except for a couple of the bands the rest are close friends. but it’s not that we want to show off here… it’s just that we all belong to a small scattered loving family, making music, bags, paintings, films, designs, etc and i [think] this is a perfect opportunity to share a bit of how we sound like in Spain (plus some geographical data) when you scratch a little bit in the surface…
at casa peSeta there’s always a nice melody when you drop by.

- peSeta (jaime)
http://peseta.org

Editor’s note: Discover more about peSeta in this interview from last May.

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1. Polla - Roldán
2. Burro - Lorena Álvarez
3. La Partida – Palo Alto
4. Todo va a ir mejor – La JR
5. Pichi - Celia Gámez
6. A mi mata la pena - Manuel Vallejo
7. Levántate - Antonio González El Pescaílla
8. Potros Salvajes – Las Hermanas Diego
9. Lover Lover Lover – Tresestrellas
10. El Procedimiento – Kiev Cuando Nieva
11. Tremendas Amazonas – La Estrella de David
12. Severed Finger – Challenger
13. Planta Carnívora - ZA!
14. Terracota – Los Eterno

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Scroll down for more band info and videos…

Roldán : Polla (label: AA records)

he is a genius from Don Benito, Extremadura. both Laura and i play sometimes with him alive. he will be soon releasing a record in repetidor disc.

http://soundcloud.com/godolonky

Lorena Álvarez : Burro (sones)

she just released her first album… only in cassette. her band is called Lorena Álvarez y su Banda Municipal (basically Laura and me, and sometimes also Roldán and Laura’s boyfriend, sax player Andrés Arregui). she started writing songs recently and now she can’t stop. from San Antolín de Ibias, Asturias, she’s currently living in Berlin, and she is also a painter.

http://soundcloud.com/sonesbcn/sets/lorenaalvarez-lacinta

Palo Alto : La Partida (sones)

Palo Alto is an orchestra man with whom we’ve done this year the official bags of Primavera Sound. some people say he looks a little bit like Roldán, from the first song. there’ll also be a DVD with a video like the one we made for New Museum last year. Here’s the teaser:

LaJR : Todo va a ir mejor (AA records)

Laura’s brother, Rafa, band, originally from Gijón, Asturias. making beautiful sounds since the nineties. Rafa has a recording studio in the countryside of León (www.grabacionesdecampo.com) that we all love to visit…

http://www.myspace.com/lajrtrio

Celia Gámez : Pichi

traditional (real classic) song that once was once censored by the Franco dictatorship. amazing that those stupid things sometimes happens. unfortunately, Miss Gámez ain’t part of this little family of ours…

Manuel Vallejo : A mi mata la pena

from a wonderful compilation of songs from all over the world called Mata la Pena. flamenco rules…

Antonio González El Pescaílla : Levántate

one of our favorite artists ever. he didn´t record much because he was kind of eclipsed by his wife, Lola Flores. he is The Rumba like Little Richard was Rock and Roll.

Las Hermanas Diego : Potros Salvajes

Kantia has also started singing recently and she´s right now finishing her first album at Rafa´s studio. María Valle plays with her (and sings on “todo va a a ir mejor” by LsJR). they´re both from Maliaño, Cantabria.

Tresestrellas : lover lover lover (AA records)

María’s former band, with brothers Javi and Carlos Aquilué, from Huesca. they don´t play anymore but i just keep listening to their songs come rain or shine.

Kiev Cuando Nieva : el procedimiento (from “Todos los ademanes”, AA records)

the Aquilué brothers and Antxón (now living in Lithuania) have released a couple of wonderful albums. there’s no band like them in the rest of Europe or even in their hometown, Huesca, Aragón.

http://www.myspace.com/kievcuandonieva1

La Estrella de David : Tremendas Amazonas (canadá)

we’ve listened to his records at casa peSeta like a thousand times… he’s from Barcelona and he´s always been involved in nice bands like Beef or Telefilme…

http://www.myspace.com/laestrelladedavid

Challenger! : severed finger (bore disc)

i also play drums with them (not in this song -Moids plays). we´re friends since we were kids. we just recorded a few songs for an EP soon to release.

http://challengerasfuck.bandcamp.com/album/melsion

ZA! : planta carnívora (sones)

one of the craziest bands live and alive. also from Barcelona.

http://www.myspace.com/putosza

Los eterno : terracota (sones)

i play drums and other stuff… i don’t know what else i can say really…

http://soundcloud.com/los-eterno/sets

This mix represents some of the things that I have been listening to obsessively for the past six months or so. There are some old favorites like The Dead Weather, and Grinderman. Some new stuff from some other old favorites like Dr. Dog and Iron and Wine. Some of my favorite songs from friends like The Howls, Transfer, and Belle Brigade. There is also a track from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs IS IS EP that I came across while researching producers for our new record. All in all, it’s a collection of the stand by bands and songs that never leave the rotation of music that I listen to at home, or in our tour van. Hope you enjoy!

Joshua Zimmerman
The Silent Comedy

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1. Lonesome - Dr. Dog
2. REVIVAL - The Howls
3. Down Boy - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4. So Far From Your Weapon - The Dead Weather
5. Rabbit Will Run - Iron & Wine
6. Go Tell the Woman - Grinderman
7. MYSTERY SONG! *
8. Shirt - Belle Brigade
9. Like A Funeral - The Transfer

* The first listener to add a comment below with the title and artist of the mystery song gets 2 tix to The Silent Comedy show at the Belly Up Tavern on Thursday, March 8, 2012.

Jay Porter (mastermind behind North Park restaurants The Linkery and El Take It Easy) put this mix together from his new pad in Ensenada, just South of Valle de Guadalupe. Check out some of his recent musings, including his Biased Guide to Mexican Wine Country, and enjoy the mix!

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2012 is gonna be a year about mixing it up a bit with the old, the current & the new. Simply, having fun and keeping it real in all matters of life. Last year brought me many challenges all around, personally and in business, life tests. Had time to reflect on what’s important over the break: family, friends, loved ones, music, food & realized how beautiful it can be when it all comes together. Real good food & music are universal & timeless. Lets take on this year with an attitude about inspiring, sharing & enjoying. After all, it’s supposed to be the last year according to the Mayans. YEAR OF THE HOMI!

Juan Miron
MIHO Gastrotruck
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1. Harvest Moon – Poolside  (originalmente – Neil Young)
2. Just Ride It – Cuckoo Chaos
3. Minutos de Aire – Quiero Club
4. Light Of Day – The Plastics Revolution
5. Las Flores – Café Tacuba
6. Midnight City – M83
7. Tennessee – Arrested Development
8. Gotta Have It – Kanye West & Jay-Z
9. I Wonder – King Geedorah
10. El Sonido de Tu Voz – Chetes
11. Angel In the Snow – Elliot Smith
12. Putita – Babasónicos
13. This Charming Man – The Smiths
14. Dejate Caer – Café Tacuba (originalmente  - Los Tres)
15. Move On Up – Curtis Mayfield
16. Le Rendez-Vous –  Manu Chao
17. Paris 2004 – Peter Bjorn & John
18. I’ll Try Anything Once (en vivo) – Julian Casablancas
19. Never Gonna Give You Up – The Black Keys
20. Married With Children – Oasis

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Photo snapped by Juan last year in Rio at boutique hotel Casa Mosquito.

