I'm past apologies. Either you've written me off or you're willing to tolerate my "always too late to the party" modus operandi. Either way, here it is. "My" mix. Actually, I'm giving credit to Brydie, my much younger, much hipper cousin, who spent a long weekend with me this summer. We went to a musical festival, dove into a swimming hole while a mostly naked stranger serenaded us with her ukulele and sometimes cringe-inducing covers of Joni Mitchell and Neil Young...and yet still it was magical...and then way after my daughter and I were asleep, Brydie near made out with some bi-curious girl under the light of the moon. Anyway, long story short, she also happens to be a great source for great music. So, over half of what is on this mix comes from her. I didn't want to go too Milly Vanilli and not give credit where credit is due. Brydie thought Milly Vanilli was a Ben and Jerry's ice cream flavor.
Download all songs-
Shakey Graves / Dearly Departed (feat. Esme Patterson)
This song is my favorite way to begin a day.
More Info from Last.FM
Shakey Graves, aka Alejandro Rose-Garcia from Austin, Texas, plays a gnarly composite of blues and folk as a one-man-band of epic sonic proportions. The sound emitted from his hollow body guitar, mildly distorted amp and suitcase drum belie the young singer’s lean frame. He fingerpicks while keeping time with a double-pedal kick drum, hitting a snare fitted into his suitcase drum and a tambourine fashioned to its side. And when he sings, Rose-Garcia unleashes an unearthly howl. Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Arthur & Yu / The Ghost of Old Bull Lee
Somehow I always manage to have a few ghosts in my mixes. So I'm scary. Or scared.
More Info from Last.FM
Arthur & Yu is an American indie folk duo from Seattle, Washington. Comprised of Grant Olsen and Sonya Westcott, Arthur & Yu first album In Camera is an audible effigy of a time past, and an album made for forgetting and remembering. Drawing sonic inspiration from the Velvet Underground as well as the studio experimentation of Lee Hazlewood, each track is a study in expansion, centered loosely around chiming guitars and swirling melodies. Olsen’s hazy croon is lifted by the smooth harmonies of Westcott Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Kodaline / Way Back When
I have a fantasy about sitting around a campfire and playing this song...and then all my long lost loves and friends and family join in and sing in perfect harmony just like the end of the song (2:28 on). Complete with perfectly charred s'mores. You guys are invited.
More Info from Last.FM
Kodaline is a Dublin-based Irish alternative rock quartet. Originally known as 21 Demands, the band made chart history in March 2007, when their debut single "Give Me A Minute" topped the Irish Singles Chart; becoming the first independently released track to achieve the feat. In 2005 the band made it to the final of RTE-broadcast programme 'You're a Star' in Ireland, coming in second place, and then in 2011 they changed their name to Kodaline. Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. / Skeletons
Ghosts and buried skeletons. Why not. I love the percussions in this song. I keep trying to replicate the beat on my steering wheel. To no avail.
More Info from Last.FM
Jr. Jr. (formerly known as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.) are an American indie-pop band from Detroit, Michigan, consisting of Daniel Zott and Joshua Epstein. Zott and Epstein met each other while playing in other Detroit music projects and began recording in Zott's basement in Royal Oak, Michigan. Jr. Jr. was formed in late 2009 by members Joshua Epstein and Daniel Zott. The band also includes drummer Mike Higgins and the group's newest addition, keyboardist Jon Visger. Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Urban Cone / It's Hard to Hate Someone You Love
My brother-in-law sent me an inebriatedly-late-night pic of himself with his arms around some dudes with way cooler hair than his at some bar. He had made new best friends...the temporary tattoo versions of best friends. These dudes...
More Info from Last.FM
Indie-Electro-Rock band from Stockholm, Sweden. Members: - Rasmus Flyckt - Magnus Folkö - Tim Formgren - Emil Gustafsson - Jacob William Sjöberg since 2010 contact: urbancone@live.se http://myspace.com/urbancone http://www.facebook.com/pages/Urban-Cone/152941204719699 Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Damien Jurado / Beacon Hill
I tried to find a recording of The Head and The Heart's cover of this song. Here's the link. I would recommend skipping the first 34 seconds, just because Josiah just sounds like a d-bag, and it's embarrassing. Maybe it's just me who feels that way. But if you do watch the first part, note Charity's facial expression when he's waxing poetic. I may not be the only one... https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=vKgKDOP0Dc4
More Info from Last.FM
Damien Jurado (born 12 November 1972) is an American singer-songwriter in the indie-rock tradition of Seattle, Washington. His music is regarded as being heavily influenced by folk music. Over the years he has released albums on many labels; today his primary label is Secretly Canadian. He was once in the band, Coolidge, with Seattle's David Bazan. Jurado's solo career began during the mid-1990s, releasing lo-fi folk based recordings on his own cassette-only label, Casa Recordings, beginning in 1995. Read more on Last.fm more...
