Back and Forth

I hit Matt with a track by Stereolab. "Cybele's Reverie" off the Emperor Tomato Ketchup album. I never expected to have that countered by a Belle and Sebastian song, but that's what Matt sent. They go together surprisingly well. I was never the biggest B&S fan, but now I think I'll have to revisit their sounds. I wanted to match the orchestra sounds from Stereolab, so I hit him with "Jacksonville" by Sufjan Stevens. Here's another guy that I ignored for years. Every time I'd buy a new Tom Waits album, Stevens showed up in the "Listeners Also Purchased" section. Maybe iTunes miffed on the song snippets... But I came around eventually.

Matt's next selection is a dancy, bouncy number by Papas Fritas, "The Way You Walk". I've never heard them, but two or three measures into the song, I was already a fan. Four tracks in and this mix has bounced around many genres, I was excited to see where it would go next. I was tempted by the beat and groove of Papas Fritas, and almost went down the R&B/Soul road. But I wanted to stay Indie. I wanted to select something Matt hadn't heard yet, and Tally Hall fit the bill. Tally Hall are a genre busting band based in Ann Arbor, MI, self described as "wonky rock." "The Bidding" is definitely wonky, and stays within the theme of the unexpected.

Matt hit me back with a delicious cut from indie kings Yo La Tengo, "Season of the Shark." More hushed, gentle Valium laced indie rock from Matt. But it fits. I think this first mix is going way better than either of us expected. I was struck by the amount of light and breezy things on the mix, and staying in that vein, I selected a track from Doug Burr. "Come To My Senses" has it all, down home finger-picked guitar, steel guitar accenting, and a big reverb filled space. And Doug Burr is incredible. It reminds me of Ryan Adams and Lyle Lovett writing songs in a hotel room, playing quietly as to not wake their neighbors. Beautiful harmonies, I can't say enough about this guy.

Matt's next selection came with an apology, or an explanation. He sent me an email that said something along the lines of "I hope you see what I'm going for with the Mazzy Star, you know, before Indie was Indie??" I'd like to say that after years of hearing "Fade Into You" it's played out, but that would be a flat out lie. I strum this tune on my ukulele sometimes.

I'm at work so I will post again after I attempt to look busy for a few hours....