My final preview of a very special DJ set. This one features the poetry of Della Watson.

Touch or be touched?

A preview of a special DJ set that I’m working on. This one features the poetry of Olivia Cronk.

Where were you when the wheel fell?

I’ve posted a new DJ set. Click the image below to play and download.

I’ve posted two new mixes. Select “DJ Mixes” from the menu bar to preview and download.

JHW

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It’s only April and already 2009 has been an outstanding year for new music.

This playlist contains fourteen of my recent favorites. Click here to download all of the tracks in one zip file.

I’m calling this mixtape “First Quarter Report” because most of the tracks have been released between January 1st and today. There are, however, three tracks on here that I missed in my “Best of” playlist from 2008.

One of the 2008 tracks is My Delirium by Ladyhawke from her excellent debut record that SHOULD have been high on my Best Albums of 2008 list. Many thanks to my friend Kevin for bringing this one to my attention.

Joining the 2008 leftovers is a great track by the Portland-based band Blitzen Trapper and the title track of Jenny Lewis’ superb record “Acid Tongue” which also SHOULD have placed high on my “Best of 2008” list.

I’ve also included a few tracks that aren’t technically “out” yet—One track from Bloc Party’s new remix album and a single from the new Peaches record “I feel Cream” out later next month.

I really enjoy this mix and hope that you will too. It’s a hard hitting dance/rock set in the beginning that gives way to some mellow tunes at the end.

Let me know what you think by hitting the comment section below. Tracklist after the jump.

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A couple of weeks ago I posted the first in a series of mixtapes that feature cover songs. That particular collection was a mellow mix of unconventional covers.

For the second volume in this series the tone become more frantic, and, frankly, weirder. I like to think of this mix as the evil stepsister of the first mix. From 90’s folk rockers covering gangsta rap, to spoken word and industrial giants covering Madonna, this mix has a bit of everything.

Let me know what you think by downloading the mix here. The link will take you to a third-party site where you can download a single zip file with all 13 tracks.

I want to keep this series going indefinitely, so if you have a cover that I need to hear let me know by hitting the Comments section below.

Tracklist and player after the jump…

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Cover songs have always been a cornerstone of contemporary music. Elvis, Patsy Cline, Aretha Franklin, so many of the musicians we think of as “great” were primarily cover artists.

The American Idol school of pop music gets it wrong, though. A great cover song is more than just a reproduction of the original, glossed up with a livelier drum beat and a gospel chorus. The genius of a great cover is not just to reproduce what’s already been done, but to reinterpret it.

This collection features mostly mellow and acoustic translations of a variety of popular songs. In this volume, the voice is the key and each of these artist lend new nuance and texture to the originals.

Download these tracks by clicking here. You will download one zip file with all 15 individual tracks, which you can then sort, delete, and keep at will.

Do you have a great cover song or did you find something here you really enjoy? If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Tracklist after the jump…

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How do artist present sincerity without sentimentality? How do they write music which is celebratory, down-trodden, or emotive while avoiding easy cliches?

My personal favorite of the three best of mixes I have posted here this year, “Best of 2008: The Melodies” is certainly a mix for headphone weather. I recommend this music for grey mornings, overcast drives through the country side, or quiet weekend work days when the sun is coming through your window just right.

Take a listen and let me know what you think. So long 2008, you have served us well.

Tracklist:

1. Bixby Cannon Bridge—Death Cab for Cutie
2. Biko—Bloc Party
3. The Rip—Portishead
4. A&E—Goldfrapp
5. Clouds—Unkle featuring Black Mountain
6. Family Tree—TV on the Radio
7. My People—Erykah Badu
8. 13 Ghosts II—Nine Inch Nails
9. Ara Batar—Sigur Ros
10. I Want to Go Home—James

Download or listen by clicking here
Runtime: 46:13

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And now, part II of my annual “Best of” Playlists.

This mix is the hardest to classify of the three. Some might call it “pop,” but since most of the songs on this mix never really made it into the mainstream I am reluctant to call it that.

Instead, I’m calling this mix “The Movers.” All of these songs are up-tempo and play with pop conventions, even if they don’t fit that definition.

I did not allow myself to include remixes in this set since I reserve those for my DJ sets.

So, take a listen. I don’t think you’ll like everything but I“m sure you’ll find something you enjoy on this mix. As always, I would love to hear from you in the comment section. Peace!

Tracklist:

1. Inní mér syngur vitleysingur—Sigur Ros
2. Caravan Girl—Goldfrapp
3. Run (I’m A Natural Disaster)—Gnarles Barkley
4. I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You—The Black Kids
5. Cobrastyle—Robyn
6. Royal Family—Free Blood
7. Be Mine—Robyn
8. Golden Age—TV on the Radio
9. Noveau Americain—Brazilian Girls
10. Mercury—Bloc Party
11. The Cell—Erykah Badu

Download or listen by clicking here
Runtime: 40:43

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It’s that time of the year again! Each December I take a few weeks to look back at the music that’s been buzzing in my ear for the past year.

This first mixtape includes the best “Rockers” from this year. The mix is guitar heavy and mostly up-tempo. Other varieties will follow in the coming weeks.

So, download it, listen to it, argue with it, let me know what sucks, and what is now so essential that you’ll die without listening to it. I love hearing your feedback.

Tracklist:

1. Halfway Home—TV on the Radio
2. Long Division—Death Cab for Cutie
3. One Month Off—Bloc Party
4. 23 Ghosts III—Nine Inch Nails
5. The Sun Smells too Loud—Mogwai
6. Fix the Gash in Your Head—A Place to Bury Strangers
7. Tyrants—Black Mountain
8. Hey Ma—James
9. Discipline—Nine Inch Nails
10. Ulysses—Franz Ferdinand
11. Aly, Walk With Me—Raveonettes

Download or listen by clicking here
Runtime: 49:41

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