Roy Silverstein has gradually & humbly become an institution in the San Diego music scene. It all started several years ago with The Habitat (which has more recently become Habitat House), a craftsman style home in Golden Hill where Silverstein lived, held live shows, and produced music for many folks. Señor Silverstein then went on to publish an e-book advising inspired music-heads on How to Run a Successful House Show Venue, while continuing to produce records for countless artists after moving to North Park.

Silverstein is currently in the process of building a recording studio from the ground up at his home in North Park, pulling out all the stops by enlisting the design services of Wes Lachot. We are very excited to listen to the next phase of this story unfold as Silverstein is armed with a proper production space by which to help bands up their game on record.

Without further adieu, here’s a mix that Roy put together for us… a final Minstrel Fridays mixtape for 2011.

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These are a mix of bands and songs that deserve some attention. Some I know personally, others I admire from afar. Some, I’ve even had the pleasure of working with. Some played in my livingroom. They all keep it real.

Illustration by: Joe Majalca & Kelly Merchant (friends of mine who make ”adult” coloring books: link)

Roy Silverstein
roy.silverstein@gmail.com

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Right-click this link and select “Save as…” to download this mix.
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1. The Shivers – Only In It For The $$$
2. Jeremy Jay – In This Lonely Town
3. Cass McCombs – Sacred Heart
4. Broadcast – Tears in the Typing Pool
5. P:ano – Noni Song
6. The Finches – Natural History
7. Key Losers – Limited Time
8. The Delgados – The Light Before We Land
9. Tahiti 80 – 1,000 Times
10. Papercuts – Outside Looking In
11. South China – Sun Sets on Washington Ave
12. Sharon Van Etten – I Fold
13. Paleo – The King James Fakebook
14. The Love Letter Band – College Kids
15. Mira Cook – Back in your Lovin’ Arms
16. Khonnor – Daylight and Delight
17. Nire – The March
18. The Clientele – The House Always Wins
19. Low – Death of a Salesman

For this week’s installment of Minstrel Fridays, we are honored to share with you a mix by one of the artists from VOLUME (opening reception is TONIGHT, 6/24)– San Diego legend Otis B. Known simply as “O”, he sings loud and paints abstract pieces like the one shown above.

Here’s some background on O, as told by Trouser Press:

Otis Barthoulameu, who chooses to be known simply as O., was the renaissance man of the early ’90s San Diego scene. Besides fronting fluf and playing guitar in Olivelawn, the hefty singer/guitarist has been a roadie (for the Muffs), oft-published skateboarding photographer, record producer (for further, among others), van driver, stagehand (Ministry’s Psalm 69 tour), 7-inch single manufacturer (Rocket From the Crypt, Tanner) and a T-shirt hawker at his own shows — all in the name of no-bullshit rawk’n'roll, the music to which he’s zealously dedicated.

Take a listen to O’s mixtape, aptly named Songs I Love…

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Songs-I-Love.mp3

Right-click this link and select “Save as…” to download this mix.
Subscribe to Minstrel Fridays in iTunes.

1. “I Get Along” – The Libertines
2. “Post Break-up Sex” – The Vaccines
3. “Talking to the Dog” – Obits
4. “Karina” – Ryan Adams
5. “Sultana” – Son Volt
6. “Frail and Bedazzled” – The Smashing Pumpkins
7. “New Disaster” – Elliot Smith
8. “Plans” – Dinosaur Jr
9. “A Forrest” – The Cure
10. “Air Mattress” – Conor Oberst

I can’t wait for summer. Bright skies. Bike rides around the hood. Tall boys in the park. Swimming in the ocean. Passing out on the beach. Long days and warm nights. So this playlist is my blessing for a real San Diego summer. It’s the soundtrack to your perfect summer day. It’s coming…I can feel it.

- Kevin Ho, Co-Owner of MIHO Gastrotruck
www.MIHOgastrotruck.com

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Download the mixtape, here.
Or, get Minstrel Fridays mixtapes in iTunes, here.

1. All Summer : Kid Cudi, Best Coast, Rostam
2. Go Outside : Cults
3. Eyes Be Closed : Washed Out
4. Morning Thought : Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr
5. If You’re Changing : White Denim
6. Rosita : Helado Negro
7. Lust For Life : Girls
8. Marathon : Tennis
9. Apollo : Danger Beach
10. California Birds : ABADABAD
11. Swim : Surfer Blood
12. Down On Loving : The Soft Pack
13. Wavves : Wavves
14. Johnny Too Beef : Mos Dub
15. House of Balloons – Glass Table Girls : The Weeknd
16. No One Can Touch Us Tonight : jj
17. Blessa : Toro y Moi
18. Most Wanted : Cults

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P.S. from S&D:
Enjoy a perfect summer day and some great farm-to-street food with Kevin at the Lafayette Hotel & Swim Club this Sunday. He’ll be there with his co-conspirator Juan to celebrate the MIHO Gastrotruck 1-year anniversary! Details on their weekly schedule.

I’m a California girl who likes good music (especially that sweet soul music). “Songs in the Key of Sunshine” takes its inspiration from summer. Those lazy hazy crazy days of summer. Well, these songs mostly reflect the lazy and hazy days. Songs I want to listen to while sitting poolside or floating on an air mattress, carefree and with nowhere else to be. Laying on a blanket burying my feet in the sand. Enjoying picnics and BBQs in the park. Leisurely driving on a road trip to the desert or up and down the coast. Maxin’ and relaxin’. Songs that sound like a laid-back clear warm sunny day. Classic California postcard snapshots. Easy breezy sun-soaked landscapes. Of course, there are many more songs that I could listen to all summer long. This may be the first of many summer mixes to come…

DJ Claire
www.yodjclaire.com

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1. Billy Stewart “Summertime”
2. Stevie Wonder “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing”
3. McNeal And Niles “Summertime”
4. Toots & The Maytals “It’s You”
5. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings “Inspiration Information”
6. Kool & The Gang “Summer Madness”
7. Roy Ayers “Everybody Loves The Sunshine”
8. Shuggie Otis “Sweet Thang”
9. Syreeta “Harmour Love”
10. The Beach Boys “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
11. The Main Ingredient “Summer Breeze”
12. Phyllis Dillon “Make Me Yours”
13. Los Yaki “Sonia”
14. Booker T. & The MG’s “Time Is Tight”
15. José Feliciano “California Dreamin’”
16. The Clash “Charlie Don’t Surf”
17. Betty Padgett “Rocking Chair”
18. Os Mutantes “Baby”
19. The Kinks “Waterloo Sunset”
20. Sly & The Family Stone “Hot Fun In the Summertime”
21. Gil Scott-Heron “I Think I’ll Call It Morning”
22. Mos Def “May-December”
23. Stevie Wonder “Summer Soft”

Graphic designer and occasional ukulele-craftsman Casey White recently set up shop with us down at The Bakery. Before returning to his native San Diego, Casey spent several years in New York and last year in Taos, NM living in one of the infamous Earthship dwellings. By day, Casey and his best friend run Plan B Branding, developing brands for baseball clubs. In the eve, you’ll find Mr. White (who recently became a father) kicking back with his family.

