So, we make a mix CD based on geographical location. It can be a country or, if large and densely cultured enough (hello, NYC), a city. But -- since I'm feeling authoritarian and annoying -- there are some rules, which can be summed up:
It isn't enough that the artist is from whatever region or nation you choose. She, he, or they must refer to the area in some way, either very explicitly in their name, fairly explicitly in the song title, or more subtly in the song's lyrics or through some other nuanced reference.
In other words, Neil Young doesn't automatically qualify in a Canadian mix, but a song by Young referencing Canadian culture will suffice.
I hope I've explained myself clearly, but you'll immediately see that, for this exercise, being both bored and obsessive can be very advantageous.
― David A. (Davant), Tuesday, 11 May 2004 23:53 (twenty-two years ago)
So, here's mine. I call it the
Flin Flon Mix in honour of that band's referencing only Canadian towns on their first record:
1. "Canada" by Low
2. "Ontario" by the Mountain Goats
3. "Echo Beach" by Martha and the Muffins (fictional, but inspired by Sunnyside Beach on Lake Ontario)
4. "Where the Fraser River Flows" by Utah Phillips
5. "Ontario, Quebec and Me" by Billy Bragg
6. "Manitoba" by Frank Black
7. "Amo Bishop Roden" by Boards of Canada (band name, simply)
8. "You Gotta Reap What You Sow" by Alberta Hunter (first name)
9. "Wheat Kings" by the Tragically Hip
10. "Helpless" by CSN&Y (that opening line!)
11. "Saskatchewan" by the Rheostatics
12. "Little Beaver" by Songs: Ohia (hey, Canada's national critter, right?)
13. "Hockey Skates" by Kathleen Edwards
14. "Canadian Waltz" by Boys of the Lough
15. "Maple Leaves" by Jens Lekman
16. "The Junkie Song" by the Be Good Tanyas (set in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside)
17. "Top of the World" by the Rascalz ft. Barrington Levy (esp. for the lines "Van-city's calling" and "Kelowna to Kalamazoo")
18. "Scarborough" by Crash Vegas
19. "Lakeside Park" by Rush
20. "One Great City!" by the Weakerthans (the 'Peg, of course)
21. "Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin
22. "Crazy Mary" by Victoria Williams (first name, again)
― David A. (Davant), Tuesday, 11 May 2004 23:54 (twenty-two years ago)
Unsurprisingly, I chose Canada. Americans might want to narrow it down a bit, regionally or something.
And -- aw fuck! -- I forgot the other rule -- you have to genuinely like the songs on your mix!
― David A. (Davant), Tuesday, 11 May 2004 23:56 (twenty-two years ago)
Oh, ouch, this is only my second question and, once again, the ILX massif has ignored it. Clearly, I have no idea how to frame these things.
― David A. (Davant), Wednesday, 12 May 2004 03:21 (twenty-two years ago)
add "Fountain and Fairfax" by Afghan Whigs= well on the way to a site-specific junkie mix
― Morley Timmons (Donna Brown), Wednesday, 12 May 2004 04:26 (twenty-two years ago)