Mellow, feel good, beach body, and road nostalgia...just a few of my mix tape themes from 2012. Did you have a favorite??? I can't decide.
Click on a button above to play them again or discover one you might have missed. 2012 is really wrapping up!
{mix tape} stay in november
This month's mix tape would (and should have) been the soundtrack to this past weekend at home. Wake up, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, plop onto the sofa, read a book, do some light chores, plop back onto the sofa, read some more....you get the picture. It's a little mellow and a little up beat, enjoy it as things wind down for the holiday season.
1 In My Dreams Eels 2 Cubism Dream Local Natives 3 Two Doves Dirty Projectors 4 Jailer Asa 5 The General Specific Band of Horses 6 I Got You Babe Bahamas 7 Troubleman Electric Guest 8 Wonder Years Real Estate 9 Live Long Kings of Convenience 10 Roll On Dntel
P.S. today is the last day to enter to win a photo print from my new print shop! winners will be announced tomorrow.
{mix tape} back in the day september
When Joe and I arrived in LA during our last visit and got into the rental car, we immediately tuned into KDAY 93.5. KDay plays all of the old school rap and hip hop songs that we grew up with and for me, it's all so quintessentially LA. Even if they're not all west coast artists, the vibe is there. I'm back in town so it was only fitting that I create my own mix! Some song versions are "explicit" so be warned in case you have little ears around. Though, I turned out alright...you know how we do ;)
Click here or the sidebar player to tune in. Enjoy!
1 This Is How We Do It Montell Jordan 2 California Love 2Pac, Roger Troutman & Dr. Dre 3 Poison Bell Biv Devoe 4 Going Bak to Cali The Notorious B.I.G. 5 Check Yo Self ('The Message' Remix) Ice Cube 6 Funkdafied Da Brat 7 This D.J. Warren G 8 Around the Way Girl LL Cool J 9 I'm So Into You SWV 10 Summertime DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
{monthly mix tape} road nostalgia august
{monthly mix tape} songs of summer
Grooving and chillaxing - that's what a summer music mix is all about and I am so not disappointed with how this month's tape came out!
I've been loving some of the new artists that KCRW has had on rotation, particularly Electric Guest whose album has me completely smitten. Pair their summer hit (if it's not already it should be) with a few new and old goodies and I am one happy girl.
Happy summering!
Click here, the image above, or the sidebar player to tune in.
1 - Caught Me Thinking Bahamas 2 - All Of Me Tanlines 3 - This Head I Hold Electric Guest 4 - Friends Of Friends Hospitality 5 - The Walk Mayer Hawthorne 6 - Swing Tree Discovery 7 - Battez Vous Brigitte 8 - In The Water Beat Connection 9 - Hollywood (Feat. Penguin Prison) [Felix Da Housecat Remix] 10 - Houdini Foster the People
(image: poolside summer 2011, Los Angeles)
{monthly mixtape} beach body june + the leopard me
After sitting poolside for a while we dove into the mock-rattan tepee for a more comfortable place to hide from the sun. Almost immediately I heard Joe say "oh, baby...give me your camera." He could see what I couldn't - the new leopard-like me! I was completely covered in the floral/spotted patterns being cast onto the mat. It was so rad.
These are just two of the images from the photo shoot that ensued. I wasn't going to share them as I don't exactly dream of sharing photos of me in a bikini (what up IBTC ladies!) but after giving it some thought I decided that these shadows were too cool for pride, or embarrassment. Besides, I'm practically camouflaged and they are somewhat related to this month's mix tape: Beach Body June.
I've been working out almost every day since we moved and in order to fight the inevitable drag, I made this month's mix my ultimate motivating, butt-kicking, sweat and burn soundtrack. It's a mix of electronic, indie and rap beats that starts off mild, gets a little faster, and then mellows for a cool down. If rock is more your style then check out April's mix - that one can really get me going! What type of music motivates you to get active?
Click here or the sidebar player to tune in. Enjoy!
1 - Ahead Of My Time (feat. Daddy Boastin') Teddybears 2 – Good Time Crystal Castles 3 – Day 'N' Nite (Crookers Remix) Kid Cudi 4 – Deception Le Tigre 5 – Shimmy Shimmy Ya Ol' Dirty Bastard 6 – Phantom Justice 7 – Fences (Boombass RMX) Phoenix 8 – Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win (feat. Santigold) Beastie Boys & Santigold 9 – Dirty Harry Gorillaz 10 – This Means You Talib Kweli
{monthly mixtape} may
We've been all over the place this past month so for May's soundtrack I'm going international and indulging in a bit (or a lot) of wanderlust. I don't understand most of the words in the non-English songs but that's precisely the beauty of music: it doesn't matter. If you have any fave international beats to share, please do. I'm always excited about new discoveries!
Click here, the image above, or the sidebar player to tune in. Enjoy!
