At some point someone told me that it was endearing that I never posted my mixtapes in the month they’re named after. I’m not sure I buy that…Anyway, enjoy.

You can download the zip file with the following:
1. mp3s of the songs
2. liner notes (pdf)
3. playlist files (iTunes txt file and an m3u file)

(for the iTunes file, simply import all the songs to your library and then go to File->import and then select the song list (the txt file). you should now have the 2008june playlist in your iTunes with all the songs in the correct order).

If you want to read the liner notes before downloading the whole thing, they’re here. This one is pretty soft and acousticy (Damien Jurado, Neil Halstead) but there are some nice soul (Sam Cooke, Al Green) and rock tunes (Centro-matic) in there too. Like many of the mixtapes it’s a mix between local, regional, national and international bands.

Adrian’s June 2008 mixtape (rapidshare link [1])

If you like the artists or songs, I suggest supporting them by buying their music, going to a show, buying merchandise from them or at least telling other people about them.

[1] If you’re having trouble with the rapidshare link, here’s what you do, step-by-step. 1) Click on the link. 2) scroll down and click “FREE” 3) wait till the counter gets to zero 4) enter the letters in their graphic into the box 5) click “download”

Only marginally late with this one.

You can download the zip file with the following:
1. mp3s of the songs
2. liner notes (pdf)
3. playlist files (iTunes txt file and an m3u file)

(for the iTunes file, simply import all the songs to your library and then go to File->import and then select the song list (the txt file). you should now have the 2008may playlist in your iTunes with all the songs in the correct order).

If you want to read the liner notes before downloading the whole thing, they’re here. This one was pretty easy to put together–just sort of made sense. There’s a number of soul tracks I’ve been enjoying by people like Sam Cooke and Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd St. Band. There’s also a handful of indie tunes from old favorites (Low, Mogwai), newish favorites (Fanfarlo, the Morning Benders) and a few that are pretty new to me (Lykke Li). Enjoy!

Adrian’s May 2008 mix tape (rapidshare link [1])

If you like the artists or songs, I suggest supporting them by buying their music, going to a show, buying merchandise from them or at least telling other people about them.

[1] If you’re having trouble with the rapidshare link, here’s what you do, step-by-step. 1) Click on the link. 2) scroll down and click “FREE” 3) wait till the counter gets to zero 4) enter the letters in their graphic into the box 5) click “download”

Apparently, my mixtapes come out every month. This is what I’m told, at least. Oops.

You can download the zip file with the following:
1. mp3s of the songs
2. liner notes (pdf)
3. playlist files (iTunes txt file and an m3u file)

(for the iTunes file, simply import all the songs to your library and then go to File->import and then select the song list (the txt file). you should now have the 2008march-april playlist in your iTunes with all the songs in the correct order).

If you want to read the liner notes before downloading the whole thing, they’re here. This one was a long one in coming. I’ve listened to it a lot of times and I like it. There’s a mix of local (the Dodos, the Botticellis, Speakers), national (Deer Tick, Unwed Sailor) and international (Adem, the Rational Academy) bands.

Adrian’s March-April 2008 mix tape (rapidshare link [1])

If you like the artists or songs, I suggest supporting them by buying their music, going to a show, buying merchandise from them or at least telling other people about them.

[1] If you’re having trouble with the rapidshare link, here’s what you do, step-by-step. 1) Click on the link. 2) scroll down and click “FREE” 3) wait till the counter gets to zero 4) enter the letters in their graphic into the box 5) click “download”

This is the February 2008 mixtape. It’s even almost on time!

You can download the zip file with the following:
1. mp3s of the songs
2. liner notes (pdf)
3. playlist files (iTunes txt file and an m3u file)

(for the iTunes file, simply import all the songs to your library and then go to File->import and then select the song list (the txt file). you should now have the 2008february playlist in your iTunes with all the songs in the correct order).

If you want to read the liner notes before downloading the whole thing, they’re here. This one is really making me smile. I’m pretty happy with it. Great local stuff by bands like Two Sheds, Geographer and the Ian Fays plus some new and old stuff by (inter)national bands like Chris Walla, Basia Bulat, Pedro the Lion and Cat Power.

Adrian’s February 2008 mix tape (rapidshare link [1])

If you like the artists or songs, I suggest supporting them by buying their music, going to a show, buying merchandise from them or at least telling other people about them.

