One of my great joys in life has been the creation of (what we used to call) mix tapes. Today, I guess they’re just called “mixes” or “mix CD’s” – either way, you get my drift. Then again, with the advent of the iPod and iMixes, I’m not so sure mix CD’s are cool anymore. Either way, it’s a collection of songs, put together with loving detail, each song delicately chosen for either it’s lyrical content, song title, emotional connection…or maybe just because it’s a kick ass jam. The first mix tape I ever received was a copy of a mix tape someone made for my sister. Or perhaps, this girl made it for me and asked my sister to give it to me. I don’t quite recall. What I do recall is that this particular set of songs changed my life. Literally. It was this tape that contained the music that would shape my dark clad life. The Sisters of Mercy, The Cure, Christian Death, Death in June, Current 93, Erasure, This Mortal Coil. Each song a winner, each song I would continue to love to this very day. It was because of this collection that I chose the Gothic lifestyle…even though at the time, I was already predisposed to black clothes, darkness, funerary things, punk, and new wave bands. At a young age, I realized the power of music and how a collection of songs could define an era.
I used to spend hours upon hours compiling mix tapes for myself and my friends. I would sit in front of my parent’s sound system and record LP’s onto tape, transfer one tape to another, fret over getting the space between songs just right, making sure the beats matched, and finally artistically designing the cover. I’d draw or paste images, sometimes I’d photocopy magazine pictures and make collages. It was so fun and I really felt like I was doing something important. I think I really was. I sometimes think about the hypothetical question: If you had to choose being blind or deaf, which would you choose? I always answer “blind”. If I had to choose, like if someone was holding a gun to my head. Blind, because I’d rather lose my sight than my ability to hear music. Being blind would suck, but can you imagine living in a world of absolute silence? A world without The Cure’s “Disintegration”? A world without pianos and guitars and bass? Can you imagine not hearing the sounds of the world? The Grand Canyon is gorgeous, but I would happily trade it…that is, if I absolutely had to. I am, however, glad I don’t have to make that choice.
I continue to make mix CD’s for my friends and family any chance I get. I wonder if they know how I labor over them. How I choose the songs and why. Probably not, but I still continue to think that it’s important. Each song means something and each song, if done correctly, should seamlessly meld into the next. It should start with a kicker, flow and aim mellow, then crescendo into the upbeat set, and end on a poignant and memorable note. The film “High Fidelity” with John Cusack delves into the subject (among other things) of mix tape creation and there is a scene where Cusack’s character discusses the importance of building a really great mix. He says, “To me, making a tape is like writing a letter. There’s a lot of erasing and rethinking and starting again. A good compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do.” I believe this is absolutely true. Mix tapes are a project, but most importantly, they are a labor of love.
My most recent collection was for my boyfriend’s son’s 16th birthday.
La valse d’Amélie – Yann Tiersen
Intervention – The Arcade Fire
New Slang – The Shins
I Might Be Wrong – Radiohead
Satellite (Album Version) – Guster
Needle in the Hay – Elliot Smith
Lazy Eye – Silversun Pickups
Lake Michigan – Rogue Wave
If You Want To Sing Out – Cat Stevens
Oh! You Pretty Things – David Bowie
Everybody Knows – Leonard Cohen
Like A Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan
Billy Liar – The Decemberists
Common People – Pulp
Another Sunny Day – Belle & Sebastian
Kodachrome – Paul Simon
House Of Fun – Madness
Story Of My Life – Social Distortion
Buddy Holly – Weezer
La valse d’Amélie (version orchestre) – Yann Tiersen
Because sharing is caring, I’ve zipped and uploaded the mix along with the artwork for your enjoyment. It is, by no means, Gothic, but then again, neither is my boyfriend’s 16 year old son. Enjoy!