stg mixtape #13

Well hello there!

Sorry to keep you waiting so long for the next mixtape, but hopefully it will be worth the wait. It’s been raining a bunch in San Francisco, so I’ve spent a lot of time indoors and being introverted, and this mix is reflective of that. It’s generally a little slower and softer than the last (with occasional ROCKYOURSOCKSOFF just to purge any sort of “comfortable” feelings you may have felt coming on), but hey, we can’t always go out and party (or can we?). I found these songs to take me on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, both musically and lyrically, and I hope I’m not alone in that.

Like what you hear? That’s what the “Embed” and “Share” links on the streaming player are for. Go ahead, they don’t bite. And if you don’t like what you hear (or if you just want someone to talk to on a rainy day), drop us a line.

Oh and don’t forget to click the “Download Now” link on the top-right side of the page to get the MP3s.

<3 / ∑>

1. Field Music - “Measure”

This is the title track off Field Music’s newest album, and brings out their best qualities with textural layer of strings, guitars, bass, and drums.

2. My Robot Friend - “By Your Side” (feat. Dean Wareham)

New York’s My Robot Friend is something of a mysterious character, apparently performing in an elaborate light-up suit and possibly involving pyrotechnics. Beyond that, all I can tell you is that the music is damn good. More here.

3. Faded Paper Figurines - “North By North”

I was going to write that this Postal Service-esque band should blow up among the Grey’s Anatomy-watching crowd, then I noticed they’ve had songs on the show twice. Regardless of whether or not you fall in that demographic, this song is just plain lovely. More here.

“To islands on the sea / lands I’ve never seen / things will get calmer—follow me.

4. Beloved Rogue - “Capital Sense”

These guys sent me their EP a few weeks back and it’s been in constant rotation ever since. They seamlessly meld elements of shoegaze with heavier rock, and even a hint of pop sensibilities leaks in. If this came out in the early to mid 90s, it would blow up. I’m hopeful it still will. Get the EP free here.

5. Your Nature - “Sands”

Long time listeners know how strongly I feel about this band — pretty sure this is the fifth track to be featured in mixtapes. For those who haven’t been listening as long, you can now catch up quickly as the band just released their debut EP for free from their website.

6. Free Energy - “Dream City”

Philly’s Free Energy are due for a big bump in the blogosphere pretty soon — their classically-styled rock’n’roll songs are just flat out catchy. Listen to some more here and look out for their debut record soon.

7. Modest Mouse - “Satin in a Coffin”

I had largely ignored this song until seeing Modest Mouse in Dublin in December. They absolutely slayed it. They’ll be writing and recording a new album pretty soon, and I, for one, can’t wait.

8. Librarians - “Hard To Unwind”

This one comes courtesy of our friends at Ears Of The Beholder. They’re proof that good things can actually come out of West Virginia! Listen to more here.

9. Small Black - “Despicable Dogs” (Washed Out Remix)

We alluded to this remix when we posted the original back in October, but it just seemed to fit here. They’ve since done a remix in return, and made iTunes list of artists to watch in 2010. Rightfully so.

10. The Smiles and Frowns - “The Echoes of Time”

Simple and beautiful, this two-piece creates incredibly intimate songs. If one just isn’t enough, listen to more here.

11. Summer Dregs - “Bones”

I was going to write something about how this sounds like an opening credits song for one of those nerdy romantic comedy shows you secretly like, but then I noticed their MySpace only has about a thousand plays, and that needs to be rectified immediately. GO! PLAY! LISTEN!

12. Angus & Julia Stone - “And The Boys”

Tender tunes from down under, as Angus & Julia Stone will break and mend your heart all day long. Check out much more goodness here.

13. Said The Whale - “Holly, Ontario”

At first I was turned off by the incredibly simplistic guitar that pervades through the song, but then I realized it actually serves to amplify the lyrics. Oh, Canada. More here.

14. The Low Anthem - “Charlie Darwin”

This track stuck out when I was trolling through all the artists attending SXSW last year, and I can’t believe it’s taken this long to find a proper spot for it on a mixtape. They recently played a Tiny Desk Concert for NPR, which played perfectly into their intimate feel. Watch that here.

15. Isbells - “As Long As It Takes”

Don’t know that I’ve posted about a Belgian act before, but hey, here ya go. I don’t even know how to pronounce any of the cities on their tour. But at least there’s more music here.

16. EELS - “In My Younger Days”

EELS tunes are strange and powerful beasts — they’re depressing nearly to a breaking point, yet at the same time there’s an overwhelming optimism that pervades. In this little ditty, E laments growing old, losing a love, etc, but still manages to come through a-ok, a testament to human fortitude.

17. Real Estate - “Beach Comber”

Whoa, since I last checked in with these guys, they’ve blown up. But rightfully so. Clean guitar riffs, plodding drums, and lovely vocals make for a pretty swell package. Check em out here.

18. All Smiles - “Fall Never Fell”

Jim Fairchild was in Grandaddy for over a decade, then when they broke up he began his own project called All Smiles. He now also plays in Modest Mouse, but continues to write, record, and play as All Smiles, often with help from famous friends. This track comes from his latest EP of the same name, which you can stream and buy here.

sum the greater mixtape #12

Howdy!

