Honey Island Swamp Band's Mix Tape

Although environmental disasters may pummel the Gulf Coast, they can never eclipse the joyous music of New Orleans.

Honey Island Swamp Band formed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina when veteran New Orleans musicians Chris Mule and Aaron Wilkinson found themselves displaced in San Francisco.

Now based back in the Crescent City, the band is touring in support of its new album Good To You. Mule and Wilkinson stopped by the studio to showcase some of their favorite songs and celebrate the resilient spirit of their hometown.

The mixtape incorporates many aspects of New Orleans' musical fabric, featuring songs from Dr. John, Lee Dorsey, and Taj Mahal. They also play Earl King's "Let The Good Times Roll," which Mule says, "sums up what New Orleans music is all about."

The New Orleans sprit even extends across the pond. Mule and Wilkinson wrap things up with a block of classic British rock n' roll, with songs from George Harrison, The Faces and the Rolling Stones.

"You can't have a show about rock n' roll without the Rolling Stones," Mule says before previewing “All Down the Line,” a track from the recently re-released Exile on Main Street. "If you are in a car while this is on, try not to speed."

Check out The Honey Island Swamp Band's mix tape tonight at 8 p.m.

Honey Island Swamp Band performs at the Federal Hill Jazz and Blues Festival on Sunday, June 6.

Mix Tape Thursday, 10/01/09

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

9 a.m. Suzanne Clay

When I was little, I would often visit my grandmother and she had this extensive collection of stuffed monkeys. As a child I loved to play with them, but now that I am older, the more I think about those monkeys the more they creep me out.

There happen to be a lot of songs out there with “Monkey” in the title. Here are some of my favorites…..both lovely and creepy.

* "Monkey Man," by The Rolling Stones
* "Shake Me Like A Monkey," by Dave Matthews Band
* "Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except for Me and My Monkey," by The Beatles
* "New Monkey," by Elliott Smith

11 a.m. Kevin Majoros

These are artists whom I missed on their last stop in Baltimore. I will not miss them again.

* "Will You Return?," by The Avett Brothers
* "Take My Heart," by Danielia Cotton
* "See How We Are," by X
* "Folsom Prison Blues," by Brandi Carlile
* "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town,” by Cake


5 p.m. Greg Lockwood

As the Baltimore Running Festival is rapidly approaching on October 10, these songs are dedicated to all runners training for a fall race.

These songs remind me of the joy of running, the training that goes into preparing for a race, the nerves before the race starts, the "runner's high," friends you make on the road, and the satisfaction of completing your goal.

* "Run," by Ben Kweller
* "The Distance," by Cake
* "New Shoes," by Paolo Nutini
* "I Feel It All," by Feist
* "Long May You Run," by Neil Young

Mix Tape Thursday, 9/17/09

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

7 a.m. Cricket Masson

You need music to keep you awake on the long haul. Criteria for The Essential Road Trip playlist:

1) Fast beat to stay awake.
2) Know the words to sing at top of lungs.
3) Tinted windows so other drivers can’t see driver’s seat dancing and singing.

Picking 4 is hard as that barely gets you out of town but these are a few of my must haves, of which I have WTMD to thank for two and Doug to thank for one of them.

* "Spam," by Save Ferris
* "Kiss Off," by Violent Femmes
* "Brother Lee," by Citizen Cope
* "Wonderful Night," by Fatboy Slim
* "In Your Head," by The Mentionables


11 a.m. Kelly Carneal

Born and raised in Baltimore, I found myself drawn to farms early on and have worked in the agricultural field for several years now. Having lived all over the United States, and having visited many farms and farmers along the way, there tends to be a reoccurring alt-country soundtrack in my head.

These five rise to the top for me, especially on those perfectly brisk days, when I find myself walking a beautiful farm, instead of sitting inside with my nose in my laptop.

* "Gone Wanderin'," by Jackie Greene
* "Tailspin," by The Jayhawks
* "No Bad News," by Patty Griffin
* "Snow Is Gone," by Josh Ritter
* "To Be Young,” by Ryan Adams


5 p.m. Todd Heston
No real theme here, except all of the artists produced some of the best music of their generations.

* "Up on Cripple Creek," by The Band
* "Can't You Hear Me Knocking," by The Rolling Stones
* "Life by the Drop," by Stevie Ray Vaughn
* "Plush," by Stone Temple Pilots
* " Kill," by Jimmy Eat World

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