Eleni Mandell: Hip Sway

Taking songwriting cues from Aimee Mann and Tom Waits and with a sound that might make you think of X, Los Angeles-based Eleni Mandell swaggers her sexy alto on Artificial Fire, a jazzy, new wave-noir-ish new record we'll feature on New Music Tuesday.

Check out the cool minor key guitar riff on the title track.

Like Kevin Bacon on "Go My Way," I wonder what's on Eleni's I-Pod!

Bell X1 performs "The Great Defector" Live at WTMD

Click to Play

The Irish trio stops by the WTMD studio (http://www.wtmd.org) to perform selections from its new album, "Blue Lights on the Runway."

Bell X1 performs "The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella" Live at WTMD

Click to Play

The Irish trio stops by the WTMD studio (http://www.wtmd.org) to perform selections from its new album, "Blue Lights on the Runway."

Bell X1 performs "How Your Heart is Wired" Live at WTMD

Click to Play

The Irish trio, Bell X1, stops by the WTMD studio (http://www.wtmd.org) to perform tracks from their new album, "Blue Lights on the Runway."

Mix Tape Thursday, 3/12/09

WTMD listeners take over the airwaves with three-to-five song sets on Thursday.

Submit your own mixtape!

7 a.m. Amanda Torbit

I've seen all of these women in concert and each blew me away like I would never believe, including Bonnie Raitt who I went to see because there was an extra ticket. She totally rocked, what a nice shock.

Patty is my favorite and I just saw her a couple weeks ago at the Meyerhoff and she was by far the best. I never thought I would have a favorite singer because I like so many kinds of music but I'm glad I found Patty and she will remain my favorite forever.

I hope you get as much joy from these women as I do!

• "Words Fell," by Lucinda Williams
  
• "You Got the Silver," by Susan Tedeschi
  
• "Angel from Montgomery," by Bonnie Raitt
• "Forgiveness," by Patty Griffin
  

9 a.m. Laurie Little

We try to support live music and would love more airplay for all of the following bands. Any chance that I can get to share their music with others is chalked up as a good day!

• "Little Black Angels," by Jonah Smith
  
• "Our Love," by Derek Trucks Band
  
• "Magnolia Soul," by Ozomatli
  
• "Heart Can't Tell a Lie," by Los Lonely Boys
• "Barrel House Blues," by Albert Cummings
  

11 a.m. Kevin Burke

Literary and historical inspiration for artists' lyrics.

• "Ramble On," by Led Zeppelin, based on the The Lord of the Rings;
  
• "Riddle in London Town," by State Radio, tells stories of American history;
  
• "The Crane Wife, 1 & 2," by The Decemberists; based on a Japanese folk tale;
  
• "Carolina Drama," by The Raconteurs; Jack White sings about the south as only he can;
• "Franklin's Tower," by The Grateful Dead; More literary connections in one song than many bands put in an entire album.
  

4 p.m. Corey Profit

• "Wonder," (Live) by Colin Meloy
  
• "Imitosis," by Andrew Bird
  
• "Summersong," by The Decemberists
  
• "Beautiful World," by Colin Hay
  
• "Fake Palindromes," by Andrew Bird
  

5 p.m. Grace DeWit

Isn't it all about you, anyway?

• "Bones of You," by Elbow
  
• "Pictures of You," by The Cure
  
• "Thinking of You," by Norah Jones
  
• "Anyone Else But You," by Moldy Peaches
  

6 p.m. Nick Frye

A beautiful girl walks in through the front door of the bar wearing a pair of tapered leg jeans. Her two-tone hair is pulled up in the back and her piercing green eyes are partially covered by her bangs in the front. I stand, unable to move, like a wooden soldier frozen by her enigmatic presence.

I become paranoid and overly aware that I'm just staring. I can't take my eyes off of her. It's as if this is the first day of my life. That's the story of how I met my current girlfriend. Plus, we love all of these bands and songs.

• "Taper Jean Girl," by Kings of Leon
  
• "Bangs," by They Might be Giants
  
• "Wooden Soldiers," by Person L
  
• "Paranoia in B-Flat Major," by The Avett Brothers
• "First Day of My Life," by Bright Eyes
  

Matt Duke performs "I've Got Atrophy on the Brain" Live at WTMD

Click to Play

Philadelphia-based, singer-songwriter Matt Duke visits WTMD (http://www.wtmd.org) to perform selections from his major-label debut "I've Got Atrophy on the Brain."