Welcome to a brand spankin’ new year full of wonderful music that we’re more than happy to bring you. In the spirit of spreading the love, we’ve decided to try something new. See that playlist up there? It’s got “Embed” and “Share” buttons on it, so you can share it allllllll over the internets. Plus, when you and your friends click the “download mixtape” button in the right column of the blog, you’ll instantly get all the mp3s for free. How does that sound? Good? Ok, let’s party.

<3 / ∑>

1. Douster - “King of Africa”

I love what Radioclit is doing in bringing African sounds to the dance halls of the world, from their work in The Very Best to the Saga Africa EP this track comes from. How can you go wrong with a brilliant remix of the theme from The Lion King? Makes me want to dance every time.

2. The Very Best - “Get It Up”

More tribal/dance hall fusion from Radioclit and Esau Mwamwaya, this time with the help of M.I.A. and Santigold.

3. Yeasayer - “ONE”

This is very quickly becoming my favorite track on Yeasayer’s new album, Odd Blood.

4. Vampire Weekend - “Cousins”

I was admittedly a bit concerned that “Horchata” was a sign that the rest of the new Vampire Weekend record, Contra, was going to be contrived and just plain annoying, but I’m happy to tell you it’s not. This track brings almost a surf-punk feel to the table, and the rest of the album doesn’t disappoint (though it doesn’t blow you away either). You can stream the whole record here.

5. Darwin Deez - “Radar Detector”

New York’s Darwin Deez describes himself as “indie rock with a side of calisthenics,” and that description seems pretty apt.

“you and i buy star maps and drive my car around los angeles / you and i buy star maps and ding dong ditch a televangelist”

6. Ellie Goulding & Starsmith - “Sleepyhead” (Passion Pit Cover)

Ellie Goulding is pretty much a lock at this point for breakthrough artist of 2010, with help from stars like Lily Allen, but that in no way means we should stop enjoying every beautiful sound out of her mouth. I really enjoy this cover precisely because it feels more organic than the original, and that’s something of a departure for the girl who is generally known for electronic-heavy dance tracks.

7. Dirty Projectors - “Ascending Melody”

This song, along with another, was on the blog this week as a free download. It was recorded at the same time as Bitte Orca, but didn’t fit the storyline of the record. It has everything you’ve come to know and love about Dirty Projectors (the somewhat jagged girls’ voices, the jangly guitar interspersed at somewhat awkward intervals) plus a kinda funky breakdown.

8. Rogue Wave - “Good Morning”

I hardly recognized this as Rogue Wave the first time I heard it, and it’s taken a few listens to sink in, but there’s no denying it’s a quality track.

9. Free Energy - “Free Energy”

Yes, this song was written in 2009, not the 1970s. Yes, it still rules.

10. Wolf Gang - “The King And All Of His Men”

London’s Wolf Gang brings an undeniable catchiness to this and their other singalong-ready tracks. Appropriately, there are undertones of Queen mixed in as well. Tune into a few other tracks as well here.

11. Screaming Lights - “Champagne Socialist”

More catchy (but slightly heavier) brit-rock? OK! More here.

12. Old Canes - “Little Bird Courage”

Lawrence, KS has to have one of the most consistent small-town music scenes in America. Old Canes continues in that tradition. Lead singer Chris Crici is also in Appleseed Cast, who are well worth your time. More here.

13. Meeting Of Important People - “Brittney Lane Don’t Care”

I “leaked” this mix to my friend Britti (real name “Brittany Layne”), who immediately picked up on this track and was baffled by their ability to write a song about her without knowing her. So, er, this one goes out to Britti.

14. The Golden Filter - “The Hardest Button To Button” (The White Stripes cover)

Yes, I do very much love The Golden Filter, but perhaps most impressive about them is their ability to break the mold of electro/disco/dance-rock and cover/remix pretty much any song known to man and truly make it their own. Big things coming from this band.

15. Truman Peyote - “New Wife New Life”

Not quite sure what to make of the fact that they’re “sold out” of a CD-R release of their first record, but there’s no denying this band’s potential. This track is like a dance version of a sea chantey. How can you go wrong?

16. Boy Omega - “Black Metal Fairies”

They’re from Sweden. If you follow this blog, that’s pretty much all you need to know.

17. Monarchy - “Gold In The Fire” (demo)

Okay, so maybe the whole second half of this playlist was dedicated to a desire to find myself late at night in a deep, dark, underground London dance hall. Anyway, you can keep the party going with more Monarchy here.

18. Oh, Mountain - “Bear’s Beat”

Arguably the best interlude in recent memory. Don’t listen to me, just breathe for a second.

19. Fyfe Dangerfield - “When You Walk In The Room”

You may (but probably not) recognize Fyfe from The Guillemots, but he’s breaking out on his own in style with his debut LP, of which “When You Walk In The Room” is a shining example of the mix of pop and soul. Tune in here.

20. Sister Suvi - “American”

Sister Suvi will go down as the practice grounds for the brilliant bands that now are Tune-Yards and Islands. We love the ashes of the band, so how could we not love the (unfortunately now-defunct) band?

“I’m an American / I want to rip you to shreds just to make sure you love me”