There comes a point on any cruise where a pit stop stop is needed, a chance to stretch your legs and feel some movement. Most often in high school this would be either a haunted cemetery these are common in indiana…. (Stepp Cemetery is probably the best for a road trip), a pond in the middle of nowhere, or my favorite is this abandoned train depot in atterbury ( you drive along the tracks for a half a mile and drive right up onto the platform. Great place to relax and take in an unadulterated view of the night sky). Where you stop isn’t important just for you to be alone in the middle of nowhere while you are there is. We usually head from there to the nearest gas station to fill our hands with fountain drinks and sometimes more food for the munchies. Girls always get beef jerky which has confused me for years, i’m not really sure why this seems strange to me but it always does.
This is the point in any great cruising mix where the songs date back to a time when songs meant something as a collective for you and your friends. Even if you didn’t grow up together there are songs that are universal. example: i had a house party four years ago where one of my roommates (brooke) decided to play ohio is for lovers by hawthorne heights and i saw an entire house of (no offense) pretentious hipsters lose themselves in a nostalgic frenzy, i thought it was a joke for the first minute and a half. Songs from our past stick with us, you want to bring that along to make the road trip great.
There is nothing i enjoy more than meeting up with friends at dusk and heading out on a late night drive through the country. Conversations are better, time feels like it doesn’t exist, the world feels like it’s full of possibilities, and the stress of day to day monotony are forgotten completely. It’s the only place i truly feel free, where i finally believe that anything can happen, where my friends and I strip away all pretensions and feel truly alive.
Before heading out there are a few necessities that must never be overlooked; Redbull (or your choice of energy drink), Nicotine (pick your poison), something for the munchies, something to pass around (i’m not condoning or promoting but from personal experience having something….um… light-able(?)….. guarantees a solid cruise to go from being just something to pass the time to epic), and the all coveted “cruising mix”. I have hundreds of mixes that i’ve refused to discard even though at least three tracks on each disc are unlistenable due to scratches from floating around on the floorboard of my car. Each of those discs has it’s own story, it’s own memory , and all i’ve got to do is slip it in and turn the volume up and have that precise night come flooding back to me.
The problem with putting a mix like this up is that the unknowns which go into a perfectly made mix cannot be accounted for, i’ll never be able to bring in that intimacy through a high speed connection. You have to know who will be with you and what they are currently digging, which bands are overrated to them, which ones are underrated, genres they don’t respect, pop songs that they secretly enjoy, and most importantly you need to know when it comes down to that final drag of the ride when all words fall silent and your heading back home, minds in quiet contentment, that the songs playing are going to truly encapsulate a feeling between the group of you at that exact moment. This is not always easy to do. Inevitably there will always be at least one person who is foreign to the group and who probably doesn’t enjoy anything outside of corporate mainstream radio and you have to make sure that songs make the mix which they will appreciate because if one person isn’t enjoying themselves it doesn’t take much for them to upset the vibe between everyone else.
There are three parts to a night cruise. There’s the departure; everyone in good spirits high in everyday conversation and only needing the mix to send of a solid vibe to set the tone for the entire journey without being too weighed down not to allow it to slip off into the ether. The settling in; this is where the music works more as a guide, both for conversations and for emotions. I usually use this part of the mix to bring up songs that we haven’t heard in a while, songs that we may normal be “too cool” for but given the right opportunity with a couple good friends they can be great tracks to sing along with. And then the third being the introspective part of the drive where conversations become more personal and where you have the unique chance to take a look inside yourself as a collective. The third part also being where at least one person inevitably falls asleep. When looking back on past nights out it’s amazing how much the bond as friends becomes strengthened and on more occassions than i can count how many crushes and friendships have moved on to something more tangible all from the right songs and where you end up sitting along the way.
Although this mix could feasably be something i would immedietely burn up and take out tonight it’s also only a guideline. an example of a good way to go about planning a night journey through the country. Hopefully a few of these songs will make it onto your own mix before heading out with friends.
