Mixtape-Postcards

Here I Dreamt I was an Architect

And here I dreamt I was a soldier
And I marched the streets of Birkenau
And I recall in spring
The perfume that the air would bring
To the indolent town
The Decemberists – Here I Dreamt I was an Architect (Castaways & Cutouts, 2002)

I want to take you back to Easter Sunday.

I’m in my kitchen; the ham has been prepped and is sitting in my fridge waiting to be cooked. While I wait I decide I’m going to make some cookies since there were currently none in my house. I’m also counting down until Jesus Christ Superstar is on TV. I grab my phone to throw on Spotify, and I decide I want to listen to an old playlist. So I see if I have one that was made in April, when I found this gem.

Originally from April 2010, I had forgotten how much I had loved this mix. I think it’s still on a cd somewhere in my house. It has a bit of everything; alternative, singer/songwriter, pop, and classic rock. I was singing along (loudly) and probably annoying everyone in my house. Not a single bother was to be had.

So thank you, past Lainey for this tiny well-timed gift. As for everyone else, stay safe out there, stay home, and don’t let the bastards get you down.

99 Luftballoons

Ninety-nine red balloons
Floating in the summer sky
Panic bells, it’s red alert
There’s something here from somewhere else
Nena -99 Luftballoons (Nena, 1983)

Day 13 of quarantine, but it feels like 6 months. Yay.

It’s been stressful kids. We’ve been without a car for two weeks (car accident the day I went to Vegas), and since no one is doing home visits trying to handle everything over the phone or online has not been pleasant.

My school is closed for the rest of the academic year. While those kids drove me insane, this is NOT how I wanted to end the year. It sucks that I’m not going to get to see them in person one last time, and I’m still trying to process things. Online training this week to move to online learning, so we’ll see how that works. Also, my math class was moved online and I might cry before the final.

Okay, so let’s cover the mix this month. It’s long guys, 52 songs and 3 hours. Thanks quarantine!

NEW STUFF: Dirty Projectors “Overlord” has SWEET vocal harmonies and sounds so fucking good in the headphones. Waxahatchee AGAIN slays with “Witches“, and her new album has finally been dropped. Little Dragon “Where you Belong” makes me long for summer. Bright Eyes is back with “Persona non Grata” (with melancholy in 3/4 time). Day Wave “Potions” has lovely new-wave vibes. Lastly, J. Balvin’s Colores album is sooooo good!

DEATH/ANNIVERSARIES: I had to put some John Coltrane Quartet after learning that Alfred McCoy Tyner passed at the beginning of the month. It was the 35th anniversary of Tears for Fears “Songs From the Big Chair” album. We said goodbye to a staple of my childhood, Kenny Rogers. We also said goodbye to saxophonist Manu Dibango, drummer Bill Rieflin, singer Joe Diffie, and said Happy Birthday to Sir Elton John.

OLD FAVORITES: There was a lot of Spanish on my mix this month. Linda Rondstadt, Celia Cruz, and Lila Downs are all on here. I threw some Ben Folds on here after finishing his biography “A Dream About Lightning Bugs“. I paired Jimmy Eat World “Goodbye Sky Harbor” and Dean Martin “You’re Nobody til Somebody Loves You” to rep my Vegas trip. And to commemorate the quarantine, “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” by The Police.

Ok kids. Keep practicing social distancing to flatten the curve, and take care of each other out there. Until next time!

With Plenty of Money & You

But I’m certain, honey,
that life would be sunny
With plenty of money and you.
Bennett & Basie – With Plenty of Money and You (Strike Up the Band, 1959)

Oh Las Vegas, SIN CITY.

Being from Arizona, we’ve always been lucky that Vegas has always been relatively close. What was once a 6 hour drive has been whittled down to 4 and a half thanks to new construction. And my personal way to go, a 45 minute plane ride.

My BFF and I were in Vegas last weekend for our friend’s birthday, and while we had super cheap airfare (we decided the week of to go) we also didn’t anticipate the lockdown the city would undergo due to the Coronavirus. Thankfully, our hotel didn’t close before we needed to check out, but our friends ended up leaving two days early because they got kicked out on Monday. By the time we left, the casinos were officially closed and it looked like a veritable ghost town.

Now having said that, it was still a great trip. We go to go to the Neon Museum to see the Lost Vegas: Tim Burton exhibit. We had lots of great food (too much food, but still delish) and came back to resume our (somewhat) normal lives.

I’m currently at home, seeing as how my school district is closed until further notice. The math class I’m currently taking also got switched to online which should be interesting. But yeah, still healthy and staying home to do my part.

So in the meantime, here is an oldie playlist (remember when I mentioned extra posts this month?) from when I went to Vegas in 2009. This was everything that played on my iPod from after takeoff to landing. God bless the shuffle feature.

Stay safe out there guys!

First Day of My Life

Yours was the first face that I saw
I think I was blind before I met you
And I don’t know where I am
I don’t know where I’ve been
But I know where I want to go
Bright Eyes – First Day of My Life (I’m Wide Awake, it’s Morning, 2005)

So, fun fact: January lasts for 8,483 days, and February lasts for like 12.

This is late (sorry!), but work and school got away from me and I had to wait until I was on Spring Break to get a chance to sit and breathe.

So the mix this month is kind of all over the place with some love songs added in because of Valentine’s Day (or stupid-crappy-love-day if you’re me).

