Mix Tape Thursday, 5/7/09

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

7 a.m. Mike McCann

Nels Cline is an incredible guitarist, as well as a wonderful composer of many different types of music. I think he deserves attention, and playing this mix tape on WTMD would be a great start.

And I can guarantee you will get many 'thank yous' for introducing your listeners to this incredible music.

* "Lowered Boom," by The Nels Cline Singers
* "Chi Cacoan," by Nels Cline
* "Progression," by Nels Cline


9 a.m. Glenn Carswell

Summertime!

* "Toe Jam," by The BPA
* "Pressure Drop," by Toots and the Maytals
* "Freeker the Speaker," by Keller Williams
* "Shakedown Street," by Grateful Dead
* "Whoever You Are," by Geggy Tah


11 a.m. Jack Livingston

* "Bird on a Wire," by k.d. lang
A cool Canadian beatitude.

* "Chelsea Hotel #2," by Rufus Wainwright
An angst-filled, soaring take on sleaze and love.

* "I'm Your Man," by Nick Cave
Nick Cave owns this song.

* "The Traitor," by Martha Wainwright
She is so in tune with Leonard Cohen's phrasing.

* "I Can't Forget," by Jarvis Cocker
Jarvis shows us the playful yet pained irony of the song.


1 p.m. Katie Dworak

The human body is composed of approximately 60% water or something like that...
About 75%-ish of the earth's surface is covered in water...
My glass is half full of delicious, refreshing tap water...
And these songs that somehow pertain to or perhaps simply mention water in some way shape or form are 100% super :)

* "Valerie," by Amy Winehouse
* "Under the Weather," by KT Tunstall
* "Mighty Storm," by The Duhks
* "Once in a Lifetime," by Talking Heads
* "Purple Rain," by Prince
* "International Dateline," by Ladytron


5 p.m. Corrie Byrne

Looks like its going to be rainy for the next couple days. I particularly like these songs because they’re songs from beloved artists but aren’t usually played on the radio. Thanks so much for allowing listeners to have control over what gets played!!!

* "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head," by Ben Folds Five
* "I Know the Reason," by Carbon Leaf
* "Steeples," by Dispatch
* "Aqueous Transmission" by Incubus


7 p.m. Tiernan Flaherty

I wanted the lyric that references Cohen and inspired the quote of the mix tape and a favorite from Mr. Leonard himself to bookend my choices with 3 of his greatest disciples and some of their best songs in between.

* "Pennyroyal Tea," by Nirvana
* "Katy Song," by Red House Painters
* "The Sorrowful Wife," by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
* "I See a Darkness," by Bonnie "Prince" Billy
* "Avalanche," by Leonard Cohen

"Baltimore" Live at Cherry Hill Elementary

Last summer, WTMD's Baltimore Unsigned challenged Americana singer-songwriter Caleb Stine and hip-hop artist Saleem to write four songs in six weeks. The unlikely collaboration yielded an incredible friendship and a solid full-length album, Outgrown These Walls. (Read the City Paper review.)

When Caleb and Saleem debuted "Baltimore" at a live taping at the 8 x 10 in July 2008, it was a revelation. Saleem's complex portrait of the city with Caleb's simple refrain, "I've got a dollar in my pocket and it's only Wednesday," moved more than a few people to shed a tear.

Saleem recently visited a Baltimore City elementary school to discuss his life as a musician. The kids had studied the song before the visit, and when they pick up the refrain, it's a celebration--and a testament to the power of music.

"Baltimore," Live at the 8 x 10



"Baltimore," Live at Cherry Hill Elementary

What Defines a Great Recording Artist?

It's relatively easy to rattle off a list of great songs or albums, but what defines a great recording artist? Is it record sales? #1 songs? A showcase night on American Idol?

Producer Brian Eno once noted, The Velvet Underground never sold a lot of records, but everyone who bought one went on to form a band.

Ani DiFranco, on the other hand, sells a lot of records. But she does it on her own terms. DiFranco founded Righteous Babe, an independent label, long before the Internet was a series of tubes while reimagining an artists' business model--and redefining the role of the singer-songwriter--for the MySpace generation.

Bands such as the Grateful Dead and Phish reinvented their songs and set lists every night, creating a new concert experience for fiercely loyal fans and introducing a series of live albums and bootlegs that, arguably, are just as important as their studio work.

Jeff Buckley is fondly remembered for one amazing album. And, like a lot of artists who died too young, a catalog of posthumous releases (and an assembly line of vocal imitators) has tried to fill the void.

George Clinton receives royalties every time someone samples Parliament-Funkadelic. When does he ever get credit for the originals?

Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits are enjoying a renaissance in the twilight of their careers. They never experienced the mass adulation (and scorn) as when Bob Dylan plugged in an electric guitar, but where would popular music be without Various Positions or Rain Dogs?

Are younger songwriters like Jack White and Ryan Adams so prolific--with so many incarnations--that it's hard to identify a career-defining album?

How many of these artists qualify as the Greatest Artists of All Time?

That's up to you to decide.