1 - Asi Asi Asi (feat. Noelia Fernandez) Atropolis 2 - Ibere Various Artists 3 - Le Flying Saucer Hat Chairlift 4 - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa Vampire Weekend 5 - Yellow World J Girls 6 - Amsterdam Peter Bjorn & John 7 - St. Petersburg Brazilian Girls 8 - Imik Si Mik Hindi Zahra 9 - Map Jim Noir 10 - Pacific Theme Broken Social Theme
(image: taken at Vanves Flea Market, Paris)
monthly mixtape
Happy March everyone!
To get us through the last stretch of winter I thought I'd put together some of my favorite mellow-ish, upbeat tunes. It's already coming in handy for me since I woke up feeling under the weather today. Good beats = good mood and hopefully that makes for a healthy me tomorrow.
Click here, the image above, or the sidebar player to tune in. Enjoy!
1 - Collarbone Fujiya & Miyagi 2 - The 15th Fischerspooner 3 - Freedom Jurassic 5 4 - Animal (Mark Ronson Remix) Miike Snow 5 - Airwalker Jeremy Jay 6 - I'm Good, I'm Gone Lykke Li 7 - Evident Utensil Chairlift 8 - Edge of Extremes Clubfeet 9 - Disco Friends Just Jack 10 - Fair-Weather Friend (Ninja Tune's Mix by Mr Scruff)
(image: taken in the east end, london)
feel good february :: mini-mixtape
February has gotten off to a great start so I thought I'd make a mini-mixtape to keep the good vibes going. I made the mix on 8tracks, a (new to me) service that lets you create playlists from your own personal music library. The thing that I love most about it is that you can't preview the tracks - it's actually like a real mixtape when you just go with it. I've found some great mixes from other users and I really do enjoy the element of surprise.
Anyhow, I think that moving forward I'll create one mix every month instead of posting weekly brilliant beats. I always intend to make playlists for myself but never get around to it so this will be good motivation. If you dig what you hear - awesome. If you hate my taste in tunes, well, it will only be once per month so hopefully I don't scare you away ;)
Here's the track list for Feel Good February. You'll notice that most of the titles have a love, relationship, or celebration theme but I promise that they're not mushy songs. They're more likely to make you tap your toes to the beat or force you into a shoulder dance if anything.
1 - Baby I'm Yours (feat. Irfane) Breakbot 2 - Henny & Gingerale Mayer Hawthorne 3 - Silver Screen Beat Connection 4- Jealous of Roses Bibio 5 - When They Fight, They Fight The Generationals 6 - Little Secrets Passion Pit 7 - Do You Believe? (Original) Poolside 8 - Walking On a Dream Empire of the Sun 9 - Think I'm In Love Beck 10 - I Want You Back Discovery
Click the image above or here to listen. Enjoy!
the joy of driving + {brilliant beats} althea & donna
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwyCpspah0Y?rel=0&w=640&h=25]
Althea & Donna - Uptown Top Ranking
Since moving to London last year I've hardly spent any time in a car. I don't need to in order to get around and I love it (remember when I sold mine and opted to be car-less in LA??? I know, it's cray cray in most people's books).
However, as we drove around the Atlas Mountains in Morocco last weekend I thought back to how much I do love one aspect of driving - the solid time for just me and my music.
I heard this song on KCRW's Eclectic 24 yesterday and instantly pictured myself driving on the 10 freeway during sunset, completely relaxed, one arm on the steering wheel, and nodding my head to the beat. Somehow listening to the same song through my earbuds on a crowded double decker bus doesn't quite have the same effect.
image: taken in the atlas mountains, morocco
the pub life + {brilliant beats} cold war kids
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1v0Db9klkg&w=640&h=25]
With Joe being gone most of the week on business, I'm thinking he may want to take some time this weekend to hang out at one of our favorite pubs. I've really come to love their no-frills, come as you are ambiance/attitude and in some cases, their excellent playlists. Give me a song from one of my favorite albums, pair it with a good drink and you've got yourself one happy girl.
getting away + {brilliant beats} kings of convenience
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_K9mSDcHiM?rel=0&w=640&h=25]
We start our weekend tomorrow and head out for our first countryside retreat (so excited!). First we'll take a train and then we'll get behind the wheel and drive the rest of the way to the B&B. Things have been pretty busy around here so we're very much looking forward to taking a short and quiet break. This song will definitely be on our road trip playlist - it's always so soothing.
guess where we are + {brilliant beats} rodrigo y grabriela
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-qgum7hFXk?rel=0&w=640&h=25]
Rodrigo y Gabriela - Tamacun
We're in Madrid, España! I know we were just here but this time it's for a friend's wedding - a perfect excuse to come back so soon, right?
