you've received a mix tape/cd, right?

[starwenn]

I made a LOT of mix tapes in college when I worked in the school Media Center and had access to their amazing catalogue of CDs and records. I literally had everything from Bruce Springsteen to the Beatles on one tape. I also made mix tapes of stuff I borrowed from my mom, since she's always had an awesome music collection. I actually talked (ie whined and complained) my mom into making me a mix tape of stuff she had in the early 90s. I only got rid of that tape about two years ago, when it finally wore out.

I'm in the midst of getting rid of most of my mix tapes, now that I can actually afford to buy or download full albums. Some of them aren't in the greatest shape anyway, since they've been around a while.

[DarthShady]

Question: When do you think we'd be receiving these tapes? In other words, should I use my school address or my home address? I'd rather use cmpus mail but last day of school is May 4. Which is kinda a long time from now, but still....

[kylerexpop]

i want to get stuff going and out in like a week and a half.

so i'd say definitely go with the school address.

it's safer, too! (see: dirt lot method)

[sarahbot]

Is this just going to be a random mix, or does anyone want a theme?

[Magill]

I'd be down with some sort of theme. Either a time period or something like "great summer songs."

[kylerexpop]

having a theme is a great idea as well.

if we wanted to do something fun that requires effort not just on the mix-maker's part but also on the recipient's, we could come up with a handful (like three or four) themes, and then (if you wanted to) you could send your mix without any indication of what the theme you adhered to was, so that the recipient would have to listen to it and email you back with "i think that was a 'drunk at fashion week' mix!"

sending stuff blind would be completely optional, of course. it can be fun because it really tests the mix-maker's taste and "skillz" in appropriately communicating the chosen theme. and if we decide on a few themes ahead of time, it won't be completely random in trying to figure out what the heck the cd you receive is trying to say.

too much? i'm not sure.

another benefit here is that there is a(nother) coffeehouse girl i'm in love with, so i need to create a(nother) perfect cd mix that combines "i'm so into you" and "i'm an interesting person" and "i'm not ready for a long-term commitment" in a dynamic and intriguing way. trying it out on a distant, impartial listener would be a fantastic source of meaningful criticism!

so my first suggestion for the 'theme pool' is "telling the coffeehouse person that you're in love/lust."

suggest away!

[sarahbot]

I second summer songs as a theme.

Another thought was music from movies - not necessarily scores, but songs used to great effect in movies, like "Needle in the Hay" in The Royal Tenenbaums.

I'm a big fan on the Onion AV Club's Inventory feature too, with themes like covers songs that are better than the original, and story songs.

[Magill]

If there's not going to be some sort of formal theme, I think allowing the mixees to give a brief rundown of strong likes/dislikes would be a good idea. I've seen this done for other swaps, where each person lists genres and bands they're interested in, so the mixer has an idea of what would be appreciated. I'd hate for someone to go through a lot of effort to make a cool Nickelback/Bon Jovi/other-bands-I-can't-stand mix for me only to have me never listen to it.

[DarthShady]

I'd totally be down for a "so bad it's good" CD....because that's the kind of person I am. But I also like the idea of having to guess what the theme is.

Generally I listen to every type of music except for show tunes. Wait, that's a lie; I do like show tunes, but from shows like "Avenue Q" or "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" moreso than "Rent" or "Wicked." Also, I'm not a huge fan of modern rock, but I still find it tolerable and, in certain cases, pretty good.

[BlackCatWhiteCat]

Wow this sounds really cool. I'd love to be in on this. "this" being the whole mix cd exchange idea in general and not any theme in particular. They all sound fun. Keeping that in mind, why don't we do all these them ideas? Do a different one every month or whatever? Or am I totally jumping the gun here?

[kylerexpop]

well, you might be jumping the gun a teeny bit.

the way i'm setting up the whole exchange thing, you'll send out a mix as soon as you get a mix. it'll make sense once the machinery starts moving. don't let us down, u.s. postal service!

and let's try to get the theme suggestions going strong, and all those who want to participate need to make sure their contact info is in! also: if you have ANY kind of "special needs" when it comes to your music (i.e. you can't handle country, profanity, rap, anything by yoko ono, etc.) please get that to me as well and that info will be passed along to those who will be mailing your mixes.

on the one hand, it puts slight dampeners on the people making mixes. on the other, if country music and/or yoko ono makes you enter into a sort of epileptic fit (see: joe cocker), it shouldn't be too much of an inconvenience to cater to your needs.

i remain excited, pumped up, and about to sleep with my ipod going to generate unconscious musical connections. yes!

[coccatino]

I think that a general ban on yoko ono should perhaps be put into effect.

[Al]

Aw, but I always relax to Revolution 9!

[sarahbot]

Are we all going to be working from the same theme, or will it be individual choice?

[Ms. Jellybean]

I just stumbled on this thread! And I'm hoping to join the mix CD thing.

Just a note to all... I used to have an extensive music library, but it all disappeared once I rebooted my lappy with Ubuntu. So it's fallen sharply on hard times, my music collection, but it is expanding.

That said, I've mostly got indie stuff and some classic rock. And the "Urinetown" Broadway cast recording and Mozart's Magic Flute.

And on the subject of giving/receiving mixes... I've given many many many mixes to people. I like to scope a person out, on occasion, and guess what kind of mix they'd like. I say "scope out" but I really mean "ponder good friends." Ha. Usually these mixes never get made, but they're still fun to create in my mind.

I've received a few indie mixes from a good friend of mine, which got me into the Decemberists and a few other indie groups that I've since lost the music for. (Grrrr not making a backup of my files...)