Hi everybody! Quick update here.
I’ve started a Youtube playlist of all the Mix Tape Monday songs I’ve posted to date and I will keep updating this master playlist weekly. I figured this would be a convenient way to listen to the tracks that have been shared on the site. I’ll also add the link to the resources page as well as within all new Mix Tape Monday posts.
Happy listening, grooving, jamming or whatever you will.
Cheers!
Sarah
I’m back from vacation with more songs for you!
Somedays you just need to listen to songs without words. While I am the first to admit that I love myself some Tchaikovsky and Vivaldi there is so much more out there in the way of international instrumental music. This week’s mixtape is a lovely cocktail of instrumental pieces.
So drink up and that let the instruments take you away!
Yiruma 이루마 – The River Flows In You. I warn you this Korean pianist and composer is so talented that even if you’ve never had an urge to play the piano you will after hearing this.
Raya Brass Band – Riffcloud. There is nothing quite so joyful, proud, and festive as a Balkan brass band. If you like this check out the soundtrack to the documentary Brasslands.
Kuniko Kato – Peaux. Want to add some avant-garde percussion to your repertoire? Try this Japanese percussionist performing a work by Xenakis. These austere and layered percussive beats are sure to be something you’ve never heard before.
Maru Tarang – Panihari. I confess I cheated a bit in this one (there are indeed lyrics) but the instrumental combination of tabla and lap steel guitar is what makes the piece so remarkable. This Rajasthani song runs the gamut from haunting to joyful.
Yoshida Brothers – Wakimizu. This dynamic shamisen wielding duo from Japan can play at dizzying speeds. Listen and see if your ears can keep up!
The Gloaming – Sailor’s Bonnet. Aside from my previously mentioned bias for Irish music and my adoration for lovely words (Definition: gloaming, meaning twilight or dusk) this piece by Irish group The Gloaming is loveliness itself. It starts out slowly it gradually builds into a cheerful reel.
Do you have any other favorite musicians from around the world? Any unique instruments I missed post them below!
That’s right! This week’s Mix Tape is a themeless shuffle of awesome…like life! Many of these songs were found on Balcony TV which I highly recommend for all you music adventurers out there.
Echae en Route – Uneasy Romance. Violin, check. Bass, check. Microphone, check. This Korean duo presents a poignant, bare bones song that at first seems understated but leaves an impact. The slight hint of dissonance reels you in and is totally addictive.
The Cornelius – Whistle Song. No, not that whistle song. This whistle song is sung by two charming Spanish men that sweep away your cares with the strumming of their guitars.
Jac Stone – Not Angry Anymore. Pause the multi-tasking. Put down your phone. Close your eyes and listen to this Australian ladies captivating, resonant, and heartfelt song. If you want to feel all the feels listen to Trying to Be Sorry.
DYGL – Let’s Get Into Your Car. I would drive these Japanese band members around in my car any time. Granted I got serenades in exchange for chauffeuring services. I believe in fair trade.
KYO – Le Graal. I have yet to see a video so filled with ridiculously beautiful and hipster people. KYO is an older French band and this song is part of there new album. Watch Le Graal once for the song and once for fashion and makeup inspiration. Bonnaroo or Soho anyone? For their earlier (and more emo rock) work try Contact.
Any good finds? Add them in the comments!
Here we go folks! It’s the second installment of my Mix Tape Monday focusing on awesomely talented female singers and musicians from all over the world. (You can see my first post here). Let the music begin!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWbK2DO5xKA
Neon Bunny – It’s You. These dreamy lyrics pitted against some intense electric beats by Korean artists Neon Bunny are just the sort of tunes you need to get you through an urban fueled existential crisis while looking effortlessly cool all at the same time. Check out Come A Little Closer.
Sarah Geronimo – Ikot Ikot. With a last name like Geronimo this Filippina singer is bound to be great. And yes this soulful slow jam is just that. Watch her music video Perfectly Imperfect. It starts out like a Dove commercial and then turn into a music video. Pretty powerful stuff.
Coeur de Pirate – Comme des Enfants. Need some ethereal sweet breezy songs in your life? Look no further. This French songstress will usher all those whimsical spring time feelings. Want more in your pocket full of sunshine? Try Heartbeats Accelerating and Golden Baby.
Haloo Helsinki! – Jos Mun Pokka Pettaa. All credit goes to Eric who first sent this song my way. This went to my punk-loving 80’s retro heart. I want to compare them to a Finnish version of Blondie with more grit and electric guitar, but that description doesn’t do them justice. You’ll just have listen for yourselves! For more listen to Kiitos ei ole kirosana and Huuda!
Kiran Ahluwalia – Hayat. Who would have thought that blues guitar would make me want to sail down the Ganges but in Hayat it does! This Indo-Canadian songstress has a talent for melding different musical styles in her songs. Like Hayat? Listen to Awara as well.
You know Mondays mornings can be kind of a drag.
