Inspired

Date
August 15, 2012

Miracler
Chris Fry

Location 
San Francisco

When last we heard from today's mixmaker,  
he was bringing us the pop-ular roadtrip mix Away for the Weekend in April '11, about which y'all said, 

'Popolicious! Photosynthesis has never seemed so fun and sexy — it's the "chica chica ah" that slays me. TV on the Radio, somehow, always sounds fresh, vital — like it's bursting out of the speakers. Thank you, Mr, Fry.'   'Lots to love in this mix. especially the triumphant return of handsome boy modeling school. i haven't thought about them in years. if i had, you can damn well bet that's the name i'd have given my newly formed corporation.'   'This mix has some gorgeous songs on it, namely, Out on the Lake, Halfway Home and Hospital Beds -- that's the one I can't believe hasn't made it's way on a previous mix! 12 songs...this mix felt like it could have gone even longer. Thanks!!'   'Seriously, this TV on the Radio song is just the best!!!! It's not like going on a vacation, but more like swan diving off a cliff.'   'Some great finds here! I enjoyed the eclecticism. Bent is a nice find. I just saw Ben Kweller play acoustic. He's a clever songwriter. The rest I was familiar, and fond of. Thanks for the staycation!'   'Ben Kweller! I saw his never-ending nosebleed show at ACL in 2006 (http://bit.ly/eaE8gs). Love that kid. Solid mix - "What is Pop?" is a favorite of mine and early indications are that this is in the same pipeline.'   'That Snow Patrol tune is a great opener. Thanks.'   'I'm digging Handsome Boy, Ben Kweller, and the dreamy Bent (all new to me). Thanks!snow patrol track reminds me of Stills-material CSNY!'   'Ben Kweller has Steve Miller on the move groove. something about the tv on the radio is good. the bedrock tune is the I-5 part of the trip? Autobahn on ecstasy. The next tune could use some Eitzel singing something about rest stops. I'm in love. and who does not love the sound of the flaming lips during this period. K.I.M....the thought came to mind of making a track with some guitars and twinky bell sounds, maybe a fiddle, and 2-3 guys sitting around talking about their apps and how much their fixies cost.'   Loved this mix, even when I admittedly disliked the odd tune. But that's what some roadtrips are like, isn't it? Sometimes you go through a bumpy road to get to nicer places, and the trip is worth it. The first half of the journey was super cool, as always a few discoveries which made me happy, thank you very much for the ride! Then when we were 'Halfway Home', apparently we took the wrong turn and landed in the desert? Wait, it's a Lake... and on the other side of it there's a Spanish drum circle. Let's get outta here. Ah! we found the road again, it feels good to feel home away from home. And what do you know? At the end of the trip there's a party. Nice.'   'I'm really and truly heading off for a weekend away, and lamenting the fact that we're traveling by air instead of road because this mix would've been the obvious mix to bring, right? I will always have a place in my heart for songs with a forward-driving beat like Shut Your Eyes. It makes burning through a $60 tank of gas almost seem like a pleasure.'   'This mix got me through a painfully uncomfortable 3 hour bus ride in Greece recently - thanks!'

Then in June '09, CF gave us a fab-fun mix that posed the proverbial question, What Is Pop? Today brings us another eclectic and summery collection which was inspired by...well, we'll let C. Fry tell ya...

Liner Notes by CF

INSPIRED

It was once said “Hey music is hard damn business and we need to support artists, so if you hear something in these mixes and like it, then go out and buy it.  This is not just a free bit torent lollie-gag!  We miraclers are better than that”  or something such as this.  Well, I have been inspired and done just that.  Here is a compilation of songs I have purchased directly as a result of YOUR mix posted in season 5. 

Plus!  a little explanation as to why i chose each number and some ass kissing as my comments usually get posted 2 weeks to never after a mix goes up. To all my fellow miraclers, I beg forgiveness.   I couldn’t get to all the mixes, but I am going to just move forward and apologize later.  There is a 45 min rule in effect after all. 

Let’s get started, shall we?

Hostess,  “We are not worthy - what a smashingly amazing first mix this season.  January comes across as lifetimes ago, as I think back to a time when I had cool friends kicking up interesting sounds and thoughts in a daily barrage of enlightenment.  Horns - how I love them and they are present on this mix in so many ways.  I hyperbolize not -  KN there is a reason you drive this train - thank you.  I picked a “Girls” tune to further the Jonathan Richmand universe.  Luckily Summertime makes a great kick off tune.

Good thing your mix was next in line Karl.  Anybody knows the second song has to be high energy.  A tune that says, “I am not forking around here people.”  Karl, you have given me much great fodder.  Tis the Buzzcocks that must be selected.  God save the queen.

Time for a left turn.  I jumped to Dopeheads and the Rockpile got me with that guitar riff in the pre-chorus which led to a search and learning mission about Dave Edmunds which (and here is the left turn) led me to a Cark Perkins special featuring Edmunds.  Carl is in fact an inspiration as is George Harrison who also makes an appearance on this Sun records classic.

Peter I drew on your car chase mix from back in Feb for this one.  So many ways to go here - Junior Brown, Del Reeves, The Willis Brothers, or even Dave Daudley  would have made a great succession to Carl, but instead I chose Bruce.  Has anyone else read the novella expose’ on Bruce in the New Yorker last month?  This list has not shied away from potential cheese, so here it is.  

Then I find myself at Abby’s Bone Snakes and Bone Folders mix which delivers a languid yet engaging entourage into spring. The Juan MacLean gets me searching and I find out John MacLean is in fact old buds with James Murphy, front man for LCD Soundsystem.  What a small world huh?  Now LCD Soundsystem has become an inspiration for me as quick as you can say, “I am breaking up the band”.  I want Daf Punk to play at my house!

Christina I never got around to guessing your theme.  I am sure I missed the sweepstakes, but here it is.... 0utcasts!   I almost went with Outkast+Nora Jones - Baby take off your cool? just to push the limits, but wisely retreated to a more traditional Bowtie.

Keep the party cool.  Thanks Sterling Bromide!  Matias Aguayo - Minimal lays it out for a nice mid-party break.  My notes should be as to point as yours.

Laura - I have been getting in the car.  Thanks for the push.  An also thanks for the Baxter Dury hook up.  Trellic makes a nice transition out of pulse-based electronic/hip-hop back into the work of alternative/rock.

Speaking of rock and since this is about inspiration, a thank you to Greg for beating around the Zeppelin bush.  I am pretty sure I lost 3 years to these English chaps. 

Alex - Alela Diane’s voice got me.  While the urge was to take this mix back up-tempo, that voice commanded that I take a slow drift out.   I am sure Carol Andrews was following some inner urge to go against the tide a few hours prior to that mix cover. 

We finish with the Rolling Stones, courtesy of Gioia. Certainly not the first expenditure I have made with their name on it  - at one point I probably owned a good 20+ CD's - who knows where they have all went.  And yes, millions will also claim that the Stones influenced them and changed music forever.  Sure the group has bled off this pedigree every 3-5 years or so for a sold out reunion tour which fills the coffers and lines their retirement suits with silk.  All that aside, let’s not forget that they put out an amazing string of sophisticate, soulful, souped up sounds for about 20 years straight.   I'd like to think Melody qualifies. Thank you all.


The album cover is an instagram shot of a mural by Sam Flores. 

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