Here’s a mix of tunes that Casey’s been listening to lately – enjoy the random assortment!

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1. Sea Talk – Zola Jesus
2. The Morning – The Weeknd
3. La Femme D’Monsieur Jones (Air x Mike Jones) – The Hood Internet
4. Sleepyhead (Le Chev Remix) – Passion Pit
5. Sick – Salem
6. Post Acid – Wavves
7. Jangling Jack – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
8. Spottieottiedopaliscious – OutKast
9. Dancin’ On Ya (Remix) (feat. Xzibit, Paul Wall & Murs) – Get Busy Committee
10. you can sell anything (produced by diplo) – Das Racist
11. Inkredible (feat. Lil Wayne & Rick Ross) – Trae the Truth
12. Keep It Warm / Lemonade / Rill Rill – Telephoned
13. Yah! (feat. Petty) – Buraka Som Sistema & Petty
14. Tigerlily (DYWHAP Blend) – Major Lazer & La Roux
15. Fever – La Lupe

We are beyond excited for Invisible Creature’s visit to San Diego next week. If you’re a local designer, consider yourself lucky! We find something new and exciting every time we peruse their work, and it’s safe to say they have a strong hold on a wide variety of styles and techniques. Pack your Rhodia pad, because we’re looking for the Brothers Clark to reveal some of the secrets behind their process during their lecture at the Casbah.

While you stare at the lung-entrenched-eyeball-multiverse of an album cover above (designed by IC, of course) take a listen to installment #2 of the Invisible Creature Top 10 At-The-Moment tunes, courtesy of Don Clark.

Invisible-Creature-Top-10-At-The-Moment-mixtape-02.mp3

1. Rumour Has It – Adele
2. Four Letter Word – Beady Eye
3. Rope – Foo Fighters
4. Tell ‘Em – Sleigh Bells
5. Clarion Call – Delphic
6. Wring It Out – Rival Schools
7. Bright Lights Bigger City – Cee Lo Green
8. The Angels Are Surely Weeping – Young Galaxy (featuring Hanna)
9. Dust Devil – School Of Seven Bells
10. I Wanna Deadbeat You – The Night Marchers

Now hear this… The talented and deservingly illustrious Clark brothers of graphic design & illustration studio Invisible Creature will be coming to San Diego on April 2nd to give a talk and share some insight into their design process on stage at the infamous Casbah! One of their favorite bands, SD-based The Black Heart Procession will play a set afterward, rounding out an interdisciplinary evening of design and music.

You can thank the recently launched Neat Neat Neat for bringing us such a world-class happening. The Invisible Creature event is just the first of many big things to come from Neat Neat Neat, so keep yer eye peeled and your monocle handy.

Finally, we’re proud to say that Minstrel Fridays is BACK, baby! What better time to resurrect the mixtape series we started way back when (2008!), then with a hearty sampling of Invisible Creature’s musical influences through their “Top 10 At-The-Moment” tunes? The answer is: no better time.

This week we’re featuring Ryan Clark’s Top 10 songs … stay tuned next week for another top 10 from his brother Don Clark.

1. Feel It All Around – Washed Out
2. King Night – Salem
3. Ego – Omnium Gatherum
4. Surfacing – Chapel Club
5. Lippy Kids – Elbow
6. Hide And Seek – Mirrors
7. Erebos – Hate
8. All Of The Lights – Kanye West
9. Whirring – The Joy Formidable
10. Turn The Bells – White Lies

These are some songs that have been swilling in my head for the past few months. They’re not particularly slow, and they’re not particularly fast. So, just sit down. Put on your headphones. Take a deep breath, and plant yourself. You’re exactly where you need to be right now.

Music is universal. Love, hate, happiness, sadness, joy and wonder are universal. Music is life. Songs create the soundtrack to our lives. Music is essential to my being and has changed my life in many ways. Originally I was going to make a CD that was the soundtrack to my life then add songs from my favorite soundtracks. The new year has arrived and I decided to put together the mix that created itself on shuffle while I was on my hour walk. It’s a new year and time to live in the present and not always have everything planned or figured out. Enjoy the mix and share it with your friends. Joie de vivre!

Jen Correia
KGTV Helicopter Reporter
Music News Reporter
X1FM VJ

Blog: http://thefullservicereport.tumblr.com/
Twitter: @jencorreia

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>> Right-click here << and save this mix on your iPod/iPhone.

1. Across the Universe: Fiona Apple
2. Man Ray: The Futureheads
3. Ready Steady Go: Generation X
4. Investigative Reports: Genius/GZA
5. Kevin is Gay: Giant Drag
6. Transmission: Joy Division
7. Waltz for Koop: Koop
8. The Body Says No: New Pornographers
9. Shady Lane: Pavement
10. Insistor: Tapes N’ Tapes
11. Grow Up and Blow Away: Metric
12. Fences: The Soft Pack – RMX Phoenix song
13. Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space: Spiritualized
14. Destination Venus: Rezillos
15. Ca Plane Pour Moi: Plastic Bertrand
16. The Greatest: Cat Power
17. It Was a Good Day: Ice Cube
18. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?: She and Him
19. Pictures of Houses: Tilly and the Wall
20. DJ: Amanda Blank
21. Stand and Deliver: Adam Ant

Sweet Sixteen – the birthday that lots of teenage girls celebrate with a massive party…but me, well I celebrated by getting my very first electric guitar. Though it’s been years since I turned 16, the Sweet Sixteen lives on in an annual challenge I most look forward to: pick my favorite albums from the year, choose my favorite songs from those albums, put them all together in a neat little mix, package them up with a dorky album cover and distribute to both willing and unwilling friends. It’s pretty typical for these songs to end up being very tied to certain times and places in my memory, so in the end, each Sweet Sixteen mix serves as a really good reminder of what happened over the course of that year. 2009 was one of my favorite years in music to date. I’m excited to see what 2010 has in store. Happy New Year!

—
Lauren Daniels
SeattleGraffiti

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1. Two Weeks – Grizzly Bear
2. Heart Skipped A Beat – The XX
3. Turn Me Well – Micachu
4. Coast of Carolina – Telekinesis
5. Fables – The Dodos
6. Just The Same But Brand New – St. Vincent
7. i am the changer – Cotton Jones
8. This Tornado Loves You – Neko Case
9. When We Swam – Thao with the Get Down Stay Down
10. Maybe So, Maybe No – Mayer Hawthorne
11. French Navy – Camera Obscura
12. Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
13. Lalita – The Love Language
14. I And Love And You – The Avett Brothers
15. Sirens – Grand Hallway
16. 1901  –   Phoenix

This is a brief mix of music I might take with me on a desert island. I picked it fast and decisively, as if someone was forcing me to leave abruptly, saying I might never come back. I tried to choose different genres and moods of music for my purposes of trying to live life apart from the rest of the world. In the end if I found that I had this list of songs around I might be content for a long time. Some songs just keep getting better…..

