This mixtape pulls together a collection of some of my favorite French music from the 1960s through today to celebrate Bastille Day. The French national holiday (which was celebrated in Philadelphia over the weekend at Eastern State Penitentary), commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place on July 14, 1789, marking the beginning of the French Revolution. The largest celebration of the holiday, which is like July 4th to us Americans, is in, you guessed it, New York City. To celebrate in a low-key style, grab yourself a nice bottle of Beaujolais, along with a Godard or Truffaut flick and download the mix below.

Stream the entire mixtape HERE

[MP3]: Edith Piaf  ”Non Je Ne Regrette Rien”
C’est Pour Ça, Companion; 1960
[MP3]: Françoise Hardy  ”Tous Les Garçons Et Les Filles”
Françoise Hardy, Disques Vogue; 1962
[MP3]: Chantal Goya  ”Tu M’as Trop Menti”
Masculin Féminin Soundtrack, RCA/Victor; 1966
[MP3]: Michel Polnareff  ”Love Me Please Love Me”
Love Me Please Love Me, Disques Vogue; 1966
[MP3]: Jean Jacques Perrey  ”Mary France”
Jean-Jacques Perrey, Vanguard Records; 1968
[MP3]: Jacques Dutronc  ”Le Responsable”
Le Responsable, Disques Vogue; 1969
[MP3]: Stinky Toys  ”Plastic Faces”
Plastic Faces, Polydor; 1977
[MP3]: Ruth  ”Polaroïd/Roman/Photo”
Polaroïd/Roman/Photo, Paris Album; 1985
[MP3]: Marie Möör  ”Pretty Day”
BIPPP: French Synth-Wave 1979/85, Born Bad; 2006
[MP3]: April March  ”Laisse Tomber Les Filles”
Paris in April, Sympathy For The Record Industry; 1996
[MP3]: M83  ”Run Into Flowers”
Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts, Mute; 2004
[MP3]: Joakim  ”I Wish You Were Gone”
Monsters & Silly Songs, !K7; 2007

It’s crazy to think that we’re already about half-way through 2008. It seems like just yesterday when I was ringing in the New Year in a cozy cabin-like bar in Vermont, while feet of snow accumulated outside. But here we are, in mid-June, leaving me to wonder how half-a-year flew by so quickly. When I began pulling this mixtape together, I thought that it would be a breeze to pick out some of my personal favorites of the year so far, but, as you can see, it became quite extensive. There were a couple more that I would have included on here, but the list was getting out of hand. None of the selected tracks are very surprising if you read this site regularly.

[MP3]: The Field  ”Day”
Sound of Light EP, iTunes; 2008
[MP3]: Cut Copy  ”Feel the Love”
In Ghost Colours, Modular/Interscope; 2008
[MP3]: M83  ”Kim & Jessie”
Saturday’s = Youth, Mute; 2008
[MP3]: Sian Alice Group  ”The Dusk Line”
The Dusk Line EP, The Social Registry; 2008
[MP3]: Celestine Ukwu  ”Okwukwe Na Nchekwube”
Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Soundway; 2008
[MP3]: Quiet Village  ”Pillow Talk”
Silent Movie, !K7; 2008
[MP3]: Air France  ”Collapsing At Your Doorstep”
No Way Down, Sincerely Yours; 2008
[MP3]: High Places  ”Shared Islands”
03/07 – 09/07, Thrill Jockey; 2008
[MP3]: Lucky Dragons  ”Mirror Friends”
Dream Island Laughing Language, Marriage; 2008
[MP3]: Ilyas Ahmed  ”Under the Singing Sea”
The Vertigo Of Dawn, Time Lag; 2008
[MP3]: Crystal Stilts  ”Crippled Croon”
Crystal Stilts, eMusic Select; 2008
[MP3]: Vivian Girls  ”Tell the World”
Vivian Girls, Mauled by Tigers; 2008
[MP3]: Crystal Antlers  ”A Thousand Eyes”
EP, Self-Released; 2008
[MP3]: No Age  ”Teen Creeps”
Nouns, Sub Pop; 2008
[MP3]: Fuck Buttons  ”Okay, Let’s Talk About Magic”
Street Horrrsing, ATP; 2008

