to the cheeky lyrics gave me the confidence to dream bigger. If the opportunity arises, I can’t wait for the day I get to perform it live at Santa’s party—it’s going to be magical!
What’s Santa’s best-kept secret that you’ve heard about?
Rumour has it, Santa has a hidden karaoke machine in his sleigh! Apparently, his go-to song is Jingle Bell Rock, and the reindeer are his reluctant backup singers. I’d pay good candy canes to hear that!
What’s the strangest gift you’ve ever received?
Last year, someone gave me a pair of earmuffs shaped like Christmas puddings. Practical? Yes. Stylish? Debatable. Festive? Absolutely!
If you weren’t a music-making muntjac, what would you be doing?
I'd probably move to the North Pole to run a reindeer spa. I hear that landing on rooftops all night takes a toll on their hooves, and I’d be great at rubbing peppermint oil into tired antlers.
Your voice is so deep and gravelly, and you sing with an accent - completely unexpected for a muntjac! Where does your unique singing voice come from?
Ah, my voice—blame it on the pine needle tea and peppermint bark I’ve been sipping for years! But honestly, I think it’s just from trying to out-sing the forest animals. They’re loud, and I had to step up my game!
You’ve got a good ear! It is what I like to call ‘Forest Cockney.’ I picked it up from a group of chimney sweeps who stopped by the forest on holiday. Nothing like belting out a Christmas tune with a bit of cockney flair, eh?
If you could give one piece of advice to your fans, what would it be?
Keep the holiday spirit alive in your own unique way. Whether it’s dancing like no one’s watching, singing off-key carols, or sneaking an extra mince pie—Christmas is all about the joy you create and share. And if you can do it with a jingle in your step, even better!
Lastly, what’s next for Merry Muntjac?
I’ve got a few surprises up my antlers! You can expect more cheeky holiday tunes, maybe even a collaboration with Frosty the Snowman—if he can handle my tambourine beats. Until then, I’ll be spreading festive cheer wherever I go.
Merry Muntjac’s Santa’s Off The Wagon is out now, bringing laughter, rhythm, and a whole lot of holiday spirit to your playlist. Stream it, share it, and join the festive mischief!
United States
Canada
United Kingdom
New Zealand
Australia
Thank you! The song was inspired by a cheeky poem I stumbled across in a forest clearing—scribbled on the back of a candy cane wrapper, believe it or not.