Spring Break
The perfect summer mixtape
Ann Arbor / Ypsi style
Jason Beckerleg
Issue date: 5/11/09 Section: Summer Tide
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What would summer be without the perfect summer mixtape? Just because the era of the cassette tape is long gone doesn't mean you can't put together the perfect mix of summer music, whether it be a burned CD or a playlist carefully selected for your MP3 player. Whatever the format, I'm still calling it a mixtape.
Mixtapes have been immortalized in books ("Love is a Mixtape" by Rob Sheffield, "High Fidelity" by Nick Hornby), movies (High Fidelity, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist) and music ("Make Me a Mixtape" by The Promise Ring, "Mixtape" by Brand New). Considered by many to be an art form in and of themselves, the perfect mixtapes can become highly personal statements when done with care and precision.
There are some specific rules and things to consider when making a mix. The first thing to consider is your intention. Is it for a friend or special someone? Maybe you want to capture a specific mood or theme. Maybe it's just a quick mix to capture what you're into at a particular time in your life.
Other things to consider are how you will begin the mix. The first song is crucial. It sets the tone for the entire listening experience. But you don't want to use all of your best tracks right away. You need to maintain a consistent fl ow throughout. Remember you are taking the listener on a musical journey, not just throwing some songs together.
Probably the most important decision is the closer. Every good mix should end with a bang, making the listener want to listen over and over.
This year I was blown away by all of the great music coming out of the Ann Arbor/ Ypsilanti area, so I set forth to create the perfect summer soundtrack with all local acts. Combining some essential classics with a lot of great newer stuff, here is what I came up with. Enjoy.
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