Mix Tape Thursday, 9/3/09

WTMD listeners--and featured artists from this year's Virgin Mobile Freefest--take over the airwaves with three-to-five song sets on Thursday.

9 a.m. Krystal Boeren

First of all, I am thankful to a station that is as passionate as local music as its patrons. I've chosen to dedicate my mix tape to local artists that are inspired by our city, and captivate us accordingly.

I am a third generation Baltimorean and Paul Masson's "My Girl Baltimore," is a beautiful testimony to a city that keeps calling me back. Paul's soulful voice and Tom Hnatow's beautiful petal steel blend together in a hauntingly honest portrait of a man coming home to the city he loves.

Being a fan of Hnatow's petal steel work, I've chosen These United States "Everything Touches Everything," the single from their new highly anticipated release. Jesse's voice is vibrant and strong yet playful, giving us a taste of what's to come.

Lastly, I've chosen Caleb Stine's "Comes From the West." Caleb is an extraordinary storyteller with insight beyond his years. This track exemplifies Caleb's born nature to roam, but never stray. And simply put, the melody of the song is infectious.

* " My Girl Baltimore," by Paul Masson
* " Everything Touches Everything " by These United States
* " Comes From the West," by Caleb Stine


11 a.m. Jet’s Cameron Muncey & Mark Wilson from Freefest

* " This is Radio Clash," by The Clash
* " No You Girls," by Franz Ferdinand
* " Cross-eyed and Painless," by The Talking Heads
* " I Wanna Make It Witchu," by Queens of the Stone Age
* " Wanderlust King," by Gogol Bordello

1 p.m. Franz Ferdinand’s Nick McCarthy and Bob Hardy

* " Randy Describes Eternity," by Built to Spill
* "Califonia Shake," by Margot Guryan
* "My Shadow," by Jay Reatard
* "Radio Ladio," by Metronomy
* "Xmas Steps," by Mogwai

5 p.m. Rennie Twigg

It's all about the name....

* "Number with No Name," by Ben Harper
* "Different Names for the Same Thing," by Death Cab for Cutie
* "You Can Call Me Al," by Paul Simon

7 p.m. Jeremy Stark

* "Via Chicago," by Wilco

Our generation's Bob Dylan is Jeff Tweedy. "Via Chicago" is what would happen if the Beatles "A Day in the Life" were to feature Dylan.

* "Take Me to the River," by Talking Heads

David Byrne is originally from the area and his music isn’t played enough around here! Classic cover!

* " Where R U?," by 3Fifths

One of Baltimore's best if not the best. The emotion of singer/songwriter Tim Nodar is unmatched here in one track off of their first studio album Did You? This band blends funk and amazing musicality with really well written songs.

* "Cemetery Walk," by Umphrey’s McGee

What a great song for summer from one of the premier bands jammin’ these days.

Mix Tape Thursday, 7/30/09

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

6 a.m. Lauren Davis

I chose these songs because they all feel relaxed and leave me feeling good, not too crazy, just right for cruising.

* "Brainy," by The National
* "Starlight," by Muse
* "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa," by Vampire Weekend
* "Use Somebody," by Kings of Leon
* "Big White Gate," by Grace Potter


8 a.m. Rachel Moseley

Good fast-lane driving tempos.

* "Last Night Of The World," by Bruce Cockburn
* "Pain Killer," by Turin Brakes
* "Boots of Chinese Plastic," by The Pretenders
* "Nebraska," by Moe
* "She Moves In Her Own Way," by The Kooks


10 a.m. Robert Westerman

I'm feeling kinda 'Jeopardy" today. Topic: Songs That Begin With The Letter "E"

* "Exit Music For A Film," by Radiohead
* "E-Pro," by Beck
* "Eleanor Rigby," by The Beatles
* "Electric Lady Land," by Jimi Hendrix
* "Extraordinary Machine," by Fiona Apple


12 p.m. Allison Cribbs

It started with "Allison," it's my name. From there I just thought of all the good songs with girls' names in the title.

* "Allison," by The Pixies
* "Billie Jean," by Michael Jackson
* "Anna-Molly," by Incubus


4 p.m. Luke Rhine

In honor of a great concert I included in my set a list of some of the greatest songs I have heard in concert. I thought "Freebird" might have been a bit much, but it was good.

* "Can’t You Hear Me Knocking," by The Rolling Stones
* "Same Old Thing," by The Black Keys
* "Little Room," by The White Stripes


6 p.m. Nitin Tandon

With all the recent celebrity deaths, I have been in a morbid mood.

* "Fear," by Paddy Casey
* "Don’t Wanna Cry," by Pete Yorn
* "Dying Is Fine," by Ra Ra Riot
* "Who Is Going To Save My Soul," by Gnarles Barkley
* "Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But…," by Arctic Monkeys

Mix Tape Thursday, 7/23/09

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

7 a.m. Atara Ziffer

As I haven't had a good night's sleep in weeks, I really only have one thought on my mind.

