Howdy peeps!

I’ve had this mixtape fairly well organized for a week or so, but hadn’t fully realized its glory until a weekend trip to Muir Woods. On the way out, we rocked our way through the first eight and a half tracks, then chilled out to the second eight and a half on the ride home. It was almost as glorious as the woods themselves. As you may have noticed on some of the other mixtapes, my taste can be quite eclectic. The first half of the mix is fairly heavy on female singers, falsettos, and heavy beats, whereas the second half favors more traditional guitar rock. One of the coolest parts (ok, maybe I’ve just listened to it too much) is that it sounds great on a loop :)

Anywho, hope you enjoy as much as I do. As always, don’t be afraid to let me know what you think!

<3 / ∑>

1. Jonsi – “Go Do”

This song has been blowing my mind the last few weeks. Jonsi is the lead singer and creative driver behind Sigur Ros (who I’ve honestly never been a huge fan of), and he’s now releasing his first solo record, supported by what appears to be an incredible tour. This track, like the rest of the record, features vocals and instruments meant to invoke nature as a driver of the same emotions music evokes. Even without thinking of it in such detail, the song is flat out marvelous.

2. Marvin Gaye – “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)”

I jumped in my cousin’s car last weekend just as this track started and immediately asked who it was. Marvin Gaye? Really? It sounds so fresh! I guess the tastiest grooves never go sour.

3. Wild Beasts – “We still got the taste dancin’ on our tongues”

I got to see these guys at The Troubadour a couple weeks ago and got everything I was hoping for out of the show – I had struggled to get into their recordings precisely because they’re so complex and out there, but putting a human face to it and watching them construct the sounds was truly magical. As the name might suggest, they sound like what might happen if Mew lived with wolves for a year.

4. Evan Voytas – “I Run With You, Spirit Animal”

More great space-pop from Silverlake, CA’s Evan Voytas. He’s been on so many mixtapes I’m running out of things to say, except that the video for this song is freaking nuts (in a good way).

5. The Blow – “True Affection”

My friend was drunkenly spinning records after a night on the town recently, and out of nowhere this track came on. All conversation stopped, and a new level of afterparty erupted. Catchy, soulful, clean – does it get any better?

6. Wildbirds & Peacedrums – “Doubt/Hope”

The first few times through this song I definitely failed to realize that what feels like a full-bodied track is actually just a single girl singing alongside a drummer. Rarely is so much done with so little. Color me impressed.

7. Sleigh Bells – “Ring Ring”

This one comes in by request from my big brother, who recently heard another Sleigh Bells track on the radio. Sure enough, they’re blowing up (apparently working with MIA, among others), and rightfully so.

“Wonder what your boyfriend thinks about your braces. / What about them? / I’m all about them”

8. Hesta Prynn – “Can We Go Wrong”

Hesta Prynn has probably been on as many mixtapes as Evan Voytas, and I’m running out of things to say about her as well. Suffice to say I’m stoked to finally catch a live show at SXSW.

9. A B & The Sea – “Yellow Haired Girl”

Things are going well for the A B & The Sea guys, as they unlocked this second track off their EP within a week of launching a cool campaign where they’ll give away more music as more people join their mailing list. They also recently played an awesome set to close out Noise Pop with Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. More goodness on the way.

10. Say Hi – “Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh”

Seattle’s Say Hi (formerly Say Hi To Your Mom) have been around for the better part of a decade, and gems like this are almost expected at this point. Don’t believe me? Listen to more.

11. Dr. Dog – “Shadow People”

Like a lot of people, I am unbelievably excited for the new Dr. Dog record. They rightly draw comparisons to The Beatles, and I’ve only heard allegorically of their magical live show – hoping to change that next month :)

12. Tame Impala – “Half Full Glass Of Wine”

Discovered this one through the inimitable yvynyl. Heavy guitar rock from Perth, Australia. I think my head might explode if I saw these guys share a stage with fellow Australians The Drones.

13. The Appleseed Cast – “On Reflection”

This track is pulled from the soundtrack to 72 Musicians, an incredible film (which you can get free for at least another couple hours) made by my friend and coworker Bob and designed to answer the eternal question of why we sacrifice and do stupid things for the sake of music. It’s a moving documentary with interviews of, well, 72 musicians in Kansas, and also includes some amazing music like this.

14. Beloved Rogue – “Daysleeping”

Beloved Rogue has to be my favorite music to magically appear in my inbox since starting this blog. I never really counted myself as a fan of shoegaze, and barely of ambient music, but there’s something really cohesive and heavy about this EP that I just can’t get enough of. You can get the EP free from their website.

15. Rodriguez – “Inner City Blues”

No, this isn’t a cover of the Marvin Gaye song from earlier on the playlist, just a happy coincidence of names. I got this track from a mixtape my friend at Ears Of The Beholder put together and dig it’s bluesy vibe. He’s somewhat of a mythical figure, forgotten by a generation of Americans but a cult favorite in South Africa. Check out more of his tale here.

16. Portugal The Man – “The Dead Dog”

Alaska’s Portugal The Man have evolved somewhat from haunt-rock into a more traditional rock sound, and their songwriting continues to improve as well. They were part of the first show I ever saw at The Troubadour, and I would love to see them again. Their newest record, American Ghetto, is a favorite in our office.

17. Band Marino – “Every Time I Make A Girl Cry I Know I’ve Done My Job”

Yes, that is the title of the song, and yes, it is one of the best titles ever. Sadly, the band is no more, but this gem lives on. I probably played this song more than any other when I had my radio show in college, and I’m still not sick of it – the concept is hilarious, and the songwriting impeccable. What more can you want? Check out more of their tunes, in memoriam.