August 09 Mixtape: Bang It Out.

The Four Horses Of Revelations
Originally uploaded by "Day 28 / My favorite position! / Saturday 25 August 2007" by d'gypsy


Hey-O! I get married in 4 days!

This is an insanely upbeat mix. I wanted something bubbly and exciting that could convey my general elation. Summer is almost over, so it's time to ramp-it-up. Play it louder, shake it harder, and suck every precious, wonderful second out of this glorious time of year that you can.



The Playlist:

01. Nelly Furtado - Wait For You

02. Bobby Birdman - Gone Beyond

03. Janet Jackson - Doesn't Really Matter

04. Belle And Sebastian - Another Sunny Day

05. Rainer Maria - Thought I Was

06. Tegan and Sara - The Con

07. Asobi Seksu - Nefi+Girly

08. The Badger King - Flee To Me, Remote Elf

09. Hail Social - Track 01

10. animal collective - Fireworks

11. Architecture in Helsinki - The Owls Go

12. Mirah/Ginger Takahashi - Rock Of Ages

13. Aaliyah - More Than A Woman

July 09 Mixtape: Expectation of Celebration

The Four Horses Of Revelations
Originally uploaded by mliebenberg


My approaching wedding officially feels real. The pressure and preparation has definitely increased over the past few weeks, and as a result, this summer has felt like one of great anticipation; like dangling from the edge of a great, beautiful precipice. I think at this point, Fiance Kaboom and I are sick and tired of the planning - we are eager for the leap.

I feel like these songs express that sense of urgency, excitement, stress, and expectation. I hope you enjoy them, and remember to relish those little moments in the middle of the tempest.



The Playlist:

01. Johnny Cash - As Long As The Grass Shall Grow

02. Vampire Weekend - Ottoman (Soundtrack Version)

03. Clinic - 2nd Foot Stomp

04. Pixies - Alec Eiffel

05. Cat Power - Cross Bones Style

06. Peggy Sue - The Sea, The Sea

07. Rainbow Arabia - Harlem Sunrise

08. The Most Serene Republic - Content Was Always My Favourite Colour

09. The Mountain Goats - Palmcorder Yajna

10. The Acorn - Crooked Legs

11. Mike Doughty - The Only Answer

12. Ani Difranco - joyful girl, peace and love mix

13. Dave Mathews Band - #41

CMYK Mixtape 06/09: Marooned in June, Under a Blood Red Moon...

"Featherbed Rocks" by David John Harris

June has been a torrential downpour of obligations and rain, rain, rain. It's as if we were all living in a submarine, peeking out at the rays of light shining in through the sea.

I suppose this mix is "submarine music" - something to guide you through the underwater world, like a Jacque Cousteau club mix, if you will.

Anyway, hope you enjoy.



The Playlist:

01. Billy Bragg - To have and to have not

02. Bob Dylan - Beyond Here Lies Nothin'

03. Mirah - Cold Cold Water

04. The Hidden Cameras - Breath on it

05. The Dodos - Horny Hippies

06. The Decemberists - The Rake's Song

07. Jeff Hanson - Night

08. Sally Shapiro - Miracle

09. Stars - Set Yourself On Fire

10. Grizzly Bear - I Live With You

11. Ume - The Conductor

12. Modest Mouse - A Different City

13. The Dresden Dolls - Half Jack


What have you been listening to this month?

May Mixtape: I Just May...

"Björk Karaoke" by Gina Marr

May is such an odd time of year. It has growing pains, stands around like an awkward teenager, never sure if it's one thing or another. I kind of like it for that reason - it's cool, and warm, and full of seasonal surprises. And it means summer is right around the corner.

Here's that music for that lush time in between.



The Playlist:

1. Interpol - Evil

2. Bright Eyes - Coat Check Dream Song

3. Patrick Wolf - Overture

4. Black Eyed Peas - Like That (Feat Cee-Lo, John L)

5. Beck - Youthless

6. Animal Collective - My Girls

7. The National - Slow Show

8. Spoon - Paper Tiger

9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero

10. Datarock - Give It Up (Kissy Sell Out Remix)

11. MF Doom - Lightworks

12. The Fiery Furnaces - Up in the North

13. Belle And Sebastian - Another Sunny Day

April Mixtape: April Showed...

"Hyde Park Sunset" by Polyhymnia_

Eeeee!!! Spring is finally here! Sure, it's been cold, rainy, and dreary, but it's here! And the nice thing about spring is that no matter how crummy the weather currently is, you know it's to improve. I credit this fact with the reason everyone's disposition improves so remarkably this time of year - it's that return to hope, knowing that every day is going to be better than the last.

Here's to always keeping a little April in our hearts.



