Exile in Mainstream

Date

September 7, 2011

Miracler

Kevin Seidel

Location

San Francisco

Perhaps you know Kevin Seidel

as The Guy Who Rose At 4am To Win Our Evening With Paul Weller Sweepstakes, or maybe it was his super-hooky Bonus Mix Songs in the Key of PCH of October '08, of which was said, "Thanks for this stand-out mix—been listening to it all week" and "From the e-needle-drop to the last note, it's a rollickingly fun mix" that sealed him into your memory for all time.

Or perhaps it was June '09's Downside and Upside one-two punch, which inspired "You know how to kick off a mix man!" and "I'm new to the 3MPMP and now terrified by the standard you've set—like meeting the seniors that freshmen summer at band camp" and "How can painting the black hole blacker sound so fun?"

Then there was Kevin's Grant Lee Phillips Definitive Collection in January '10, which Miraclers said, "Have been waiting for this with bated breath since it was announced," "Nice, and your timing was perfect—this made for a great lazy/rainy weekend soundtrack," "Until now, Grant-Lee Phillips had just been a blip in the corner of my musical radar—thanks for adjusting my receiver" and "Man, I love that 'Fuzzy' falsetto and guitar, and the 'Twin Brothers' John Doe combo—they just get stuck on repeat in my head—goooood".

And lastly, Mr. Seidel made us Solos & Supergroups: A Double Album in August '10, about which was said, "Solo has a bunch of go-to mix songs that I love to use. Don't know whether to be stoked or peeved. I guess that makes me steeved," "Supergroups is amazing—you had a concept and also the music flowed seamlessly," "I think almost every one of these songs from both mixes made it into my current playlist," and "Big thanks for the this musical double whammy." What has Koncept Mix Kevin brought us today? Let's listen in.

KS Liner Notes

That's me with my Dad, listening to my beloved ELO. They were the band that kicked it all off for me. This mix looks back fondly (and chronologically) at the more mainstream artists that would eventually open doors to the more obscure stuff I find myself listening to now. My musical gateway drugs, if you will. Follow along:

#1 – The only record my Dad owned that I wanted to hear again and again, which led me to the Beatles and Beach Boys. Not exactly obscure, but I was 5.

#2 – The first new record I ever bought. So “different.” Still is.

#3 – In junior high, I ventured to Tower Records to buy a record by this band I’d heard about. They had a two-part name, were pretty heavy, and had this kick-ass, shirtless singer. I was looking for Van Halen, but I discovered Led Zeppelin.

#4 – One of the many things Bowie taught me was the importance of sidemen–like Mick Ronson here.

#5 – I fell hard for the new southern rock, which led me down the kudzu path for some time.

#6 – The perfect college band: gender bending, druggy, and experimental.

#7 – This band sent me into brooding singer/songwriter mode for year, though I had yet to learn the guitar.

#8 – Grating, pounding, and oddly melodic. Nirvana planted my ears in the 206 area code for too many years.

#9 – The antithesis, or perhaps antidote to, the Seattle scene, this band reopened my ears to nuance.

#10 – Los Lobos actually led me to this record, which led me to the work of Tchad Blake and Mitchell Froom, and the importance of production.

#11 – Helped me discover the real “alt country” pioneers the Bryds, Flying Burrito Bros, Gram parsons, etc.

#12 – I know it’s cliché, but I’ll take whatever these guys hand out.

#13 – This band is the synthesis of all these influences, cuz it’s mine.

Mix is up. Listen and comment. And then comment on others. Cuz that's the deal. See you back here or on our members-only Facebook page.

Until next week,

XOK