Tuesday, April 01, 2008
baby, i'm a foolSince this place is a haven for my self-centered rambling, I usually wouldn't do anything like this, but birthdays only come once a year...
Jess is sort of obsessed with sappy, indie love tunes, which isn't terrible, since, as you've probably noticed, I have a bit of a soft spot for sappy, indie love tunes, but honestly, a whole tape worth of this stuff is a bit much. But again, birthdays only come once a year, so here's a special edition of "i'll make you a tape" that showcases Jess' picks: a mix full of all-time favourites, "Quinn, you have to hear this", and "but it's just so sweet."
Happy 22nd, Dear.
1. Bright Eyes - First Day of My Life
2. New Buffalo - I've Got You and You've Got Me
3. the Decemberists - Angel, Won't You Call Me?
4. the Blow - Parentheses
5. Sixpence None the Richer - Kiss Me
6. Hermane Dune - 1, 2, 3 Apple Tree
7. Stars - the Aspidistra Flies
8. Magnetic Fields - the Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side
9. REM - At My Most Beautiful.
10. Tegan and Sara - Love Type Thing
11. Hello Saferide - Get Sick Soon
I'm going to try out this muxtape thing. So you can stream this sentimental junk.
i'll make you a tape, vol. 10: birthday fools' edition
Truth be told, Jess (likes to play like she) is ice cold, so she'd never listen to that. But here's some stuff she would listen to... (sort of) mixed for your listening pleasure.
1. the Beatles - Birthday
2. Gang of Four - Return the Gift
3. the Sonics - Psycho
4. the Jesus & Mary Chain - Head On
5. New Order - Blue Monday
6. Maximum Joy - Stretch (99 Records Version)
7. Feist - 1234 (Van She Tech Remix)
8. David Bowie - Rebel, Rebel
9. Prince - Raspberry Beret
10. Daft Punk - Da Funk
11. MIA - Paper Planes (DFA Mix)
12. TI - Why You Wanna
13. Judas Priest - Breaking the Law
download: Jess' Birthday Mix
Yeah, I just made a whole post for an inside joke that two people got. If you don't like it, go read Pitchfork.
now playing: Whiskeytown - Mirror, Mirror
Saturday, December 29, 2007
c'mon admit it
You really can't have a mixtape that represents Vancouver without including Andy Dixon in some way, which is why I was thrilled when he offered up this track from his not-out-until-February full-length, The Mice of Mt. Career. You're probably familiar with him via one of his many projects (DBS, the Red Light Sting, Secret Mommy, Winning, Ache Records, and his design work), and this track is distinctly Andy, but adds yet another style to his rather vast repertoire. Maybe it's just me, but track seems unseasonal for December. Perhaps Summery feel will remind you that for four months of the year, instead of being gray and rainy, Vancouver is pretty sweet.
download: Mt. Career
The first a-side quality "b-side" is here
And the rest of the mix and the donation link is here
Since I'm totally not caught up with show listings... tonight!
- Vapid, Nu Sensae, Modern Creatures, and Shearing Pinx... and apparently No Gold(!) are all at the Cobalt.
- Sex Attack and Tyler Fedchuk are giving Frank's a send off.
now playing: Andy Dixon - Mt. Career
Sunday, December 23, 2007
boxing day
Petroluem By-Products - "Got SomethinSomethin"
Petroleum By-Products were nice enough to drop another treat in my inbox for me to share with all of you. You know when you buy a really great record and then hear a b-side from said album and wonder why something so rad wouldn't be on there in the first place? Well, there's a variety of reasons that such things happen, but in this case, it was just a timing thing.
It's probably sort of lame to harp on the relatively tender ages of the By-Products, but honestly, when I think back to the fact that when I was just out of high school my Friday nights consisted of vain attempts to get someone to buy me alcohol and/or video games, it's even more impressive that their Friday nights usually involve impressing the Hell out of a room full of local show goers. "Got SomethinSomethin" is like Be Your Own Pet channeling the B-52s.
upcoming shows: January 19th at the Chapel, February 2nd at the Astoria, February 15th at the Railway
download: "Got SomethinSomethin"
All the donation/letter writing info, plus the rest of the mix is still up down there.
On an unrelated note, apparently Friday marked the last show at Pub 340. I heard a rumour about it closing, but I didn't know it'd be so soon. Total downer, but that goes without saying.
now playing: David Bowie - Oh! You Pretty Things
Friday, December 21, 2007
the spirit of giving
i'll make you a tape, vol. 9
I've been toying with the idea of compiling some sort of mix of Vancouver artists for awhile, but there was never really a good excuse to get something together. Then, shortly after Radiohead released In Rainbows and everyone was all aflutter about "paying what you want," this idea popped into my head: if you (in the broad sense) were willing to pay for music when given the choice, surely you'd be willing to donate to a great cause when given the choice. I suppose I could have chosen a "less controversial" charity, but I've never been one to shy away from my beliefs, and the cause was "less controversial" enough to get some of my very favourite local artists to sign on and donate their talents.
So, with that, I present Four Pillars: A Mix for Insite.
I'm pretty sure that the VPD, Sam Sullivan, Sean Orr, the Vancouver Sun Editorial Board, and Noam Chomsky don't all agree on a lot of things. But I do know that they're all behind Insite. If you're from Vancouver, I likely won't need to say anything more, but if you aren't familiar with the first legal, supervised, safe injection site in North America you might want to do a little reading about it.
All the lovely people featured on this mix donated their music for you to download for free, and all they're asking in return is that you throw a little money the Portland Hotel Society's way (they manage Insite). And if you're short on funds (or even if you're not), you can can spend some political capital by writing your MP, Federal Health Minister Tony Clement, and the Prime Minister, to tell them that Insite is an election issue, and that it should stay open. There's also a pre-written letter of support that you can send off here.
Download and donation links after the write-ups below...
1. L. Abramson - "Trucker's Prayer"
Leah's solo debut, Bedroom/City came out a few years ago, but I just picked it up a few months ago. It just might be my favourite music purchase of 2007, which is saying a lot, since it was a pretty great year for new music. In addition to donating her talents to this project, she's also organizing a music lessons program for women in the Abbotsford correctional institute, and is lending her time as a songwriting mentor during Youth Week. Basically, she's your new favourite singer-songwriter and also a stand up lady. The as-yet-unreleased "Trucker's Prayer" features her handling guitar and vocals and Tyson Naylor providing the accordion.
see also: the Abramson Singers, Dyad, Octoberman, the Crooked Jades
upcoming shows: January 24th @ the Media Club (Dyad & the Abramson Singers)
2. Fanshaw - "Nobody"
I've known Liv for awhile now, but our introduction - at UBC - wasn't in any sort of musical context. So while I've known that she's a lovely human being for quite some time, I had no idea that she had such lovely songs inside her until relatively recently. If you didn't catch her at Shindig, where she even swept the sarcastic crew over at Only off their feet on her way to winning top prize, you can start making up for it by enjoying "Nobody." Johnny Payne and Larissa Loyva joined Liv on drums and backing vocals, respectively, to make up this version of the ever-rotating Fanshaw line-up.
see also: the Choir Practice, Kellarissa, Victoria, Victoria!
3. Anemones - "Vicious Attack"
Anemones now call Montreal home, but they'll always be "one of ours" in my eyes. In addition to becoming one of my favourite local bands, before they left, Jason, Steven, and Kathy (the Vancouver ex-pat contingent of the group) were an integral part of Vancouver's music community. In fact, unless you just moved here or just started checking out local shows, I pretty much guarantee that you've seen one of them play. Their departure left a sizable gap in the scene, but they were kind enough to lend my favourite track from their now-sold-out self-titled EP to help fill the void.