From a childhood favorite to influencing the music I listen to today, the 8-bit processor has been with me in one form or another since my 1st Grade Social Studies class. The Famicom, Atari, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega, and groups like Crystal Castles all share something in common, that little processor that has powered favorite games like Super Mario Brothers, Tecmo Super Bowl, Contra, and ExciteBike (click those links to play). Over the years, advances in computer chip techonlogy have rendered the processor pretty much obsolete (I think). However, there are bands spanning the globe today that are keeping the 8-bit alive and well, looking back to the the processor’s heyday for inspiration and this mixtape highlights a few of them. For more “8-bit” bands, check out 8-bit Peoples, the label from where I ganked the title of this post.

[MP3]: Adventure  ”Battle Cat”
Adventure, Carpark; 2008
[MP3]: Ratatat  ”Shiller”
LP3, Beggars; 2008
[MP3]: The Depreciation Guild  ”Nautilus”
In Her Gentle Jaws, Self-Released; 2008
[MP3]: Tree Wave  ”Sleep”
Cabana EP, Made Up Records; 2004
[MP3]: Dan Deacon  ”Snake Mistakes”
Spiderman of the Rings, Carpark; 2007
[MP3]: Animal Style  ”Arps and Arcs”
Open Air, 8bitpeoples; 2008
[MP3]: Anamanaguchi  ”Power Supply”
Power Supply, 8bitpeoples; 2006
[MP3]: Crystal Castles  ”Courtship Dating”
Crystal Castles, Last Gang; 2008
[MP3]: Heartsrevolution  ”C.Y.O.A.”
12″ Single, I Heart Comix; 2008

Everyone has dreams when they fall asleep, with their intensity varying greatly from person to person depending on what’s happening in their lives. Some people always remember their dreams, while others forget about them the second they wake up. Others are so affected by their dreams that they find it difficult to sleep without the aid of medication. What we’ve done with this playlist is compiled three or four songs that relate to our most current dreams. It seems like we caught Ray on a good day for this.

RAY /// I don’t want to divulge the details of my dreams, they have been particularly weird with all the allergy meds I’ve been taking, but the one I had last night was pretty funny. I’ve been skating my face off lately and probably logged fifteen hours this weekend at the Hudson River Skatepark. I had a dream last night that I was in the Port-O-John there and someone pulled a “Jackass” on me by tipping the thing over while I was inside. Covered in shit and piss, began on all-out poo throwing war to get my revenge.

[MP3]: Les Savy Fav  ”The Equestrian”

Let’s Stay Friends, Frenchkiss; 2007
[MP3]: Notorious B.I.G.  ”Party and Bullshit (Ratatat Remix)”

Ratatat Remixes Vol. 2, Self-Released; 2007
[MP3]: CFCF  ”How Bizarre”

OMC Cover; 2008

NGHIA /// I don’t really dream much these days, just nightmares. Nightmares about paying bills, past relationships, waking up late, Justin and getting enough sleep.

[MP3]: Led Zeppelin  ”Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”

Led Zeppelin, Atlantic; 1969
[MP3]: Lykke Li  ”Time Flies”

Youth Novels, LL; 2008
[MP3]: Bone Thugs N’ Harmony  ”1st of the Month”

E 1999 Eternal, Ruthless; 1995

JUSTIN /// Upon waking up, I usually don’t remember my dreams, maybe for a fleeting minute and then they’re gone as my mind races to the tasks at hand for that given day. I’m pretty much what you would call a heavy sleeper and once the lights go out at night, I’m out, not waking up until the fourth or fifth call of the alarm clock. It’s rare that I’m shaken from sleep from nightmares and the like. When I do remember the images, thoughts, and emotions from my slumber they’re usually pretty tranquil, with not too much weird shit happening (for example, see Ray’s description above).

