Nothing but Green Lights

A while ago, my friend/lover/sister Leah asked her to make her a mixtape for running. Three months later and here it is in all it's sweat-soaked glory. It may be for Leah but I think, judging from the long winter that just passed, we could all benefit from running a mile or two. So, you guys are welcome to listen to it and download it onto some sort of portable player. Mind you, the files will only be online for a week, so act quick and don't rat me out to the FCC.

Enjoy it here:




Download it here

Semper tristis, Semper pulcheris

I think, if my limited latin hasn't failed me, that means: "Always sad, always beautiful", a fitting title for this submission.

This is R.Mani Sexavier's second mixtape and it's totally eclectic. It features Bob Marley, Daft Punk, The Kinks and others. Truly provoking.

Enjoy

They go by the name of...(ratatat)

Ratatat are some of the "downest" white boys I know. They released a hip hop remix album (ratatat remixes vol. 1) in 2004 where they added their signature beats, funky guitars and swelling organs (you know, like pianos) to some of the year's coolest rap hits.

Now, they're doing it again, with appearances by Kanye, Young Buck and Ghostface Killah (amazing remix). Volume 2 is coming out sometime in the near future but Mixtape Cult[ure] doesn't think you should have to wait. The mixtape below is a compilation of my fave tracks from the mixtapes. I've staggered 'em: Vol. 1, then Vol. 2, then back to Vol. 1 and so on. With a little surprise at the end.

Enjoy (and make sure you don't repeat the naughty words that the rappers use in these songs)

Pandemonium at the Disco ?!!

The title is self evident...

It's a compliation of Alex's favorite white boy dance anthems and features booty shaking hits from Death From Above 1979, funky French boys Phoenix and !!! (pronounced "chk chk chk", rather than "shift-one, shift-one, shift-one").

Enjoy and make sure to leave lots of comments on the mixtape.



p.s. the track order's kinda random right now...

Hot French Nights

Parisian House and Electro blew up last year, with the likes of Justice, Uffie and SebastiAn taking it mainstream(ish). This mixtape is a compilation of some of my favorite tunes from Kitsune Maison and Edbangers, two huge dance labels out of Paris. In fact, the Edbangers chaps just embarked on a tour of the US with VICE, so expect to hear a lot more from them. If you like any of what you hear, check out Kitsune Maison, Ed Bangers and Modular Records (an Australian Label, Brad D. informed me about), they all have some really good releases out right now.

It's a short one, so enjoy.

Songs to Drive Cars By...

Mi compadre Raj / R-Mani X. sent me this mixtape a little while ago and I've been awfully lazy about putting it up. It's not like anything we've ever had before, feat. tracks from Imogen Heap, A Tribe Called Quest, DJ Shadow and more

Enjoy

Mixtape Cult[ure] presents: Ribbon Nights

This is a little taste of what tomorrow's ribbon party will sound like for those of you lucky enough to cop an invite. Put it on while you're getting ready and practice your sexy mirror moves to the sounds of the Klaxons, New Order, Mylo and other hot stuff!!!

Need I say enjoy?

p.s. the looker in the picture above is our very own ribbon girl Marla, come find her on Saturday and buy her a drink!

Something tells me, I'm into:

Random sounds that are running between my eardrums feat. Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Bloc Party, Jose Gonzales (in a way you've never heard him before) and a bevy of funkE french artists.

Oh and obviously, more cool remixes than you can shake a stick at!

Enjoy

Shake the Clouds Down...

This week, Rumichu brings some dreamy pop tunes to get you through your week, with a dash of heavier things, funk and electronica. I don't have track names yet but I know the title track is done by the funky skeletons and the girl-faced boys.

Enjoy

Valentine's Day

This mixtape is the soundtrack to your valentine's day, whatever you wish it to be. It features cutie all-stars such as Tunng, Aisling Lavelle, Sigur Ros and other lovely stuff.

Whether your valentine is spent in the shackles of your favorite beau/belle or spent eating chocolates and crying like newborn, you'll find something you like.

For me, valentine's day is the day that I can do anything I want and get everything my heart desires. Tomorrow, I'm going to bake a huge cake, slather it in dark chocolate icing, and eat it all for breakfast, then draw myself a bath with rose petals and delicate salts, and while away the morning listening to my favorite mixtape.

Happy Valentine's Day and for everyone at Purdue, Happy Snow Day (track one's for you).

The Sounds Up North (of England)

"Sheffield's more diverse than the Arctic Monkeys and all the 'New Yorkshire' bollocks" says Will B.

This mixtape's a homage to some modern Sheffield artists that are just as, perhaps even more, deserving of the Arc-tits Monkey's fame but were overlooked by the NME/myspace hype machines.

For those of you not in the know, or didn't take the time to peruse the Sheffield wiki entry in order to seem like cultural experts, Sheffield (the steel city) has given us such musical gems as the Human League, Joe Cocker and the Arctic Monkeys. It's also the birthplace of Warp Records, boner-inducing electronica label and home of Squarepusher, Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada.

Enjoy

For your sweet tooth...

"It's called cake batter 'cause it's so sweet" says My Man Michael M.