This weeks post is most definitely longer than usual but it seems the amount of great music touching my ears these days is nearly impossible to keep up with. I can embrace that with a smile. Just think of this as a double post.
Also: I got a confusing message last week telling me that I should include downloadable links to the songs I mention in my blog. Everyone learns at their own pace I guess. So to avoid the confusion the words in red are links to places where you can gets em on your computer for free (and hopefully love them enough to get a physical copy of the album/want to check them out live when they come to town/ buy their merch at said show for your little brother in hopes that he takes that stupid justin bieber poster off his wall and in some round about way have faith that by the time he gets a real crush on a girl in his class that he has a solid idea of what decent music sounds like before he starts listening to Coldplay and wearing polos to impress her).
Sleepy Vikings are gaining force in my list of favorite bands this year. Can’t wait to see them live (that is if they ever come to Indy) and when I do this is the song i’ll be begging for them to play. want to know more: Sleepy vikings home
also tessa may be my biggest front women crush right now . Hey these things matter
As of this point in 2011 Tamer Animals is the strongest album to come out. Although it’s little too clean but most likely that’s what the band had been hoping for when they brought Joey Waronker in to produce for them. The songs are still solid and, although controlled, the instrumentation is highly enjoyable. Try it before you buy it here: Tamer Animals Album stream
Something in me settles every time I hear a Secret Knives song. Time seems to slow down to a perfect pace allowing me to fully appreciate not only the song itself but everything that’s happening around me. The “Northwest States” is my personal favorite from the band .The simple lead that comes in at 1:15 seriously causes tears to swell for me (I realize it’s the opposite of heterosexual to say that but it’s true). There’s something about music that feels like it were written to be experienced on your own that should never go under-appreciated. My heart appreciates Secret Knives. Pick up both the “Affection album” and the 2008 the “Wolves EP” for free here: Secret Knives free album downloads
Another great release from Brooklyn based Body Language. Up until recently they’ve been handing out their self-titled ep, which they dropped in January, for free through bandcamp but they’ve hit the brakes on that sometime over the last few days. Most likely they’re adding another track to the release. Here’s the link hopefully it’ll be useful soon: Body Language bandcamp
Beverlay have a flawlessly crafted album with “Boardwalk“, honestly it’s probably the best EP out this year. I really don’t know much about these guys outside of it being the new project of Matt Raudsepp (honheehonhee) and Nico Ormiston (winter gloves) and that they’re from Montreal.Sandcastle is probably the strongest taste of how great “Boardwalk” is. Gets the entire album for free here: Boardwalk EP by Beverlay
Over the last few years I’ve learned to just bite my tongue when talking about Peter Bjorn and John because it seems there is always someone who gets really angry that I don’t jump on the “this band is brilliant” wagon. For the most part I find them overrated and where once i did enjoy their one flavor of the week (I don’t even need to say it you’re probably already hearing the whistle) it’s taste has since grown bitter. This song does nothing to really change my mind but it does remind me that PB&J do know how to write songs that are immediately catchy.
I’ve been paying closer and closer attention to Geographer ever since I accidentally came across one of their tracks a few months ago (read about it here: heycoolkid- this playlist is better than most relationships ive been in). There doesn’t seem to be anything this three-piece can’t do REALLY well and that includes transferring a very electronic/effects driven sound into something tangible and involving live which is something that so few bands have been able to do since the electronic shift started happening a few years ago.
Outside of this being a really great song that gets even better with each listen there is another underlying reason. I’m a huge Friday the 13th fan( except for parts 5, 7, 8, jason vs. freddy, and jason x those suck -jVs.F was watchable 7 kind of is as well) and in honor of this past weekend being one of those fridays it seems more than fitting to put a song up from an album completely based on the Friday the 13th movies. Read more about it over at One Track Mind: One track minds hi ho silver oh review
I guess these guys are now going by Master and Dog. I’m not sure if they plan on going in a different direction but lets hope not I just don’t see a reason to change anything.
