Vote for Middle Distance Runner on "The Freshman"

Vote for Middle Distance Runner's video, "The Unbeliever" as this week's MTVu Freshman.

http://www.mtvu.com/music/the-freshmen/nominees-042009/

Mix Tape Thursday, 4/23/09

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

Submit your own mixtape and enter a drawing to win a pair of VIP tickets to the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, TN!

7 a.m. Bill Ritsin

This mix tape defines exactly what Bonnaroo is all about: an eclectic mix of people enjoying a weekend in the sunny mountains of Tennessee.

The selection of music combines a collection of 'Roo performers present and past, places no restriction on who can or cannot enjoy, and reaffirms that music does make the world go 'round.

My ideal mix contains Bonnaroo veterans such as TV on the Radio and Cypress Hill but also new and surely welcomed Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Phish to ensure nothing but pure enjoyment before, during, and after June 11-14.

* "Wading in the Velvet Sea," by Phish
* "Zero," by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
* "E-Pro," by Beck
* "Insane in the Brain," by Cypress Hill
* "Golden Age," by TV on the Radio


9 a.m. Katrina Balovlenkov

Falling In and Out of Love with my Ex

I recently spoke to an ex of mine, and remembering some of our favorite songs, the break up, and that bittersweet nostalgia after I talked just automatically made me think of these songs.

It's about being young and fun (goofy) and then being wiser and proud of the people you have both become independent of each other.

* "Brand New Key," by Melanie
* "First Day of My Life," by Bright Eyes
* "Such Great Heights," by Postal Service
* "Linger," by Jonatha Brooke
* "Someday You Will Be Loved," by Death Cab for Cutie


11 a.m. Bob Cohen

This June will be the 5th straight year my 19 year old son and I have gone to Bonnaroo. These are amongst my favorite songs I've heard from the first row up against the rail.

* "Betterman," by John Butler Trio
* "The Thrill is Gone," by B. B. King
* "A Million Miles from Yesterday," by Gov't Mule
* "Ain't Nothing Wrong Like That," by Robert Randolph and the Family Band
* "Yes I Will," by Michael Franti & Spearhead

Runners Up: "Is It Like Today?" by World Party;
"Where the Devil Don't Stay," by Drive By Truckers


1 p.m. Valerie Ann Lockett

I gave birth to my son on April 1, 2008, and I named him London. I have always been inspired by the music and the art that originates from London.

My beautiful baby boy is my SONshine, he makes my world brighter and he keeps me smiling. LONDON is my everything. I would love to enjoy this trip to enjoy more great music live.

WTMD stays on my radio, you all are amazing. I can't thank you enough. PEACE

* "London Calling," by The Clash
* "London," by The Smiths
* "LDN," by Lily Allen
* "Guns of Brixton," by The Clash
* "Last Train to London," by The Electric Light Orchestra


5 p.m. Megan Lahman

I picked songs that contained a certain spark of sexual tension or frustration. It might sound weird, but this mix works well.

* "Every Day is Exactly the Same," by Nine Inch Nails
I wanted something interesting so I could work in Nine Inch Nails. I find it amazing that they are a headliner of what used to be considered a "hippy" jam band festival.

* "Electric Feel," by MGMT
As for MGMT, I love their song "Electric Feel" and I felt it had the right spark to follow such a strangely sexy/sad NIN song.

* "Portions for Foxes," by Rilo Kiley
Since Jenny Lewis is performing this year's festival and her band has performed in the past, I thought Rilo Kiley's "Portions for Foxes" was a song that matched both the theme and the festival. Not to mention, it's a great segue from alternative/indie rock type fare into the singer/songwriters that follow.

* "I Want You," by Elvis Costello
I picked Elvis Costello's "I Want You" because of it's moodiness, honesty and the sound. The song was exactly what I wanted to play before my favorite Bruce Springsteen song.

* "I'm on Fire," by Bruce Springsteen
I chose this track because it's this perfect quiet finish to my set list. The angst and sexual tension is there, but it also has this sweet beauty to it, which makes the song the perfect final touch.


7 p.m. Tony Miller

I wanted to make a playlist of the best Bonnaroo performers from the past 5 years, including this year (in order). Some are bigger then others, but all in all they are genius musicians.

* "Banana Pancakes," by Jack Johnson
* "Faust Arp," by Radiohead
* "Better," by Regina Spektor
* "Flightless Bird, American Mouth," by Iron & Wine
* "Summertime Clothes," by Animal Collective

Happy E-Day

So it's Earth Day, the one day out of the year where we all try to do something good for the environment, plant a tree, car pool or take public transportation , etc. If you call my Mom and ask her what I think about Mother's Day she will confirm that I celebrate Mother's Day everyday. It's with that respect that this year I'm making an effort to celebrate Earth Day everyday.

But how do you do that?

Tune in for eco-friendly tips throughout the day today and from here on out, making a small change everyday does so much over time.

So I challenge you be just a little more eco-friendly everyday! Tell your friends!

Do you have a lot of leftover electronics from all your spring cleaning? Wolf Trap is hosting an electronics recycling event this Saturday: Details Here

Get Friendly, Eco-Friendly.

Of Montreal Strip Down

No, no, no, there will be no frontal nudity (as, sometimes, is the case at their notorious shows), but frontman Kevin Barnes and guitarist Bryan Poole will join me in studio this Friday at 9am for an acoustic set.

I'll have to ask him why he named "An Eluardian Instance," a tune he wrote for his wife, after a French surrealist poet.

But, getting inside Kevin's head won't be easy because he's got so much going on up there, including his transsexual alter-ego, Georgie Fruit.

It's seductive, high-brow, fun, and highly unpredictable music.

Catch Of Montreal on this week's Morning Sessions!