Cast your vote for up to 15 artists by 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 19th, and tune in as we start the countdown of the 897 Greatest Artists of All Time later around Memorial Day.

Meaghan Smith Keeps It Simple

Meaghan Smith is a singer originally from London, Ontario who debuts with The Cricket's Quartet.

She once studied to be an illustrator and her music colorfully splashes to life and recalls a bygone era of swinging big bands and simpler times.

Meaghan plays IOTA in Virginia tomorrow night. Listen for her on a future Morning Sessions.

Mix Tape Thursday, 4/30/09

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!

6 a.m. James Munsey

Maryland songs from three of my favorite brothers' bands.

* "Streets of Baltimore," by Flying Burrito Brothers
* "Pretty Girl from Annapolis," by Avett Brothers
* "Penn Station," by Felice Brothers


8 a.m. Rennie Twigg

It's all about the mouth (talking, laughing, smiling).

* "You Haven't Told Me Anything," by Keane
* "Don't Make Me Laugh," by Gomez
* "Talking Bird," by Death Cab for Cutie
* "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face," by Coldplay


10 a.m. Joseph Stockman

I am an avid gamer and what better way to game than rocking out on Rock Band 2? I download tons of songs, but here are some of my favorite Rock Band DLC (downloadable content) songs available to download to your Playstation 3.

And if it's not too much to ask I would like Tyler to play my mixtape, since he knows me as "Joe from Essex."

* "Love Spreads," by Stone Roses
* "C'mon, C'mon," by The Von Bondies
* "Geraldine," by Glas Vegas
* "Flathead," by The Fratellis
* "Spaceman," by The Killers


12 p.m. Natalie Bulawka

I think it represents a good mix of artists with strong songs that weren't necessarily hit radio singles.

* "The Party's Crashing Us," by of Montreal
* "Eriatarka," by The Mars Volta
* "Episodes," by The Roots
* "Zero," by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
* "International Dateline," by Ladytron


4 p.m. Larry Kinsler

I've seen each of these artists at Bonnaroo and feel they represent the "flavor and atmosphere" that is Bonnaroo. There truly is something for everyone at Bonnaroo, and I intend to revisit as often as possible.

* "Illegal Smile," by John Prine
* "Zebra," by John Butler Trio
* "Panama Red," by Peter Rowan
* "Let Me Be," by Xavier Rudd
* "Soulshine," by Gov't Mule


6 p.m. Drew Hall

The last four songs my iPod played on random.

* "Black," by Pearl Jam
* "My Girls," by Animal Collective
* "Werewolf," by Coco Rosie
* "Hurt," by Johnny Cash

Cyril Neville Bridges B'More and NOLA

Few things go better together than the Neville Brothers and New Orleans. The ambassadors of Crescent City funk and soul close out Jazz Fest 2009 at the Fairgrounds on Sunday.

And to gear you up, tune in Friday morning at 9am to hear the youngest Neville, Cyril play some live music, talk about his new disc Brand New Blues and candidly address issues of class, race and music when it comes to his city's recovery (or lack thereof, as he puts it).

In fact, he had so much to say on the latter issue, that we're airing his morning session in two parts.

Aside from the yodeling of Aaron, Cyril's voice is distinctively soulful and delivered with a world and social conscience that recalls the spirit of his hero Bob Marley. Plus, his percussion prowess help make the Neville's shows such a dancefest!

Cyril Neville of The Meters and the Neville Brother on TMD this Friday!

Check out Cyril on the bongos and one of his many cool outfits!

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!

The Duhks perform "Mighty Storm" Live at WTMD

The Duhks (http://www.duhks.com), fly down from Winnipeg, Canada, to visit the WTMD studios for the third time.

It's their first visit, however, since the band's lineup change in which brother and sister Sarah and Christian Dugas replaced singer Jessee Havey and percussionist Scott Senior, respectively.

Watch as Sarah Dugas takes command of the studio while the band tears through "Mighty Storm," a stellar single from their album, "Fast Paced World."

Mix Tape Thursday, 4/16/09

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!

6 a.m. Jessica Campain

These were my favorite acts at Bonnoroo in 2007, my only time there...but I am making a 2009 mix as well for when I win these tickets! :-) Thanks guys!

• "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart," by Wilco
  
• "The Hardest Button to Button," by The White Stripes
  
• "Don't You Evah," by Spoon
• "Professor," by Damien Rice
• "Tamacun," by Rodrigo y Gabriela
  

8 a.m. Laura Renner

My favorite Bonnaroo artists.

• "Measuring Cups," by Andrew Bird
  
• "Maps," by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
  
• "Peacebone," by Animal Collective
• "Love and Happiness," by Al Green
• "Funeral," by Band of Horses
  

10 a.m. Allie Barnes

• "Stop the Bus," by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
  She's an amazing artist and this song live is awesome.

• "Road Song," by Steel Train
  It's the ultimate traveling song, and it reminds me of being at Bonnaroo. (And Steel Train is one of the best live bands out there.)

