The Mix:
Before I named this mix, I called it “Slow/Techno Mix.” That name just seemed like a good way to classify the songs. Actually, “slow” was not a good name in retrospect. I suppose I called it that to contrast it from the “fast” mix. Anyhow, this mix does have more of a techno feel than the other two mixes.
This mix was supposed to have a sort of space-like vibe. You should listen to it when you are orbiting the moon, or any planet or moon (I suppose it could also be listened to while you are being sucked into a black hole…). I always put space and dream realities in the same category. One of my favorite dream films is Michel Gondry’s The Science of Sleep. Most reviewers would say that this is not his best film by any means. I don’t care. I really liked it and I watch it about twice a year. The opening clip of the mix is from the film. It is when the protagonist, Stephane, tells us a little about dreams and how they are made. The other clip is “Reve Patrick Dewaere.” It is a clip where Stephane tries to give a speech about his calendar artwork called “Disasterology” – images depicting great disasters. He says that he “would like to dedicate [the award] to all the victims [of the tragic disasters].” Before he can even go on, he is interrupted and the speech is over. I used a clip from Allen Ginsberg’s “America” because I recently read it. I liked the poem a lot. I used the clip from the Apollo 11 liftoff for obvious reasons. The final audio clip I used is an underwater animal clip. I am not sure what the sounds are coming from, maybe whales or seals. Anyways, it is very space-like. I think that the closest thing we have to space on earth is the vast oceans and their mysteries.
Art:
I wanted the artwork to reflect a little bit of outer space. I originally wanted my sister to make a rendition of the Leonid Meteor Shower. My sister came back with the artwork now on the cover. That is actually how the title came about. It looked like a huge meteor-eye shedding tears on earth, on a vast plain with a mountain in the distance. Lightning from above violently, yet beautifully, strikes a flower in the foreground. I like how the drawing brings about a connection between earth and space.
Songs:
The new album by The National is fantastic. Choosing a song from the album was very hard, but once I decided on “Conversation 16,” I never changed my mind.
The most random song on the mix is “Ruby Tuesday” by The Rolling Stones. This summer I listened to a lot of rock from the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. I had never really listened to a lot of the Stones. I think that “Sympathy for the Devil” is really what got me into them. I had always liked “Ruby Tuesday,” though, so I decided to use it in the mix.
It took me a while to decide if I would indeed use “Dreams-Come-True-Girl” by Cass McCombs. I put it on once I realized that I could not get it out of my head. I thought that was a good sign that I should use it.
I found the song “I’ll Take Care of You” by Gil Scott-Heron at a record store on 4th street called Other Music (a excellent place to find new music). I had never thought too much of the spoken-word artist, but this song could not have been a better choice for this mix.
I think the decision to follow “I’ll Take Care of You” with “No Barrier Fun” by Liars was risky because they are both very creepy sounding. I hope it works for everyone.
I have always liked Charlotte Gainsbourg as an actress. When she came out with a CD, I though “Great, another actress trying to branch out of their creative field by making a CD with autotune!” I could not have been more wrong. The album is excellent and this song is perfect.
I could not think of a better way to end the mix than with “Heaven’s on Fire” by The Radio Dept. I love the clip about rock and roll and youth culture. I also think that The Radio Dept. is the perfect band to end this chill mix.
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