4. Bend Sinister - "Happiness is a Warm Gun (the Beatles)"
Some bands seem like they're always on the cusp of something big, and so it is with Bend Sinister. They've yet to finally reach that tipping point, but in the meantime, the residents of Terminal City can hold onto them as one of our local secrets. They have a brand new EP out, but they graced us with something a little special: a cover of a Beatles classic. Jon sounds so great singing this.
see also: Small Fame, Karen Foster
upcoming shows: January 25th (for 1/2 Alive) @ Richard's
5. Taxes - "The Suburbs Are Killing Us"
So, if you're ever trying to think of a recipe for a band, here's a good one: take three of Vancouver's hardest working musicians, team them up with one of the Terminal City's best known mouths, stir in some aural chaos, and then give them one sweet ass band name. The entire Crystal Gravy EP is worth your attention (so go cop that), but since the suburbs almost killed me for over two decades, I decided to pick this track for the mix. Like JPDNRDS, the sweet guys in Taxes gave me their whole EP and let me do the picking.
see also: Ghost House, Plus Perfect, Safety Show, Weathered Pines
upcoming shows: January 24th at the Plaza, February 22nd at the Astoria
6. Nu Sensae - "Brain Aid"
The first thing that grabbed me about Nu Sensae was their cover of "12XU," which is sort of fitting, because they share one of Wire's best qualities: they don't waste anytime getting to their musical point, driving that point home, and stopping before you're mind even has time to think about wandering. "Brain Aid" is a minute and a half of evil rhythms, menacing voices, and baaaaddddd viiiiiiibbbbbes. I love it.
upcoming shows: December 29th at the Cobalt, January 19th @ the Astoria
7. JPNDRDS - "Darkness on the Edge of Gastown"
I think I rave about Japandroids about once every two weeks, so you can probably understand that I was thrilled when they sent over their forthcoming sophomore EP, Lullaby Death Jams, with the generous instructions to "post whichever song you want." It's stellar from front to back, but "Darkness on the Edge of Gastown" is my favourite song right now, period. It might be yours soon too.
see also: Trembling
8. Mutators - "Paper Words"
My love of Mutators is no secret. Rather than filing the band's self-titled 7" with the rest of my 45s, I just leave it on my turntable. "Paper Words" has been on constantly at my place, and not just because of the vinyl's infinite run out groove. An opening shriek from Leif brings in the crashing drums and some hyper-frenetic guitar, and for two blissfully heavy minutes, they don't let up for a second.
upcoming shows: December 28th at Pub 340
9. Shearing Pinx - "South Dakota"
I always envisioned South Dakota as one of the most boring places imaginable, until I heard this song (that originally appeared on Ultra Snake). I don't know exactly what they're doing to coax the sounds out of those guitars, but I imagine that it may be illegal in certain US jurisdictions. At any rate, the beautifully chaotic outcome is worth some serious jail time.
upcoming shows: December 29th at the Cobalt
10. Twin Crystals - "Night Family"
For most bands, it's hard enough to perform a particular style well enough to even qualify as a one-trick pony, so it's sort of unfair that Twin Crystals have so many perfect angles of attack at their disposal. I just talked about how they can bring the noise with the best of them, but on "Night Family" the volume gets turned down a notch on a track that sounds like Coltrane on really good acid.
see also: Channels 3x4, Cheerleader Camp, Modern Creaturs, Owl Owl Pegasus... and there's a distinct possibility that I'm missing something (apologies)
upcoming shows: February 22nd @ the Astoria
11. The Clips - "Kassel"
It sort of weirds me out to think that the first time I saw the Clips was a mere 8 months ago, because if you asked me about them today, I wouldn't hesitate to tell you that they're one of my favourite live acts (local or otherwise). It's impossible to replicate being crammed into a sweaty warehouse with a couple hundred dancing strangers (and friends) while the guys do their thing, but "Kassel" stands on its own as one of the best dance tracks of 2007.
see also: Brasstronaut
12. My!Gay!Husband! - "Feist Hearts Hollywood Holt"
Jason really needs no introduction. The Sun tipped him for an article on dive bars, so their writer wouldn't look completely out of touch, and the Onion AV Club shouted him out as having one of "the worst band names of '07." If you get out at all in this city, he's either soundtracked your party or he's partied with you. And if you want to get your party started before you head out from now on, you can bump this mashup of Hollywood Holt and Feist. Imagine if Leslie had a little more junk in her trunk, and you'll get an idea of what to expect.
see also: Half Alive
upcoming shows: Blastramp at the Bourbon every Thursday, 1/2 Alive at Richard's every Friday.
13. Piper Davis - "Academics"
You know, you might describe Piper's music as "neo-soul," except I hate anything called "new-soul" and I love Piper's self-titled EP. I love "Academics" so much that I asked her to let me remix it, and she's such a sweet woman, that she even said "yes." Rather than torment you with my production, here's the original in all its ass shaking glory.
14. Expendable Youth - "Maniac"
You might be more familiar with Matt and Mike from their work with Chalked Up, but when they're not busy doing things like interviewing the Godfather of Baltimore Club, they're usually busy behind the decks. You may have already copped their mix that featured on both Radio Zero and Mad Decent, but here's an original production (with a few familiar samples) that absolutely slays.
see also: Chalked Up
upcoming shows: NYE at Shine with the Ice Cream Social (Mike)
15. The Eurythmics - "Sweet Dreams (Tony X's 1/2 Alive Edit)"
Like his 1/2 Alive partner in crime, if you get out and party, you know this guy too. In fact, your eyes probably recognize Tony from his trademark uniform alone (white-t/black jeans/bandana). Your ears will recognize Tony on this edit of a ubiquitous dance floor classic via all the elements he brings to his live sets: slick beats, sick rhythms, and enough disco to get the most firmly planted wall flower moving.
see also: Half Alive
upcoming shows: 1/2 Alive at Richard's every Friday
16. gr8-2000 - "Kevin Drew Presents Broken Social Scene"
Tom could get by strictly on his sheer enthusiasm for music. While his boundless energy and willingness to work with anybody means that I'm not always 100% into (though always 100% supportive) of projects that he's part of, he's never bad, and sometimes he strikes pure gold. This BSS cut-and-paste is 24-karat and rock solid, distilling what sounds like the Scene's entire catalogue into just over 5-minutes of dance treasure.
see also: Technotown Boogie Down
upcoming shows: December 27th at Meme Lab, and probably your house party if you ask him nicely
There you have it.
An enormous thank you goes out to all the wonderful people who donated their work for this. And a big advance thank you goes out to you for enjoying it, and hopefully donating a little of your money and a few of your words to a great cause. It also goes without saying, that while your supporting stuff, you can support all these bands/DJs/artists at their shows and by buying their albums.
And finally, here's the really important stuff:
download: Four Pillars: A Mix for Insite
mirror: at zshare
And the link to donate to the Portland Hotel Society (via CanadaHelps.org):
No really, pay whatever you want.
Notes: Everything is in mp3 except for "Nobody." The download is a .zip file. I opted not to do individual track downloads, because it's cool to hear music that you might not go out of your way to listen to.
Unless something crazy happens, that'll probably be it until Christmas, so have a happy one (whether you observe it or not).
now playing: this mix, of course
Monday, July 09, 2007
fireworks
i'll make you a tape (vol. 8)
download: That's a good enough reason, isn't it?
Also in podcast form (one long mp3). Also because I feel like it. Happy Monday.
