Mix Tape Thursday, 3/19/09

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 tickets to see Depeche Mode and Peter, Bjorn and John at Nissan Pavilion!

6 a.m. Elisabeth Hyleck

They seem to fit - and I had to go with the concert theme!

• "Amsterdam," by Peter, Bjorn and John
  
• "Nothing," by Depeche Mode
  
• "Clark Gable," by The Postal Service
  
• "Blue Savannah," by Erasure
  

8 a.m. Jennifer Brasher

They represent stages in relationships: happy, complaining, obsessing, gone but missing, and finally alone. And the middle three are linked by artist or title.

• "Another Day," by Jamie Lidell
  
• "You Don't Treat Me No Good," by Sonia Dada
  
• "Dorina," by Dada
  
• "Corina, Corina," by Ray Peterson
  
• "Lonely Blue Boy," by Conway Twitty
  

10 a.m. Shawn Crow

These are my honest-to-goodness top 5 desert island songs. I didn't worry about appearing worldly or well-listened. Each song genuinely moves me. Keep up the awesomeness!

• "Fields of Gold," by Eva Cassidy
  
• "In the Basement," by Etta James
  
• "The Sweetest Drop," by Peter Murphy
  
• "Mercenary Territory," by Little Feat;
• "Can't Get No Grindin' or Champagne & Reefer," by Muddy Waters
  

12 p.m. Carly Wais

Ghost Theme!!! Plus, I love all of these songs, and I really want to win those free tickets!

• "Walking with a Ghost," by Tegan and Sara
  
• "Ghosts Under Rocks," by Ra Ra Riot
  
• "Little Ghost," by I'm from Barcelona
  
• "Is There a Ghost?," by Band of Horses
  
• "Fake Palindromes," by Andrew Bird
  

4 p.m. Kathy Judge

These songs make me smile!

• "Hole in the Moon," by The Waterboys
  
• "My Doorbell," by The White Stripes
  
• "Hiroshima," by Ben Folds
  
• "Acid Tongue," by Jenny Lewis
• "Penguins," by Lyle Lovett
  

6 p.m. Derrick Dallas

• "Puppets," by Depeche Mode
  This has always been my favorite of Depeche Mode's lesser-played songs and Speak and Spell was my first DM album.

• "Five Years," by David Bowie
  Always a huge Bowie fan, and listening to this song still gives me chills.

• "The First Time I Met the Blues," by Buddy Guy
  Truly a great blues song and Buddy does it incredible justice.

• "Raining in Baltimore," by Counting Crows
  I heard this track on an episode of Homicide: Life on the Streets, and realized that I owned such a great song.

• "Safety in Numbers," by Crack the Sky
  The very first song I heard from CTS. I think they're the most under-appreciated local area band. Their music was incredible and had so much more depth than some hits of today.
  

Live from Mobtown Studios

Mobtown Studios has been hosting free micro-shows for local bands in their recording space on Charles St. in Baltimore. ellen cherry, Red Sammy and now the Eureka Birds have been their guests and the music coming from these shows is amazing and sounds fantastic.

You can stream the shows here:
Eureka Birds
ellen cherry
Red Sammy

Oh, and Mobtown Studios also will record your album for you.

Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players Turn Memories Into Sweet Music

Witty, kitchy, vaudeville-style inde rock is one way to decribe, at least, the music of the Trachtenberg Family (Dad Jason on guitar and vocals, Mom Tina on vocals and sixteen-year-old Rachael on drums and vocals).

But, what you see at a Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players show (which drops by the Ottobar Wednesday night) is an enteriely surreal experience.

Vintage slides culled from anoymous strangers at estate sales are shown on a screen as the music hilariously and often movingly tells their stories.

I'll chat with Jason on the TMD Morning Show Wed. at around 820am!

In the meantime, check out what the incredible, edible egg meant to some people from the 70's. It looks similar to some of my Easter egg hunts!



and let's take a Mountain Trip to Japan!

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."

Middle Distance Runner "The Unbeliever" video premeire

DC-residents Middle Distance Runner, a staple band on Baltimore Unsigned, has premiered their music video for their latest single "The Unbeliever." The band becomes claymated for this awesome song.

Be sure to check them out when they come to the Metro Gallery on March 26th.

Check out the video below.

Mix Tape Thursday, 3/5/09

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

The first two submissions are gearing up for The Decemberists and Andrew Bird show at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Monday, June 8th.

(Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, March 6, through Ticketmaster.com.)

And tune in at 8 p.m. as Alayna Blazakis chats with Tyler about her expanded "Bird song" mix tape, featuring tracks from Andrew Bird, Apples in Stereo, Neko Case, Stevie Wonder, Wilco, and more.

