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.