1. Destroyer - Streethawk II (Alternate Version)
2. Magnetic Fields - The Things We Did and Didn't Do
3. Neutral Milk Hotel - Where You'll Find Me Now
4. Blur - No Distance Left to Run
5. Fiery Furnaces - Rub Alcohol Blues
6. Mazarin - Another One Goes By
7. Beatles - I'm So Tired
8. Amy Winehouse - Valerie (Zutons Cover)
9. The Velvet Underground - Who Loves the Sun?
10. Spoon - Anything You Want
11. Elevator to Hell - Why I Didn't Like August 93
12. Animal Collective - Fireworks
13. Air - Cherry Blossom Girl (Hope Sandoval Version)
14. Palace Music - New Partner
15. Ladyhawk - Faces of Death (Live on CBC Radio 3)
16. Leeroy Stagger - Broke and Broken Hearted
17. Whiskeytown - Everything I Do
18. Wilco - Hate It Here
19. Pavement - We Dance (Alternate Mix)
now playing: Whiskeytown - Avenues
Sunday, July 01, 2007
stand on guard
i'll make you a tape (vol. 7)
download: Oh Canada (2007)
Happy Canada Day.
1. Tokyo Police Club - Cheer It On
2. Anemones - Vicious Attack(s)
3. Lullabye Arkestra - Y'Make Me Shake
4. The Constantines - Why I Didn't Like August '93 (Elevator to Hell cover)
5. Black Mountain - Modern Music
6. The Flashing Lights - Elevature
7. Pride Tiger - What It Is
8. Stars - Reunion (Jason Collett Version)
9. Leeroy Stagger - Two Day One Night Stand
10. The Tragically Hip - Fireworks (live and acoustic)
11. The Weakerthans - Ringing of Revolution (Phil Ochs cover)
12. Sloan - Deeper Than Beauty
13. Land of Talk - Summer Special
14. Handsome Furs - Dead + Rural
15. Feist - Mushaboom (demo)
16. Cadence Weapon feat. Final Fantasy - Sharks (live on CBC Radio 3)
17. Ladyhawk - Faces of Death (live on CBC Radio 3)
18. Sunset Rubdown - I'll Believe in Anything, You'll Believe in Anything
19. Destroyer - Jackie, Dressed in Cobras
20. Julie Doiron - Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
Friday, June 15, 2007
i was so heavy, i was out of my head
I'll Make You a Tape (Vol. 6)
download: I was wasted
Last Music Waste post until preparations for next year's fest go into high gear, I promise. I'd like to send out a big thank you to the crew over at Only for putting everything together. This year was the first year that I actually "did the fest" properly and used my pass to venue hop instead of just cherry-picking shows here and there. Needless to say, I had a blast. Here's a short collection of some of the best bands I saw, plus a couple more that I wish I could have caught. Since some of the bands only have 7" or cassettes or haven't released anything, some of the mp3s are 96kbps MySpace rips. But that's even more reason to go out to a show or head down to Zulu or Scratch to show some great local bands some love with your pocket books.
1. Secret Mommy - Plays
2. Old Phoebe - Shower Song
3. Ghost House - Deathquarium
4. L. Abramson - Letters to B
5. Japandroids - Coma Complacency
6. White Lung - Local Garbage
7. Modern Creatures - Oh Save Us
8. Taxes - Talkinboutmygeneration.com
9. Mutators - What Cuts Want
10. Bison - Wartime
now playing: Modern Creatures - Oh Save Us
Monday, March 26, 2007
human after all
tracklist:
1. Uffie - Pop the Glock (SebastiAn Remix)
2. Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (Demo Version)
3. SebastiAn - Walkman
4. DJ Mehdi - I Am Somebody (Paris Version feat. Chromeo)
5. DJ Mehdi - Pony Rocking (feat. Feadz)
6. Daft Punk - Human After All (Red Foxx's SpankbastiAn Remix)
7. Uffie - Ready to Uff
8. Klaxons - Golden Skans to Interzone (So Me Remix)
9. Fancy - What's Your Name Again? (Busy P Remix)
10. SebastiAn - Ross Ross Ross
11. Justice vs. Simian - Never Be Alone (We Are Your Friends)
download:From Blown Speakers Ed Bangover Mix
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
two hearts in 3/4 time
I'll Make You a Tape (Vol. 5 - Extended Valentine's Edition)
download:be my valentine?
1. Justin Timberlake feat. T.I. - My Love
2. CSS - Let's Make Love and Listen to Death from Above (Spank Rock Remix)
3. Daft Punk vs Yeah Yeah Yeahs - World Maps (Along Came Jones Edit)
4. Annie - Heartbeat (Phones Maximo Remix)
5. Madonna - Hung Up
6. Teddybears - Yours to Keep (Annie Remix)
7. Christina Aguilera - Ain't No Other Man
8. M.I.A. - URAQT (Diplo Mix)
9. Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out of My Head (Soulwax Elektronic Remix)
10. the Blow - Parentheses
11. the Stone Roses - She Bangs the Drums
12. John Lennon - Real Love (just the chorus)
And so nobody feels left out, if...
You're fine with VDay, but you don't like dancing...
download: REM - At My Most Beautiful (from Up)
You reject the crass consumerism of this Hallmark holiday, but still have a life partner who shares your radical values...
download: the Smiths - Shoplifters of the World Unite (from the Singles)
You prefer to stalk your "objects of affection" from afar...
download: the Stone Roses - Standing Here (from the Complete Stone Roses)
Those objects of affection are much younger than you. Perhaps you meet them via instant messenger or MySpace or because you're R. Kelly or a Republican congressman...
download: the Affair - Jailbait Date (from Yes, Yes to You)
You long for the company of someone much younger than you. That someone is also dead, and perhaps played by Kirsten Dunst...
download: Air - Playground Love (from the Virgin Suicides Soundtrack)
You are in love with the person described above...
download: the Magnetic Fields - The One You Really Love (from 69 Love Songs, Vol. 1)
You are single and relieved...
download: Fiery Furnaces - I Broke My Mind/Single Again/Here Comes Summer (live in Toronto) (album version from EP)
You are single and lonely...
download: Amy Winehouse - Love is a Losing Game (acoustic) (only avail. on the US version. jerks.)
You are rich and lonely...
watch: the Beatles - Can't Buy Me Love (from A Hard Day's Night)
You are emo and lonely...
download: Bright Eyes - Lover I Don't Have to Love (live at Bonnaroo 2006) (album version from Lifted...)
You are single and bitter...
download: Swan Lake - the Freedom (via Jagjaguwar - from Beast Moans)
You take out your bitterness by crafting a nine minute video featuring Scarlett J, that is directed by John Cassavetes less talented son, where you run poor Scarlett of the road in your Porsche...
watch: Justin Timberlake - What Goes Around Come Around (Director's Cut) (from FutureSex/LoveSounds)
Happy Valentine's. I will spend mine watching Lost with my girlfriend, because she doesn't have cable, and therefore, I cannot watch the hockey game. That, my friends, is love.
And if you're my lovely girlfriend...
download: Sam Cooke - Nothing Can Change This Love (live from the Harlem Square Club) (from One Night Stand: Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club)
As always, if you like what you hear, go and buy it. I'm sure they'll make great last minute gifts for your significant other.
now playing: Wilco - Jesus, Etc
Monday, January 15, 2007
be quiet and drive
I'll Make You a Tape (Vol. 4)
download:commuting in silence sucks
Following Friday's post, here's side B of the mix I made for my friend Rob to throw on a tape to soundtrack his commute. Apparently that's a photo of Burnaby, so it might be exactly what Rob sees every weekday morning. How's that for (pseudo)realism?
