June Mix: Late Night With Abby: 2

As you may recall, back in April, I presented a mix made in the style of the incredibly awesome Late Night Tales compilation series (highly recommended if you haven’t heard them). At the time, I was pretty sure it was one of the best mixes I’d ever made. I usually think that about all my mixes when they’re brand new. But I’ve completed the second in my series of copycat compilations, and I don’t think I’m at all wrong in saying that I’ve completely outdone myself with this one. That last Late Night With Abby mix seems amateur compared to this masterpiece.

I do feel like putting these mixes together is an art. This isn’t a typical car mix I’d make of songs I want to hear and that make me excited. No, Late Night Tales is about expressing and creating a mood. Though many songs in the compilation you may not always have occasion to listen to independently, your mind develops a new appreciation for them when presented in this context. You’re glad to hear the songs; you want to hear them. They complement each other in the order they’re given. Maybe that’s why I enjoy making these so much. It’s a creative challenge that allows me to hear music in a way I hadn’t before, and I learn to appreciate it all over again.

Late Night With Abby: 2

Nosaj Thing – Caves

General Elektriks – La Nuit Des Ephemeres

Jean-Jacques Perrey – E.V.A. (Fatboy Slim Mix)

Diamond Doves – Club Night

Retro Video Raid: The Cure “Close to Me”

Vodpod videos no longer available.

One of my favorite videos ever, from one of my favorite bands ever! Video Director Tim Pope shoved all the boys inside a wardrobe and pushed them off a cliff while they “play” their 1985 single on makeshift instruments, and Robert waggles finger puppets of the band. <3

I’m particularly fond of Lol’s tiny keyboard and Porl dramatically plucking a comb. I used to cheer whenever I caught this playing on MTV, because it’s so damn adorable. This is one of those lucky cinematic creations that fits the song perfectly. Love it!

Chasing Amie: 12 Songs That Taught Me Something

Note to 13-year-old self: That E.T. shirt rules, but never get a perm ever again. It will make your life SUCK.

As I’m sure everyone who’s ever attempted such a thing will tell you, picking out songs to compose your musical autobiography is an excruciating, maddening task. Thus when all of us hearingade contributors were asked to pick a mix of songs that define who we are, I panicked. “How do I approach this?” and “How in the hell do I even begin to pick songs?” quickly became “ARRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!” *headslammingintodesk*

But, I powered through, for Abby. Dear, sweet, lovable Abby (who somehow thinks I’m worthy of writing for her site. what.).

So I present to you 12 songs that are important to me because they represent times when I learned some harder-than-shit life lessons. Songs that I can always listen to and remember how the proverbial DUH smacked me in the head and told me it was gonna be okay, and that my life would actually not suck forever. And it’s true, I am (now) far from suckage. In fact, my life is pretty damn great…you know, except for that whole “seeking approval from people who might actually read my writing” thing.

 Chasing Amie: 12 Songs that Taught me Something
Download this Mix on ITunes – or, listen on Spotify.

“Working Title” by Arlo

Was it overwhelming? Looking to the past? When I finally found out, our team had come in last.

“Why Can’t I Be You” by The Cure

I’ll run around in circles ’til I run out of breath, I’ll eat you all up, or I’ll just hug you to death.