Once again something needs to be made clear. Caleb McCoach is the best songwriter in Indy, this is fact, but unfortunately you’ll have to see him live to grasp this yourself. His recorded songs, although still great to hear, don’t come close to seeing him transform so much emotion, sadness, hope, heartbreak, and self reflection into this stage presence that is one of the most unique you’ll ever experience.
Rather than pretentiously standing on a stage and saying “check out my songs” like most solo artists do, Caleb actually falls back into this somewhat shy shell and releases these songs that immediately steal your breath and attention. I’ve seen Caleb play six or seven times and have been blown away each and every time. Outside of quick said the bird, Caleb is the most overlooked artist in indianapolis and this saddens me. Maybe if he threw six other people on stage and created some sort of incoherent noise the scene kids might actually start flocking to his side. If it sounds like i’m bitter it’s because i am. Caleb McCoach is the best this town will ever have to offer and i’m afraid through his lack of arrogance and the snubb acoustic artists get around here that Caleb may one day quit bringing his unequaled art out into the light for us to see. The streets of indy should weep if ever that would happen. (*I’m not sure what the actually name of this song is. The tracklist didn’t load from the CD i grabbed from his show at the Melody INN a few months back.)
I’m utterly pissed at every band made up of kids who look thirteen, use autotune, and make the term “emo” seem like you are putting a band down . Dark Mean are drastically close to being on a level of being able to comfortably compare them to bands like Pavement, Built To Spill and The Magnetic Fields. EMO when it was depressingly real. Emo in reference to a genre of music that somehow combined with americana and created what most people mistakenly call “indie” today. Dark Mean could be a modern taste of an evolved form of emo or simply put they could be a band just good enough that they’re songs will bare significance for the rest of our lives.
.Their last.fm page says “Accustomed to playing shows that almost always get raided before playing, Love Boat usually stand in a corner of the party(dubbed “the kick it spot”) and try to look good”… I think what they’re trying to say is even if you don’t know these guys YOU KNOW THESE GUYS.
It’s no secret that the scene in indy is fueled by kids with a heart wrenching passion for drug-singed music and those bands that create it. This explains why Burnt Ones are a cool kid favorite around this town (especially in fountain square) Burnt Ones do what they do well and that’s important.
If you were one of the few people not to have the highly concupiscent best coast melting down your ipod last year let me know and i’ll send you a link for a free godsmack download because you obviously have no idea what good music is. A friend of mine posted some of the lyrics from Goodbye last week and reminded me once again why it is my favorite song off of the covetedcrazy for you.
There aren’t many songs by Dan Mangan that don’t have at least four stars in my itunes. This one is littered about in random playlists of mine, not because it’s his best song, but because it’s the best song to listen as part of a mix. His consummate lyrics are still intact but not as up front as in other great mangan songs such as in you silly git, tina’s glorious comeback, Et Les Mots Croisés, or his growingly popular road regrets. Can’t wait for Mangan to come south to the states again.
For all of the phenomenal bands in Indy right now it shouldn’t be as hard to find recordings that embrace their strengths but for seem reason that’s the case. The studios these guys are using do a really great job and the labels they are on treat their bands just as good as any of the best labels around. But i’m afraid that this artistic freedom these labels show to their artists around town may actually be holding the artists back by not giving them that extra push they need when recording. Jascha is a band that stands as a perfect example of this. Live they’re a soulbearingly intense and magnetic band and even though There’s Nothing Like Love for Making You Miserable is a solid album somehow it just seems flat in comparison. This is still a great song and worth more than one listen. I’m just saying, if you only “kind of like” this song you should make it top priority to check Jascha out when they come to town because seeing them in all their sweat covered intensity transforms “kind of like” into love.
I should probably elaborate on how Quaker Parents are the most ideal band to see in some sweaty basement but instead here’s the link to the free album so you can see what i mean for yourself : Quaker parents free huge mask download
I’ll never get tired of this perfectly written song from one of the best bands ever. No real reason for having them on this weeks playlist other than i brought them up at work the other day and the person i was talking to hadn’t ever heard of The Appleseed Cast and i was afraid they might not be the only one.