NEW LOVES: I officially cannot wait for the new Waxahatchee album, because I am LOVING the new singles being released. Hazel English “Off My Mind” is fantastic, and I’m really enjoying Spanish Love Songs “Routine Pain“. Ada Lea “woman, here” has also been getting a lot of play. OH! Nada Surf is killing it (Come Get Me) and I am here for every damn second of it.

OLD LOVES: Shakira & J-lo made it on the mix after giving a great Super Bowl performance. Kate Bush “Hounds of Love” & Dire Straits “Romeo and Juliet” are here because they are two of my favorite love songs. I added Ella Fizgerald’s version of “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning” because it is one of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard and she is MAGIC on this recording. Finally, Gin Blossoms because I hadn’t heard “Hey Jealousy” in AGES and had to add it.

ANNIVERSARIES/DEATHS: Birthday shoutouts to Johnny Cash & George Harrison. We said goodbye to David Roback of Mazzy Starr and Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. We also said goodbye to one of my favorites, Peter Tork of the Monkees.

Ok, that is it for me kiddos. Expect at least two more entries this month, I’m going to go and start packing for my Vegas trip. Ciao!

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.

Hurry on Home

Disconnect me from my bones
So I can float, so I can roam
Disconnect me from my skin
Erase the marks begin again
Sleater Kinney – Hurry on Home (The Center Won’t Hold, 2019)

Oh 2019, you were a year alright.

March – Matt Nathanson @ The Observatory, Santa Ana, CA

April – The Technicolors/Ben Kweller @ Valley Bar, Phoenix

June – Goo Goo Dolls/Train @ Ak-Chin Pavilion, Phoenix

August – Bird & the Bee @ Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix

September – John Mayer @ Talking Stick Arena, Phoenix

October – Cigarettes after Sex @ The Van Buren, Phoenix

November – Sleater-Kinney @ The Van Buren, Phoenix

November – PPL MVR/The Aquabats, @ Marquee Theater, Tempe

November – Chic/Cher @ Gila River Arena, Glendale

December – Daughtry/Rob Thomas @ The Van Buren, Phoenix

The concerts, were good. Started out in Cali to see Matt Nathanson, because is Matt won’t come to you, you go to Matt. Ben Kweller was exceptionally good, although I think hands down November was my best month. I was second row for Sleater-Kinney, and first row for Aquabats. In the same week. I was in such a good mood after the Aquabats, I didn’t even care that I tore my hands to shit by falling in rocks outside the venue. Which is good, because the Marquee really should have better lighting out there they are lucky I am not a litigious person. Also, I would like to point out that this was my first time seeing John Mayer live. I’ve been a fan of his since his first acoustic EP in 2000, but had never seen him in person, and he did not disappoint. Also, Rob Thomas is aging like a beautiful fine wine and I am so excited for MB20 touring this year.

Everything else in my life; I don’t have too many complaints. Work has been stressful, but that tends to happen when your school has administration changes two years in a row. Personally, I go to do some fun traveling this year. I went on my first cruise to Ensenada with Kai & Tara, where we discovered that we are cruise people. I didn’t get to visit my brother in NYC, but that trip is (hopefully) going to happen during Spring Break.

At the end of every year, I make a best of mix of the new songs that came out that year. 2019 I feel had some very good stuff. These are the bangers that got me through the year, and I hope you enjoy.

Manifest

I’m coming to the edge of a rising ocean
Such commotion and fear
Keeping all our eyes on what’s on the horizon
And all that we hold dear
Andrew Bird – Manifest (My Finest Work Yet, 2019)

Birthdays are weird man.

There’s the anxiety of feeling like I should want to do more than I really want to, because as an introvert I find it really hard to celebrate me. Not that I have low self-esteem, more like ‘I don’t enjoy all the attention being on me’. And as I prepare to exit my thirties this year there is the added bonus of feeling like time is just slipping by faster and faster.

This does not bode well for one with anxiety.

The one thing I do love about my birthday is the making of a birthday playlist. I started this tradition about ten years ago when I was (surprise) preparing to exit my twenties. There is something so special about these mixes. It’s a mix that’s only purpose is to please me. Period. End of story.

Now if we’re going to get technical, ALL my playlists are for me, but this is one where I don’t have a theme or an idea in mind when I sit at my laptop. I become Marie Kondo, looking through song after song and asking myself “does this bring me joy?”. Just unbridled audio bliss as I try to ignore the fact that another year has passed on the march to my inevitable death (yay!).

So here is my 2019 birthday mix. May she bring you the joy she has brought me.

Meet the DJ

Music is the shorthand of emotion
Leo Tolstoy

So I’m back at the writing game. I’ve been blogging since my early twenties (diaryland and livejournal, anyone?), and after a notable absence I’ve decided that I kind of miss it. There is something cathartic about getting your headspace thoughts down and out into the world. Even if no one else sees them, it’s nice.

So what can you expect to see here?

I’ve decided that instead of blogging about my personal and work life (teacher life, what?!?) I wanted to focus and blog about a specific thing. And after a little pondering, I’ve decided that thing will be music.

I live for it. I could spend hours talking about deep cuts off of hidden gem records. Let’s swap concert photos and stories while I show you my ticket stub collection. Please, tell me what is playing on your Spotify right this second. Why yes, I will listen to you wax poetic about the song that changed your life.

So expect to see tons of playlists and other fare. Enjoy, and welcome.