-
The Rosebuds / Nice Fox
As always, I love an "oooh" and and "ahhh"...and I really like the swoony sound of the answering "choir" in this song. Foxes are cool too.
More Info from Last.FM
The Rosebuds are an indie rock band from North Carolina. Its current members are Ivan Howard (vocals/guitar) and Kelly Crisp (vocals/keyboard). Howard and Crisp met while in college in Wilmington, North Carolina. That fall, they moved to nearby Raleigh to form The Rosebuds. Merge Records discovered their demo in early 2003 and released Make Out as a full-length debut album that October. The Rosebuds Unwind EP, an EP with six songs, was released in April 2005, followed by Birds Make Good Neighbors in September. Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Langhorne Slim & The Law / The Way We Move
A little rocky--sort of reminds me of moments from the Traveling Wilburys' albums. Or really really old Rod Stewart. Not old-man old, but old school Rod.
More Info from Last.FM
Langhorne Slim & The Law is an American band led by singer-songwriter Langhorne Slim (born Sean Scolnick on August 20, 1981 in Langhorne, Pennsylvania). The 13 songs that compose Langhorne Slim & The Law’s album The Way We Move are road-tested, rollicking and very rock ‘n’ rolling tunes that the songwriter perfected with his loyal band, and come out of the kind of good times and bad experiences that songwriters of Langhorne’s lofty stature can turn into life-affirming rock ‘n’ roll. Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Mandolin Orange / One More Down
Andy might hate this song, but I figure I'm allowed one or two slow, sad, folky love songs each mix.
More Info from Last.FM
Mandolin Orange is a folk duo based out of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group was formed in 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and consists of the group's songwriter Andrew Marlin (vocals, mandolin, guitar, banjo) and Emily Frantz (vocals, violin, guitar). Mandolin Orange has produced six albums of Marlin's original works of American roots music. Mandolin Orange’s music radiates a mysterious warmth —their songs feel like whispered secrets, one hand cupped to your ear. Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Slow Club / The Pieces
I NEVER say this, but: I'm digging the sax here. Or, wait, is it trumpet? Or both? I'm just going to let it happen.
More Info from Last.FM
Slow Club are a 2-piece band from Sheffield, England comprising Charles Watson (vocals and guitar) and Rebecca Taylor (vocals, guitar, and percussion). They formed in 2006, and are noted for their quirky lyrics, their variety of percussion instruments, and great vocal interplay. They are currently signed to Moshi Moshi Records, and have been on nationwide tours with artists such as Fionn Regan, Noisettes, Hot Club De Paris, Tilly and the Wall, Jamie T, and Jeremy Warmsley. Read more on Last.fm more...
-
The Dutchess & The Duke / Reservoir Park
I like that he's channeling a little Mick Jagger and Lou Reed. Also sounds like he's hungover in that cool "movie hangover" way.
More Info from Last.FM
The Dutchess & The Duke: Kimberly Morrison and Jesse Lortz. Two kids hanging out together, growing up together, having fun together. Two kids pissed off at each other, picking on each other, blaming each other, calling each other’s bullshit. Two kids playing in all sorts of bands for years. Sometimes together, many times apart. Through all the years they’ve known each other, however unforeseen, however ridiculous, the result has always been inevitable Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Swim Deep / She Changes the Weather
I usually don't love a song that makes me wait for the vocals, if there are vocals. But I really love the way it's done here. I actually get a little disappointed when this guy starts singing (a little too Postal Service). But then I like it when it gets dreamy again.
More Info from Last.FM
Swim Deep are an indie pop band from Birmingham, England consisting of Austin Williams (vocals), Cavan McCarthy (bass), James Balmont (keys), Robbie Wood (guitar). Swim Deep formed in 2011 by Austin Williams, Tom 'Higgy' Higgins and Wolfgang J Harte. Harte left the band in late 2012 and was replaced by Cavan McCarthy. James Balmont joined the band as a full member in 2014 after a year of playing as an extra live member. In 2018, it was confirmed Zachary Read more on Last.fm more...