Alright let’s face it 90 % of the time they stink. Who wants to say good bye to the weekend and get up early? It’s hard to wake up happy when you have the rest of the work week staring you in the face. But don’t let those Monday blues get ya down!
Start your week off right with these tunes and it will fly by in no time.
Jung Yong Hwa with JJ LIN – Checkmate. The first step to surviving the work week is knowing that you are not alone. When you feel like the working world is against you these boys (from Korea and China respectively) have got your back!
Atif Aslam – Jeena Jeena – Waking up Monday morning can’t be that bad with this gentleman by your side. I can see it now, me drowsing on a boat rocking to the waves in the sunshine with Atif Aslam crooning my stress away.
Also a former flautist (7th and 8th grade represent!) I fully endorse songs that rock that flute.
Nazim Ziryab – Tchakchouka. Get yourself outta bed and put on the coffee with this rollicking tune. Who can say no to the blues guitar with a berber feel by this UK based Algerian musician?
C2C – Happy. Words cannot express how much I love this song by French DJ collective C2C. Listening to this song I feel like I can conquer any work week drudgery thrown my way. Plus dancing is pretty much required. Dancing before work (or at work) will make your day better. I guarantee.
Songhoy Blues – Irganda. Are you dancing yet? This Malian band’s joyous song is great for commuting because you can bob along to beat and maybe fit in an inconspicuous shuffle or two on the train.
Anybody have songs that make you feel prepared for the work week ahead? Put ’em in the dooblydoo below!
Hi everyone sorry for the missing post last week! I started my TEFL certification course and I got really busy (lesson plans are hard!). To make up for it I added more tracks than usual to this mix tape.
Spring has finally arrived in Boston! The snow has melted, the birds are singing, squirrels are back to stealing hot dog buns, and I can officially see the grass. In celebration of the new season here is a mix tape of dreamy upbeat tunes to put a spring in your step.
The Radio Dept. – Heaven’s on Fire. This song by Swedish band The Radio Dept. reminds me of looking at dust motes in sunbeams. You know, sparkling and soothing all at once. If you don’t know what I’m talking about just ignore my poetic leanings and listen to You Stopped Making Sense or their album Clinging to a Scheme.
The Fin – Night Time. Another band whose whole album I love! Japan why must you be so far away from me? I like to think of this as my “staring out the car window as the world passes me by” track. For more of their dreamy tunes try Without Excuse and Faded Light.
Alpaca Sports – Just for Fun. Spring means cute, fuzzy animals and sweetness. Behold! I have found both in one song. Let’s all go to Sweden and snuggle an alpaca or two (They’re so fluffy I’m gonna die!).
The Pony – Good – Bye. If your daydreams need a little edge try this shoegaze track from Korean group The Pony. Listen to 왼편에서. Want more rock? I also adore their other track Disturbance.
Highasakite – Leaving No Traces. A Norweigan band with gardens, Adam and Eve, nature sounds, and Victorian poetry references what what more do you need?
Thornapple 쏜애플 – 낯선 열대. This song starts out dreamy and slow like a whisper in your ear and then BAM! It changes pace. I always enjoy listening to this. Listen to Why for more by this Korean band.
What songs scream spring to you? List ’em below!
You gotta break the rules sometime and today’s theme is no theme! What?! Anarchy! Madness! You say? Well we all need a little shaking up sometime.
Theme or not, I still love all these tracks so give them a shot and let me know what you think!
きのこ帝国 – 海と花束 (MV). I believe this band’s name translates roughly to Mushroom Empire but I’m not expert at Japanese (cough – I used Google translate – cough) so don’t hold me to it! I love their combination of dreamy lyrics set to some amazing guitar. It’s almost like hard rock shoe gaze…or shoe rock if you will. If you like this combo try 東京.
Madjo – Le Monstre. I listen to this and wish that I could sound this sultry in French without trying (or just this sultry in general).
Tree Of Life 生命樹樂團 – I just discovered this Chinese band and I absolutely love this track (I’m a sucker for violins, guys.) I’m hoping to find more by them soon!
Bradio – Fever. This Japanese band is just plain fun plus the lead singer has an afro that inspires my admiration. Flyers and Golden Liar are also must listens.
SALTNPAPER (솔튼페이퍼) – 완벽해요 (Perfect). Do you want your ears caressed and soothed with dulcet Korean lyrics from the inside out? Then do I have the perfect song for you.
Leningrad – Fish. Just because I can. Yes friends. I have found a Russian ska version of Tom Waits singing with a full band. There are sailor outfits, there are fabulous hats, and there may even be a tuba involved (or a sousaphone I never can tell). Want more? Here you go! Фиаско (без цензуры)
Are you sick?
Alright then. Consider adding these songs to your convalescing routine. That’s right! In addition to hot tea, soup, medicine, and large quantities of tissues soothe those eardrums of yours. They need love too. Wrap yourself in the fuzzy blanket of sound and forget about that headache and how cold it is outside.
