Some long overdue feedback (sorry Christmas then a busy period at work got in the way). Thanks to everyone who sent me a Winter mixtape. I got four for some reason, but only sent three.
In no particular order:
@si_2001 Really liked yours, which was full of unexpected twists and turns.The Gene Clark song is lovely and a great starter. I’ve never knowingly listened to Tom Petty before, and won’t be rushing to again, but that song is ok. I love AR Kane and you remind me I should listen to them again. The part of your tape I particularly liked was the middle when it goes all avant garde with John Maus, The Creatures, Alaska in Winter, Faine Jade - superb stuff. The last third is all stuff I know and love. The Broadcast and Midlake tracks were both on my tape and the Kings of Convenience song was a near miss. I would have had Listen the Snow is Falling as well but it was too long (I had Snowstorm instead). Full marks for using the live version which is even more ace than the original. I love Low and Long Way Around the Sea is wonderful - I have to pull you up in that it is a Christmas song (and hence banned) and also not remotely about winter. I had Last Snowstorm of the Year on my tape. Tom Waits song is lovely and a really clever way to end it.
Thanks also for your Korean tape which was unexpected and really great. I found it really fascinating and I would love to know more about it - I’ll send you a DM.
@dollarsandcents your scored highly for being largely made up a genres that I like but don’t listen to enough - hip hop and instrumental, bass-heavy electronica. I pretty much liked it all, but I would say I preferred the hip hop, both the stuff I knew already (Ka, Chance the Rapper) and that I didn’t. The electronica was a little more hit and miss for me - it perhaps didn’t quite work for me because I tend to listen to these tapes in the car and I maybe needed to give it more attention. I liked it all well enough but sometimes the tracks blended into each other a little too much for me. That said I absolutely loved Pea Souper by Commodo - perfect for recent driving conditions too. My other favourite track was Ice Cold by Ocean Wisdom etc. I’ve never heard of either of the artists and both tracks are superb - that’s the whole point of these tapes for me so thanks very much.
@paulo13 very strong work with again lots of stuff I have not heard before. You had one track that was on my tape (Jens Lekman) and one near miss (Darren Hayman). Of the stuff I didn’t already know I particularly liked Laura Gibson - that song is amazing, and also The LK and Fredrik. Again, full marks for finding four or five artists I’ve never heard but really like.
@Trev yours was very strong at creating an atmosphere with things like Grouper, Mazzy Star and Dirty Three but also shaking it up with Faust and The Fall and the like. I’m pretty familiar with all of your artists (although not necesserily the songs you chose) but it’s still really interesting to see how you put it together. The run from Grouper to Papa M is particularly strong and the last third is really well compiled with Codeine and Beth Gibbons providing a really clever bridge from Unwound and The Fall into Johnny Cash and Gillian Welch. Thanks for a really enjoyable tape.