-
The Head and The Heart / Let's Be Still
I'm sure everyone has heard this one, but it's a good reminder for me...to take a deep breath and stop. I'll blame this song on the mix being so late.
More Info from Last.FM
The Head and the Heart is a folk band which formed in 2009 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The band consists of Josiah Johnson (vocals, guitar), Jonathan Russell (vocals, guitar), Charity Rose Thielen (violin, vocals), Chris Zasche (bass), Kenny Hensley (keyboards) and Tyler Williams (drums). Composed primarily of transplants to the Seattle area, The Head and the Heart write and play songs that speak to the newness of a fresh start, of the ghosts left behind Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Portugal. The Man / The Sun
Is it me, or is there a ghost of Edie Brickell in here?
More Info from Last.FM
Portugal. The Man is an experimental indie rock band from Wasilla, Alaska (formed in 2004), but currenly based in Portland, Oregon, USA. The band's line-up currently consists of singer/guitarist John Gourley and bassist Zach Carothers (both formerly of Anatomy Of A Ghost), Gourley's wife Zoe Manville (backup vocals/percussion), guitarist Eric Howk, drummer Jason Sechrist, and keyboardist Kyle O'Quin. The band has released eight studio albums (the latest being 2017's "Woodstock") Read more on Last.fm more...
-
MT WARNING / Sinking Sun
Seemed appropriate to place this after the last song. I just think it's pretty.
More Info from Last.FM
MT WARNING is an Australian alternative rock band from northern New South Wales, Australia that formed in 2012. When Mikey Bee was playing a solo show in Australia, American film-maker Taylor Steele happened to be in the audience and was intrigued by the performance. The film-maker approached the musician with a different way of writing songs. Together they pushed the idea of a song telling a unique story while being part of a visual story, played Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Blake Mills / Hey Lover
Definitely a ghost of Wilco in here.
More Info from Last.FM
Blake Mills (born September 21, 1986) is an American songwriter, guitarist, producer, and composer based in California. Break Mirrors is Mills’ debut solo album and the latest step in a remarkable musical career that has seen everyone from Kid Rock to Cass McCombs solicit his services as a guitarist. Mills’ trip began with Simon Dawes, the young L.A. rock outfit he formed with his childhood pal Taylor Goldsmith. They made an album, Carnivore Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Ages and Ages / No Pressure
I like the feel-goodness of this song.
More Info from Last.FM
Ages and Ages is an American rock band from Portland, Oregon. Members: Daniel Hunt Graham Mackenzie John McDonald Rob Oberdorfer Kate O'Brien-Clarke Tim Perry Sarah Riddle Record Label: knitting factory records "Armed with dense, tent revival vocal harmonies and capturing a sense of exuberance and earnestness that has the potential to disarm even the most cynical listeners. Alright You Restless is an exercise in balance, maintaining enough ebullience to be engaging and uplifting without feeling theatrical or manic. Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Ziggy Alberts / Simple Things
Ok. This may be a ridiculously cheesy song. It may be worse than James Blunt's "You're Beautiful". But is James Blunt a "home-schooled songwriter, free surfer & environmental enthusiast based out of Byron Bay, Australia"? No, I think not. Also, Ziggy Alberts' hair alone warrants his place on my mix.
More Info from Last.FM
Ziggy Alberts is a home-schooled songwriter, free surfer & environmental enthusiast based out of Byron Bay, Australia. Picking up a left handed guitar in 2011, Ziggy has supported the likes of Ash Grunwald, Nick Saxon, Benjalu San Cisco, Daniel Champagne, Dustin Thomas & Mat Mchugh, with performances at both Bluesfest & Splendour in the Grass in 2014. Ziggy has been touring independently both nationally & internationally, singing heartfelt stories of personal endeavours & coastal folk upbringings. Read more on Last.fm more...
-
Shakey Graves / Call It Heaven (feat. Esme Patterson)
I couldn't make up my mind between these two songs by Shakey Graves with Esme, so I figured I'd just bookend the mix. This one's a good way to end the day.
More Info from Last.FM
Shakey Graves, aka Alejandro Rose-Garcia from Austin, Texas, plays a gnarly composite of blues and folk as a one-man-band of epic sonic proportions. The sound emitted from his hollow body guitar, mildly distorted amp and suitcase drum belie the young singer’s lean frame. He fingerpicks while keeping time with a double-pedal kick drum, hitting a snare fitted into his suitcase drum and a tambourine fashioned to its side. And when he sings, Rose-Garcia unleashes an unearthly howl. Read more on Last.fm more...