Heather Ace
San Diego House Parties

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1. Murderer – Barrington Levy
2. Pimper’s Paradise – Bob Marley & The Wailers
3. Stella Was A Diver And She Was Always Down – Interpol
4. Hair Down – Cold War Kids
5. Take Five – Dave Brubeck
6. The Beast – The Fugees
7. Hit Me! – The Sounds
8. Silent House – Dixie Chicks
9. Your Heart Is An Empty Room – Death Cab for Cutie
10. Sullivan Street – Counting Crows
11. I Only Have Eyes For You – The Flamingos
12. Lose Control – Missy Elliott
13. Digital – Joy Division
14. Weed Party – Band of Horses
15. The Long Way Around – Dixie Chicks
16. Sunday Morning – No Doubt
17. Supermix – The Notorious B.I.G.
18. Brothers On A Hotel Bed – Death Cab for Cutie
19. Minha Galera – Manu Chao
20. Lovesick Blues – Patsy Cline
21. Brand New Colony – The Postal Service
22. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths
23. Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect – The Decemberists

Photo credit: HighContrast

There are only a few spots in each city that define its culture, create neighbors out of strangers, and become a weekly part of life for everyone from grandpa to high school emoboys and girls. Lou’s Records, which has been around since 1980, is one such institution in North County San Diego. It’s part of what I like to call the Holy Trinity of Leucadia, which includes The Pannikin, Ducky Waddles and of course, Lou’s.

Record shops infamously employ some interesting characters and Lou’s is no exception. Neil McLean, the creator of this installment of Minstrel Fridays (and a loyal Lou’s employee), is from England, stands about eye-level with me (6’7″), and shares music knowledge with a humble and thorough passion. Never aloof, always generous, and naturally jovial, Neil is one of a kind. After walking – yes walking– 6 miles to attend one our Sanctuary143 art events, he waltzed into the gallery with a smile and proceeded to jot down about 30 or 40 bands he suggested I check out. His hand-writing is shitty, but that list was like a gold mine for me.

But Neil McLean is more than that – he’s also a creative genius who’s hard at work creating a stop-motion animation series in his garage. This “televisual situation comedy” entitled DUNGEON is 6 years in the making, and the disturbingly funny trailer shows signs of greatness with Adult Swim written all over it. Like any creative pursuing an ambitious feat (or what he calls “my idea”), Neil has moments of doubt about the project, stemming from his lack of funds to the validity of spending 6 years building animatronic puppets and miniature sets.

That’s where you come in. This mixtape is obviously a shameless plug for Lou’s, keyword shameless. Many of you will recognize several tracks, but there are plenty of obscure gems that only Neil could dish out. Enjoy the mix, support a noble record store, and in the process, Neil’s project!

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So where’s the tracklist?

It’s up to you to uncover the tracks! We’re giving away a Josh Higgins print for the first person to get the entire tracklist correct. Take a guess in the comment field below. Or go visit Lou’s and ask Neil… he’s always happy to share.

Winner’s Choice!

The winner gets to choose between these two limited edition hand-screen prints by Josh Higgins. Both are out of print and impossible to find.

Acamonchi is moving to NYC next week! As a tribute to Acamonchi’s creative influence on San Diego, we asked him to create a mixtape. Rock out to it on your way to Streetscene or as a pre-Critical Mass warmup.

A big thanks to Acamonchi for giving back to the community through punk, bicycles, art, and positive messages about food (he’s vegan). You will be missed!

Connect with Acamonchi: Website | Facebook | Flickr

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1. The Misantroph – Neoangin
2. Dog Days – Matthew Dear
3. Actionist Respoke – Mouse On Mars
4. Strateface/Kcl0 (07/10/99) – Lackluster
5. Tanino – Latinsizer
6. La Torre Y el Diablo – Ford Proco
7. Bad Natured (Vocal Reprise) – Styrofoam
8. Brothel Trainbox. – Sindri
9. Pax Romana II – Si.Da
10. Out There Somewhere (Part 2) – Orbital

Sezio sprouted from a group of artists and musicians living in a white house on Ebers street in Ocean Beach, Ca.  The creative, collaborative mindset of its residents spread contagiously to visitors and passer-bys.  At any given hour there was screen printing in the garage, painting on the front porch and a jam session in the living room or on the roof.  Luckily, Andrew Heine’s Pro Tools was running around the clock, and almost all of it was recorded.

This group of tracks has shaped my current musical taste.  The warmth of the house combined with the organic sounds of plane engines and doors creaking make you feel like you are sitting in the room… and I was.

Track Listing:

01 – “Wish You Well” by Andrew, Jim & Leah
02 – “Lay Back Down (It’s Easy)” by Dogcatcher
03 – “All At Once” by Dogcatcher
04 – “Morning Smile” by Pretty Too Bad
05 – “Pictures And Such” by Pretty Too Bad
06 – “An Ocean Beach Afternoon” by Brian Holwerda
07 – “Battle Hymn Of My Republic” by Brian Holwerda
08 – “Firehouse House Fire 1939″ by Demasiado
09 – “The Mean We” by Demasiado
10 – “Boogie” by Wade Youman

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Track Notes:

01 – This song was written and recorded in an afternoon.  Andrew and Leah share the spotlight here, but as always Jim Hughes is nailing perfect harmonies.

02,03 – Dogcatcher included Andrew Heine, Damon DeLaPaz, Jim Hughes and Brian Holwerda.  Andrew’s music always took a back seat to his art and playing in other people’s projects (Blackout Party, Irradio).  Now that he’s in the Bay Area, I’m hoping for a solo record sometime soon.

04,05 – Pretty Too Bad is a side project of Clayton Edward (Demasiado).  The initial piano-based tracks he recorded at Ebers have been in my iTunes rotation for a while.

06,07 – Brian Holwerda has been a good friend for a long time.  I’ve had the privilege of seeing him develop as a musician and songwriter for the last decade, and over that time this group of tracks stick out in my mind.

Mix tapes make me nervous. When Sean and Stacy first asked me to participate in their Minstrel Fridays series, I said yes and then never got around to it. Even though I’ve been writing about music for nearly a decade in this town, I’m very protective of my personal taste. Sometimes it’s questionable. And I don’t have a database of obscure knowledge stored in my scatter-brain, nor an astounding collection of music, though I try.

But it’s not just that. I wanted there to be a story behind this compilation. Nothing too literal, mind you. Perhaps more of an air than a story. An optimistic attitude. Some of the songs have personal meaning; some just cheer me up.

By the way, the current chapter of my real-life story has a happy ending. I’m in love and I’m moving to Seattle with my man after spending my entire adult existence in San Diego. Talk about new and exciting. Life-affirming, really. It was a long wait, but here it finally is. So I decided to make a mellow mix that reflects this mood of love, nostalgia, melancholy, and adventure. You won’t find the latest, coolest indie tunes, if that’s what you’re looking for. Just my heart.