[1] If you’re having trouble with the rapidshare link, here’s what you do, step-by-step. 1) Click on the link. 2) scroll down and click “FREE” 3) chose a mirror (or you can leave it) 4) input the number/ letters they show in the graphic into the box 5) click on “download via…”

This is the January 2008 mixtape; yup, it’s late. I took a bit of a break–there was no December 2007 one, the first one I missed since I started these in July 2006. I’m going to try to get back on track for this one.

You can download the zip file with the following:
1. mp3s of the songs
2. liner notes (pdf)
3. playlist files (iTunes txt file and an m3u file)

(for the iTunes file, simply import all the songs to your library and then go to file->import and then select the song list (the txt file). you should now have the 2007Jan playlist in your iTunes with all the songs in the correct order).

If you want to read the liner notes before downloading the whole thing, they’re here. I’m liking this one. A wide range of new stuff, some oldies and some old favorites.

Adrian’s January 2008 mix tape (rapidshare link [1])

If you like the artists or songs, I suggest supporting them by buying their music, going to a show, buying merchandise from them or at least telling other people about them.

[1] If you’re having trouble with the rapidshare link, here’s what you do, step-by-step. 1) Click on the link. 2) scroll down and click “FREE” 3) chose a mirror (or you can leave it) 4) input the number/ letters they show in the graphic into the box 5) click on “download via…”

This is the November 2007 mixtape. Yup, it’s December. I’m a bit late with it.

You can download the zip file with the following:
1. mp3s of the songs
2. liner notes (pdf)
3. playlist files (iTunes txt file and an m3u file)

(for the iTunes file, simply import all the songs to your library and then go to file->import and then select the song list (the txt file). you should now have the 2007oct playlist in your iTunes with all the songs in the correct order).

If you want to read the liner notes before downloading the whole thing, they’re here. It’s a pretty good ones. Some indie pop, some acoustic stuff, some post rock, some glitchy stuff. I’ve been listening to a lot of these songs a lot.

Adrian’s November 2007 mix tape (rapidshare link [1])

If you like the artists or songs, I suggest supporting them by buying their music, going to a show, buying merchandise from them or at least telling other people about them.

[1] If you’re having trouble with the rapidshare link, here’s what you do, step-by-step. 1) Click on the link. 2) scroll down and click “FREE” 3) chose a mirror (or you can leave it) 4) input the number/ letters they show in the graphic into the box 5) click on “download via…”

You’re probably confused. I just posted another mixtape. Originally, the September mixtape was going to be delayed and the I was going to go right to October, skipping the Sept mix entirely. Well, when I was putting together October, I had too much music, by about a factor of 2, so the September mix was back on the table, albeit ridiculously delayed.

This is the October (October.2) 2007 mixtape. It’s more toward the acoustic side of things. For the straight up indie pop, make sure you get the September mixtape.

You can download the zip file with the following:
1. mp3s of the songs
2. liner notes (pdf)
3. playlist files (iTunes txt file and an m3u file)

(for the iTunes file, simply import all the songs to your library and then go to file->import and then select the song list (the txt file). you should now have the 2007oct playlist in your iTunes with all the songs in the correct order).

If you want to read the liner notes before downloading the whole thing, they’re here. I am really surprised sometimes that there is so much good music out there. It’s a mix of local and national, old favorites (Damien Jurado, Mark Eitzel) and new finds (N.Lannon, Seabear).

Adrian’s October (October.2) 2007 mix tape (rapidshare link [1])
(I’m trying this because hosting the zip was a significant bandwidth drain. Let me know your thoughts on it.)

As always this’ll be up for a limited time (~1 week), so grab it now.

If you like the artists or songs, I suggest supporting them by buying their music, going to a show, buying merchandise from them or at least telling other people about them.

[1] If you’re having trouble with the rapidshare link, here’s what you do, step-by-step. 1) Click on the link. 2) scroll down and click “FREE” 3) chose a mirror (or you can leave it) 4) input the number/ letters they show in the graphic into the box 5) click on “download via…”

You’re probably confused. This isn’t September. Originally, the September mixtape was going to be delayed and the I was going to go right to October, skipping the Sept mix entirely. Well, when I was putting together October, I had too much music, by about a factor of 2 [1], so the September mix was back on the table, albeit ridiculously delayed.

The October (October.2) 2007 mixtape will be posted probably Wednesday, so start listening to this one already! This one is more toward indie pop and October is more towards the acoustic.

You can download the zip file with the following:
1. mp3s of the songs
2. liner notes (pdf)
3. playlist files (iTunes txt file and an m3u file)

(for the iTunes file, simply import all the songs to your library and then go to file->import and then select the song list (the txt file). you should now have the 2007sept playlist in your iTunes with all the songs in the correct order).