Submit your own mixtape!

6 a.m. Megan Linehan

Three songs that Colin and The Decemberists have covered to show a wide range of influences. Also, all these songs are totally awesome.

• "Mr. Blue Sky," by ELO
• "Blues Run the Game," by Jackson Frank
  
• "Everyday is Like Sunday," by Morrissey

8 a.m. John Kelly

What a time to be a music lover! A simple, random walk through the months of the year, sparked by a love of the Decemberists. I'll let you know when I've got a full 12 month cycle selected, and other WTMD listeners could try it out and see what they discover.

• "January Song," by Five Times August
  
• "Summersong," by The Decemberists
  
• "November," by Azure Ray
  
• "October is Coming," by Marc Hessenberg & The Tulips
  

10 a.m. Courtney Block

These are the songs that lift me up when a client has just done a beat down—or if I'm the recipient of some less than good news.

• "Cannonball," by The Breeders
• "Warning," by Wye Oak
  
• "No Bad News," by Patty Griffin
  
• "Starless Summer Sky," by Marshall Crenshaw
  

12 p.m. Kenny Friedman

To pay homage to the great Jewish-American artists, I have compiled this very short list. Lou Reed from the Velvet Underground is Jewish. Adam Duritz from Counting Crows is both Jewish and from Baltimore—the double whammy. And Beck is Jewish via his maternal grandmother. He's my wild card.

• "Heroin," by Velvet Underground
  
• "Fidelity," by Regina Spektor
  
• "Raining in Baltimore," by Counting Crows
  
• "New Pollution," by Beck
• "Shadrach," by Beastie Boys
  

5 p.m. Hope Ashton

Songs like these were the armor I wore in high school. And if they were books of mine, they'd be dog-eared and falling apart, as testament to my love for them. To call them nostalgic is inaccurate because they're just as relevant and alive today as they were back then.

• "Regret," by New Order
  
• "You are the Everything," by R.E.M.
• "Kiss Them for Me," by Siouxsie and the Banshees
  
• "Birthday," by The Sugarcubes
  
• "Monkey Gone to Heaven," by The Pixies
  

7 p.m. Benjamin Pillow

Sonic Youth for my '80s & early '90s upbringing; Bloc Party for the best band I saw at Virgin Fest last year; Drive by Truckers b/c I'm from S.C.; and QOTSA just rock out

• "JC," by Sonic Youth
  
• "Positive Tension," by Bloc Party
  
• "Boys from Alabama," by Drive-By Truckers
  
• "Song for the Dead," by Queens of the Stone Age
  

Lazlo Lee & the Motherless Children perform "Don't Play With the Dead" on Baltimore Unsigned

Click to Play

Lazlo Lee & the Motherless Children stopped by WTMD to perform on Baltimore Unsigned. They rip their blues-rock sound with their song "Don't Play With the Dead" performed here.

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit perform "Streetlights" Live at WTMD

Click to Play

Former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell visited WTMD (http://www.wtmd.org) to perform selections from his new album, "Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit," including "Streetlights."

Mix Tape Thursday, 2/26/09

Our listeners take over the airwaves with three-to-five song sets all day Thursday. Check out a new mix tape every hour.

Plus, we wrap up the day with a celebrity mix tape from the Bacon Brothers starting at 8 p.m.

Submit your mixtape today. Here's today's lineup:

6 a.m. Leslie Eckard

I call this my War and Peace mix. It's about having your own mind and not letting others rule your thoughts, and being open-minded and seeking a peaceful solution to things instead of trying to get your own way.

• "Zor and Zam," by The Monkees
• "They," by Jem
• "Nobody Right, Nobody Wrong," by Michael Franti & Spearhead
• "Philosophia," by Guggenheim Grotto
• "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," by Tears for Fears

7 a.m. Brandon Hurley

These songs make me think of the financial crisis. We started with the flood of consumerism and high expectations, which have all come crashing down.

We all try to escape through different ways. Some react with medication, some pine for "good old days," others just try to deal with life and try to hang on to hope of a better place. But, at these times we all need to rally around each other.

• "First Day," by The Futurehead
• "Interesting Drug," by Morrissey
• "Compositions for the Young and Old," by Bob Mould
  
• "Fast Car," by Tracy Chapman
  
• "Under Pressure," by David Bowie

Make the Music Happen! Become part of the TMD 5,000 today.


8 a.m. Peter Ochano

It's almost spring! Let's have some songs about trees!

