Into Focus - a yvynyl mixtape

It’s been nine months since I last dropped a proper mixtape on you guys. Not a week goes by lately that someone doesn’t send me a note asking me when the next one’s coming out. Honestly, I half-build playlists all the time, but sitting down and getting them done - like done done - seems harder than it once was. Maybe that’s a small sliver of how Kevin Shields felt. But I’ve finally finished this one - pulled it into focus. Some of these songs have been sitting in my ‘new mixtape’ folder for nearly that long, which is a shame because they slay. You’ll see. 

Artwork by Scottish artist Christine Jones, used with permission.

Don’t forget to chip in to these artists’ beer/retirement funds. Click through to their sites through the handy hypertext links provided below and buy their records, tapes, tshirts and concert tix.

Tracklist: 

1. Cold Pumas - Fog Cutter
2. Teen Mom - I Wanna Go Out
3. The Courtneys - 90210
4. TV Torso - Clear Lake Strangler
5. TEEN - Electric
6. Pure X - Things in my Head
7. The Black and White Years - Just Like Old Times
8. Youth Lagoon - Dropla
9. Leapling - Seventeen
10. Gracie - Habits
11. Real Magic - The Trance
12. HAERTS - Wings
13. 3:33 - ___________YC
14. Purity Ring - Grammy (Soulja Boy)
15. White Blush - Jolene
16. Pretty Heart - Toy
17. Dead Mellotron - Fade In/Out
18. Bennio Qwerty - Crutch
19. Young Boys - Love Hits
20. Each Other - Ash Mound
21. Extra Happy Ghost!!! - Choke Me Out Against the Wall
22. Cold Fronts - Strange Architecture
23. Gabriel Mintz - Western Days
24. Ben Seretan - My One True Love

Download directly here: http://bit.ly/13zdPJ1

Stream it here: http://8tracks.com/yvynyl

For best results, download the mix folder, unzip it, create a new playlist in iTunes, click and drag the folder to import, thereby maintaining track order.

Listen to more yvynyl mixtapes here.

Open Forever - a yvynyl mixtape

The title of this mix comes by coincidence from the two opening tracks, a couple of my favorite of the year so far. But don’t stop there. It’s been a while since I’ve posted a mix - as my ardent fans know - so this batch is distilled down to the essence. You’ll love them. And while you’re listening, think about staying open - to life, to possibility, to serendipity - forever.

Original artwork by Chilean Jorge Roa who also did the great illustration accompanying the Mystic Isthmus mix from just over two years ago this week.

As always, I provide you links to the artists’ websites so that you might learn more about them and purchase their wares. Thank you.

Tracklist:

1. Rhye - Open
2. Haim - Forever
3. Twin Shadow - Five Seconds
4. Only Real - Cadillac Girl
5. Mans - Strict Face
6. Ghost Loft - Blow
7. Yung Life - Isn’t This
8. Foxygen - Make it Known
9. The Interest Group - The Boys and the Girls
10. Port St. Willow - Amawalk
11. Deep Time - Clouds
12. Soft Care - Girls
13. Surgeons in Heat - Never Noticed
14. Tiger Waves - Weekends
15. Long Walks on the Beach - We’re Growing Up
16. Perth - Original Food
17. Honeydrum - Stranger Calls
18. Night Panther - Smudge
19. Elegant Animals - Syndicate
20. Mirror Lady - Hands are Tied
21. Kitty Pryde - Okay Cupid
22. La Sera - Please Be My Third Eye
23. Francisco the Man - Tiger

Download directly here: http://bit.ly/OURFHf

Stream it here: http://8tracks.com/yvynyl

After downloading the mix folder, please create a new playlist in iTunes and then click and drag the folder to import, thereby maintaining track order.

Check out more yvynyl mixtapes here.

Burn’t - a yvynyl mixtape

You never know when you’re gonna wake up in a burning house or a brand new dimension. Splintering paths you hadn’t even thought possible yeseterday because they were covered up with overgrown weeds.  But then, all of a sudden, you realize this was the only road you were ever supposed to take, the only one you can take.  No going back. This, friends, is the notion and spirit of this group of songs.  Take, eat, and keep the keel deep in the water.

