Indefinitely
This mix is about a relationship, from the chase to the wedding.
Why It’s Pretentious: It starts with some latin jazz-inspired pop, hits some garage rock and Smiths/Coldplay covers, and then ends with some big band. What about that is not pretentious? Actually, it technically starts off with a drunken ramble by Frank Sinatra because… I’m not sure. Also, the title makes no sense whatsoever. I’ll love you… indefinitely? You know, for the foreseeable future, but who knows what’ll happen? Real romantic, high school self… Happy Valentine’s weekend from 2005.
Tracklisting and downloads after the jump.
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New York, New York
This mix is about New York, sans Elton John, plus various shades of punk.
Why It’s Pretentious: I am obviously very good at mixtapes, so I frequently get mix requests. I’m talking, beautifully unraveling scroll of parchment that details requests in small, shining black quill pen ink. You catch my drift? Well, last week, one of my favorite people in the entire world, Morgan Swank, asked me to make one about New York. Here is the request verbitim:
Anything and everything New York. I’m not a fan of cliche NY songs unless they’re remixed. Unless of course it’s Elton John’s “Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters” because I cry every time I hear it.
This mix does not include Elton John because I was not in the mood to cry. I was in the mood to ROCK. So I have for you a lot of songs with “New York” in the title and/or by New York bands. It’s fairly heavy on CBGB’s-era punk and the 2000s post-punk/garage rock revival, with a little side of dance-punk. (At a quick glance, the most recent song may be a 30-second in-your-face jam by Heavy Cream.) In true high school fashion, the mix ends with a remix coming out of left field— but I dare you not to like it. Nay, double dog dare you.
Download: Right-click, save as.
Tracklisting after the jump.
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California Christmas
This mix is about California and Christmas and Champions.
Why It’s Pretentious: Three months ago, I lost a very dear person in my life. My roommate, Sarah “The Champ” Champion, may she rest in peace, moved to LA for a semester. Before we all parted for Christmas break, we threw an Honors party to bid her adieu. (In case you’re wondering, Honors parties are just like regular parties except that we’re more likely to make jokes about ancient and medieval philosophy.) Obviously, I made her a California/Christmas-themed mixtape— but I have to preface this with, I made it during finals week, so the first four-ish songs are mixed really well and then it kind of goes downhill and it is approximately 40 minutes shorter than I originally intended. Nevertheless, it is still FULLY DANCE-ABLE AND AWESOME, in that strange way that only mixing Frank Sinatra into LMFAO can be. It’s also a little more dubstep-heavy than I prefer, especially towards the end. I’m more of the electro-disco girl myself — case in point: an upcoming mash up of Gayle Adams and Beyonce called “Girl, I Need Your Loving.” You’re welcome, Internet! — but you gotta cater to your audience, you know?
As is our nature, we’re throwing an Honors party to mourn the return of our lame (okay, okay— yet lovable) Hufflepuff. It’s also in celebration of Morgan, everyone’s favorite Jewish-hipster-obsessed ginger and one of our replacement roommates.
The party is called Gin and Jews.
Again, you’re welcome, Internet.
Download: right-click, save as.
Tracklisting after the jump.
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