The Playlist:

1. Ruth - Polaroid-Roman-Photo

2. School Of Seven Bells - Iamundernodisguise

3. Marissa Nadler - River Of Dirt

4. Ryan Adams - New York, New York

5. Coconut Records - Microphone

6. A Camp - Love Has Left The Room

7. The Fiery Furnaces - Up in the North

8. The White Stripes - You're Pretty Good Looking

9. Adam Arcuragi - 1981 (or Waving at You as We Part at Light Speed Will Look Like I’m Standing Still)

10. Eels - I Want To Protect You

11. Mirah - Gone Are The Days

12. Inara George - Accidental

13. Berlin - Take My Breath Away

March Mixtape: In Like a Lion...

". A Cold Sunday in November ." by 3amfromkyoto

Roooooaarrr...actually, more like *yaaawn* - it's a dreary dark day in the city that never sleeps. Kind of day you just want to curl up with a cup of earl grey and a copy of "Wuthering Heights."

Seems like a fitting day for a little music to keep the spirits up...enjoy...



The Playlist:

1. Bat for Lashes - Daniel

2. Plants And Animals - Mercy

3. Parenthetical Girls - Windmills Of Your Mind

4. The Jealous Sound - Naive

5. Say Hi - Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh

6. Fleet Foxes - Your Protector

7. A Flock Of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song

8. The Dear Hunter - The Bitter Suite I

9. Fever Ray - Triangle Walks

10. Belle & Sebastian - Piazza, New York Catcher

11. Antony and the Johnsons - Fistful Of Love

12. Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes

Been listening to any good tunes? Lemme know!

Mixtape 6: November, Better Late Than Ever

"November sunset" by Per Ola Wiberg (Powi)

Ach! Hi. Yeah, it's December. I could feed you some good excuse about why this mixtape is late. In fact, I will: November is crazy short! It totally tricks you by taking up an entire calendar page, then next thing you know, you are full of turkey and everyone is telling you to buy them presents! What the crud?!

Anyway, yeah, this is the mixtape I made for November. A little out of season, but still good, still good. Just close your eyes real tight, and pretend it was 3 days ago. I won't tell if you won't tell, deal?

And yes, there will be a Holiday mixtape. Full of holiday songs that don't suck. It's gonna be so rad.

Ok, enjoy...



The Playlist:

White Denim - Migration Wind

Cloud Cult - Everybody Here Is a Cloud

Stars - Ageless Beauty (Most Serene Mix)

The Acorn - Flood Pt. 1

The Ark - This Piece of Poetry Is Meant To Do Harm

Badly Drawn Boy - Another Pearl

Ani DiFranco - Decree

MGMT - Weekend Wars

Plants And Animals - Good Friend

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - It Was There That I Saw You

The Cranberries - Animal Instinct

Colin Meloy - Every Day Is Like Sunday

Mixtape 5: Thngs That Go Rock in the Night...

"Halloween" by illtakeyourphoto

Halloween is almost here! I intend to honor the next few spooky days with a little cider and some scary movies (much to the chagrin of Fiance Kaboom!, who will spend the evening hiding behind pillows).

I am delighted to report that I have already been to one Halloween party, and have two more this weekend. No, you cannot know what I am being - you'll just have to wait until Halloween for that. In the meantime, enjoy this mix of songs to get you in the mood for Friday. I suggest lighting some candles, eating some candy, and playing it up whilst you don your costume. Enjoy...



The Playlist:

Final Fantasy - The Butcher

Phosphorescent - Wolves

TV On The Radio - Stork And Owl

St. Vincent - Paris Is Burning

Squarepusher - Conc 2 Symettriac

M83 - Graveyard Girl

Gang Gang Dance - Nomad For Love

Sneaker Pimps - Small Town Witch

Sufjan Stevens - They Are Night Zombies!! They are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From the Dead!!

Husker Du - The Tooth Fairy And The Princess

Cursive - Butcher the Song

Laura Veirs - Magnetized

Unkle, Thom Yorke - Rabbit In Your Headlights (Unkle (with Thom Yorke) - Rabbit In Your Headlights

Mixtape 4: Fall in Apart

"Lookout" by caese

Well, it's September again. This month always feels so inevitable, like this is the starting point of the circle of the year - forget January, for me, THIS is the season of new beginnings. There's something utterly comforting about September, like it's the day after that huge party you went to last night, held by your friend Summer. And as awesome and wild as that party was, there's nothing quite like that feeling of relief and satisfaction you have the next day, when you can crawl into your favorite sweatpants and reminisce upon all that fun. That's what September is like. Except you won't see me caught dead in sweatpants.

This mix is a bit more laid back, a bit more subtle than the previous. Put it on with a cup of tea on a gray day. Lay on your couch, remember those days of warmth, and look forward to the cool days ahead.



