PeterB
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A friend of mine recently pointed me towards Pandora (www.pandora.com), an internet radio site that helps you find new artists by entering a song or artist you like, then it compiles artists and songs based on that choice. I've only just fiddled with it - we'll see how it plays out.
I also used to listen to Epitonic Radio online, but a recent visit reveals that they are no longer in existence...sad! Oh well. This internet radio thing never really grabbed me, anyway. I generally explore this kind of thing when I am really bored by my library.
The only other internet radio site I visit is kexp, which is based in Seattle, my former and future place of residence. They have streaming audio (real or wmp) , along with the ability to find out what the heck that song was that you heard a couple hours ago. But best of all - no commercials. They play a pretty eclectic list of artists, with some specialty shows (notably, Street Sounds, about the Puget Sound's hip-hop community; also Shake the Shack, a Rockabilly show) at various times. They will also often have artists come in to their studios to perform live, mostly acoustic, sets, which are thankfully archived.
Does anyone else employ internet radio? Do you do it to find new artists, or simply because you're bored?
I have to admit it. I have a crush on a girl. It's gotten to the point where she pops into my mind while I'm concentrating on other things; today it was music. It got me to thinking about what music I would use to woo her, which, of course, got me reminiscing about my youth when making a girl a mixtape was both a clear signal of your intentions, and a great opportunity to impress her with your incredible taste. If I remember correctly, I made my last mixtape back in 1994 as a 20-year-old, and last received one a couple years later. I miss that medium; I'm not sure if I will catch on to any new version of it (are people exchanging iTunes playlists like mixtapes?).
Anyway, I'm off work today, so what do I do? organize my bookmarks and think of a playlist to woo a girl.
The Purple Bottle - Animal Collective Sort of a strange one, here, but seen as a sort of love song, it embodies all the crazy unexplainable energy of relationships in their early stages.
Thirteen - Big Star or Elliott Smith I like both versions, and they're not too dissimilar. Elliott Smith's version is more intimate for sure, but I've found that not too many people know the original version, and originality is of course a plus in this medium.
First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes She'd probably know this one. Nothing wrong with that.
Rapture - Pedro the Lion Damn I love this song. I don't have much Pedro the Lion in my collection, and I can't remember if I don't like them or if I haven't heard them. For the mixtape, I like to throw a little bit of sexy in there, with maybe a touch of raunchy. For the most part I like to keep it clean, which makes this type of song all the more effective.
Do You Realize?? - The Flaming Lips No explanation needed here.
Am I Wrong? - Keb' Mo' I think she can handle this. Not every woman is worthy of a Keb' Mo' lick.
Too Late Now - Shirley Horn I'd like to bring room down a little bit now...
Unravel - Bjork This was a tough one to include. Bjork can be a very contentious artist - it seems you either love her or think she's the most ridiculous thing since Elton John in a duck costume. I take a little from both columns, personally. Great song, though.
On Marriage - The Six Parts Seven/Carissa's Wierd
Which Will - Nick Drake Mmm.
We Got By - Al Jarreau
I'm sure there's many many more songs, and many different mixtapes I could make. This was a fun little exercise, though; if anyone reads this, won't you write your mixtape list?
Didn't Make the Cut Slow Hands - Interpol (I like the line "I admit my incentive is romance", but overall it's unworthy of her)
Say Goodbye - DMB (enough with these guys already. I do like this song though...)
I Need to Know - Kanye West ("I need to know...if you're down to get topless..." - what kind of girl do I think she is??)
Angelface - Atmosphere ("and she loved me more than I could imagine so I waited til she slept and then I stepped into traffic" - great line)
Hey - The Pixies ("hey - been trying to meet you" + "if you go I will surely die", then I don't like the song as much)
Sigur Ros (I have no idea what they're saying)
If anyone cares, this is crossposted at my blog - an "anonymous" law student's ramblings.
Comments
I really think that you are on the right track! Personally I like the BIg Star version of Thirteen a little bit better thatn Elliotts (but ulitmately its uo to you). Another important thing to add are any songs that you both have a clear recollection of together. Whether it be a funny Weird AL Yankovich song you both laughed to, or a really emotional song that popped up in a movie the both you you saw together, but maybe never mentioned afterwords. Those will be the ones that will really get her going. Another suggestion- The Eagles of Death Metal, Cherry Cola; The Cure, Just like Heaven, ect... P.S. Never underestimate the power of a mix tape/CD. I don't know one person who isn't completely estatic after receiving one! Good luck!
the animal collective and flaming lips selections are quality choices. good luck man.
i used to woo gals with the mix-tape back in the day. it's a powerful medium. i have also had some long distance relationships that were very much assisted by mixtape correspondence.
there's definitely a real art to it. and if you're smart, you'll listen to it several times and refine it before you send the final version. it's all about sequencing and striking a balance between coy and forward. i also always thought it was important to mix it up in regards to old and new music, with it mostly being older stuff, perhaps songs/artists that you are turning her on to. relationships are all about sharing, so why not use it as a means of expression and as a means of sharing music that means a lot to you that you believe may end up meaning alot to her as well. it invites discussion, which is always good when starting a new relationship.
good times. have fun and good luck.
This is one of the artists I'm surprised more people don't know about. Co-leader of the now defunct Carissa's Wierd, she's put out two solo albums (that I know of), the first I can't remember the name of, and the latest, Puking and Crying, which I got hooked on a few years ago after reading a review in The Stranger, which, honestly, is a weird way for me to find good music. I never trust anyone else's opinions - I have to hear it.
But, I digress. It's hard to get news on the goings on of S., for many reasons, not he least of which is that it's hard to google the search term "S" and hope to get any meaningful results. Also, her label has had the same info up there for what seems like a couple years.
If anyone knows what's happening with this immensely talented songwriter, won't you point me to some news?
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ooh - Stranger reference, that puts you on the map! haven't heard of S, but you would think her label would have the latest scoop. too bad it's so difficult to search for artists with names like this! good luck! have you tried pandora for her?
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I love internet radio. I have a great soundsystem in my living room along with my desktop, and it's a great way to hear new tunes. My favorite IR stations are on www.bbc.com Things like Radio 1 have shows such as the Breezeblock etc. that showcase tons of indie, mainstream, and excellent b-side material. From the classics to the new stuff.
Epitonic's gone? I checked in there just a week or so ago. Not that they've updated much over the last year, anyway.
I listen to a few net radio stations — I've got a widget on my mog page with my favorites.
INternet radio had all the potential in the world, until the terrestrial industry got scared of their low overhead and easy availibiltiy and pressed the chicken shit button, which in turn set the RIAA on them like a rapid Shi Tzu with a thorn in it's ass. I find it interesting that there could have been a point where local and indie bands and artists got put on playlists right along side the major lable stuff. Maybe that's where the fear stemmed from; that people would find out that there is virtually no differance between big and small label music. It's all just music.