Original artwork by Sydney artist and designer Jennifer Mehigan. Used with permission.

Please support these artists when you enjoy their music.

Tracklist:

1. Mac DeMarco - Rock and Roll Night Club
2. We Can’t Enjoy Ourselves - Winsome William
3. Suburban Living - Give Up
4. Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders - Cold Feet
5. Tiny Victories - Lost Weekend
6. Capybara - Neighbor Crimes
7. White Birds - When Women Played Drums
8. White Fence - It Will Never Be
9. Swiss Alps - Riptide Lore
10. Oliver Tank - Up All Night
11. Grimes - Genesis
12. Lucky Dragons - Existers
13. Trippple Nippples - Golden Road (Oli Chang Remix)
14. Gracie x Steffaloo - Quilts
15. Ingvild Østgård - You Will Never Know
16. CSLSX - Aeromancer (ft. Mountain Man)
17. Conveyor - Mukraker
18. Die Jungen - I Pray to You
19. PET - Middle Child Syndrome
20. Day Joy - New Ordinary
21. True Gold - Undulate
22. Roman Ruins - Mighty Love
23. Megafortress - My Favorite Girl

Download directly here: http://bit.ly/AmzXQk

Stream it here: http://8tracks.com/yvynyl

After downloading the mix folder, please create a new playlist in iTunes and then click and drag the folder to import, thereby maintaining track order.

Check out more yvynyl mixtapes here.

Cat’s Cradle - a yvynyl mixtape

Time tangles some mighty webs, don’t it? You blink yr eye and all of a sudden you’re in a completely new world, new skin, new haircut, new seersucker suit. This weird journey we’re on, the surrealism of it all keeps yr mouth agape and full of wonder.  And this, friends, is just a small soundtrack. 

Original artwork by Philadelphia-based artist Jesse Hale Moore who is also in a band called Ladies Auxiliary. Follow him on Tumblr here. Used with permission.

Please support the artists represented in this mix! Buy their music, and go to their shows. I’ve provided you links here to discover more of their work, and you should.

Tracklist:

1. M83 - Midnight City
2. Jape - The Oldest Mind
3. Field Mouse - You Guys are Gonna Wake Up My Mom
4. Princeton - Clamoring for Your Heart
5. COOL RUNNINGS - The Fool
6. The War on Drugs - Come to the City
7. Adam Taylor Young - Hold On
8. Summer Camp - Better Off Without You
9. fthrsn - Hysteria
10. Leisure - Follow Me
11. Sin Kitty - Only When (I’m Lonely)
12. Teen Daze - The Harvest
13. Tommy Toussaint - Summer USA
14. TOPS - Turn Your Love Around
15. Violetness - The Coal
16. Night Shining - Faces
17. Elephant - Assembly
18. Mood Rings - Promise Me Eternity
19. The Bilinda Butchers - Half Open
20. Leverage Models - Fleeced (Before the Lord)
21. Black Brick - Gracely
22. High Highs - Flowers Bloom
23. Jessica Jalbert - Necromancy

Download directly here: http://bit.ly/sGewR7

Stream it here: http://8tracks.com/yvynyl

After downloading the mix folder, please create a new playlist in iTunes and then click and drag the folder to import, thereby maintaining track order.

Check out more yvynyl mixtapes here.

Heart Hug - a yvynyl mixtape

While we're sweltering through middle of July, the heat dripping off our skin, beading at our hairline, it’s important to remember to keep that air flowing. Don’t give in to the A/C - roll those windows down!  Crank up that stereo. Embrace it.  Maybe these are a set of summer tunes for yr vacation roadtrips, or perhaps just yr backyard BBQs. Slow down and feel ‘em.

Original artwork by o_lie. Used with permission.

Please support these artists, they deserve it! Buy their music, and go to their shows. I’ve provided you links here to discover more of their work, and you should.