* "Sleeping Lessons," by The Shins
* "Golden Slumbers," by The Beatles
* "Dreams," by The Allman Brothers Band
* "Asleep," by The Smiths
* "Narcolepsy," by Ben Folds Five


9 a.m. Greg Fagula

Oooooos, Aaaaaaaaaahs, and Ladi Das.

* "Love Dog," by TV On The Radio
* "Wake Up," by Arcade Fire
* "Ode to LRC," by Band Of Horses


11 a.m. Christine Catramados

Thanks to WTMD, these are some of the songs I knew all the words to at the 2007 Virgin Fest!

* "Missed The Boat," by Modest Mouse
* "All My Friends," by LCD Soundsystem
* "The Book I Write" by Spoon
* "Summer In The City," by Regina Spektor
* "Back To Black," by Amy Winehouse


1 p.m. Lauren Seserko

These songs are my favorite this summer, and if I was to spend a summer day at a festival, this is what I'd want to hear!

* "Two Weeks," by Grizzly Bear
* "Little Secrets," by Passion Pit
* "I Cut Like A Buffalo," by The Dead Weather
* "French Navy," by Camera Obscura
* "Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked," by Cage The Elephant


4 p.m. Tina Zeller

I'm an avid concert goer but for some reason the stars have not quite aligned for me to attend any of the past Virgin Fests. This year I'm ready and able but without tickets. I love the lineup and one of the featured artists, Public Enemy, takes me back to my college days when I hosted my own weekly radio show.

I remember one occasion in particular when I decidedly became non compliant with our Top 40 dinner hour format. I blared Public Enemy's "Bring The Noise" over the campus airways into the cafeteria much to the dismay of our station manager. I danced around the booth and thrashed my head to the bustin’ rap beat and loved every minute of it.

Luckily, I was able to maintain my DJ status and my friends who were in the cafeteria lauded my little musical stunt- “Bass, how low can you go!” Here are some of my favorite tunes from this year’s Virgin Fest lineup.

* "Bring The Noise," by Public Enemy
* "Mistaken For Strangers," by The National
* "Sequestered in Memphis," by The Hold Steady
* "Surf Wax America," by Weezer
* "No You Girls," by Franz Ferdinand


7 p.m. Will Norris

All of these songs always put me in a great mood. They are all kind of songs that I would never hear on the radio anywhere else (which is why I listen to WTMD). It is rare to find a radio station that I can connect with in today's day and age.

* "Junior" by Widespread Panic
* "Reba," by Phish
* "Codeine," by Trampled By Turtles
* "In The Kitchen," by Umphrey's McGee
* "Girlfriend Is Better," by Talking Heads

Mix Tape Thursday, 7/16/09

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

6 a.m. Kaitlin Schrote

The 2007 Virgin Music Festival created a musical bonding experience between my mom and me. I went to the festival with my college roommate. After returning home the first day, we sat in the kitchen discussing the musicians and bands with my mom.

When we mentioned how we saw so many people of her generation arriving to see the Police, she told me that she had seen the Police back when she was young and single. I was shocked. We had never talked about the concerts she had gone to when she was young. How could my mom have been this cool?

I asked her about other concerts she had been to and all of these musical memories from the late 70s and early 80s poured out. The Police, Peter Gabriel (twice), Billy Idol, U2 (when the Edge had hair!), the Who, the list went on and on.

This mixtape is composed of songs that my mom saw in concert and reminds me of the night I became aware of just how amazing my mom is.

* "So Lonely," by The Police
* "Solsbury Hill," by Peter Gabriel
* "I Will Follow You," by U2
* "Who Are You," by The Who
* "Dancing With Myself," by Billy Idol

8 a.m. Meg Bowen

My playlist theme is WTMD Baltimore Unsigned Artists that should be playing at Virgin Fest. They are all excellent musicians whose music is best enjoyed live on a big stage with the beats of their songs pumping through you from those giant speakers.

* "The Therapy," by Fools & Horses
* "It’s Painless," by Tim Kaye
* "Equity" by Tears of Mars
* "Talk to Me," by David Andrew Smith

10 a.m. Kenny Friedman

In honor of the Virgin Mobile Music Festival, I have chosen songs/artists that feature the words Virgin, Mobile, Music and Festival. The added bonus is that Good Charlotte hails from Maryland and got their big break on the locals stage at the now defunct HFStival.

* "Rich Girls," by The Virgins
* "Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again," by Bob Dylan
* "Exit Music (For a Film)," by Radiohead
* "Festival Song," by Good Charlotte

12 p.m. Jessica Hanson

I have a very fond memory of driving to NC with three of my pals visiting from Scotland and we just belted out songs the entire way. It was a great wee sing-song.