• "I am a Tree," by Guided by Voices
  
• "Fake Plastic Trees," by Radiohead
• "Evergreen," by The Fiery Furnaces
  
• "Apple Orchard," by Beach House
  
• "One Tree Hill," by U2

9 a.m. Steve Moles

All of these songs have a great groove but the artists are very different.

• "And She Was," by Talking Heads
  
• "Action Speaks Louder than Words," by Galactic
• "Too Damn Funky," by Tom Principato
  
• "Hello, Bonjour," by Michael Franti and Spearhead
  
• "Wake Up," by The Neville Brothers

10 a.m. Michael McLaughlin

Songs (and a singer) referencing wolves.

• "The Hungry Wolf," by X
  
• "Wolves," by Iron & Wine
  
• "Furr," by Blitzen Trapper
  
• "Will the Wolf Survive?," by Los Lobos
  
• "Spoonful," by Howlin' Wolf
  

11 a.m. Nikole DiVito

These are my sad, heartbreak songs.

• "Wicked Way," by Benjamin Taylor
  
• "Wash Away," by Matt Costa
  
• "Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell," by The Flaming Lips
  
• "ATL," by Butch Walker
  
• "You Can Do Better than Me," by Death Cab for Cutie
  

Make the Music Happen! Become part of the TMD 5,000 today.

12 p.m. Charles Pekor

It's a mix of great tunes, a couple of which WTMD has turned me onto in recent years, and it's a mix of some trippy grooves interspersed by rockin' tunes from great bands. Just great music that fits my alma mater's station's style!

• "Rebellion (Lies)," by Arcade Fire
  
• "Eple," by Royskopp
  
• "Have You Once Recalled the Days?" by Warren Zanes
  
• "What Are You Afraid Of," by West Indian Girl
  
• "Valerie," by The Zutons
  

1 p.m. Kristin Symes

These are pretty much my top five favorite songs right now. I picked them because they are a great mix from a variety of different genres, with a progression from upbeat to soft and chill.

• "If She Wants Me," by Belle and Sebastian
  
• "Something to Talk About," by Bonnie Raitt
  
• "Staple It Together," by Jack Johnson
  
• "Give It Away," by Zero 7
  
• "Day Dreaming," by Lupe Fiasco and Jill Scott
  

2 p.m. Keith Pozanek

The "x" files + god & the devil. Most of these excellent songs received little or no airplay.
I am a closet DJ.

• "True Love," by X
  
• "X & Y," by Coldplay
  
• "Dear God," by XTC
  
• "Devil Inside," by INXS
  
• "We're Having Much More Fun," by X
  

Make the Music Happen! Become part of the TMD 5,000 today.

3 p.m. Robert Buckley

The theme may be obvious: all women! I think this lineup would go over well, and I love Ms. Sara's tune for local flavor.

• "9 to 5," by Ms. Sara and The Help
  
• "Lonely Love," by Juliana Hatfield
  
• "Hurt So Bad," by Susan Tedeschi
  
• "Rehab," by Amy Winehouse
  

4 p.m. Mary Thomas

Representative of the darker side of love and relationships.

• "We Both Go Down Together," by The Decemberists
  
• "Fly," by Moxy Fruvous
  
• "Cold Kisses," by Richard Thompson
  
• "Break Your Heart," by Barenaked Ladies
  

5 p.m. Amanda Krotki

These are all songs from Cameron Crowe movies and we're overdue for a really great new film from him.

• "I Can't Get Next to You," by The Temptations, Elizabethtown
  
• "Vanilla Sky," by Paul McCartney, Vanilla Sky
  
• "Tiny Dancer," by Elton John, Almost Famous
  
• "Dyslexic Heart," by Paul Westerberg, Singles
• "In Your Eyes," by Peter Gabriel, Say Anything
  

6 p.m. Laura McGuire

These are all artists I've seen live in the past year, courtesy of WTMD: emerging artist concerts, First Thursdays, member concerts, Baltimore Unsigned tapings, in-studio performances.

You guys bring great music to Baltimore!

• "Stop and Think It Over," by Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles
  
• "Good Day," by Jukebox the Ghost
  
• "Emancipated Minor," by Ani Difranco
  
• "Frera," by Fools & Horses
• "A Little Bit of Riddim," by Michael Franti and Spearhead
  

Make the Music Happen! Become part of the TMD 5,000 today.

WTMD's Mixtape Thursday - 02.19.2009

It's another Mixtape Thursday on WTMD and we're playing back your mixtapes all day long. Plus tonight features a celebrity mixtape takeover at 8PM, tune in as Sara Bareilles spins her favorite tunes to date. Submit your 3-5 song set for our next Mixtape Thursday.