Tracklist:

1. Hooray for Earth - True Loves (removed by request)
2. Nurses - Fever Dreams
3. Hotel Mexico - Dear Les Friends
4. Twin Sister - Bad Street
5. R E A L M A G I C - No Things Left
6. Yung Life - Renegade
7. STONER SHOWERS - 4EVER AND 4EVER
8. Magnetic Poetry - Follow Me
9. Ela Orleans - Myriads
10. Youth Lagoon - July
11. BIGCOLOUR - Playing Puzzles
12. Bodies of Water - Open Rhythms
13. Sea Oleena - Southbound
14. Pure X - Twisted Mirror
15. Yourself and The Air - Trampolines
16. Fungi Girls - Velvet Days
17. Chains of Love - Black Hearts
18. Beige - Folds
19. Slowdance - Spell
20. Timber Timbre - Creep on Creepin On

Download directly here: http://bit.ly/ok6xkl

Stream it here: http://8tracks.com/yvynyl

After downloading the mix folder, please create a new playlist in iTunes and then click and drag the folder to import, thereby maintaining track order.

Check out more yvynyl mixtapes here.

Lucky Lucky - a yvynyl mixtape

In the last couple months since I’ve posted a mix I have heard a metric ton of amazing songs. My ‘potentials’ playlist was getting super bloated and in the rush and tumble of life, I had to force myself to trim down to just a couple gems. That’s hard to do. But you know that feeling you get after a good spring cleaning? Yeah, like that.

And as for luck - here’s to hoping these songs will bring you some! Lord knows they’ve been the soundtrack of the luckiest stretch of my life.

Original artwork by Jesse Draxler who is also here on Tumblr. Used with permission.

Please support these artists, they deserve it! Buy their music, and go to their shows.

Tracklist:

1. The Neighborhood - I Won’t Get You Down
2. The Weeknd - House of Balloons > Glass Table Girls
3. Joywave - Winnipeg
4. Black Books - The Big Idea
5. Snowmine - Beast in Air, Beast in Water
6. Family Portrait - Other Side
7. Triptides - Shadows
8. Jeremy Lee Given - Arapaima
9. Eternal Summers - Prisoner
10. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Thought Ballune
11. Slowdance - Sweetness
12. Oregon Bike Trails - High School Lover
13. COOLRUNNINGS - Dracula is only the Beginning
14. John Maus - Believer
15. Collage Party - Eri
16. The Sandwitches - Summer of Love
17. Quilt - Children of the Light
18. Lotus Feet - Evidence
19. Big Wave Riders - Skater or Die
20. BeachesBeaches - OOAH
21. Die Jungen - In the End
22. The Dogs - We Don’t Have to do Anything

Download directly here: http://bit.ly/lzM47W

Stream it here: http://8tracks.com/yvynyl

After downloading the mix folder, please create a new playlist in iTunes and then click and drag the folder to import, thereby maintaining track order.

Check out more yvynyl mixtapes here.

Ghost Boat - a yvynyl mixtape

Adrift in a sea of glistening white. Hot light surrounding us. We close our eyes and await the mysterious next, the untold wonder. It’s almost springtime in the northern hemisphere. Renew. Rebirth. Just beneath the surface. We can feel it. Use these songs to celebrate it. The journey is only just begun.

I post these mixtapes to give independent artists exposure they deserve. Please click through and lend them your support, time and money. They’ll love you for it.

This mix wholly dedicated to my Valentine and our baby girl kicking with vivacious life inside her belly.

Polaroid SX70 photo by Lizzy Newman, who is also on Tumblr. Used with permission.

Tracklist:

1. Summer Fiction - Chandeliers
2. Walter Meego - Starlight
3. Makeout Videotape - Only You
4. Mean Wind - Down for the Count
5. Mood Rings - Indian Hills
6. Doug Hoyer - Oh, the Wind Will Blow (feat. Jessica Jalbert)
7. Black Brick - Thru Sunday
8. Creepoid - Spirit Bird
9. HotKid - Yours & Mine
10. Cousin Brian - It’s On Me
11. La Femme - Sur La Planche
12. Yalls - Please
13. Sutja Gutiérrez - Lucy (Love Scene)
14. Blouse - Shadow
15. Painted Palms - All of Us
16. Death and Vanilla - Run Rabbit Run
17. Thank You - 1-2-3-Bad
18. Long Long Long - Cuba Gooding Jr.
19. Saskatchewan - Beast Coast
20. Yohuna - It’s All Yours
21. Action! - Sandpiper
22. Honey Radar - Climb Like a Loaded Gun
23. Fierce Creatures - Satan is a Vampire 

Download directly here: http://bit.ly/fDU9Xq

Please create a new playlist in iTunes and then click and drag the folder to import, thereby maintaining track order. If your file doesn’t uncompress, you may have had a glitch in your internet connection during transfer. I suggest waiting and then downloading again in a while.