* "Take Me Out," by Franz Ferdinand
* "Mardy Bum," by Arctic Monkeys
* "She Moves In Her Own Way," by The Kooks
* "These Streets," by Paolo Nutini
* "Chelsea Dagger," by The Fratellis

4 p.m. Natalie Neill

These are some of my favorite Canadian artists.

* "Rebellion," by The Arcade Fire
* "Look Up," by Stars
* "I Feel It All," by Feist
* "Burn Your Life Down," by Tegan And Sara
* "Tessellate," by Tokyo Police Club


6 p.m. Zoe Wais

These songs represent what WTMD means to me. It's because of this radio station that I even know the bands on my playlist exist, and even more than that, they've become some of my favorite bands. All the bands in my playlist are totally original and under appreciated!

* "Old, Old Fashioned" by Frightened Rabbit
* "Orange Shirt," by Discovery
* "Make Light," by Passion Pit
* "Jenny, Don’t Be Hasty," by Paolo Nutini
* "Looking for Shelter," by Good Old War

Mix Tape Thursday, 6/25/09

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

7 a.m. Jill Bucolo

This is actually the first five songs of the mix tape my boyfriend at the time--who is now my husband--used to listen to on the way to All Good when it was at Wilmers Park

* "Carnival," by The Band
* "Hurricane," by Bob Dylan
* "Road to Nowhere," by Talking Heads
* "Dear Mr. Fantasy," by Blind Faith
* "One More Saturday Night," by The Grateful Dead


9 a.m. Jean Tansey

Girls and summer, celebrating the first days of summer!

* "Girls In Their Summer Clothes," by Bruce Springsteen
* "Vacation," by The GoGos
* "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," by Cindy Lauper


11 a.m. Beth Lacey Gill

Five songs I didn't know before Virgin Fest 2007. I still listen to them constantly!

* "Narc," by Interpol
* "Fidelity," by Regina Spektor
* "I Turn My Camera On," by Spoon
* "Young Folks," by Peter, Bjorn & John
* "Your Hand in Mine," by Explosions in the Sky


1 p.m. Sarah Morgan

Some of my favorite songs for summer.

* "Sausalito," by Conor Oberst
* "Fat Man in the Bathtub," by Little Feat
* "Salvation," by The Avett Brothers
* "The Underdog," by Spoon
* "Wagon Wheel," by Old Crow Medicine Show


5 p.m. Miranda Sinicrope

I chose these songs because I feel that they represent the diverse sounds of what is coming out of the indie genre. It's exciting for these artists who, for the most part have been around and touring for years, to be succeeding while bands such as Passion Pit and the Harlem Shakes are creating a new exciting sound.

* "The Reeling," by Passion Pit
* "High Lonesome," by The Gaslight Anthem
* "Two Weeks," by Grizzly Bear
* "1901," by Phoenix
* "Sunlight," by Harlem Shakes


7 p.m. Tom Geary

These five songs were my favorite performances of the past two Virgin Festivals in Baltimore. It's moments like these that remind me of how much of a blast I had in '07 and '08 at Pimlico and get me excited for this year's festival!

* "Honeybear," by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
* "Your Touch," by The Black Keys
* "Ain't No Easy Way," by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
* "Fortunate Son," by Cat Power
* "Pioneer to the Falls," by Interpol

Mix Tape Thursday, 5/28/09

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

6 a.m. Jim McGuire

I call my tape "Five 90-degree Turns That Almost Form a Circle." I wanted five singer/songwriters who each pushed their music--from five different periods--in a new, exciting direction for their times. And of late, Brett does that and still sorta brings it all back home.

* "Subterranean Homesick Blues," by Bob Dylan
* "Ziggy Stardust," by David Bowie
* "No Surrender," by Bruce Springsteen
* "Cradle and All," by Ani DiFranco
* "There Is So Much More," by Brett Dennen


8 a.m. Bobby Gomon

Top Five Psychic Break Songs of All Time

* "You're Gonna Miss Me," 13th Floor Elevators
The group popularized the term "psychedelic" while setting the benchmark for massive consumption of the same. Roky Erickson was the point man for the acid generation. Diagnosis is unclear, he was institutionalized after the break. And no band ever highlighted the amplified jug to better result.

* "See Emily Play," by Pink Floyd
Syd Barrett's excess (including all known major hallucinogens) was part of the magic. Diagnosis is unclear--no apparent "Francis Farmer factor" family manipulation of disadvantaged psychic state, may have had institutional stays. He rode a bike with a smile on his face in later years.