If you want to read the liner notes before downloading the whole thing, they’re here. I am really surprised sometimes that there is so much good music out there. Great tracks from old favs Jose Gonzalez and Jens Lekman, new tracks from relative unknowns and up-and-comers like Caves, the Cave Singers and Octopus Project.

Adrian’s September (October.1) 2007 mix tape (rapidshare link [1])
(I’m trying this because hosting the zip was a significant bandwidth drain. Let me know your thoughts on it.)

As always this’ll be up for a limited time (~1 week), so grab it now.

If you like the artists or songs, I suggest supporting them by buying their music, going to a show, buying merchandise from them or at least telling other people about them.

[1] My online mixtapes are always between 60-76 minutes long so they can be burnt onto a single mix CD if you choose.

[2] If you’re having trouble with the rapidshare link, here’s what you do, step-by-step. 1) Click on the link. 2) scroll down and click “FREE” 3) chose a mirror (or you can leave it) 4) input the number/ letters they show in the graphic into the box 5) click on “download via…”

I wasn’t able to get the mixtape done before I went traveling and now I don’t have the tools (e.g. my laptop) to get it done. Unless I figure out some technological work-around I may be severely delayed or I may have to simply skip the September 2007 mixtape.

Sorry about that.

You can now download the 50 states mix as a whole:
Adrian’s 50 States Mix (zip, megaupload link)

It comes with a txt playlist file that you can use in iTunes to put the songs in the right order. If you’re confused how to do that, see some of my mixtape instructions.

It’s a bit late, but here’s the August mixtape. My excuses include moving to a new continent. Also, I did offer up a short mix earlier.

You can download the zip file with the following:
1. mp3s of the songs
2. liner notes (pdf)
3. playlist files (iTunes txt file and an m3u file)

(for the iTunes file, simply import all the songs to your library and then go to file->import and then select the song list (the txt file). you should now have the 2007august playlist in your iTunes with all the songs in the correct order).

If you want to read the liner notes before downloading the whole thing, they’re here. This one includes a lot of great indie pop/ rock and some oldies, including a lot of new finds (of new and old bands), CDs I’ve had forever and new purchases. Bands include Oh No! Oh My!, Bottom of the Hudson, Ted Leo, and Superchunk.

Adrian’s August 2007 mix tape (rapidshare link [1] with zip file, alternate link)
(I’m trying this because hosting the zip was a significant bandwidth drain. Let me know your thoughts on it.)

As always this’ll be up for a limited time (~1 week), so grab it now.

If you like the artists or songs, I suggest supporting them by buying their music, going to a show, buying merchandise from them or at least telling other people about them.

[1] If you’re having trouble with the rapidshare link, here’s what you do, step-by-step. 1) Click on the link. 2) scroll down and click “FREE” 3) chose a mirror (or you can leave it) 4) input the number/ letters they show in the graphic into the box 5) click on “download via…”

Appropriately named Suck UK is set to release a product in the fall called “Mix Tape USB”. It’s simply a USB thumb drive that fits into a tape-looking box. Wow! That’s so…great!

Mixtapes were great, but not because of the package size or look. They were great because you knew they too forever to make so if a friend made you one, you knew that they’d poured their energy into it. They were great because they were an exact length (60 or 90 minutes usually) so you’d sometimes get these great things snuck in in the time remaining on a side or a creative set of things to fill up the space exactly.

I make online mixtapes but if I were going to hand someone a mixtape (and in fact this is what I do when I make one), I use a CD-r. They’re dirt cheap, you can enforce an order (very important for the mixtape!) easily and they can rip it pretty easily if they want mp3s.

This sort of falls into the not very useful USB devices category.

Jon Wilde at the Guardian throws down and challenges you to come up with your favorite 10 songs in 60 seconds, no pre-thought or cheating. I thought I’d give it a try.

Actually, this took me about 3.5 minutes, so I guess I lose; I simply couldn’t think quickly enough to get down 10 songs in 60 seconds. Also, I’m not sure this would be my final order or even final song list if I had a lot longer to think about it, but I’m not allowing any revisionism or second guessing.

All descriptions came after the original list was down and time was up.

10. Beatles “For No One” This has long been my favorite Beatles song: it’s a simple song with interesting instrumentation (piano/ harpsichord/ french horn) and a nice melody.