Become a member of the TMD 5,000 and track our progress as we encourage all our listeners to become members.

Here are the mixtapes playing today:

6AM Mika Smith
Lake Trout - Systematic Self
Pixies - Dig for Fire
Lou Reed - Sweet Jane

Aside from these just being great songs, I like the stories that they tell. Coincidentally, they each (sort of) tell the story of a woman and a man. I wish the Pixies would write some new music and tour again!

7AM R.J. Schouten
Toad the Wet Sprocket - Crazy Life
Guster - One Man Wrecking Machine
Jackie Greene - When You're Walking Away
Michael Franti & Spearhead - I know I'm not Alone

These songs represent different segments of my life, some I am proud of and some.............not.

8AM Page Bradham
Tom Waits - Blue Valentine
Ryan Adams - Blue by Ryan Adams
The Jayhawks - Blue
New Order - Blue Monday

My wife, Bridget, has the most beautiful blue eyes and I sometimes play her songs with the word "blue" in them to remind her how much I love her beautiful blue eyes.

Pledge your support to WTMD today and become part of the TMD 5000.

9AM Kevin Lynch
North Mississippi All Stars - Moonshine
James Brown - Papa's Got a Brand New Bag
Widespread Panic - Dyin' Man
James Hunter - I'll Walk Away
Trey Anastasio - Alive Again

Ipod Shuffle selections

10AM Tim Walker
The Ronettes - Be My Baby
The Jesus and Mary Chain - Just Like Honey
Sloan - Set in Motion
Mott the Hoople - Foxy Foxy
The Magic Numbers - Forever Lost

"The Blaine Beat" ...in honor of Hal Blaine - the greatest session drummer of all time - and his greatest beat.

11AM Ethan Cooper
The Beach Boys - Sail On, Sailor
Okkervil River - A Girl in Port
Echo & The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain
The New Pornographers - Myriad Harbour

These are songs about ports, harbors, and sailors for the Port of Baltimore.

Pledge your support to WTMD today and become part of the TMD 5000.

12PM Andy Bridges
Air - La Femme D'argent
Aphex Twin - Alberto Balsam
Massive Attack - Exchange
Thievery Corporation - Heaven's Gonna Burn Your Eyes

I wanted to make a mix that reflects the type of music Thievery Corporation is known for, and these songs are by far my favorite slow-and-easy electronic jams.

1PM Corrie Byrne
Hey Marseilles Rio
Fleet Foxes - Mykanos
Sufjan Stevens - Chicago
Rusted Root - Send Me On My Way

These songs seem to speak to the desire for adventure or escape with the aftertaste of the burdens you leave behind, the struggles and sacrifices you make to get there, and then ultimately with whether or not the place you end up is where you want to be. They suggest to me that maybe the car, boat, plane or train ride was the best part of the trip.   

Pledge your support to WTMD today and become part of the TMD 5000.

4PM Beth Homa
Phish - Dog-faced Boy
Radiohead - High and Dry
Bill Withers - Aint No Sunshine
Langhorne Slim - I Love You but Goodbye
The Mama's and The Papa's - Sing for your Supper

Tunes I like to jam out to!

5PM Lorn Hinish
Pink Floyd - Money
The Grilled Lincolns - Broke
Citizen Cope - 200,000 in counterfeit 50 dollar bills
The Flying Lizards - Money

It seems like the economy is going in the toilet and everyone is looking for money because they are broke. So the songs chosen are about being broke and getting by in that never ending search for money.

6PM Chris Lombardi
Easy Star All-Stars - Got To Get Away
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Sun Is Shining
The BPA Feat. Ashley Beedle - Should I Stay Or Should I Blow
Thievery Corporation - 33 Degree

This is a mix for any Monday morning. Especially if it is a freezing Monday morning in Baltimore and I have to get up for a long day work. It tells me I need to head somewhere warm for a nice get-a-way.

Pledge your support to WTMD today and become part of the TMD 5000.

7PM Nancyjane Bailey
Timbuk 3 - The Future's So Bright (I Gotta Wear Shades)
David Bowie and Queen - Under pressure
Ramones - I wanna be sedated
Pink Floyd - Comfortably numb

I created this playlist in the early 1990s. It is the stages of an engineering project. Everyone is elated when the contract comes in. Then various groups and people start dividing up the money. Reality sets in -- there is not enough money or time to do all that is promised. Engineers are asked to perform miracles in a short amount of time with little money. So much to be done, so little time. Trying to do seven things means you never relax, even at home (want to be sedated). In the end, burn out occurs. Nothing matters. Comfortably numb. At various times I have added other songs to this basic play list.