The Playlist:
Bob Dylan - Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You
Andrew Bird - Imitosis
Minus the Bear - Monkey!!! Knife!!! Fight!!!
Rodrigo y Gabriela - Paris
Sufjan Stevens - For the Widows in Paradise, for the Fatherless in Ypsilanti
The Knife - Heartbeats
Nicole Atkins - Under The Milky Way
M83 - Kim & Jessie (Montag Remix)
A Sunny Day In Glasgow - A Mundane Phonecall to Jack Parsons
Gang Gang Dance - House Jam
Elvis Perkins - It's Only Me
Beirut - The Penalty

(Special thanks to thescrabbled.com for helping me host my mixtapes in Muxtapes' hour of need)

Muxtape 3: Neverending Summer Mix

"4 New Flavoured Ice Cream Plush Toys from Chocolate Log" by ChocolateLog

August is always a very bittersweet month for me. It's the month of my birthday, so I am always looking forward to friends and parties and general fun-ness. However, it's also the last month of the summer, and the end of my favorite season. As beautiful as the days are, there's always that sad feeling that it's fleeting, and cool days and falling leaves are just on the horizon.

I put this mix together in honor of August, all the last-minute fun and nostalgia and contemplation of the cooler days ahead - something you can listen to in the car on that final beach trip or picnic of the season. I hope it helps keeps summer with you just a little longer.




The Playlist:

Alias - Crosswalks
National skyline - some will say
Beck - Gamma Ray
King Khan and The Shrines - Took My Lady Out To Dinner
Devin Davis - When The Angels Lift Our Eyelids In The Morning
Mystery Jets - Diamonds In The Dark
Fleet Foxes - Ragged Wood
Au Revoir Simone - Sad Song (RAC Mix)
The XYZ Affair - Evening Life
Rogue Wave - Chicago X 12
MGMT - Love Always Remains
Nicole Atkins - Brooklyn's on Fire!

July Mixtape: Hot Asphalt Mix

"365:20 .. Lost in Music" by fwumpbungle

You have to love July. It's quintessential summer - smack-dab in the middle of the season, free of the early eagerness of June, and the sentimental farewells of August. It's summer at its fullest, most bang-out fun in its hot, sticky glory.

Here are some fun beats to keep you bopping. Make sure to open up the windows, grab a tall lemonade, and dance around in your underwear - the ideal summer apparel.




The Playlist:
Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes
Hercules and Love Affair - Hercules Theme
Laura Marling - The Captain And The Hourglass [Explicit]
The National - Squalor Victoria
Dengue Fever - Tiger Phone Card
Panda Bear - Bros
Blonde Redhead - Slogan
Angels Of Light - Sunflower's Here To Stay
Gnarls Barkley - Going On (Album Version)
national skyline - some will say
The Anambra Beats - Ayamma
Naughty by Nature - O.P.P. [Ultimix Remix]

Sum Sum Summer Jams: Muxtape Mix

Search the hymns
Originally uploaded by hello sunrise

One of my fondest memories growing up was receiving mix tapes. First, they were silly mixes from the boys in grade school, that me and my girlfriends would giggle over listening to on our crummy stereos. The tapes were the first real attempt at flirting I ever encountered, and would contain songs interspersed with goofy banter from the group of boys that put them together. Later in high school, mix tapes became much more serious affairs; careful compilations intensely labored over and scrutinized by their creators, and equally scrutinized by their recipients. Due to the difficulty of creation and replication, a mix tape was the most sincere gift of friendship/love you could receive from another person. Whether pouring through lyrics to decode hidden messages, or just rocking out to a fantastic ska comp, a mix tape said unequivocally: you matter.

Sadly, with the dawn of the recordable CD and later, the downloadable song, mix tapes have become virtually nonexistent. However, I was delighted to discover there is a site trying to rekindle the mixtape in the new age: Muxtape.com.



Muxtape allows users to upload and share mixtapes on the web. It's functionality is remarkably simple, and it's look is beautifully minimal and superbly designed. And while it's not nearly of the same caliber as receiving an actual cassette, it's the closest the internet has ever come to it (and let's be honest: if you did receive a mix tape today, would you even have a cassette player to play it?)

I've put together a little mix together for you, dear reader. I hope you like it as much as I like you ;)



The Tracklist:
Lavender Diamond - You Broke My Heart
Nina Simone - See Line Woman
Okkervil River - A Hand To Take Hold Of The Scene
Laura Veirs - Secret Someones
Laura Marling - Night Terror [Explicit]
Le Tigre - After Dark
LCD Soundsystem - Never As Tired As When I'm Waking Up
Kaki King - Can Anyone Who Has Heard This Music Really Be a Bad Person?
Sonic Youth - Hits of Sunshine (for Allen Ginsberg)
Wolf Parade - An Animal In Your Care
Dr. Dog - 12 Find The River
Greg Laswell - Sing, Theresa Says