I’m skipping town on July 30. I hope I’ve said goodbye to everybody. I’ve complained about it a lot, but I’ve also loved it in San Diego. To my family, friends, and the people who have inspired me with their creative and intellectual feats heroic over the years: Thank you. I will miss you. Please don’t forget me.

xo,
AnnaMaria
www.uccellinimedia.com

1. “Summertime” by Jesca Hoop
2. “Love” by J Dilla feat. Pharoahe Monch
3. “Via Con Me” by Paolo Conte
4. “Sunshine” by Matt Costa
5. “Flying High” by Brisa Roché
6. “Quiet Houses” by Fleet Foxes
7. “My Baby Just Cares for Me” by Nina Simone
8. “We’re All in the Dance” by Feist
9. “May This Be Love” by Jimi Hendrix
10. “He Needs Me” with Shelly Duvall (from Popeye), arranged by Jon Brion

I’m often asked who my musical influences are, what kind of music I like and listen to. These days I’m inclined to answer with the Duke Ellington statement that there are only two kinds of music, good or bad. I’ve been surrounded by music my entire life and have had the good fortune of being exposed to a wide variety of artists from an early age; my dad listened to Caruso, my mom cranked “Abbey Road” and the Platters every Sunday doing housework, my sisters had 45′s of James Brown, The Sweet and Ian Dury, my brother rocked Santana and Clapton. Thanks to them my ears have been wide open ever since. Music is the friend that’s always been there for me. It comforts, consoles, excites, envigorates and enlightens. It gives me everything I need and asks nothing in return. This small mix of songs is merely a glimpse into the ever growing library of music that I love.

I’ve called the mix Well what do you thrash? – a nod to my skating days via Thrashin’ the movie.

- Adrian Demain

Catch Adrian at an upcoming show: www.myspace.com/adriandemain2

1. Attitude Song \\ Steve Vai
2. Shadrach \\ The Beastie Boys
3. The Caterpillar \\ The Cure
4. Strange Meeting \\ Bill Frisell
5. Sand \\ Jules Ah See
6. I’ve Seen It All \\ Björk
7. Skating \\ Vince Guaraldi Trio
8. Nobody’s Hero \\ Stiff Little Fingers
9. Galloping Guitar ’49 \\ Chet Atkins
10. Airegin \\ Wes Montgomery
11. You Look That Good To Me \\ Joe Clay
12. Come Fly With Me \\ Frank Sinatra

These songs are special to me in many ways but mostly because they all remind me of travel, long drives, walking around, seeing different places. For many years thoughts about going places have been just as valuable as actually leaving, since I couldn’t afford the time or money it took to go. So you could say I’ve been traveling in my head. Each song has specific parts that remind me of this:

1. (bare voice)
2. And the hands of hobo fishermen, they fish off the city bridges, the city bridges.
3. You can’t go home again; each time it’s different.
4. Please don’t confront me with my failures; I had not forgotten them.
5. (harmony)
6. I’m headed for a land that’s far away, beside the crystal fountains.
7. Get up from your old couch, with your heart full of flowers – you’ve been broken far too long.
Pass the guy with the heart so blue, he’s got nothing for you to use; it’s all bound to get better. Everyone always misses you when you’re gone, every time you just pick up and run. Eyes black and blue from the war, you’re defeated by your own army.
8. (layers 3:46)
9. (strings 2:04)
10. I’m challenging you in the stormiest sea, each wave is as high as a building. I have a golden sword in my hand; twelve ships are waiting.

- Steph Walker
www.walkersteph.com

going-places.mp3

It’s clear the magic that California holds.
She is the muse to many musicians around the world.
I think all of us can relate to a little California dreamin’

enjoy this mix with a cold Corona!

xo-sj

Shaney jo Darden
Keep A Breast

1. California \\ Rogue Wave
2. Hotel California \\ Eagles
3. California Dreamin’ \\ The Mamas and the Papas
4. Dani California \\ Red Hot Chili Peppers
5. California Stars \\ Billy Bragg & Wilco
6. California \\ The Kooks
7. California \\ AB O’neill
8. California \\ Pretenders
9. California Sun \\ The Ramones
10. California Girls \\ David Lee Roth
11. California \\ Joni Mitchell
12. California \\ Rufus Wainwright
13. Leaving California \\ PJ Harvey & John Parish
14. (More Bounce In) California \\ Soul Kid #1

The mix tapes of Minstrel Fridays live on… This time around we’re blessed with the musical stylings of a talented collaborator, graphic designer-musician Josh Higgins. Listen below and read about his power animal here.

Life is changing around us and the tiny oars of our boats don’t always seem to be enough in battering seas. If we keep rowing we may never reach land but eventually we’ll row out of the storm. Music is the one thing that helps me weather threatening skys and shots across the bow. Enjoy.

-Josh Higgins
joshhiggins.com

1. Re-Ignition – Bad Brains
2. We’re Only Gonna Die – Bad Religion
3. Part One – Band of Horses
4. Fairies Wear Boots – Black Sabbath
5. Switch – Boilermaker
6. Skinny Love – Bon Iver
7. In Debt to the Heart – Born In The Flood
8. Hate – Cat Power
9. Hello, I’m In Delaware – City and Colour
10. Everything Sucks – Descendents
11. I Better Be Quiet Now – Elliott Smith
12. Independence Day – Elliott Smith
13. See You Dead – Helmet
14. Oyster – Jawbreaker
15. The Boat Dreams From The Hill – Jawbreaker
16. Boilermaker – The Jesus Lizard
17. Air Traffic Control – Jets To Brazil
18. Iron Fist – Motörhead
19. Charades – No Knife
20. My Arrow’s Aim – Rocket From The Crypt
21. Everything – Smile
22. Hey Jigsaw – Tanner
23. Stranger On The Town – The Damned
24. Buddy – The Lemonheads
25. Release My Heart – The Black Heart Procession
26. Way Of The Ocean – Three Mile Pilot
27. Hush – Tool
    

There is something fascinating about closing your eyes and imagining how a song might feel when accompanied by film. Radiohead’s famous title track from this mix represents one of these powerful moments in film, and it got me thinking about soundtracks ever since. Certain songs began to stick out from the rest. They seemed to hold some element that I couldn’t put my finger on, but that undeniably conjured images in my mind of hypothetical scenes from movies that didn’t exist.

I am a sucker for those incredible moments when the marriage of song and film nears perfection, one of my favorites being Nico’s cover of These Days (which Jackson Browne apparently wrote when he was 16 years old! I love wikipedia.) in The Royal Tenenbaums. I’m pretty sure this is why I love Wes Anderson movies… he pulls that shit all the time.

This mix is the first of many imaginary soundtracks that are floating around in my head. If it sparks any ideas for movies or even single scenes, drop a comment below.

Sean Kelley
Co-founder, Set & Drift

exit-music-for-a-film.mp3

I love all kinds of music, but I love certain kinds more. And here they are. This type of mix is what gets me through my day, and inspires me to practice being a good person and make fun art.

Hope you guys enjoy it. Sorry I don’t know how to make sweet blends and fabulous DJ techniques. So take time to enjoy the silence between the tracks too

Tocayo-
elgrantocayo.blogspot.com

tocayo-time-mix-vol-1.mp3

1. Mistica – Orishas
2. Nag Champa (Afrodisiac For The World) – Common
3. The Light – Common
4. 2 AM – Slightly Stoopid
5. Oh Yeah – Foxy Brown
6. Mi Confesión – Gotan Project Feat. Koxmoz
7. Don’t Do Drugs – Danger Mouse &#38; Jemini
8. Dying To Live – Diego Roots
9. This Ain’t Living – G. Love & Special Sauce
10. Charlie’s Kids – Gram Rabbit
11. Heartless – Kanye West
12. Wordless Chorus – My Morning Jacket
13. Bobby James – N*E*R*D
14. Shove It (feat. Spank Rock) (Album) – Santogold
15. Cotidiano – Seu Jorge
16. What a Bum Bum – Sister Nancy

The mix came from my love and desire to tell the world about the talent we have here in San Diego.

