Urge for Going

When the sun turns traitor cold

And all trees are shivering in a naked row

I get the urge for going but I never seem to go

Joni Mitchell, Urge for Going (Hits, 1996)

January wasn’t just the start of a new year, we’re also kicking off a new decade. It also means that it is time for another monthly mix.

There is a method to the madness of making my monthly mix. It’s a playlist that consists of between 30-40 songs and it usually breaks down in thirds.

• 1/3 new music that I’m liking
• 1/3 songs commemorating artists deaths/anniversaries
• 1/3 songs that I had forgotten I loved

For new music, I get my tips from a few places:

• PODCASTS – I LOVE NPR All Songs Considered and Tiny Desk Concerts. I also listen to the NoisePop Podcast (although they need to update more), Jonah Raydio, and Punch up the Jams.
• SPOTIFY – Every Friday I load up the New Indie Playlist and save whatever I really like. I tried doing the general New Music Friday one, but there is so much junk on there I finally stopped listening.
• FRIENDS – My friends have an eclectic and wonderful taste in music, and chances are if they recommend something for me I know I’m going to like it.

So yeah, having told you the process, let me tell you about some of my January picks.

NEW STUFF – The new Waxahatchee single, “Fire“, is Katie Crutchfield’s first single after deciding to get sober. Tame Impala “Lost in Yesterday” is catchy as hell. Real Estate “Paper Cup” has a music video which is a creepy throwback to our favorite pizza-slinging rat of the 80’s. Ambar Lucid “Fantasmas” is beautiful dreamy Spanish goodness. And Halsey “You Should be Sad” is the song that says everything you wanted to say to that ex you escaped.

ANNIVERSARIES/DEATHS: It can’t be a January mix without some David Bowie (RIP). David Olney, Neil Peart, and Neil Innes were a few of the artists that left us. I had to put Dolly Parton on the mix because she has a January birthday. It’s the 50th anniversary of the Beatle’s rooftop performance in London. It was also the 30th anniversary of the release of They Might be Giants “Flood” (WHICH IS STILL SO FREAKING GOOD). And I also included songs from the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame 2020 class.

FORGOTTEN LOVES: Belly “Feed the Tree” is a karaoke fave. Annie Lennox “No More I Love You’s” still gets me right in the feels. Simon & Garfunkel “Cecelia” is still the catchiest song about a cheating girl. King Princess “Hit the Back” makes the cut because I got to see her this week at the Van Buren. Lastly, The Rolling Stones “Sweet Virginia” makes the cut for it’s inclusion in the Knives Out soundtrack.

Well, that’s it from me. My personal January was pretty good. Work is getting back to normal, my Spring classes started, and I got to see a friend from out of state and spend some quality time with the friends. I also took a step towards one of my goals, which is to see at least one concert a month. So yeah, take it easy my friends and go listen to some music.