// a YVYNYL Mixtape //
Mixtaping is an arduous process, one that I fail at more often than not. I have about a dozen unpublished mixes to share with you, dear reader, and I thought “goddamn it, man, get your shit together and put these lists into the ether once and for all!” I’ve blogged about all of these songs before, but I’m pulling together my feel-good favorites that came out during the fall. My goal is to release a new mixtape on each of Earth’s equinox and solstice each year. I know, I know. It’s not even fall anymore, but the holidays broke my promises. We’re already deep into the winter (in the north), but let’s see if we can do this together. Show me what you like and feel free to contact me and I’ll try and get the winter favorites together by the spring equinox.
As always, please share the artists you enjoy here. They are all worth your attention, support, and love.
Tracklist:

I’ve been collecting new tracks for this project so that I can share them with you together in one bundle. I’m thrilled that this project is attracting wildly talented new and innovative artists from all over the globe. On this short mix, you’ll hear diverse elements: two songs from Japan (though one of them pretends to be Russian for shits and giggles), a poetic song from Australia, another from New Zealand (the one track here not a premiere, I just love it so much I can’t help but plug it again), yet another from England, and of course a smattering of new ideas from far corners in the United States. I love that part of doing the premiere mixtapes. Have a listen!
Photos by Jeffery Silverstein from Singles Club, used by 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. Buy their records, tapes, t-shirts and concert tix.
Tracklist:
If you enjoy the tunes, be a friend and #REBLOG the love!
Grab past yvynyl mixtapes here.

Time passes. Or it doesn’t. Maybe it’s a trip that we all get fooled about experiencing together. In that vein, I decided to put together a group of songs for you, dear readers, that feel the essence of my elemental beings of music here in the late summer days of 2015. Songs to take on the road with you these heat-full days of the northern hemisphere, or to snuggle in with those of you in cooler parts of this planet. Because no one on earth has heard these artists’ songs (not even their moms), it’d be great to share ‘em around. Remember their names, listen to their other jams. Some of these songs are the first of their kind. Love them with care. Listen!
Artwork by Colin Holloway, 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, t-shirts and concert tix.
Tracklist:
If you enjoy the tunes, be a friend and #REBLOG the love!
Grab past yvynyl mixtapes here.

You might enjoy this new mix I made for Nixon with some choice tracks from the past we weeks. I was interviewed chatting a bit about the process of blogging these days and included a #selfie I took (shamelessly) with me and Sam Herring of Future Island.
Inteview by Claire McKinzie
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.