- Tim Pyles
www.thelocalpyle.com

the-local-pyle-of-music.mp3

1. Afterparty At Jimmy’s – Anya Marina
2. Flash’s Theme (Bonus Track) – Louis XIV
3. Can’t Don’t Want To – Anna Troy
4. Classics Never Die – Da Bears
5. Days Go On – Greg Laswell
6. Warship – Manuok
7. Blood Drops – Writer
8. Tijuana Sound Machine – Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich + Fussible
9. Goose Egg – The Pocket
10. Throwing Up – The Powerchords
11. Dick On A Dog – Rocket From The Crypt
12. Foundation – Scarlet Symphony
13. This Bike Is A Pipe Dream – Vena Cava
14. Death By Discotheque – The Burning Of Rome
15. Ghost Rider – Crocodiles
16. Wavves – Wavves
17. California Goth – Wavves
18. Sub-Atomic – Apes Of Wrath
19. Hot/Cold – Apes Of Wrath

I’ve been thinking about death a lot lately. Not in a morbidly compulsive, Woody Allen-like way, nor in a mid-life, “what-does-it-all-mean?” kind of way. Rather, after a recent health scare and being let go by a soulless media corporation, my work on the first novel started to take a rather melancholic turn, which, incidentally, is exactly what it needed.

Within the unshaven, all-night, booze- and stimulant-fueled last few months, and the iTunes pretty much screaming at me to give Zoloft a chance, I found myself compiling a mixtape that I wanted to be handed out at my funeral. A 32-song examination of my life via the sounds and lyrics that have most moved me the last 30 years, but with a rather morbid emphasis on the two things I’ve loved the most in my life: myself and women. Most of the songs are somewhat sad in nature even if they border on solipsism, but the fact is that when you make a mixtape—even if it’s compiled for someone in particular and might or might not get you laid (as the awesome Dave Brown cleverly points out)—it’s still an exercise in egotism much in the same vein of googling one’s own name.

Below is a heavily abridged version of that playlist. I took the title from my favorite songwriter, Leonard Cohen. Anyone half as familiar with Cohen as I am knows that the Phil Spector-produced Death of a Ladies Man is his worst album, but certainly the one with the best title. The accompanying picture is a photograph of Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell at some festival. I actually have the poster version near my bed. Mitchell has this extremely jubilant, teethy, Kool-Aid smile, but you can’t see Cohen’s face, just his back facing away from the camera.

Unlike my fellow players below, I hardly have the time to fantasize about jet setting off to far-away environs, whether tropical or tundra. I’m just stuck in America. Stuck with the same ghosts that haunt Thom Yorke in “Pyramid Song.” Stuck in the same moment that Leonard probably was on many other occasions. Embracing the women I love with my back to the camera.

Seth Combs
The Last Blog on Earth

death-of-a-ladies-man.mp3

1. The Man Who Loved Women \\ Tom Petty
2. I Will Kill Again \\ Jarvis Cocker
3. Not Dark Yet \\ Bob Dylan
4. I Want Love \\ Elton John
5. Do You Realize?? \\ The Flaming Lips
6. How \\ Badly Drawn Boy
7. Hell Yeah \\ Neil Diamond
8. Lucky Man \\ The Verve
9. Pyramid Song \\ Radiohead
10. It’ll All Work Out \\ Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
11. Dead Flowers \\ The Rolling Stones
12. One Man Guy \\ Rufus Wainwright
13. Sometimes \\ DMX
14. The Message \\ NaS
15. A Change Is Gonna Come \\ Sam Cooke
16. In My Life \\ Johnny Cash
17. Tower Of Song \\ Leonard Cohen

17 years ago a mixtape dramatically changed my life.

This angry looking girl who sat across from me in art class was always wearing knee-high red Doc Martens and changing her hair color.  At the time I was a semi-clueless sophomore jock.  One day we started rapping about music.  She was like, “oh if you like so and so you should listen to this and that.”   A week later, bam, she slaps a mixtape on me. 90% of the bands on the tape were totally new to me.  It rocked.  I listened to the tape relentlessly.  Six months later I bought my own pair of giant Doc Martens.

The Dinosaur Jr. track #8 is a tribute to my long lost art class friend.  It was on her original tape from 1991.

I hope you enjoy this odd mix of psych/indie/folk/rock. The only common denominator here is that when I hear any these tracks in my car, I turn the volume way up.

-Nate
Urbanist Guide

sophomore-art-class-hero.mp3

1. Hello – Mr Oizo
2. Noam Chomsky Spring Break 2002 – Department Of Eagles
3. Milk Skates – Black Moth Super Rainbow
4. Ifa – The Benders & Tunji Oyelana
5. Mary Susan – Blood On The Wall
6. I’ll Believe in Anything (Album) – Wolf Parade
7. Sleeper Hold – No Age
8. The Wagon – Dinosaur Jr
9. What I See – The Dirty Projectors
10. Second Chance – Liam Finn
11. Low Gravity – The Acorn
12. Lay and Love – Bonnie “Prince” Billy
13. Heartbeats – Jose Gonzalez
14. The Wolves (Act 1 & 2) – Bon Iver
15. Crap Kraft Dinner – Hot Chip

The day’s drive starts at a red light alongside a curved cement fortress, a corner store painted in the likes of a green-and-yellow checkerboard. Cactus leaves for sale on one side, a man spraying fire from his mouth on the other. When green comes, I’ll know what to do. I could do it every day. Race through cobblestone roundabouts, circular kingdoms ruled by sword-wielding Aztecan giants and dead presidents. Fly over sidewalkless bridges that cover the concrete river. Dodge mammoth potholes that lurk along the pockmarked boulevards, avenues lined with women made of both clean white plastic and tarnished brown putty and square trees trimmed to look like the landscaping of an 8-bit video game. Brake, gas, brake, gas, brake, my eye all the while waving at the monstrous eagle flag waving at me from afar. Scale the rolling hills of urban sprawl, each its own tidal wave disguised as a wall of Technicolor confetti. Count the specks as I feel myself climbing into the sky. Follow the fence westward through whiffs of sewage and street food, to where the line between “here” and “there” switches from rusted panels to a roofless cage made of railroad tracks before trailing into the sea. There, in the shadow of the bullring, pause in the company of the coconut shacks, cotton candy peddlers, divided families and the falling sun, and know that the long night ahead, wrapped in neon-streaked disco twilight, will close with another slow dawn that I’ll dedicate to not letting the fear of gunfire keep me from driving the same lap tomorrow. Welcome to my Tijuana taxicab.