This mixtape should be the soundtrack to every party you go to this year, it's got some crazy Knife remixes I've never heard before, a wicked Klaxons re-edit and enough sexy electronica to melt your face off.

Also, Teddybears, Jenny Wilson, Lo-Fi-Fnk and more

I'll have the complete tracklist up in a few!

Enjoy

I've got something to tell you...

My good friend Tina P. said, "Mixtapes are like the modern love letter". But I think mixtapes are much more than that, I think a sincere mixtape can be a heartfelt apology as well.

I want this one to say,

"I took your charm, empathy and beauty for granted. I took only what I wanted and moved on without you.

I'm truly sorry."

"Everything you like now, I liked five years ago..."

Few people other than Will M., this week's mixtapecult contibuter, can get away with such outrageous comment! (Though he never actually said it) He was the chap who sported retro garb and listened to seemingly random 80's music well before its recent revival. Sure, you may have thought his tastes were odd then but now, I bet you wouldn't think twice about running out to buy a brand new, "distressed" Live Aid '85 replica tee from some high street vendor!

He sent me this aptly named mixtape late last year. It features submissions from Boards of Canada (labelmates with Squarepusher/Aphex Twin), Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine and others. I could write pages about the solid fuzzy soundscapes, the impassioned vocals, the droning guitars and so on, but I would rather you just hit play!

It's a short one so...

Enjoy

This is where it started (I think)

I was digging through my cd's when i found this ethereal gem. This is "side one" from a cd Charles B gave me this as I left England. I believe this was the very first mixtape I ever recieved as a gift. It's a little different from the other mixes I've put up, as Charles B. made it during a period where he played/listened to Ravel(extremely talented french classical composer fyi) obsessively. I remember listening to Charles play "Jeux D'Eau" in the recital room during Wednesday activities. He made me this mix as a going away present and I'm very fond of it.

I've unfortunately lost the tracklist and I'm not sure who/what else is in the compilation (I'll see if I can get it from Charles). But as the title suggests, the CD is certainly very relaxing and should be listened to with headphones while lounging on some idyllic beach somewhere exotic...
Need I say "Enjoy"?

Goodbye 2006...

Happy Holidays.

This is Mixtape Cult[ure]'s first collaborative playlist. It's a short one and features submissions from My Man Michael M., Raj X., Alex L. and Mixtape Cult[ure] repeat offender John G.

It's an all-star mixtape starring The Knife, Jans Lekman and the Godfather of Soul (Rest in Peace).

Enjoy.

It's a Hit !!!

Here's an early New Year's present from my cousin Gbenga, it's a mix covering the best 2007 has to offer in indie and hip-hop. Based on the mixtape, I think 2007 looks pretty promising. It's got the new Clap Your Hands Say Yeah single, a really delicious Amy Winehouse track and some Mary J. Blige, something for everyone.

But a little warning for the rest of 2007. I had the misfortune of catching MTV2 resident jackass Jim Shearer's "Artists to Watch Out For in 2007" . . .

All I'm saying is, if Rich Boy's single, "Throw some D's on that b****" wins a Grammy, I'm transferring to North Korea University.

Enjoy and here's to 2007

8Bits for Every Boy/Girl

I was turned on to the Chiptune movement by John G. and my inner geek was instantly titillated. Chiptunes are songs which are either made with, or inspired by, the old 8bit music chips in Gameboys, NES', Commodore 64's, Atari's etc. The music spans electro, rock, disco, funk and trance. It's much more than just video game music.

With the growth in popularity of "old school" video games (look in any Hot Topic store), chiptunes have also become more popular. Earlier this year, Beck released an EP with 8bit "Guero" remixes, one of which is on the mixtape. There's also a little festive number at the end. So C-C-Check it! If you like the songs, Check out 8bitpeoples, the record label from which the majority of the tunes on this mix come from. Also check out this movie which Brad D sent me.

Enjoy Responsibly

p.s. the songs may take a little while, just be patient

Bloc Party is my Boyfriend (Now Webjay Free)

Well, the new Bloc Party album leaked earlier this month and I'm in love with it. It's slated to come out in 2007 but why should we have to wait three or four months? Well, because I love you, you don't have to! Here are four tracks off the album. They're so fresh they still have Kele's finger prints on them!

I'll leave it up for a week or until I post the next mixtape. If you love Bloc Party like I do, don't download it. If you love Bloc Party and download (or downloaded) it anyway, buy three copies when it comes out. One for yourself, one for your Youth Group Pastor (even God loves Bloc Party) and one for a friend (me). The files are sampled at a pretty high bitrate, so take a little while to get going.

Enjoy

(p.s. if anyone tells Bloc Party or the FCC about this, I'll break your knees)

Remembering the Summer

A light-hearted mix full of smiles, adventure, sunshine and slow-motion sequences. I don't want to ruin the surprise but I absolutely love the "Tilly and the Wall" track, especially the tap solo!

John G. takes us, skipping, through a field of lillies, arm-in-arm with Bright Eyes, Architecture in Helsinky (can I ride with you?) and the double-dutch spittin' Go! Team kids!

Way to go John G, I can almost feel the sun's caress on my hollywood cheekbones.