Oh, and to the other Rob, thanks for the hosting offer, but I like to stick to YSI (annoying registration and all) so I don't have to remember to take the links down later (and I will forget). Speaking of registering, if you don't want to do that, hit up BugMeNot.
The mix:
1. Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
2. the Breeders - Drivin' on 9
3. Belle and Sebastian - I Love My Car
4. the Fiery Furnaces - Straight Street (Eleanor Solo)
5. Radiohead - Killer Cars (Thom Solo)
6. Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
7. Sarah Harmer - Silver Road
8. Catatonia - Road Rage
9. Elastica - Car Song
10. Kanye West - Drive Slow (Remix feat. T.I.)
11. the Hold Steady - Southtown Girls
now playing: Land of Talk - new song (live in Kingston)
Friday, August 04, 2006
think i was blind before i met you
I'll Make You A Tape (Vol. 3)
download: love songs
Two very dear friends of mine just got engaged, so to celebrate here's a collection of some of my very favourite songs about being in love. Usually I tend to gravitate towards songs d'amour that have a bittersweet edge - because I'm a cynic like that with myself - but these are all unabashed, sugary sweet, pure and simple love songs. My peer group is still at that age where the announcement of a friend's marriage usually makes us collectively gasp and think "crazy." But, I know I speak for most everyone I know when I say we're all super excited about this one.
Congratulations, Jess and Alan!
1. The Brunettes - Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks
2. Feist - Mushaboom
3. Esthero - Everyday is a Holiday (With You)
4. Magnetic Fields - When My Boy Walks Down The Street
5. Math and Physics Club - You're So Good To Me
6. Sarah Harmer - Open Window (The Wedding Song)
7. Whiskeytown - Paper Moon
8. Bright Eyes - First Day Of My Life
9. Stars - The Aspidistra Flies
10. R.E.M. - Nightswimming
11. John Lennon - Real Love
12. The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year
13. Hello Saferide - Get Sick Soon
14. New Buffalo - I've Got You and You've Got Me (Song of Contentment)
15. Jeff Magnum - I Love How You Love Me (Phil Spector Cover, Live)
now playing: R.E.M. - Bittersweet Me
Saturday, June 10, 2006
miss you
I'll Make You A Tape (vol. 2)
download: Saying It With Somone Else's Words
That quote doesn't hold true for all mixtapes, of course. The majority are unthemed, "here are a bunch of songs you will enjoy," type affairs. Some have themes, but generally speaking, aren't trying to do anything more than collect "songs about animals" or "songs that mention cities" or something seemingly random like that. There are a percentage of recorded cassettes, cds, and now, ITunes playlists, however, that have been carefully assembled (and sometimes carefully packaged) to say something. "I love you," "I('ll) miss you," "I want you," "I want you back," or maybe "all of the above."
This hypothetical demonstration could've been any of those things, but I went with the latter. There's also a bit of a twist - and, this is where that High Fidelity quote comes in. If you're going to say something with someone else's words, why not use songs that have been road tested with that purpose entirely in mind?
Cover songs: some are good, some are terrible, some are genuine, some are tongue and cheek (although those ones usually suck). Mixtapes then, can be the cover song for those of us who aren't talented enough to pick up an instrument and perform/record are own rendition of someone else's music, because what a good cover song embodies, is the very premise of the meaningful mixtape: expressing your feelings with someone else's words...
1. Julie Doiron - A Thing Of The Past (The Shirelles)
2. Broken Social Scene - Every Night (Paul McCartney)
3. Rogue Wave - Everyday (Buddy Holly)
4. The Concretes - Miss You (The Rolling Stones)
5. Cat Power - I Found A Reason (The Velvet Underground)
6. TV on the Radio - Modern Romance (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
7. Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats (The Knife)
8. Final Fantasy - This Modern Love (Bloc Party)
9. Pearl Jam - Throw Your Arms Around Me (Hunters and Collectors)
10. Mazzy Star - Wild Horses (The Rolling Stones)
11. Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - I Still Miss Someone (Johnny Cash)
12. Feist - Secret Heart (Ron Sexsmith)
13. Stevie Wonder - We Can Work It Out (The Beatles)
14. Neil Finn and Friends - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)
now playing: Wilco - Someone Else's Song
Monday, April 17, 2006
i've seen you with your hair down at least five times
I'll Make You A Tape
So, in what will hopefully become a semi-regular fixture here (like the One Song posts), this is the first of many themed mixes. We'll shoot for once a month or so... but actually post whenever inspiration strikes (so really frequently in the next couple of months, settling down once the novelty wears off a bit). With that...
download: Geek Love (or lack thereof)
1. A Camp - Algebra
Nina Persson may be skinny, blonde (sometimes), and model-like, but math is math.
2. Shotgun & Jaybird - Long Distance Dates
"Searching through my pockets for a bus schedule, I'll pick you up at 6:12pm." Slick. The title also conjours images of internet dating or something for me.
3. Final Fantasy - The Chronicles of Sarnia
It doesn't make any D&D references, but it is brilliantly (and nerdily) titled as a play on C.S. Lewis andeverybody's (maybe) somebody's favourite Ontario town, by a guy whose stage name is pinched from a series of intense video RPGs. Extra dork points if know what both "D&D" and "RPG" stand for.
4. Britta Persson - Defrag My Heart
Scrapped titles: "ReFormat My Love," "UnZip My Soul," "DeRootKit My Affection"
5. The Decemberists - Angel, Won't You Call Me?
It's the Decemberists.
6. Jens Lekman - Your Arms Around Me
I love Jens Lekman, but he's no Marvin Gaye. It may be musically brilliant to find beauty in the mundane, but smooth and debonair, it ain't.
7. Herman Dune - You Stepped On Sticky Fingers
The delivery is all frantic and unconfident, full of "should've... should've... should've's." Not to mention that the song's epiphany comes after the girl in question steps on a Daniel Johnston cassette. This is for every musicgeek that finds themselves infatuated when someone of the opposite (or same) sex asks about their record collection.
8. Sloan - Deeper Than Beauty
If High School age awkwardness has been better summed up in under 3-minutes, I have yet to hear it.
9. Catatonia - Mulder and Scully
Love problems? Call the detectives from X-Files. The science fiction reference trumps the utter cool of Cerys Matthews smoky croon.
10. Art Brut - Emily Kane
While everything about Art Brut fills me with joy, there is something more than a little pathetic about a song about being hung up on your highschool girlfriend... tongue in cheek or not.
11. Weezer - Jamie
Sweet, cute sounding lyrics about lost love... it even has some distortion on the guitar to make it a little more ballsy, and offset the harmonies. It's also about Weezer's former lawyer.
12. The White Stripes - Hand Springs
Back before the Coke commercials, beating the crap out of dudes in other bands, and marrying models, Jack still had it in him to deliver a song with such depressingly unsure lines like, "I took my girlfriend bowling downtown at the Red Door/After and argument I started 'cause I thought she didn't like me anymore/I can't help it. Sometimes I feel so pitiful/And of course, she's so young and beautiful." The date just gets worse from there.
now playing: Fuck Me USA - Infinite Slope
baby, i'm a fool
Today, someone very special to me is celebrating a birthday.
Jess is sort of obsessed with sappy, indie love tunes, which isn't terrible, since, as you've probably noticed, I have a bit of a soft spot for sappy, indie love tunes, but honestly, a whole tape worth of this stuff is a bit much. But again, birthdays only come once a year, so here's a special edition of "i'll make you a tape" that showcases Jess' picks: a mix full of all-time favourites, "Quinn, you have to hear this", and "but it's just so sweet."