Derrik Chinn is a permanent tourist.  See for yourself at derrikchinn.blogspot.com.

tijuana-taxicab.mp3

1. “Sex City” // Van She
2. “Wake Up” // Lo-Fi-Fnk
3. “Vamos a La Playa” // Righeira
4. “Moonlight Affair” // Silent Circle
5. “Fashion Victims” // Zemmoa
6. “Time Stands Still” // Cut Copy
7. “Double Shadow” // Junior Boys
8. “I Want Your Love” // Chromatics
9. “Life After Sundown” // Glass Candy
10. “Pegaso” // Professor Genius
11. “Neverland” // Silent Shout
12. “Lady Operator” // Mirage
13. “Caught By Surprise” // Laban
14. “Sunlight In Electric Wires” // San Serac
    

I’d like to pretend I’m cooler than I am and my musical tastes are more obscure than they are, but this mixtape is me.  I like folk music and alt country, mainly, and the more melancholic and beautiful the better.  I tried to put together a playlist that represented the type of music I actually listen to on a daily basis. Neutral Milk Hotel, the Decemberists, Bon Iver, Sam Amidon and Bonnie “Prince” Billy is the music I fell in love with in the last decade — some within the last few months. And I grew up on bands like The Allman Brothers, The Kinks and The Band (thanks mom and dad).

I’ve been in San Diego for almost six years now, and local bands like Transfer, The Album Leaf and, more recently, Calico Horse and Joel P. West, have made me proud to be a part of the San Diego cultural scene.   I included Bostich + Fussible (of the Nortec Collective) because I’ve lived in Tijuana for the last two and a half years, and the songs they make are such a perfect representation of the chaos, fun and excitement of my beloved TJ.  Hedwig and The Angry Inch is on my list, too, simply because the song is freakin’ awesome. Plus, musicals make this world more enjoyable, don’t you think?

Kinsee Morlan
San Diego CityBeat + Adapta Project
http://tijuanatales.wordpress.com/

no-more-than-me.mp3

1. Two – Headed Boy    Neutral Milk Hotel
2. Pale Green Things    The Mountain Goats
3. Skinny Love    Bon Iver
4. For Every Field There’s a Mole    Bonnie “Prince” Billy
5. The Breeze    Dr. Dog
6. Random Rules    Silver Jews
7. Saro    Sam Amidon
8. The Crane Wife 3    The Decemberists
9. Hoppípolla    Sigur Rós
10. The MP    The Album Leaf
11. Melissa    The Allman Brothers Band
12. The Weight    The Band
13. Well Respected Man    The Kinks
14. 28th & NE Davis    Joel P West
15. Gold    Calico Horse
16. Everybody In    Transfer
17. Papa Was A Rodeo    The Magnetic Fields
18. Origin Of Love    Hedwig & The Angry Inch
19. Tijuana Sound Machine    Nortec Collective presents Bostich + Fussible

Back when pagers were out, 143 meant “I Love You.” Based on that I picked the songs that speak to the different ways I have felt about Love. From the best feeling in the world, to a time when it hurt more than anything I can ever remember. So my 143 playlist is about the best and worst parts of love. The things that love will make you do.

- Jacques Slade aka KU
Kustoo.com and Vajraband.com

1. I Can’t Stop Loving You -  Kem
2. Happy Feelings (Live) -  Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly
3. 143  -  Musiq (Soulchild)
4. My Own Zero  -  Zap Mama
5. Love T.K.O.  -  Teddy Pendergrass
6. Assumptions Ft. J-Luv and Soleux  -  KU
7. Shit, Damn, Motherfucker  -  D’Angelo
8. Goodbye My Lover  -  James Blunt
9. Smoking Cigarettes  -  Tweet
10. Love Song for No One  -  John Mayer
11. Nothing Even Matters  -  Lauryn Hill

I grew up in house where my dad would play the sax along to some old Charlie Parker albums while my mom was steady rocking to LL Cool J and Run DMC. So it’s really no surprise that this mix is laced with jazz infused hip-hop tracks from start to finish. This is a re-recoding of a mix that was first played during my Sunday afternoon dj sets at Le Papagayo restaurant in Leucadia, Ca. Enjoy!

WILL REDD
willredd (at) gmail (dot) com or facebook

the-social-music-mixtape.mp3

1. Passing Me By (Fly As Pie Remix) – The Pharcyde
2. Take The D Train – Pete Rock
3. Ramsden Road – Charlie Tate
4. The Language Of Music – Jaywalkers
5. Suite For Beaver PT 1 – People Under The Stairs
6. A Little Soul – Pete Rock
7. Get Involved – Pete Rock
8. Hai Pinga – Colossus
9. Afros In Ya – J Boggie
10. Morning Mist – Jaywalkers
11. Try Me (People Under The Stairs Remix) – J Boogie
12. Dogg Starr – Ladybug Mecca
13. Cali Spaces (Lazy Day Mix) – Mark Farina
14. Chocolate Distance (Hot Chocolate Mix) – Karuan
15. Movin To My Beat – J Boogies Dubtronic Science
16. Ohhhh Ma Ma Ma – Laird and John Pickett

Few things have me whipping out my Visa faster than an airfare sale on Travelzoo, but ever since those little green pieces of paper called “dollars” all but disappeared from this American life, the only travel I’m doing these days is strictly imaginary.

This mix is the soundtrack to my post-recession world tour, starting with a trio of sexy Spanish-language singers. Next, it’s over to Europe for jazzy flamenco duo Bebo & Cigala and Parisian chanteuse Keren Ann, then South America, with the Brazilian Bia and two amazing Argentines: now-L.A.-based Juana Molina and composer Lalo Schifrin (better known as the genius behind the original Mission: Impossible theme).

Back to Eastern Europe we go, getting gypsified in the Balkans with Koçani Orkestar, followed by a pretty Russian folk song (from a mix CD given to me by my mom) and a great cut by Moscow-born Regina Spektor. Lily Allen and The Kinks represent for the UK, while Scandinavia shows up strong via Stockholm’s Ane Brun, Iceland’s Emiliana Torrini and Norway’s Susanna and the Magical Orchestra, whose haunting Joy Division cover kills me every time. We hit Canada (sort of) when Madeline Peyroux covers a stellar Leonard Cohen number (he’s from Montreal, btw), then we bring it home with a beautifully lonely little tune from the Synecdoche, N.Y. soundtrack by L.A.’s Jon Brion.

No passport required.

Amateur Hour stemmed from a conversation I had with a friend in which he sarcastically asked me, “What is this…? Amateur Hour?” I replied, “Yes, it is.” It’s become a running joke between us, and anytime we do something that we’ve never done before, we say, “What is this…?” As for the choice of music, I grew up listening to hip-hop, and I’m a sucker for heavy beats that make your head bop. This set is sure to do that, so turn up the volume and get to it!