• "The Ark," by Dr. Dog
  

• "So Glad To See You," by Hot Chip
  This gives the mix a different vibe, and Hot Chip is one of the best bands to dance to--especially at a festival,

• "I'm Amazed," by My Morning Jacket
  MMJ is the ultimate festival band and this is the best encore song.
  
  

12 p.m. Ned Samson

The first three are side projects of different members of The Strokes. The fourth is a Strokes cover. And the last if The Strokes themselves.

• "Brandy of the Damned," by Nickel Eye
  
• "GfC," by Albert Hammond, Jr.
  
• "Brand New Start," by Little Joy
  
• "Last Nite," by Adele
• "Someday," by The Strokes
  

4 p.m. Lauren Seserko

I chose these songs because I've never been to Bonnaroo and am not able to attend this year (unless I win!). I hope to attend next year.

If I were there this year, this would be my mix tape on the drive down to get me pumped to see this amazing acts. Its pretty much a selection of my favorite Bonnaroo 2009 artists!

• "Kids," by MGMT
• "Next Messiah," by Jenny Lewis
• "L.E.S. Artistes," by Santigold
  
• "Skinny Love," by Bon Iver
• "Golden Age," by TV on the Radio
  

6 p.m. Randi Helton

These are my top five bands, with a strong song from each of them.
Each song makes me want to sing along and have fun.

• "Get Myself Into It," by The Rapture
• "Daylight," by Matt & Kim
• "Submarines of Stockholm," by A. C. Newman
• "Arms Tonight," by Mother Mother
• "Better Things," by Passion Pit
  

The Boy Least Likely To

On this day after Easter, check out this video starring bunnies, puppets and Rashida Jones. It's from our CD of the Week, The Law of the Playground by The Boy Least Likely To.

Carl Filipiak and the Jimi Jazz Band perform "Memphis Walk" Live at WTMD

Click to Play

Guitarist Tom Principato joins Carl Filipiak and the Jimi Jazz Band for an in-studio performance of "Memphis Walk" during a visit to WTMD's studio (http://www.wtmd.org).

Mix Tape Thursday, 4/9/09

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. Joe Grice

These are all songs that I beleive have amazing female vocalists.

• "My Love," by The Bird and The Bee
  
• "The Fear," by Lily Allen
  
• "Boom," by Anjulie

9 a.m. Erik Dudziak

I'm not sure if Back Door Slam has ever played at Bonnaroo, but they should. I saw them at Artscape and have been a fan ever since. Both Ben Harper and Band of Horses are rocking out at Bonnaroo this year, and although I have never seen either live I really want to.

• "Come Home," by Back Door Slam
  
• "Shimmer and Shine," by Ben Harper & The Relentless 7
  
• "Marry Song," by Band of Horses
  

11 a.m. Trish Smith

• "Ooh, La, La," by The Faces
  This is my favorite song ever because it's not only from my favorite movie (Rushmore), but because it also reveals life lessons.

• "El Scorcho," by Weezer
  This was the first Weezer song I ever listened to, and since I'm half Korean (not half Japanese), I feel a connection to it.

• "Coffee & TV," by Blur
  This is a great song with an even better music video. Who doesn't like coffee or tv?!

• "In Between Days," by The Cure
  My favorite Cure song. It's beautiful.

• "Bittersweet Symphony," by The Verve
  "You're a slave to money then you die." What sums up life better than this?
  
  

1 p.m. David Paremske

All of these songs are groovy.

• "Helicopters," by Disco Biscuits
  
• "Maze," by Phish
  
• "Toe Jam," by BPA
  
• "Sabotage," by Beastie Boys
  

5 p.m. Dan Anderson

I think song #1 is great and it just shows how awesome WTMD is - where else would you hear a song like this? Thanks for introducing it to me! I think his voice sounds a little like Dracula's voice and that makes me think of the Dracula song in Forgetting Sarah Marshall (song #2). It's a short funny song, but it's actually pretty good. Then that song makes me think of the line "Send me all your vampires" in song #3. And of course that then makes me think of Vampire Weekend. Did you follow all of that?

• "Epilepsy is Dancing," by Antony and the Johnsons
  I think this song is great and it just shows how awesome WTMD is—where else would you hear a song like this? Thanks for introducing it to me!
  
  I think his voice sounds a little like Dracula's voice and that makes me think of the Dracula song in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It's a short funny song, but it's actually pretty good. Then that song makes me think of the line "Send me all your vampires" in the Third Eye Blind track. And, of course, that makes me think of Vampire Weekend. Did you follow all of that?
  

• "Dracula's Lament," by Jason Segal
  
  

• "I Want You," by Third Eye Blind
  
  
• "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa," by Vampire Weekend
  

6 p.m. Maria Shaivitz

I picked these because they are songs that I never get tired of hearing. Thanks WTMD for all the great music you play!

• "Electric Feel," by MGMT
  

• "Stop the Bus," by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
  

• "Valerie Plame," by The Decemberists
  

• "Theologians," by Wilco

• "Heretics," by Andrew Bird