Happy 22nd, Dear.
2. New Buffalo - I've Got You and You've Got Me
3. the Decemberists - Angel, Won't You Call Me?
4. the Blow - Parentheses
5. Sixpence None the Richer - Kiss Me
6. Hermane Dune - 1, 2, 3 Apple Tree
7. Stars - the Aspidistra Flies
8. Magnetic Fields - the Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side
9. REM - At My Most Beautiful.
10. Tegan and Sara - Love Type Thing
11. Hello Saferide - Get Sick Soon
I'm going to try out this muxtape thing. So you can stream this sentimental junk.
i'll make you a tape, vol. 10: birthday fools' edition
Truth be told, Jess (likes to play like she) is ice cold, so she'd never listen to that. But here's some stuff she would listen to... (sort of) mixed for your listening pleasure.
1. the Beatles - Birthday
2. Gang of Four - Return the Gift
3. the Sonics - Psycho
4. the Jesus & Mary Chain - Head On
5. New Order - Blue Monday
6. Maximum Joy - Stretch (99 Records Version)
7. Feist - 1234 (Van She Tech Remix)
8. David Bowie - Rebel, Rebel
9. Prince - Raspberry Beret
10. Daft Punk - Da Funk
11. MIA - Paper Planes (DFA Mix)
12. TI - Why You Wanna
13. Judas Priest - Breaking the Law
download: Jess' Birthday Mix
Yeah, I just made a whole post for an inside joke that two people got. If you don't like it, go read Pitchfork.
now playing: Whiskeytown - Mirror, Mirror
Labels: happy birthday jessica, jokes that arent funny to 99 percent of you, mixtapes
Saturday, December 29, 2007
c'mon admit it
Andy Dixon - Mt. Career
You really can't have a mixtape that represents Vancouver without including Andy Dixon in some way, which is why I was thrilled when he offered up this track from his not-out-until-February full-length, The Mice of Mt. Career. You're probably familiar with him via one of his many projects (DBS, the Red Light Sting, Secret Mommy, Winning, Ache Records, and his design work), and this track is distinctly Andy, but adds yet another style to his rather vast repertoire. Maybe it's just me, but track seems unseasonal for December. Perhaps Summery feel will remind you that for four months of the year, instead of being gray and rainy, Vancouver is pretty sweet.
download: Mt. Career
The first a-side quality "b-side" is here
And the rest of the mix and the donation link is here
Since I'm totally not caught up with show listings... tonight!
- Vapid, Nu Sensae, Modern Creatures, and Shearing Pinx... and apparently No Gold(!) are all at the Cobalt.
- Sex Attack and Tyler Fedchuk are giving Frank's a send off.
now playing: Andy Dixon - Mt. Career
Labels: andy dixon, insite, mixtapes
Sunday, December 23, 2007
boxing day
Hope you're enjoying the mix. Here's one more...
Petroluem By-Products - "Got SomethinSomethin"
Petroleum By-Products were nice enough to drop another treat in my inbox for me to share with all of you. You know when you buy a really great record and then hear a b-side from said album and wonder why something so rad wouldn't be on there in the first place? Well, there's a variety of reasons that such things happen, but in this case, it was just a timing thing.
It's probably sort of lame to harp on the relatively tender ages of the By-Products, but honestly, when I think back to the fact that when I was just out of high school my Friday nights consisted of vain attempts to get someone to buy me alcohol and/or video games, it's even more impressive that their Friday nights usually involve impressing the Hell out of a room full of local show goers. "Got SomethinSomethin" is like Be Your Own Pet channeling the B-52s.
upcoming shows: January 19th at the Chapel, February 2nd at the Astoria, February 15th at the Railway
download: "Got SomethinSomethin"
All the donation/letter writing info, plus the rest of the mix is still up down there.
On an unrelated note, apparently Friday marked the last show at Pub 340. I heard a rumour about it closing, but I didn't know it'd be so soon. Total downer, but that goes without saying.
now playing: David Bowie - Oh! You Pretty Things
Friday, December 21, 2007
the spirit of giving
i'll make you a tape, vol. 9
I've been toying with the idea of compiling some sort of mix of Vancouver artists for awhile, but there was never really a good excuse to get something together. Then, shortly after Radiohead released In Rainbows and everyone was all aflutter about "paying what you want," this idea popped into my head: if you (in the broad sense) were willing to pay for music when given the choice, surely you'd be willing to donate to a great cause when given the choice. I suppose I could have chosen a "less controversial" charity, but I've never been one to shy away from my beliefs, and the cause was "less controversial" enough to get some of my very favourite local artists to sign on and donate their talents.
So, with that, I present Four Pillars: A Mix for Insite.
I'm pretty sure that the VPD, Sam Sullivan, Sean Orr, the Vancouver Sun Editorial Board, and Noam Chomsky don't all agree on a lot of things. But I do know that they're all behind Insite. If you're from Vancouver, I likely won't need to say anything more, but if you aren't familiar with the first legal, supervised, safe injection site in North America you might want to do a little reading about it.
All the lovely people featured on this mix donated their music for you to download for free, and all they're asking in return is that you throw a little money the Portland Hotel Society's way (they manage Insite). And if you're short on funds (or even if you're not), you can can spend some political capital by writing your MP, Federal Health Minister Tony Clement, and the Prime Minister, to tell them that Insite is an election issue, and that it should stay open. There's also a pre-written letter of support that you can send off here.
Download and donation links after the write-ups below...
1. L. Abramson - "Trucker's Prayer"
Leah's solo debut, Bedroom/City came out a few years ago, but I just picked it up a few months ago. It just might be my favourite music purchase of 2007, which is saying a lot, since it was a pretty great year for new music. In addition to donating her talents to this project, she's also organizing a music lessons program for women in the Abbotsford correctional institute, and is lending her time as a songwriting mentor during Youth Week. Basically, she's your new favourite singer-songwriter and also a stand up lady. The as-yet-unreleased "Trucker's Prayer" features her handling guitar and vocals and Tyson Naylor providing the accordion.
see also: the Abramson Singers, Dyad, Octoberman, the Crooked Jades
upcoming shows: January 24th @ the Media Club (Dyad & the Abramson Singers)
2. Fanshaw - "Nobody"
I've known Liv for awhile now, but our introduction - at UBC - wasn't in any sort of musical context. So while I've known that she's a lovely human being for quite some time, I had no idea that she had such lovely songs inside her until relatively recently. If you didn't catch her at Shindig, where she even swept the sarcastic crew over at Only off their feet on her way to winning top prize, you can start making up for it by enjoying "Nobody." Johnny Payne and Larissa Loyva joined Liv on drums and backing vocals, respectively, to make up this version of the ever-rotating Fanshaw line-up.
see also: the Choir Practice, Kellarissa, Victoria, Victoria!
3. Anemones - "Vicious Attack"
Anemones now call Montreal home, but they'll always be "one of ours" in my eyes. In addition to becoming one of my favourite local bands, before they left, Jason, Steven, and Kathy (the Vancouver ex-pat contingent of the group) were an integral part of Vancouver's music community. In fact, unless you just moved here or just started checking out local shows, I pretty much guarantee that you've seen one of them play. Their departure left a sizable gap in the scene, but they were kind enough to lend my favourite track from their now-sold-out self-titled EP to help fill the void.