[MP3]: Brian Eno  ”Quartz”

Music For Films, EG; 1978
[MP3]: The Durutti Column B.I.G.  ”Self Portrait”

LC, Factory; 1981
[MP3]: Bowery Electric  ”Empty Words”

Beat, Beggars Banquet; 1996
[MP3]: Portishead  ”Deep Water”

Third, Island; 2008

/// Stream the entire mixtape ///

Despite the cold isolation of winter, there is always something more coming…another spin around the sun.

We’ve been counting the days for warmer weather here in Philly and New York. A glimpse of spring showed its face yesterday but was blown away by strong winds and evening rain showers, leaving us with a chilly, yet sunny, Wednesday. In the hopes of less ravaging weather soon to come, we pulled together a mixtape to coax spring back out of hiding. It ranges from Jack Penate’s happy, clappy, and jaunty “Second, Minute or Hour” to the light psychedelic bubblegum pop of The Lemon Pipers, providing the perfect accompaniment for blooming flowers, morning songbirds, the warmth of the afternoon sun, and those inescapable spring allergies.

[MP3]: Jack Penate  ”Second, Minute Or Hour” [Theo]
Matinée, XL; 2007

[MP3]: Belle & Sebastian  ”There’s Too Much To Love” [Nghia]
Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant , Jeepster; 2000

[MP3]: Journey  ”Any Way You Want It” [James]
Departure, Columbia; 1980

[MP3]: Hercules & Love Affair  ”Blind” [Pat]
Hercules & Love Affair, DFA; 2008

[MP3]: Bon Iver  ”Skinny Love” [Ray]
For Emma, Forever Ago, Jagjaguwar; 2008

[MP3]: George Michael  ”I Want Your Sex” [Paul]
Faith, Epic; 1987

[MP3]: Edwin  ”Alive” [Ric]
Another Spin Around the Sun, Sony; 1999

[MP3]: The Lemon Pipers  ”Green Tambourine” [Justin]
Green Tambourine, Buddah; 1968

Above image © Esox Lucius

Above pic via Zara

This turned out to be one of my favorite mixtapes that we’ve done so far, there’s some pretty great choices in this bunch. As the title of the post says this month’s mixtape is all about (in Karim’s words) “chilling, relaxing, and chillaxing.” I’d throw another word in here but Nghia would likely roll his eyes and say “oh brother.”

[MP3]: Sigur Ros  ”Staralfur” [James]
Ágætis byrjun, Fat Cat; 1999
I always pictures those birds flying around from their shows.

[MP3]: Cass McCombs  ”That’s That” [Nghia]
Dropping the Writ, Domino; 2007
It reminds me of alot of things right now.

[MP3]: Groove Armada  ”My Friend” [Karim]
Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub), Zomba; 2001
I picked this song because it soothes my mind thinking about the lyrics. It also reminds me of an amazing trip I took with some of the Crackers to Puerto Rico in July 2003 which was all about chilling, relaxing, and chillaxing.

[MP3]: Radiohead  ”How To Disappear Completely” [Pablo]
Kid A, Capitol; 2000
Makes me feel like I shouldn’t worry about a damn thing… Nothing should make you worry too much and everything’ll be fine… cause that there, that’s not me…

[MP3]: Quantic  ”Time Is The Enemy” [Christian]
The 5th Exotic, Tru Thoughts; 2001
Where did all the great trip-hop go?

[MP3]: Pseudosix  ”Under The Waves” [Ray]
Pseudosix, Sonic Boom; 2007
Whenever I get anxiety from the over-stimuli of living in Manhattan, I have dreams of moving to Portland, OR. This catchy tune from Portland band, Pseudosix, has the perfect scratch-strum riff and harmonic vocals to put a smile back on my face.

[MP3]: Hot Chip  ”So Glad To See You” [Theo]
The Warning, EMI; 2006
I love chill out electronic music, and here’s one of my favorites from the past couple of years. Loving the electro voice ending…wait for it!