Christophe Mae – On S’Attache. While Christophe’s quirky falsetto may not be for everyone I really enjoy his style (a sort of Jack Johnson jam session sort of vibe.) Plus he’s on a beach. It’s impossible to be sick and on a beach right? Check out Tombé Sous Le Charme.
Akdong Musician (also known as AKMU) – Melted. This sibling duo has taken South Korea by storm. Try Galaxy and Give Love for a more bubbly sound and a reminder that even if you’re sick the world is a pretty great place.
Nujabes – Aruarian Dance. Too sick to process lyrics? Look no further. This Japanese DJ and producer has got your back. These tracks are about as soothing as you can get. Counting Stars and Mystline will provide similar auditory relief.
Carla Bruni – Quelqu’un m’a dit. This Italian lady is a singer, actress, model, wife of Sarkozy. She nails the breathy French sound in this track and in Raphael as well.
Jhameel – White Lie. An all around renaissance man Jhameel has a vast musical range. I love many of his more upbeat rock/pop tracks but for those chill days try Waves, and Poison.
The Chieftains – Sea Image. When you are on the road to recovery this Irish band always puts a spring in my step and me in a better mode. Listen to Boil the Breakfast Early or Chase Around the Windmill just be warned you may be moved to dance a jig or two!
Any comfort songs I missed? Add them down below!
In my high school years I would stumble across the occasional amateur rap battle or two during lunch or between classes. I attribute the excitement of those fleeting moments of grass roots rap to the birth of my love of rap (and previously mentioned amateur beatboxing dreams).
The songs listed are much better than anything I ever heard in high school and way beyond my own ability (oh to be able to lay down such cutting and clever rhymes!). While I still can’t rap (well) I can at least listen to these songs, nod along, and practice a line or two.
Ok or maybe not.
Salome MC – Price of Freedom. Both an artist and a musician this Iranian lady writes some rebellious rhymes covering everything from society, artistry, and ever present existential ambiguity. Like this? Try Gonahe Vojod.
Swings – Fallin (feat Jay Park). The self titled “Punchline King” of South Korea lives up to his name with some hard hitting lines. Feeling this? Try 이겨낼거야 2 (Victorious 2) and 달리자 (which also features many other famous Korean rappers).
Ana Tijoux – Somos Sur (feat Shadia Mansour). This French-Chilean rapper has been all over NPR lately and rightly so! I love her tracks 1977 and Shock as well.
Supersci – All Year Next Year. The 60’s almost Beatles-like electric tune to this Swedish rap group’s song immediately caught my attention. Want more? Listen to On The Grind.
Cut Killer– Nique la Police. This track mixed with Edith Piaf’s classic “Je ne regrette rien” speaks volumes about the tension surrounding modern French identity. Duly famous for the gorgeous shot it was used in the film La Haine (which go see now if you haven’t).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdQYzEc6wYw
Shing02 with Nujabes – Luv (sic) Part 2. For all you smooth, chill beats lovers out there Shing02 is for you. Anime watchers out there may recognize him from Battlecry the theme of Samurai Champloo. There are six parts to the Luv(sic) set. Check out the full set here.
Whew! I may have bit off more than I can chew. There is a ton of excellent international rap and hip hop to choose from so stay tuned for updates. In the mean time leave your reactions or suggestions below!
That’s right folks. This week its all about bands, bands, bands. So break out your guitars and dust off those garage band dreams cause we’re about to rock.
The KOXX – Trouble Maker. These South Korean guys seriously know how to rock a guitar solo plus the awesome kitsch of this video would make the Wyld Stallyns proud. They certainly deserve a post all of their own but I couldn’t make this list without including them. Rock out more with Oriental Girl and 12:00.
Ykiki Beat – Forever. I love this track and if you’re like me and playing it on repeat try listening to Young Life and Garden. When I take my next trip to Tokyo I know who I will be looking up!
340ml – Fairy Tales. Swing away in Mozambique with Moodswings and Australopithecus (ok I may have included the last one because it blatantly panders to my anthropology degree…so shoot me.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYcl6p3oiCc
Quest Pistols -Ты Так Красива. Oh, you thought that video was gonna be all rainbows and cuddles didn’t you? Ha! Gotcha. These Ukrainians rocking your socks? Listen to Я твой наркотик
Wir sind Helden – Nuir ein Wort. This song makes me feel like that spending a day exploring Berlin with them would be lovely. Like this? Try Denkmal and Gekommen Um Zu Bleiben.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kexaS-4BZag
WHOwho – Her. More music from South Korea (I had to control myself before I got carried away). If you dig their electric sound with a touch of funk check out Bye Bye and Down Below
Kabul Dreams – Sadae Man. Want to rock harder in Kabul? Well this group (aka the first postmodern rock band in Afghanistan) can help. Try Can You Fly? and Shahab
Don’t see the band you love here? Comment below! What other bands from around the world should everyone know about? Oh….and party on dudes!
Get Set Go 