4. Bend Sinister - "Happiness is a Warm Gun (the Beatles)"
Some bands seem like they're always on the cusp of something big, and so it is with Bend Sinister. They've yet to finally reach that tipping point, but in the meantime, the residents of Terminal City can hold onto them as one of our local secrets. They have a brand new EP out, but they graced us with something a little special: a cover of a Beatles classic. Jon sounds so great singing this.
see also: Small Fame, Karen Foster
upcoming shows: January 25th (for 1/2 Alive) @ Richard's
5. Taxes - "The Suburbs Are Killing Us"
So, if you're ever trying to think of a recipe for a band, here's a good one: take three of Vancouver's hardest working musicians, team them up with one of the Terminal City's best known mouths, stir in some aural chaos, and then give them one sweet ass band name. The entire Crystal Gravy EP is worth your attention (so go cop that), but since the suburbs almost killed me for over two decades, I decided to pick this track for the mix. Like JPDNRDS, the sweet guys in Taxes gave me their whole EP and let me do the picking.
see also: Ghost House, Plus Perfect, Safety Show, Weathered Pines
upcoming shows: January 24th at the Plaza, February 22nd at the Astoria
6. Nu Sensae - "Brain Aid"
The first thing that grabbed me about Nu Sensae was their cover of "12XU," which is sort of fitting, because they share one of Wire's best qualities: they don't waste anytime getting to their musical point, driving that point home, and stopping before you're mind even has time to think about wandering. "Brain Aid" is a minute and a half of evil rhythms, menacing voices, and baaaaddddd viiiiiiibbbbbes. I love it.
upcoming shows: December 29th at the Cobalt, January 19th @ the Astoria
7. JPNDRDS - "Darkness on the Edge of Gastown"
I think I rave about Japandroids about once every two weeks, so you can probably understand that I was thrilled when they sent over their forthcoming sophomore EP, Lullaby Death Jams, with the generous instructions to "post whichever song you want." It's stellar from front to back, but "Darkness on the Edge of Gastown" is my favourite song right now, period. It might be yours soon too.
see also: Trembling
8. Mutators - "Paper Words"
My love of Mutators is no secret. Rather than filing the band's self-titled 7" with the rest of my 45s, I just leave it on my turntable. "Paper Words" has been on constantly at my place, and not just because of the vinyl's infinite run out groove. An opening shriek from Leif brings in the crashing drums and some hyper-frenetic guitar, and for two blissfully heavy minutes, they don't let up for a second.
upcoming shows: December 28th at Pub 340
9. Shearing Pinx - "South Dakota"
I always envisioned South Dakota as one of the most boring places imaginable, until I heard this song (that originally appeared on Ultra Snake). I don't know exactly what they're doing to coax the sounds out of those guitars, but I imagine that it may be illegal in certain US jurisdictions. At any rate, the beautifully chaotic outcome is worth some serious jail time.
upcoming shows: December 29th at the Cobalt
10. Twin Crystals - "Night Family"
For most bands, it's hard enough to perform a particular style well enough to even qualify as a one-trick pony, so it's sort of unfair that Twin Crystals have so many perfect angles of attack at their disposal. I just talked about how they can bring the noise with the best of them, but on "Night Family" the volume gets turned down a notch on a track that sounds like Coltrane on really good acid.
see also: Channels 3x4, Cheerleader Camp, Modern Creaturs, Owl Owl Pegasus... and there's a distinct possibility that I'm missing something (apologies)
upcoming shows: February 22nd @ the Astoria
11. The Clips - "Kassel"
It sort of weirds me out to think that the first time I saw the Clips was a mere 8 months ago, because if you asked me about them today, I wouldn't hesitate to tell you that they're one of my favourite live acts (local or otherwise). It's impossible to replicate being crammed into a sweaty warehouse with a couple hundred dancing strangers (and friends) while the guys do their thing, but "Kassel" stands on its own as one of the best dance tracks of 2007.
see also: Brasstronaut
12. My!Gay!Husband! - "Feist Hearts Hollywood Holt"
Jason really needs no introduction. The Sun tipped him for an article on dive bars, so their writer wouldn't look completely out of touch, and the Onion AV Club shouted him out as having one of "the worst band names of '07." If you get out at all in this city, he's either soundtracked your party or he's partied with you. And if you want to get your party started before you head out from now on, you can bump this mashup of Hollywood Holt and Feist. Imagine if Leslie had a little more junk in her trunk, and you'll get an idea of what to expect.
see also: Half Alive
upcoming shows: Blastramp at the Bourbon every Thursday, 1/2 Alive at Richard's every Friday.
13. Piper Davis - "Academics"
You know, you might describe Piper's music as "neo-soul," except I hate anything called "new-soul" and I love Piper's self-titled EP. I love "Academics" so much that I asked her to let me remix it, and she's such a sweet woman, that she even said "yes." Rather than torment you with my production, here's the original in all its ass shaking glory.
14. Expendable Youth - "Maniac"
You might be more familiar with Matt and Mike from their work with Chalked Up, but when they're not busy doing things like interviewing the Godfather of Baltimore Club, they're usually busy behind the decks. You may have already copped their mix that featured on both Radio Zero and Mad Decent, but here's an original production (with a few familiar samples) that absolutely slays.
see also: Chalked Up
upcoming shows: NYE at Shine with the Ice Cream Social (Mike)
15. The Eurythmics - "Sweet Dreams (Tony X's 1/2 Alive Edit)"
Like his 1/2 Alive partner in crime, if you get out and party, you know this guy too. In fact, your eyes probably recognize Tony from his trademark uniform alone (white-t/black jeans/bandana). Your ears will recognize Tony on this edit of a ubiquitous dance floor classic via all the elements he brings to his live sets: slick beats, sick rhythms, and enough disco to get the most firmly planted wall flower moving.
see also: Half Alive
upcoming shows: 1/2 Alive at Richard's every Friday
16. gr8-2000 - "Kevin Drew Presents Broken Social Scene"
Tom could get by strictly on his sheer enthusiasm for music. While his boundless energy and willingness to work with anybody means that I'm not always 100% into (though always 100% supportive) of projects that he's part of, he's never bad, and sometimes he strikes pure gold. This BSS cut-and-paste is 24-karat and rock solid, distilling what sounds like the Scene's entire catalogue into just over 5-minutes of dance treasure.
see also: Technotown Boogie Down
upcoming shows: December 27th at Meme Lab, and probably your house party if you ask him nicely
There you have it.
An enormous thank you goes out to all the wonderful people who donated their work for this. And a big advance thank you goes out to you for enjoying it, and hopefully donating a little of your money and a few of your words to a great cause. It also goes without saying, that while your supporting stuff, you can support all these bands/DJs/artists at their shows and by buying their albums.
And finally, here's the really important stuff:
download: Four Pillars: A Mix for Insite
mirror: at zshare
And the link to donate to the Portland Hotel Society (via CanadaHelps.org):
No really, pay whatever you want.
Notes: Everything is in mp3 except for "Nobody." The download is a .zip file. I opted not to do individual track downloads, because it's cool to hear music that you might not go out of your way to listen to.
Unless something crazy happens, that'll probably be it until Christmas, so have a happy one (whether you observe it or not).
now playing: this mix, of course
Labels: awesomeness, insite, mixtapes
Monday, July 09, 2007
fireworks
i'll make you a tape (vol. 8)
download: That's a good enough reason, isn't it?
Also in podcast form (one long mp3). Also because I feel like it. Happy Monday.