[MP3]: Mazzy Star  ”Bells Ring” [Justin]
So Tonight That I May See, Captiol; 1993
Hope Sandoval’s voice is one of the most soothing and comforting things to me.

above pic via arnold pouteau

The last thing you want to hear the day after Christmas is holiday music. The presents are open, the wine is gone, there’s a bunch of leftovers in the fridge that you can’t even imagine going near, and the smell of eggnog turns your stomach.

So…we did things a little different with our holiday mixtape, which should take you through the new year and beyond. We each picked one of our favorite remixes from the past year and posted them below. Don’t expect this thing to flow very well, it’s pretty damn random, which is expected since we all have different tastes.

Cheers.

[MP3]: Jacknife Lee  ”Making Me Money (Switch Remix)” [Paul]
[MP3]: Black Lips  ”Veni Vedi Veci (Diplo Remix)” [Ray]
[MP3]: In Flagranti  ”Coquine (Supermarket Mix)” [Pat]
[MP3]: Lo-Fi-Fnk  ”City (The Teenagers Remix)” [Nghia]
[MP3]: Kid Koala  ”06 p.165″ [Ric]
[MP3]: Dj Doc Rok & Jay-Z  ”Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)” [Christian]
[MP3]: Panda Bear  ”Comfy In Nautica (Turbostation Remix)” [Justin]

Above pic via nadissistic

This mixtape turned out a lot weirder than I initially thought. Originally James’ idea, pawned off on me (because he’s super busy), we decided to do a mix based around the first song you hear upon waking up. To be completely random and honest, I surprised everyone yesterday by asking them to send me the first song of the day they listened to and also to provide a brief description on how or why they listened to this specific track. Everyone’s responses are below. It’s pretty random.

[MP3]: Jay-Z  ”Heart Of The City (Ain’t No Love)” [Christian]
The Blueprint, Roc-a-fella; 2001
It’s the song from trailer for the new Ridley Scott film, American Gangster. Really hype to see this flick.

[MP3]: Sebadoh  ”Skull” [Ray]
Bakesale, Sub Pop; 1994
About 20 of my college friends have a mix tape project that’s starting its second year. Once a week, each person is assigned to do their own, so you get to sample a new album every week. Everything is posted on a blog for people to comment, so it’s a great way to keep in touch with old friends.

My time is coming up in December and I recently put a few sample playlists together. This year I wanted to do a throwback album of all of my favorite 90s tunes. “Skull” just happened to be the first song on the playlist. I was thinking of calling the mix, “Glory Days.”

[MP3]: Blackstreet  ”We Gonna Take You Back (Lude)/DLM” [Nghia]
Another Level, Interscope; 1999
I was listening to Another Level this morning while getting ready for work. This album was tha bomb! when it came out during my early college years. I was reminded of this baby-makin’ jam after seeing the Blackstreet reunion on the VH1 hip-hop honors show on tv a few weeks ago. Teddy Riley is tha man!

[MP3]: Queens Of The Stone Age  ”3′s & 7′s” [Ric]
Era Vulgaris, Interscope; 2007
It makes me want to be awake…it makes me wanna embrace my inner rock GOD!

[MP3]: Captain  ”Broke” [Theo]
This Is Hazelville, EMI; 2006
I love to wake up to this song — it’s wonderfully uplifting in a Thompson Twins-esque kind of way.

[MP3]: Pavement  ”Elevate Me Later” [Justin]
Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, Matador; 1994
Although I love the whole concept of being a “morning person” (ie. getting up, having coffee, breakfast, and reading the daily news), I realize that I’m never going to be one. I’m forever going to be one of those people who hit the snooze button for a good hour and then rush to get ready everyday. Because of this, I have very little time in the morning to do anything other than the essentials; shower, brush my teeth, maybe shave (maybe not), get dressed, and then get the hell out of the door. Eating breakfast, drinking coffee, and reading the “paper” are the farthest things from my mind and music is even farther. My waking hour consists of me (half-asleep), hitting the snooze and listening to bits and pieces of NPR blaring from my nightstand. I’m actually jealous that Theo has an “uplifting” morning to Captain as I struggle to leave my cozy nightly nest.