Check out more yvynyl mixtapes here.

Secret Meats - a yvynyl mixtape

Once in a while, a batch of songs just simply falls into place. This group did. I hardly had to even change the order in which I had lumped them all into the ‘save for later’ playlist. Each of these tracks is a stunner, and I was too excited about them all to wait to share 'em. I hope you enjoy this playlist as much as I do.

Please click through to listen to more music by these bands. Most of them are putting out music completely independently and would love the support.  Many offer free music, so if you dig a track a lot, why not check out some of their other work. Best yet, buy their records, artwork, merch and tickets to their shows. Support indie artists.

Artwork by Brooklyn designer and illustrator Marion Bolognesi. Pick up this excellent print and others at her web store. Used with permission.

Tracklist:

1. White Fence - Lillian (Won’t You Play Drums?)
2. The Black Tambourines - Tommy
3. Power Animal - Better Water
4. Will Stratton - Bluebells
5. Dream Band - Mr. Shaking and Pills to Judge
6. This Horn of Afrika - uhoh
7. Headless Horseman - Wavlngth
8. Adelyn Rose - Willow Tree
9. Dead Drums - Carousin USA
10. Echo Tongues - French Phrase for Purpose
11. Weed - Release Party
12. Juana Molina - Vive Solo
13. Anika - Yang Yang
14. Purling Hiss - Don’t Even Try It
15. Celebration - Battles
16. Expensive Looks - Found Out
17. Fox Hands - Patella
18. Continents - Future Waves
19. Lost Boy - Frost Bite
20. Conner Youngblood - Monsters
21. Girls - Heartbreaker

Download directly here: http://bit.ly/emPaTa

Please create a new playlist in iTunes and then click and drag the folder to import, thereby maintaining track order. If your file doesn’t uncompress, you may have had a glitch in your internet connection during transfer. I suggest waiting and then downloading again in a while.

Check out more yvynyl mixtapes here.

Charismatic Megafauna - a yvynyl mixtape

Back in college, this was the name of my hypothetical band. Never came to pass. But I love the concept behind these two words together: in environmental issues, it’s easier to point out the dying polar bears than to make a case for the disappearing but probably more important tiny bugs n’ stuff. Everyone loves a poster child. The cuter the better. Reminds me not to forget that while folks don’t often follow the less glamorous, the ‘little guys’ are just as important to the ecosystem at large. </metaphor>

This mix seemed to come together more quickly than others, but looking back, I haven’t actually posted in the same interval as previously. I did already play this mix at a party, and I think it went over well - hope it does for you too, friend.

Original artwork by Karl Noyes, used with permission. See more of his work at Roosterhouse. Found him on Not Paper, an excellent collage art blog.

Tracklist:

1. Sweet Lights - You Won’t Be There
2. TV Girl - On Land
3. Crocodiles - Hearts of Love
4. Guards - Swimming After Dark
5. Saharan Gazelle Boy - Halfhair Girl
6. Totem Pole - Voyeuristic Tradition
7. Warpaint - Undertow
8. Selebrities - Time
9. Juana Molina - Un Día
10. Affair - To Get
11. Brendan Codey - Emery Blagdon Saves Your Mortal Soul
12. Kurt Vile - In My Time
13. The Fresh & Onlys - Waterfall
14. Squinch Owl - We Will Do Great Things
15. Waylon Thornton - Banging On My Door
16. Big Surr - Alright
17. Catwalk - Please Don’t Break Me
18. Shimmering Stars - I’m Gonna Try
19. Expensive Looks - Found Out
20. Hotel Mexico - Its Twinkle

Download directly here: http://bit.ly/cPOY08

Please create a new playlist in iTunes and then click and drag the folder to import, thereby maintaining track order. If your file doesn’t uncompress, you may have had a glitch in your internet connection during transfer. I suggest waiting and then downloading again in a while.

