Mixtape #4: Warp

Warp Records just turned twenty years, and is celebrating by putting on some amazing shows and releasing this absolutely beautiful box set. Included in the set are a few mixes -- one from label co-founder Steve Beckett, another with tracks voted on by the fans, and some sort of mash-up disc. If a generous reader would like to purchase one for me, I would love them forever (seriously).
ANYWAY...
I attribute my love of electronic music in part to Warp Records. Their pioneering stable of artists is inspiring, and the breadth of stylistic ground their bands cover is impressive in itself. To celebrate the venerable label, I decided to curate a humble mix of my own. It barely scratches the surface, but I included many of my personal favorites from the roster (sadly, Jamie Liddell and Bibio narrowly missed the cut due to some sequencing issues). Also, I think this is the best mixtape I've made yet. Get it Here, and share your thoughts on Warp Records (or... anything, really) in the comments.

Song Order:
0:00 – 4:33 Aphex Twin “Vordhosbn”
4:33 – 9:58 Boards of Canada “Julie and Candy”
9:58 – 13:01 Flying Lotus “Tea Leaf Dancers”
13:01 – 17:11 Squarepusher “Don't Go Plastic”
17:11 – 21:00 Broadcast “The World Backwards”
21:00 – 24:10 Prefuse 73 “Perverted Undertone”
24:10 – 26:45 Jackson and His Computer Band “Hard Tits”
26:45 – 32:18 Clark “Matthew Unburdened”
34:12 – 38:08 Born Ruffians “Kurt Vonnegut”
38:07 – end Grizzly Bear “Reprise”

Mixtape #2: heartbroken ladies' open mic night.

Get it HERE. I thought of the concept for this mix when I heard Patty Waters' version of "Black is the color of my true love's hair", a fourteen minute avant-jazz piece in which the singer's typically smooth vocals quickly descend into tormented screaming of the word "black" for over ten minutes, amidst free jazz drums, piano and bass. It was initially the final song on the mix, but I didn't think many would enjoy it, so I replaced it with one of her more accessible, traditional songs.

Anyway, we're all familiar with the mentally unstable or emotionally tormented male singer/songwriter archetype (Brian Wilson, Kurt Cobain and Elliott Smith come to mind), but women with similar conditions aren't often given as much attention. While I don't pretend to know the state of these singers' mental or emotional health, each is sung in with such pain, unease, and conviction that I had to compile them into a mix. I'm not celebrating mental illness, as it's truly an important issue that can't afford to be overlooked, but I won't deny that thinking about it informed this playlist. It's not bright or cheery, but these are some powerful songs from powerful singers. There are some recognizable iconoclasts, as well as some lesser-knowns, but each song is from a singer that I love. I hope you find something you like!

Finally: as you can see, i enjoy compiling mixes thematically or by mood, and would love some suggestions for future mixes. You'll be credited for the idea! blog notoriety will be yours!

Track order:
0:00-4:04 "Winds of St. Anne" - Evangelista
3:37-7:24 "If I Had a Heart" - Fever Ray
7:16-10:20 "First Communion" - Gang Gang Dance
10:20-15:46 "Hidden Place" - Björk
15:42-18:30 "Heavy Water/I'd Rather be Sleeping" - Grouper
18:30-20:48 "Polar Nettles" - Neko Case
20:49-24:26 "Ne Me Quitte Pas" - Nina Simone
24:26-27:33 "Adieu Mon Couer" - My Brightest Diamond
27:32-32:54 "Kounandi" - Rokia Traoré
32:52-35:52 "Moon, Don't Come Up Tonight" - Patty Waters
35:52-39:21 "The Neighbors" - St. Vincent
39:17-End "Threads" - Portishead

Mixtape #1: May 2009

Download HERE

For those of you keeping up, my blogging has always been sporadic at best. In an effort to bring fresh content, I've decided to start posting some mixtapes to share the music that I love. They'll be mixed DJ style (ie, one continuous mp3) in adherence to the spirit of the mixtape: the songs were sequenced this way for a reason, so no skipping around. Anyway, I really hope you enjoy, and I'd appreciate feedback.

This mix was inspired by the title track to Bibio's latest album Ambivalence Avenue. I'm typically not a big proponent of analog and lo-fi sounds and techniques (certainly not against them, either), but I love the sound quality of the track. The hazy, lazy feel... it reminds me a bit of the first half of Panda Bear's "Take Pills" played at twice the speed. The rest of the tracks are in a similar vein, for the most part.

0:00 - 3:29 Bibio: "Ambivalence Avenue"
3:29 - 6:48 Broadcast: "Accidentals"
6:48 - 11:20 Animal Collective & Vashti Bunyan: "Prospect Hummer"
11:20 - 14:25 Benoít Pioulard: "Palimend"
14:25 - 18:08 Kurt Vile: "Beach on the Moon (Recycled lyrics)"
18:08 - 20:01 Grouper: "When We Fall"
20:01 - 24:34 Here We Go Magic: "I Just Want to See You Underwater"
24:34 - 31:48 Lotus Plaza: "Antoine"
31:48 - 35:06 Dan Rossen (of Grizzly Bear): "Deep Blue Sea"
35:06 - 36:00 Jon Brion: "Row"
36:00 - End Chad Vangaalen: "Rabid Bits of Time"