Anyway, since I sent everyone an email about this and already knew about it, I wanted to be surprised to see what my “waking up song” would be too. So as I left in a hurry yesterday morning, I put my iPod on shuffle and hit play and this is what I heard. It was perfect.

Above pic via jamie walhouse

The title of this post says it all, our Halloween Mixtape. Expect creepy, spooky, haunting, morose, and downright bizarre tracks on this mixtape. Hopefully, over the next week it will get you in the mood for Halloween.

[MP3]: Chris Vrenna  ”Fortress Of Doors” [Ric]
American McGee’s Alice; 2000
[MP3]: Bauhaus  ”Hollow Hills” [Dave]
Mask, Beggar’s Banquet; 1981
[MP3]: Radiohead  ”Bodysnatchers” [Ray]
In Rainbows, Self-Released; 2007
[MP3]: Joakim  ”Sleep In A Hollow Tree”
Monsters & Silly Songs, K7; 2007
[MP3]: Tom Waits  ”Cemetery Polka” [Karim]
Rain Dogs, Island; 1985
[MP3]: Lansing-Dreiden  ”Glass Corridor” [Christian]
The Incomplete Triangle, Self-Released; 2004
[MP3]: Cranes  ”Starblood” [Paul]
Wings Of Joy, Dedicated; 1991
[MP3]: Brian Eno  ”In Dark Trees”
Another Green World, E.G. Records; 1975
[MP3]: Thom Yorke  ”And It Rained All Night” [Pablo]
The Eraser, XL; 2006
[MP3]: To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie  ”I Box Twenty” [Pat]
The Patron, Kranky; 2007
[MP3]: Echo & The Bunnymen  ”Pictures On My Wall” [Justin]
Crocodiles, Warner Bros. Records; 1980
[MP3]: Clan Of Xymox  ”Michelle” [Theo]
Medusa, 4AD; 1986
[MP3]: Ministry  ”Everyday Is Halloween” [James]
Twelve Inch Singles, Wax Trax! Records; 1985
[MP3]: Michael Jackson  ”Thriller” [Nghia]
Thriller, Epic Records; 1982

This October is all about dancing. From the streets of Paris, New York City, Toronto, Seattle, and elsewhere we bring you our October mixtape to get you hype for the loads of killer parties happening this month. Nghia takes things down a notch for a little slow dance grind with his Band Of Horses track. The rest are aimed at getting you primed for the dancefloor!

[MP3]: Fucked Up  ”Stress (Justice cover)” [James]
Cover; 2007
[MP3]: Marvin Gaye  ”Got To Give It Up” [Christian]
12″ Single, Tamla; 1977
[MP3]: Pela  ”Lonesome Hearts (CWL Remix)” [Ray]
Remix, World’s Fair; 2007
[MP3]: datA  ”Morphius” [Karim]
Aerius Light EP, Ekler’o'shock; 2007
[MP3]: Mika  ”Ring Ring” [Ric]
Life in Cartoon Motion, Island; 2007
[MP3]: LCD Soundsystem  ”Get Innoucuous (Soulwax Remix)” [Pablo]
Bunch of Stuff EP, Capitol; 2007
[MP3]: Paul Hardcastle  ”19″ [Theo]
Paul Hardcastle, Chrysalis; 1985
[MP3]: Jurgen Paape and Boy Schaufler  ”We Love” [Paul]
Kompakt Total 8, Kompakt; 2007
[MP3]: TTC  ”Travailler (Orgasmic Remix)” [Pat]
36 15 TTC, Big Dada; 2007
[MP3]: Band Of Horses  ”No One’s Gonna Love You” [Nghia's Slow Jam]
Cease To Begin, Sub Pop; 2007
[MP3]: David Rubato  ”Circuit” [Justin]
12″ Circuit, Institubes; 2007