It’s hard to find a blog out right now that hasn’t dubbed James Blake’s self-titled album as being the best this year has had to offer. I don’t see it quite the same way but it is a highly listenable piece of vinyl that slips perfectly into the background…good enough for me.
I was starting to stress out when i thought this was going to be the only new skrillex track for a while since he lost both his laptop with the new album and had no backups. Once that news came out i spent days scouring through posts from the last four months looking for those early leaks i refused to download since Sonny Moore was so blatant about how unfinished and unhappy he was with them being leaked so soon. But it seems like he’s still got new songs about to come out and that it wasn’t as big of a loss as i had taken it. Which is good for all of us. I’m still holding onto the new tracks for a few minutes before posting them, sorry, i’m kind of that way with skrillex tracks. So that being said i’m going to put up what i thought was going to be the last decent new track for a while which had me bummed because I absolutely hate anything Lady Gaga. I only have been able to tolerate this one because as should be obvious by now, I love anything Skrillex and love should always conquer hate. God the bandsaw(ish) into intense scream(ish) at about 1:10 makes me wish I could be in a room with sonny when this magic happens. this guy is electronic perfection. Seriously Skrillex is one of the few things that dub-step has gotten right.
Am I the only one whose used a girls love for the notebook as a gateway into indie music? “Oh you like ryan Gosling? you should check out his amazing band Dead Mans bones.” Anyways one of the best movies i’ve ever seen is blue valentine (which I went to see in theaters four times, dragging a different friend each time). Somehow in the last week i’ve found myself randomly clicking on DMB tracks and watching half-nelson again. I also in the process came across a video of ryan gosling on the mickey mouse club twenty years ago with justin timberlake which literally put me in tears. The link for that one is up on the heycoolkid! twitter page if you care to see for yourself. —quick side note. I have a gut feeling that gosling had a hand in creating the mysterious penny and the quarters song from the blue valentine soundtrack—-
Like a better Delorean with a lyrical rhythm Tim kasher would be proud of I’m still not sure how Netherfriends continues to float under the scene’s radar. They’ll be in lafayette at the beginning of june but lafayette’s a far cry from indianapolis, or even a decent place to play a show for that matter, so i’m going to take this opportunity to make a personal request— hey, Netherfriends, come to indy, the girls are sweaty and the beers usually lukewarm it’ll definitely be worth your time.
I’ve been more or less listening to this song lately just to keep the spark alive as far as my love for ha ha tonka goes. It seems that when I take time away from their songs I kind of forget about them. I haven’t a decent reason for this. I love everything about them and am still kicking myself for missing their set at locals only two years ago.
It’s not four minute mile but it’s also not 1998. I’m just glad to see the get up kids doing something as a band that’s both new and highly listenable. Everything pryor writes is good but it’s even better when it’s with the get up kids.
Slightly poppy and infectiously catchy this is my first taste of the submarines and with all honesty i’m curious to see which genre the rest of their stuff settles into.
there’s not a single time that this song has come on where my initial reaction isn’t to skip it …quickly. The overall sound just doesn’t sit well until the lyrics suck me in. Auditorium are like a more vocally in your face mixture between sufjan stevens and nick morrow (two great artists) they’ll probably grow on me because they definitely know how to put some heavy lyrics into their songs.
I can’t believe i’m about to say this but David Bazan has somehow become a much stronger artist after moving past the whole pedro the lion thing. Pedro was great but Bazan seems to really have found himself since those sad emotional days(wait his new stuff is sad and emotional too…um it’s better because it’s that but …different).