I couldn't think of a more appropriate brilliant beat for today's post than a piece from Rodrigo y Gabriela. They're not Spanish but they sure know how to tear it up on the spanish guitar. If you ever get the chance to see them live, do it. Their skills will blow your mind. Disfrute!
photo + {brilliant beats} metronomy
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFrNsSnk8GM?rel=0&w=640&h=25]
Metronomy - The Look
The latest from Metronomy makes me think of our sunset walk along the canal last weekend. I loved coming across the silhouette of this tree next to the stark black pipe.
After posting last week's brilliant beats with just the song and photos (sans video), I think that I'm going to keep going in that direction. I got the idea to shrink the YouTube video window via Old Brand New so thank you, Dabito! He calls himself a "vintage vulture" and posts great fleeting moments photos like the one above. Check him out here.
{brilliant beats} dcode festival edition
We're off to Madrid today for the dcode Festival! When I heard that Kasabian was headlining I knew that we had to go, especially since one of Joe's best friends lives there (i.e. instant crash pad). I'm beyond excited to check out our first international music festival...here are a few faves that I'm really looking forward to seeing:
I will forever be grateful to my friend Matt Petrone for introducing me to Kasabian back in 2005. I was instantly a fan but have never had the chance to see them - it.is.on!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C0OEVWKZv0?rel=01]
A taste of home with LA's Foster The People. I'm madly in love with this song right now.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ?rel=0]
The last time I saw The Ting Tings perform was at a Nylon Magazine party in LA. I will always say yes to seeing them live, they are too much fun.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH6wpO66J4k?rel=0&w=640&h=390]
Been dying to see The Sounds since college. I just love the attitude in her voice and their simple but dance-inducing beats.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X44tSdjH4_I?rel=0&w=640&h=390]
Even if you aren't into electronic dance music, you've just gotta be a fan of this song. Crystal Castles really opened my mind to enjoying this genre after seeing them at Coachella in 2009.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56E8yYgLNHE?rel=0&w=640&h=510]
Hasta luego!
{brilliant beats} middle of the bed by lucy rose
[dailymotion id=xh0x85]
If Feist had a singer-songwriter little sister, Lucy Rose would be it. I fell in love with her voice during her performance at Saturday's Bushstock music festival. It's the type of style, range, or whatever you call it that I'd want if I knew how to sing well. And had the balls to get up on stage.
It was hard to pick which video/song to share but this one for Middle Of The Bed is great because it features the full band. It starts off slow so if you can't wait to hear her sing, forward to 2:00 minutes and that'll do it. Enjoy!
{brilliant beats} balloons by foals
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHcOFmiswcQ&w=640&h=390] After Shazam-ing the song Balloons by Foals several times, and "liking" it on Pandora repeatedly, I finally decided it was time to buy the damn song. It's not new but it still sounds fresh to me. I love the energy and the fact that you can hear their British accents through the lyrics (so strangely rare, right?).
Seriously though, this song gets me going. I may or may not be bouncing around the living room like a fool right now.
Sorry for the poor video quality and pop up ad (just click out of it). The "official" video doesn't allow embedding.
{brilliant beats} michael kiwanuka
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTa28a8QKo4] I love music and chances are that you do too. What I love even more is learning about brilliant new artists.
Since most of you guys (the awesome people who follow this blog) are in the States, I've decided to start sharing the beats and sounds from UK artists that are currently making my ears perk up.
For the first Brilliant Beats, I give you Michael Kiwanuka. I mentioned him in Monday's post and I still can't get his soulful voice out of my head. Also, this video looks like one fun day: flea market shopping, bicycle riding, cafe lounging, and carnival rides. Michael, can we hang out?
Phoenix: Yes, the best show ever. Recap and other reviews
Seeing Phoenix Sunday night at the Wiltern was truly the most fun I have ever had at a show. I haven't danced and smiled that much at a concert since The Go Team! played the Glass House in Pomona, and that was pretty phenomenal. Phoenix's performance made me feel like I was fourteen again. The only difference this time around is that I'm obsessed with musical talent versus rock hard abs and synchronized dance moves.
LAist and LA times posted some great reviews. If you have some time, definitely read the LAist one - describes the night to a T.
Honestly, in LA these kinds of shows are rare - we're usually too cool to get up and bust a move. Everyone must have been as amped to see them as I was because the whole place was going completely insane the entire night.
They'll be back in LA in September at the Greek but I think I'd rather let this show stand on it's own for now and not mess with the perfection of it all. I'm still glowing.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X6R9ncuqCU&feature=related]
Music Radar
My friend Matt just returned from SXSW where he and his band, Graydon, did a show and received an AMAZING review from the Wall Street Journal:
It was one of those great SXSW experiences: Stumbling into a set by a band that’s not only all but unknown, but doesn’t seem to know how good it is.
Check out the complete review here and his myspace here... my fave track on there is "the question still remains"
Congrats Matt and Graydon!!!!