1. Destroyer - Streethawk II (Alternate Version)
2. Magnetic Fields - The Things We Did and Didn't Do
3. Neutral Milk Hotel - Where You'll Find Me Now
4. Blur - No Distance Left to Run
5. Fiery Furnaces - Rub Alcohol Blues
6. Mazarin - Another One Goes By
7. Beatles - I'm So Tired
8. Amy Winehouse - Valerie (Zutons Cover)
9. The Velvet Underground - Who Loves the Sun?
10. Spoon - Anything You Want
11. Elevator to Hell - Why I Didn't Like August 93
12. Animal Collective - Fireworks
13. Air - Cherry Blossom Girl (Hope Sandoval Version)
14. Palace Music - New Partner
15. Ladyhawk - Faces of Death (Live on CBC Radio 3)
16. Leeroy Stagger - Broke and Broken Hearted
17. Whiskeytown - Everything I Do
18. Wilco - Hate It Here
19. Pavement - We Dance (Alternate Mix)
now playing: Whiskeytown - Avenues
Labels: mixtapes
Sunday, July 01, 2007
stand on guard
i'll make you a tape (vol. 7)
download: Oh Canada (2007)
Happy Canada Day.
1. Tokyo Police Club - Cheer It On
2. Anemones - Vicious Attack(s)
3. Lullabye Arkestra - Y'Make Me Shake
4. The Constantines - Why I Didn't Like August '93 (Elevator to Hell cover)
5. Black Mountain - Modern Music
6. The Flashing Lights - Elevature
7. Pride Tiger - What It Is
8. Stars - Reunion (Jason Collett Version)
9. Leeroy Stagger - Two Day One Night Stand
10. The Tragically Hip - Fireworks (live and acoustic)
11. The Weakerthans - Ringing of Revolution (Phil Ochs cover)
12. Sloan - Deeper Than Beauty
13. Land of Talk - Summer Special
14. Handsome Furs - Dead + Rural
15. Feist - Mushaboom (demo)
16. Cadence Weapon feat. Final Fantasy - Sharks (live on CBC Radio 3)
17. Ladyhawk - Faces of Death (live on CBC Radio 3)
18. Sunset Rubdown - I'll Believe in Anything, You'll Believe in Anything
19. Destroyer - Jackie, Dressed in Cobras
20. Julie Doiron - Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
Labels: mixtapes
Friday, June 15, 2007
i was so heavy, i was out of my head
I'll Make You a Tape (Vol. 6)
download: I was wasted
Last Music Waste post until preparations for next year's fest go into high gear, I promise. I'd like to send out a big thank you to the crew over at Only for putting everything together. This year was the first year that I actually "did the fest" properly and used my pass to venue hop instead of just cherry-picking shows here and there. Needless to say, I had a blast. Here's a short collection of some of the best bands I saw, plus a couple more that I wish I could have caught. Since some of the bands only have 7" or cassettes or haven't released anything, some of the mp3s are 96kbps MySpace rips. But that's even more reason to go out to a show or head down to Zulu or Scratch to show some great local bands some love with your pocket books.
1. Secret Mommy - Plays
2. Old Phoebe - Shower Song
3. Ghost House - Deathquarium
4. L. Abramson - Letters to B
5. Japandroids - Coma Complacency
6. White Lung - Local Garbage
7. Modern Creatures - Oh Save Us
8. Taxes - Talkinboutmygeneration.com
9. Mutators - What Cuts Want
10. Bison - Wartime
now playing: Modern Creatures - Oh Save Us
Labels: mixtapes, music waste
Monday, March 26, 2007
human after all
I woke up this morning and felt like I'd been hit by a train. My ears were ringing, my legs felt like I'd been biking back and forth across town all night, and my head felt groggy and clouded. Normally, I'd chalk up such a sensation to a wicked hangover, but I only had a couple of drinks yesterday. In which case, I can only presume that it was, in fact, Ed Banger that totally destroyed me. If you're feeling the same way (or even if your not), here's a little mix I threw together. 20 odd minutes of pony rockin, glock poppin, and sirens... lots of sirens.
tracklist:
1. Uffie - Pop the Glock (SebastiAn Remix)
2. Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (Demo Version)
3. SebastiAn - Walkman
4. DJ Mehdi - I Am Somebody (Paris Version feat. Chromeo)
5. DJ Mehdi - Pony Rocking (feat. Feadz)
6. Daft Punk - Human After All (Red Foxx's SpankbastiAn Remix)
7. Uffie - Ready to Uff
8. Klaxons - Golden Skans to Interzone (So Me Remix)
9. Fancy - What's Your Name Again? (Busy P Remix)
10. SebastiAn - Ross Ross Ross
11. Justice vs. Simian - Never Be Alone (We Are Your Friends)
download:
Labels: mixtapes
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
two hearts in 3/4 time
I'll Make You a Tape (Vol. 5 - Extended Valentine's Edition)
download:
1. Justin Timberlake feat. T.I. - My Love
2. CSS - Let's Make Love and Listen to Death from Above (Spank Rock Remix)
3. Daft Punk vs Yeah Yeah Yeahs - World Maps (Along Came Jones Edit)
4. Annie - Heartbeat (Phones Maximo Remix)
5. Madonna - Hung Up
6. Teddybears - Yours to Keep (Annie Remix)
7. Christina Aguilera - Ain't No Other Man
8. M.I.A. - URAQT (Diplo Mix)
9. Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out of My Head (Soulwax Elektronic Remix)
10. the Blow - Parentheses
11. the Stone Roses - She Bangs the Drums
12. John Lennon - Real Love (just the chorus)
And so nobody feels left out, if...
You're fine with VDay, but you don't like dancing...
download: REM - At My Most Beautiful (from Up)
You reject the crass consumerism of this Hallmark holiday, but still have a life partner who shares your radical values...
download: the Smiths - Shoplifters of the World Unite (from the Singles)
You prefer to stalk your "objects of affection" from afar...
download: the Stone Roses - Standing Here (from the Complete Stone Roses)
Those objects of affection are much younger than you. Perhaps you meet them via instant messenger or MySpace or because you're R. Kelly or a Republican congressman...
download: the Affair - Jailbait Date (from Yes, Yes to You)
You long for the company of someone much younger than you. That someone is also dead, and perhaps played by Kirsten Dunst...
download: Air - Playground Love (from the Virgin Suicides Soundtrack)
You are in love with the person described above...
download: the Magnetic Fields - The One You Really Love (from 69 Love Songs, Vol. 1)
You are single and relieved...
download: Fiery Furnaces - I Broke My Mind/Single Again/Here Comes Summer (live in Toronto) (album version from EP)
You are single and lonely...
download: Amy Winehouse - Love is a Losing Game (acoustic) (only avail. on the US version. jerks.)
You are rich and lonely...
watch: the Beatles - Can't Buy Me Love (from A Hard Day's Night)
You are emo and lonely...
download: Bright Eyes - Lover I Don't Have to Love (live at Bonnaroo 2006) (album version from Lifted...)
You are single and bitter...
download: Swan Lake - the Freedom (via Jagjaguwar - from Beast Moans)
You take out your bitterness by crafting a nine minute video featuring Scarlett J, that is directed by John Cassavetes less talented son, where you run poor Scarlett of the road in your Porsche...
watch: Justin Timberlake - What Goes Around Come Around (Director's Cut) (from FutureSex/LoveSounds)
Happy Valentine's. I will spend mine watching Lost with my girlfriend, because she doesn't have cable, and therefore, I cannot watch the hockey game. That, my friends, is love.