9. Horton Barker “Two Sisters” This is a field recording of an Anglo-American ballad from Tennessee (I believe). One thing about these hundreds-of-year-old tunes is that the melodies have been honed down to near perfection. This version of “Twa Sisters” has a lovely refrain and Horton Barker has a very pure voice.

8. Beirut “Postcards from Italy” I can’t help but smile when I hear this song. It’s the song that made people love this band, it’s the song that made me love this band.

7. Mark Kozelek “Bad Boy Boogie” (from Rock N Roll Singer) I’ve honestly never heard the AC/DC version, but Mark Kozelek makes this song amazing—a crushingly beautiful ballad.

6. Sigur Ros “Njosnavelin (Nothing Song)” I’d heard Sigur Ros before this song but I never really got them until I heard this song. I’m still not sure how I’m so enamored with vocals in a made up language.

5. Sufjan Stevens “Romulus” This is just amazing songwriting—putting in exactly all the right details with a compelling melody and good instrumentation.

4. Amelda Riddle “Bury Me Beneath the Willow” This is another field recording of melancholy ballad from the American South (see #9). Amelda Riddle is sort of an iconic voice for songs like this and the melody (like #9) seems like it couldn’t be better, while the story seems as melancholy as it can be without being cheesy.

3. Sam Cooke “Cupid” Sam Cooke’s voice is among my favorites ever and this is among my favorites of his songs. No one could sing the word “Cupid” better.

2. Bob Dylan “Girl from North Country” A classic sounding song with roots back to traditional British ballads (via Martin McCarthy’s version of Scarborough Faire). Great melody and a compelling story line.

1. Smokey Robinson & the Miracles “Tracks of My Tears” I heard this song again for the first time a couple years ago and I’ve been in love with it since. As I said then: “I don’t think I’ve heard another song from that era with as much tortured-soul emotion in it.” Smokey’s voice is a wail, a cry during this song.

For a limited time, I’ve put up all the songs as a zip file:

Download my top 10 (in 60 seconds) songs (rapidshare link with zip file)

Give it a try. What are your 10? You have 60 seconds starting…now.

Barely barely into August, here’s July’s mixtape.

You can download the zip file with the following:
1. mp3s of the songs
2. liner notes (pdf)
3. playlist files (iTunes txt file and an m3u file)

(for the iTunes file, simply import all the songs to your library and then go to file->import and then select the song list (the txt file). you should now have the 2007july playlist in your iTunes with all the songs in the correct order).

If you want to read the liner notes before downloading the whole thing, they’re here. This one includes a lot of great indie pop/ rock and some oldies, including a lot of new finds (of new and old bands), CDs I’ve had forever and new purchases. Bands include Or, the Whale, Bishop Allen, John Vanderslice, Dr. Dog, Carissa’s Wierd and more.

Adrian’s July 2007 mix tape (rapidshare link [1] with zip file)
(I’m trying this because hosting the zip was a significant bandwidth drain. Let me know your thoughts on it. I switched from zupload to rapidshare because of reader feedback from last month.)

As always this’ll be up for a limited time (~1 week), so grab it now.

If you like the artists or songs, I suggest supporting them by buying their music, going to a show, buying merchandise from them or at least telling other people about them.

[1] If you’re having trouble with the rapidshare link, here’s what you do, step-by-step. 1) Click on the link. 2) scroll down and click “FREE” 3) chose a mirror (or you can leave it) 4) input the number/ letters they show in the graphic into the box 5) click on “download via…”

This is heavily delayed, I know. It was probably in part due to all the time I put into my loop mix.

You can download the zip file with the following:
1. mp3s of the songs
2. liner notes (pdf)
3. playlist files (iTunes txt file and an m3u file)

(for the iTunes file, simply import all the songs to your library and then go to file->import and then select the song list (the txt file). you should now have the 2007june playlist in your iTunes with all the songs in the correct order).

If you want to read the liner notes before downloading the whole thing, they’re here. This one includes a lot of great indie pop/ rock, including a lot of new finds (of new and old bands) like Emily Sparks, the New Year, and My Latest Novel.

Adrian’s June 2007 mix tape (zupload link with zip file)
(I’m trying this because hosting the zip was a significant bandwidth drain. let me know your thoughts on it; maybe I’ll switch to something else next month if that doesn’t work well.)

As always this’ll be up for a limited time (~1 week), so grab it now.

If you like the artists or songs, I suggest supporting them by buying their music, going to a show, buying merchandise from them or at least telling other people about them.