- Dylan Jones from Subtext
subtextstore.com/blog

amateur-hour-hip-hop-mix-vol-1.mp3

1. Night of the Living Basheads // Public Enemy
2. Beats to the Rhyme // Run DMC
3. The Militia // GangStarr
4. Ducky Boy // Jurassic 5
5. Squat! (feat. Mike D & Ad Rock) // De La Soul
6. If It Ain’t Rough // N.W.A.
7. Ugly People Be Quiet // DJ Cash Money & Marvelous
8. Sound of Da Police // KRS-One
9. Se Acabo (feat. Method Man) // The Beatnuts
10. Shimmy Shimmy Ya // Ol’ Dirty Bastard
11. Root Down (free zone mix) // Beastie Boys
12. Coolin’ // 2 Live Crew
13. A Day at the Races (feat. Big Daddy Kane & Percy P.) // Jurassic 5
14. Say Yeah Boy // Rodney O. & Joe Cooley
15. Don’t Stop the Rock // Freestyle
16. Children’s Story // Slick Rick
17. Red Hot // Jurassic 5
18. He Comes (feat. Ghostface) // De La Soul
19. Paid In Full // Eric B. & Rakim
20. Ghetto Superstar // Pras Michel (feat. ODB & Mya)

We are honored to present the musical musings of the inconspicuous DJ Meow Mixx with Savory Gravy, the latest mix in our Minstrel Fridays podcast. Hit play and enjoy this eclectic mix during your respective winter solstice celebrations.

savory-gravy.mp3

1. ’49 – The Silent Comedy
2. Turn On, Burn On – Grand Ole Party
3. People Get Mad – Amy LaVere
4. Brothers In A Bind – Mr. Tube and the Flying Objects
5. Through the Roof ‘n’ Underground – Gogol Bordello
6. It’s Been Raining – Kimya Dawson
7. Top Yourself – The Raconteurs
8. All Night Diner – Modest Mouse
9. John Saw That Number – Neko Case
10. And Darling – Tegan & Sara
11. Got To Let Go – A Band of Bees
12. The Moon and the Bread – Transfer
13. Frantic Romantic – Rayleigh Scattering
14. Pigeon – Stone Gossard
15. The Mess We’re In – PJ Harvey Feat. Thom Yorke

It’s a tradition that started about five years ago – friends compiling mixes of songs from our favorite albums of the year and trading them with each other. It has become so personal, mailing musical interpretations of the last 365 days across the country for others to hear, to give insight as to how life has unfolded. Songs often say what you wish you could, in more perfect ways than any Hallmark card. Welcome to my 2008. I’ve got my eyes set on the new year.

- Lauren Daniels
seattlegraffiti.blogspot.com

laurens-sweet-16-phat-beets-2008.mp3

1. New Country – The Walkmen
2. Give a Little Love – Noah and The Whale
3. Blue and Gold Print – Mates Of State
4. Last Day of Magic – The Kills
5. I’m A Lady – Santogold
6. Lately – The Helio Sequence
7. Hiphopopotamus & Rhymenoceros – Flight of the Conchords
8. Young Sensualists – Throw Me The Statue
9. Kids – MGMT
10. Dance, Dance, Dance – Lykke Li
11. Blue Ridge Mountains – Fleet Foxes
12. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? – She & Him
13. Inní mér syngur vitleysingur – Sigur Ros
14. Lover’s Day – TV on the Radio
15. Old Old Fashioned – Frightened Rabbit
16. It’s Okay – Land Of Talk

The mix CD is an indie rock dating ritual. If done right, you might even get laid. But you have to respect the craft, sort of like Daniel respects Karate in the Karate Kid Part II. There’s a ridiculous amount of thought that goes into it so you don’t want to screw it up. For me, this is a passion project that took up an entire day I was supposed to be working for the man. So thanks for the distraction and I hope it scores you some action.

-Dave Brown

Holiday Matinee
www.holidaymatinee.com

good-guys-dont-play-good-music.mp3

1. Writer’s Block – Just Jack
2. Can’t Hold On – M.E.D.
3. Lilac Wine (Nina Simone) – THE ALBUM LEAF
4. Lose Yr Frown – The Electric Soft Parade
5. Quiet Town – Josh Rouse
6. Lady Lady – Cynty And The Monkeys
7. Chemicals – The Notwist
8. Consolation Prizes – Phoenix
9. Falling Down – Scarlett Johansson
10. Our House – Phantom Planet
11. Something to Do with My Hands – Her Space Holiday
12. Alienation – Lali Puna
13. Talk About A Girl – Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf
14. New Hampshire – Matt Pond PA
15. My Week Beats Your Year – Telefon Tel Aviv
16. West Coast – Coconut Records

The latest installment of the podcast comes courtesy of San Diego musician Joel P. West. Check the review of Joel’s new album, Dust Jacket. ENJOY!

i started making this list by trying to collect all the songs that have influenced me the most but immediately realized that it was going to have to be a super-deluxe box set and gave up. i noticed that all the songs that move me the most have a wintry feel to them and started thinking about why i am drawn to quiet and delicate music with bells and strings and choirs. i find it fascinating that these songs do not fit my current setting at all; the measly hints of winter that we get in san diego are few and far between and the seasons have to be forced with decorations and special menus. i get overwhelmed with emotions whenever i get a weekend somewhere crisp and cold and always do a lot of pondering and reflecting. i think we often use the novel to hold memories and emotions; we need sacred places to keep our deepest thoughts. i have come to venerate true winter moments as a san diegan and i think it is evident in both the art i appreciate and the art i make. here are some songs to accompany the leaf-less parts of the year.

the photograph is of crowley lake at night (up by mammoth) where a lot of these nostalgic memories are kept. i was walking around at night listening to icelandic music and thinking it looked a lot like iceland (i hadn’t been there yet).

Joel P West
http://joelpwest.com
http://otherrivers.com

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1. The Fall – Peter and The Wolf
2. Hemipode – Amiina
3. Unravel – Björk
4. The Piano In The Bathtub – Department Of Eagles
5. Ashes of American Flags – Wilco
6. Only Skin – Joanna Newsom
7. The Partisan – Leonard Cohen
8. Finally We Are No One – Múm
9. I Think It’s Going to Rain Today – Randy Newman
10. Symphony No. 3: II. Lento e largo – Tranquillissimo – Gorecki

Orange County’s DJ Poppa free styled this Sunday morning mix with nothing planned other than the first track. It starts out mellow then moves into some heavier disco rock vibes — old and new — from the Motels and Stranglers to Free Blood and Todd Terje, etc. Complete with Yogi Hindi chants and sea shore sound effects, Poppa proclaims it “cheesy and sleazy”.

Check more of DJ Poppa’s mixtapes over at PodOmatic.

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Our Seattle comrade Lauren Daniels (former staffer at The Mountain) has blessed us with a rad mixed-tape of all her favorite tracks at the moment for the second installment of the Minstrel Fridays podcast. Turn up the volume while you check out her street-art blog, Seattle Graffiti.

1 Summer’s Life – The Shaky Hands
2 “Come On Petunia” – BLOW
3 Stars And Sons – Broken Social Scene
4 (This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan – Dntel Feat. Ben Gibbard
5 Nantes – Beirut
6 White Winter Hymnal – Fleet Foxes
7 When U Love Somebody – Fruit Bats
8 Tape Song – The Kills
9 Knife – Grizzly Bear
10 Between The Rent And Me – Snowden
11 All My Friends – Land Of Talk
12 No More Long Years – Matt & Kim
13 About To Walk – Throw Me The Statue
14 Nothing But Green Lights – Tom Vek
15 Happiness Is All The Rage – The Promise Ring

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IN RELATED NEWS: The dessert theme continues… a complete coincidence, but methinks I hear the god Zeus chuckling from on high.

Straight from the Continental in LA, DJ Hogie offers up a smooth and consistently somber summer mix that sounds like the soundtrack to a yet to be released Wes Anderson film. As Art Director to Elton John in the 70’s, DJ Hogie has long indulged an obsession with music. (Yes, you should take notes.)

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