And if you're my lovely girlfriend...
download: Sam Cooke - Nothing Can Change This Love (live from the Harlem Square Club) (from One Night Stand: Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club)
As always, if you like what you hear, go and buy it. I'm sure they'll make great last minute gifts for your significant other.
now playing: Wilco - Jesus, Etc
Labels: crappy holidays, mixtapes
Monday, January 15, 2007
be quiet and drive
I'll Make You a Tape (Vol. 4)
download:
Following Friday's post, here's side B of the mix I made for my friend Rob to throw on a tape to soundtrack his commute. Apparently that's a photo of Burnaby, so it might be exactly what Rob sees every weekday morning. How's that for (pseudo)realism?
Oh, and to the other Rob, thanks for the hosting offer, but I like to stick to YSI (annoying registration and all) so I don't have to remember to take the links down later (and I will forget). Speaking of registering, if you don't want to do that, hit up BugMeNot.
The mix:
1. Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
2. the Breeders - Drivin' on 9
3. Belle and Sebastian - I Love My Car
4. the Fiery Furnaces - Straight Street (Eleanor Solo)
5. Radiohead - Killer Cars (Thom Solo)
6. Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
7. Sarah Harmer - Silver Road
8. Catatonia - Road Rage
9. Elastica - Car Song
10. Kanye West - Drive Slow (Remix feat. T.I.)
11. the Hold Steady - Southtown Girls
now playing: Land of Talk - new song (live in Kingston)
Labels: mixtapes
Friday, August 04, 2006
think i was blind before i met you
I'll Make You A Tape (Vol. 3)
download: love songs
Two very dear friends of mine just got engaged, so to celebrate here's a collection of some of my very favourite songs about being in love. Usually I tend to gravitate towards songs d'amour that have a bittersweet edge - because I'm a cynic like that with myself - but these are all unabashed, sugary sweet, pure and simple love songs. My peer group is still at that age where the announcement of a friend's marriage usually makes us collectively gasp and think "crazy." But, I know I speak for most everyone I know when I say we're all super excited about this one.
Congratulations, Jess and Alan!
1. The Brunettes - Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks
2. Feist - Mushaboom
3. Esthero - Everyday is a Holiday (With You)
4. Magnetic Fields - When My Boy Walks Down The Street
5. Math and Physics Club - You're So Good To Me
6. Sarah Harmer - Open Window (The Wedding Song)
7. Whiskeytown - Paper Moon
8. Bright Eyes - First Day Of My Life
9. Stars - The Aspidistra Flies
10. R.E.M. - Nightswimming
11. John Lennon - Real Love
12. The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year
13. Hello Saferide - Get Sick Soon
14. New Buffalo - I've Got You and You've Got Me (Song of Contentment)
15. Jeff Magnum - I Love How You Love Me (Phil Spector Cover, Live)
now playing: R.E.M. - Bittersweet Me
Labels: mixtapes
Saturday, June 10, 2006
miss you
I'll Make You A Tape (vol. 2)
download: Saying It With Somone Else's Words
"...your using someone else's poetry to express how you feel. This is a delicate thing."
- John Cusack as Rob Fleming, High Fidelity (2000)
That quote doesn't hold true for all mixtapes, of course. The majority are unthemed, "here are a bunch of songs you will enjoy," type affairs. Some have themes, but generally speaking, aren't trying to do anything more than collect "songs about animals" or "songs that mention cities" or something seemingly random like that. There are a percentage of recorded cassettes, cds, and now, ITunes playlists, however, that have been carefully assembled (and sometimes carefully packaged) to say something. "I love you," "I('ll) miss you," "I want you," "I want you back," or maybe "all of the above."
This hypothetical demonstration could've been any of those things, but I went with the latter. There's also a bit of a twist - and, this is where that High Fidelity quote comes in. If you're going to say something with someone else's words, why not use songs that have been road tested with that purpose entirely in mind?
Cover songs: some are good, some are terrible, some are genuine, some are tongue and cheek (although those ones usually suck). Mixtapes then, can be the cover song for those of us who aren't talented enough to pick up an instrument and perform/record are own rendition of someone else's music, because what a good cover song embodies, is the very premise of the meaningful mixtape: expressing your feelings with someone else's words...
1. Julie Doiron - A Thing Of The Past (The Shirelles)
2. Broken Social Scene - Every Night (Paul McCartney)
3. Rogue Wave - Everyday (Buddy Holly)
4. The Concretes - Miss You (The Rolling Stones)
5. Cat Power - I Found A Reason (The Velvet Underground)
6. TV on the Radio - Modern Romance (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
7. Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats (The Knife)
8. Final Fantasy - This Modern Love (Bloc Party)
9. Pearl Jam - Throw Your Arms Around Me (Hunters and Collectors)
10. Mazzy Star - Wild Horses (The Rolling Stones)
11. Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - I Still Miss Someone (Johnny Cash)
12. Feist - Secret Heart (Ron Sexsmith)
13. Stevie Wonder - We Can Work It Out (The Beatles)
14. Neil Finn and Friends - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)
now playing: Wilco - Someone Else's Song
Labels: mixtapes
Monday, April 17, 2006
i've seen you with your hair down at least five times
I'll Make You A Tape
So, in what will hopefully become a semi-regular fixture here (like the One Song posts), this is the first of many themed mixes. We'll shoot for once a month or so... but actually post whenever inspiration strikes (so really frequently in the next couple of months, settling down once the novelty wears off a bit). With that...
download: Geek Love (or lack thereof)
1. A Camp - Algebra
Nina Persson may be skinny, blonde (sometimes), and model-like, but math is math.
2. Shotgun & Jaybird - Long Distance Dates
"Searching through my pockets for a bus schedule, I'll pick you up at 6:12pm." Slick. The title also conjours images of internet dating or something for me.
3. Final Fantasy - The Chronicles of Sarnia
It doesn't make any D&D references, but it is brilliantly (and nerdily) titled as a play on C.S. Lewis and
4. Britta Persson - Defrag My Heart
Scrapped titles: "ReFormat My Love," "UnZip My Soul," "DeRootKit My Affection"
5. The Decemberists - Angel, Won't You Call Me?
It's the Decemberists.
6. Jens Lekman - Your Arms Around Me
I love Jens Lekman, but he's no Marvin Gaye. It may be musically brilliant to find beauty in the mundane, but smooth and debonair, it ain't.
7. Herman Dune - You Stepped On Sticky Fingers
The delivery is all frantic and unconfident, full of "should've... should've... should've's." Not to mention that the song's epiphany comes after the girl in question steps on a Daniel Johnston cassette. This is for every musicgeek that finds themselves infatuated when someone of the opposite (or same) sex asks about their record collection.
8. Sloan - Deeper Than Beauty
If High School age awkwardness has been better summed up in under 3-minutes, I have yet to hear it.
9. Catatonia - Mulder and Scully
Love problems? Call the detectives from X-Files. The science fiction reference trumps the utter cool of Cerys Matthews smoky croon.
10. Art Brut - Emily Kane
While everything about Art Brut fills me with joy, there is something more than a little pathetic about a song about being hung up on your highschool girlfriend... tongue in cheek or not.
11. Weezer - Jamie
Sweet, cute sounding lyrics about lost love... it even has some distortion on the guitar to make it a little more ballsy, and offset the harmonies. It's also about Weezer's former lawyer.
12. The White Stripes - Hand Springs
Back before the Coke commercials, beating the crap out of dudes in other bands, and marrying models, Jack still had it in him to deliver a song with such depressingly unsure lines like, "I took my girlfriend bowling downtown at the Red Door/After and argument I started 'cause I thought she didn't like me anymore/I can't help it. Sometimes I feel so pitiful/And of course, she's so young and beautiful." The date just gets worse from there.
now playing: Fuck Me USA - Infinite Slope
Labels: mixtapes
