2017 MIXTAPE INVITATIONAL PLAYLISTS
2017 MIXTAPE INVITATIONAL PLAYLISTS
JESSIE ADLER
CAITLIN GOODSPEED
HUNTER R. SLATON
MARLOW RILEY
CLAIRE ECKSTROM
PETE KOCH
1. "Thin" by Aquilo
It's like an electronic Bon Iver, and I dig it.
2. "Common Man" by Caamp
3. "Don't Take the Money" by Bleachers
4. "If We Were Vampires" by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
One of the strangest love songs—basically saying our limited time alive/together is what makes love so immediate and powerful—by one of my favorite Americana songwriters. If you check out the album, give "Tupelo" and "Last of My Kind" a spin.
5. "Stardust" by Ásgeir
The latest from my favorite Icelandic musician.
6. "Too Good at Goodbyes" by Sam Smith
That voice!
7. "The Mother" by Brandi Carlile
After nearly four years of growing pains as parents, and reckoning with the cascade of life changes, career implications, etc. brought on by having a kiddo, we're really settling into a happy groove, and this kid-positive song helped me through some of the bumpier times of Oaklee's three-nagerdom this year.
8. "Witness" by Benjamin Booker
Change is coming, baby, and there's nothing easy about it.
9. "Shark Smile" by Big Thief
10. "Good Old Days" by Macklemore feat. Kesha
A close friend of mind died way too soon (and unexpectedly) last month, devastating our group of friends here (not to mention his wife and 2-year-old) and changing everything. This song articulates that idea that this—working, being with friends and family, raising a kid, going on runs, vacations, house projects, making dinner, work adventures abroad, all of it—is what life is all about right now, and it's pretty damn good. So be present and make the most of it, or you're missing out on life.
Bonus: "Talk to Me" by Run the Jewels
The physical album came out this year, and it's awesome. A wall of bass-thumping, full-throttle rap.
Bonus: "The Three of Me" by William Bell
This album, This Is Where I Live, was actually released in 2016, but I discovered it this year, and I love the entire thing (listened to it maybe 100 times). A fantastic, Grammy-winning comeback album by a legendary soul musician.
SHANE LUKAS
"And if people want some wacky, stupid fun stuff - the holiday mixes (not holidays songs, mind you!) are here: https://iamagreatidea.com/bringthebigjoy"