I was really set on putting Caleb on this playlist but couldn’t choose between the two. Both are perfectly crafted songs. This one takes second to brother in the kitchen, unfortunately i’m yet to have a copy of it to listen to or share. This one’s also a nice closing song for a mix with this much length. Hope you guys enjoy.
although the qualities not phenomenal here’s an alright version of brother in the kitchen:
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As usual if you or a band you represent would like some content removed from the page I’ll be more than happy to do it. I’ll also never recommend the music again in a positive light. It still amazes me the amount of bands, and especially labels, who expect people to go out of there way to check a band out by paying for it first. It’s art! The money will most likely come wouldn’t you like to do it without being greedy? that’s my rant. If there’s any music i’m missing or missing the point on here’s the comments section let me know about it.
I had every intention of waiting until the next playlist to share one of Ryan Adams new songs but i’m seeing now that the tracks he played last week in l.a. are far too great to water down amongst twenty other tracks. This stuff is Adams at his best. I’m only holding my breath now that Glyn Johns doesn’t try to over-do it in the studio. Am i out of line to be concerned about how the new album may turn out? I don’t think so. Maybe the fact that the best songs Adams has put out recently were tracks that the label didn’t think were strong enough to put on easy tiger. Adams songs are always spot on or completely off the mark and lost highway has a long track record with it’s artists of not being able to tell the difference. I blame the lackluster adams songs of the past on two facts; the first being that his songs are meant to be stripped down and live sounding instead of overproduced and wilco sounding (look forward to the top twenty-five most overrated bands blog [coming soon someones going to get offended] )-this is the labels fault- and the second being Ryan Adams’ long history of trying to do too much (i blame this on bright eyes’ double album release in 2005) by trying to prove he’s a “talented musician” rather than an amazing songwriter, anyone who’s ever taken the time to listen to Ryan knows he’s great at what he does and one of the best EVER at doing it (this statement excludes easy tiger which by all means was nothing more than a “decent” album heavily pushed by a record label).
Its offensive to see how many people received The Cardinology albums with a yawn when they were highly listenable albums, stripped down in a good way, with the only set back being they moved at there own pace rather than having that touch of frantic youth appeal of his early albums. But artists settle down in time, lose the edge a little, that’s not always a bad thing as long as settle doesn’t equate out to selling out. These new songs follow in the same vein as those easy tiger b-sides, there’s not backtracking, no attempt at trying to recreate the past, and thank god for that. I’d much rather put on an old record than buy a new album that’s trying to sound like one. These new songs are personal and deeply revealing, i feel like this track in particular gets him back to the Ryan our hearts long for. Let’s just hope he’s moved past the need to prove himself because i can’t sit through another adams metal track. This is the ryan that is like the best friend who, when you tell them you’re depressed or going through a break up, are always there, not so much to give you a hug or play Dr. Phil but instead go halfsy’s on a handle of bourbon and make a night out of it. Those are the kind of friends we need, that is the Ryan we need, and even if he never wanted to be on that end of a relationship with us he’s locked in either way.
One thing that rarely happens with bands/artists is that they hardly ever grow up with us. They find a certain sound and a definitive niche to fall into and they stick with it. For commercial bands this sells records (ie nickleback, tom petty, the rolling stones etc) but for bands outside of mainstream pop-culture bands that do this just find that the kids that once loved them grow up and move on leaving them in the past. Ryan Adams albums are the complete opposite of that, no matter where i’m at in life or in dealing with my place in the world in this exact moment Adams always seems to be right there with me, he gets it when no one else does, it’s as if each album ages at the same pace as my own life. God i’m so glad he didn’t really give up.
I don’t remember were we wild and young
All that faded into memory
I feel like somebody I don’t know
Are we really who we used to be
Am I really who I was
The lights will draw you in
And the dark will bring you down
And the night will break your heart
But only if you’re lucky now
Waiting outside while you find your keys
Like bags of trash in the blackening snow
City of neon and toes that freeze
We’ve got nothing and nowhere to go
We’ve got nothing and nowhere
And the lights will draw you in
And the dark will take you down
The night will break your heart
But only if you’re lucky now
And if the lights will draw you in
And the dark will take you down
But love will mend your heart
But only if you’re lucky now
I don’t remember were we wild and young
All that’s faded into memory
Are we really who we used to be
Am I really who I used to be
Am I really who I was