Check out more yvynyl mixtapes here.

Fakeout Move - a yvynyl mixtape

I love the idea of a fakeout move. You know, like basketballers do. Fake left, fake right, then hit the jumper. I think this is about being able to flow with the unexpected in life. Being fluid. Being ready. And then taking your shot when you have the chance.

This tape - as with all my mixes - is crafted over weeks. I not only try and pick my favorite new music, but also highlight bands who are making great work in some measure of obscurity. This list is really a great balance of the two. Some names you’ll certainly recognize - a couple here are yvynyl mixtape alumn with great new material - while other work is just on the cusp, ready for the world to notice. I hope you enjoy it all and support the artists who craft this fine art.

Artwork by Norwegian illustrator Esra Røise. If you have the means, I recommend you buy this print, “Sunken Treasure,” at the fabulous new curated web shop Founders and Followers. Used with permission.

Tracklist:

1. The War on Drugs - Baby Missiles
2. Kisses - People Can Do the Most Amazing of Things
3. Young Man - Fate
4. Twin Shadow - Slow
5. Honey Radar - Graying Groves High School
6. Twin Sister - Meet the Frownies
7. Wise Blood - STRT SRNS
8. Jeff the Brotherhood - Diamond Way
9. Blackhawks - Sunday Morning
10. We Are Trees - Dear Chan Marshall
11. Superhumanoids - Hey Big Bang
12. World Club - Weight of a Mountain
13. Gala Drop - Rauze
14. Women - Eyesore
15. Sea Pinks - Japanese Knotweed
16. First Base - I Got a Girl
17. Piresian Beach - Lazy
18. Heartbeat Hotel - The Hello Barrel
19. Breathe Own Breathe - House of Gold
20. Sharon van Etten - One Day
21. Herzog - Abandon Love

Download directly here: http://bit.ly/bAD860

Please create a new playlist in iTunes and then click and drag the folder to import, thereby maintaining track order. If your file doesn’t uncompress, you may have had a glitch in your internet connection during transfer. I suggest waiting and then downloading again in a while.

Check out more yvynyl mixtapes here.

Tender Times - a yvynyl mixtape

This has been a busy summer. As I’ve built this mix over the past month, reconsidering it, pondering it, I’ve swapped songs in and out, never quite finding ‘the moment’ when it all came together. I think it was the new Deerhunter song that did it for me. A kind of anchor. We all need anchors in our lives, don’t we? A kind of benchmark to see how far we’ve come. I hope you’re all finding anchors of your own this summer. 

Do me a favor and click through on the links to learn more about these bands.  Many of them are putting out music completely independently and would love the support.  Many also offer free music, so if you dig a track a lot, why not check out some of their other work. Best yet, buy their records, artwork, merch and tickets to their shows. Support indie artists.

Original artwork by James Gulliver Hancock. Used with permission.

Tracklist:

1. The Bird Day - Thristy
2. Meridian Signals - Nearly Nautical
3. Holy Ghost Party - Toys
4. Holy Spirits - Tongues
5. Nightlands - Til I Die
6. Levek - Chief
7. My Friend Wallis - Hiding
8. Tennis - Marathon
9. Guards - Don’t Wake the Dead
10. Deerhunter - Revival
11. Son of Rams - Triple Eyed
12. Caloriebomb - Can You
13. Miniature Tigers - Gold Skull
14. Magical Mistakes - Early Morning Come Down
15. Com Truise - Sundriped
16. Brothertiger - Wind at My Back
17. Monokle & Galun - Happy Sun
18. Jai Paul - BTSTU
19. MNDR - I Go Away
20. And Vice Versa - Addiction
21. pat JORDACHE - gold BOUND
22. Dark Dark Dark - Daydreaming

Download directly here: http://bit.ly/aCrMSz

Please create a new playlist in iTunes and then click and drag the folder to import, thereby maintaining track order.

Check out more yvynyl mixtapes here.