* "Good Vibrations," by The Beach Boys
Brian Wilson story includes extended mind bending, strong "Francis Farmer factor" predatory family behavior (the "hamburger songs" are Dennis Wilson's musical legacy, etc.). Actual diagnosis is unclear, confined by illness for sustained periods-if not institutionalized. Currently demons seem to be at bay.

* "Green Manalishi," by Fleetwood Mac
Peter Green's transcendent blues took him to realms never imaged by Sun Ra-musically and psychically. Single specific LSD "overdose" in Germany is an incomplete explaination for all that followed. Multiple diagnosis in popular press highlight the unclear actual underlying problem(s). Was institutionalized on numurous occasions (including "electroconvulsant therapy"), but "Francis Farmer" family/associates manipulation clearly in evidence. Even B.B. King said no white dude ever had the blues like Peter.

* "Layla," by Derek and the Dominos
Jim Gordon wrote and played the piano part in the Coda for this song. He had long history of polypharmacy abuse, and was diagnosed as schizophrenic after murdering his mother with a hammer. He remains incarcerated (sentenced to 16 years for the murder in 1983-has not been able to get a transfer to psychiatric facility, for unclear reasons). One certainly hopes he is able to realize some of the joy his music has brought to others.


10 a.m. Brad Willard
These are all great live acts I saw at Rock Werchter in Belgium last summer.

* "National Anthem," by Radiohead
* "Modern Guilt," by Beck
* "Time to Pretend," by MGMT
* "Hate to Say I Told You So," by The Hives
* "Steady as She Goes," by The Raconteurs


12 p.m. Lisa Warren

I've had the travel itch lately, so it got me thinking about a mix tape with the theme of travel. When I started picking songs, I was surprised how many I could have fit in here, but I decided these were some of my favorites.

Most are pretty self-explanatory: the name of the song, the name of the band, the name of the album (and in all cases the idea of travel or movement is there).

* "Mykonos," by Fleet Foxes
* "Cab," by Train
* "95 South," by The Duhks
* "Gonna Move," by Paul Pena
* "Georgia On My Mind," by Willie Nelson


4 p.m. Chris Hohenstein

Because it's good music.

* "Hey," by The Pixies
* "Day We Met," by Sara Borges
* "Jane Says," by Jane's Addiction
* "Another Day," by Jimmy's Chicken Shack


6 p.m. Karen Blake

These songs always take me back to my time in the Colorado Mountains when I lived in the Rockies. Long winters, gorgeous summers and nothing but good times.

* "Old Folks Boogie," by Little Feat
* "Rocky Mountain Way," by Joe Walsh
* "Mandolin Wind," by Rod Stewart
* "That's the Way," by Led Zeppelin

Mix Tape Thursday, 5/21/09

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

7 a.m. Kathleen Milbourne

I call these "Morrissey Songs Not Sung By Morrissey." Basically, songs that capture the trademark awesome lyricism and delivery of the great man, and are fabulous songs in and of themselves, as well.

Cilla Black is actually one of Moz's childhood favorites, and I think you can see her influence on him, as well.

* "The Prayer," by Bloc Party
* "Lost in the Plot," by The Dears
* "Barricade," by Stars
* "I've Been Wrong Before," by Cilla Black


9 a.m. Alyssa Stokes

These songs have a great mix of humor, emotion and energy.
Truly original and all around fun listening!

* "Trashcan," by Delta Spirit
* "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots," by Flaming Lips
* "Sipping on Sweet Nectar," by Jens Lekman
* "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa," by Vampire Weekend


11 a.m. Amanda Torbit

These are songs that WTMD has turned me onto.

I would have never found without listening to this radio station and now I can't imagine my life without them. Well, besides Patty Griffin--she's just my favorite and I love her so every list must have a Patty song.

* "In My Life," by Warren Haynes
* "Taste of Danger," by Jonatha Brooke and Davy Knowles
* "Gavin's Song," by Marc Broussard
* "You Don't See It," by The Duhks
* "Forgiveness," by Patty Griffin


1 p.m. Ryan Gardiner

I can never make it through these songs' respective albums without repeating these tracks.

* "We're the Same," by Matthew Sweet
* "You Are My Face," by Wilco
* "Smile," by The Jayhawks
* "Cannonball," by Damien Rice


5 p.m. Drew Walker

With no ticket to All Good yet, I decided to pick the top five songs I want to hear at Bonnaroo this year.

* "Hockey," by 3 a.m. Spanish
* "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked," by Cage the Elephant
* "100 Yard Dash," by Raphael Saadiq
* "Out at Sea," by Heartless Bastards
* "Wilson," by Phish


7 p.m. Jay Somers

Hey man, what can I say? I got a fever and the only cure is some Bens!

* "Catch My Disease," by Ben Lee
* "Landed," by Ben Folds
* "Wasted and Ready," by Ben Kweller
* "Bruised," by The Bens
* "Steal My Kisses," by Ben Harper