I know what you're thinking: "But Zach! December and January were SUCH GOOD MIXES! How can you have any amazing songs left t share?!?! Well, for one: February was also stuffed with dozens of good songs that I just couldn't fit on the mix. Second: this is what I do.
The mixes are separated into two categories. "Bundled Up" is slower, more mellow songs for when you are bundled up on those cold, winter nights. "Cabin Fever" is for when you've been stuck inside so long the only thing that can cure your cabin fever is more cowbell. Well, Dr. Z has put together some uptempo, toe-tappingly good songs for just the occasion.
The playlists are below. Let me know if you think any of these tracks should have made the real list. Also, if you didn't receive one of these but want one, just let me know. Or call. Or write. Or send me a CD!
BUNDLED UP
1. Angus & Julia Stone - And the Boys
2. Shelby Sifers - Are You Devo (The Spirituals remix)
3. IMMOOR - Young Intentions (Ft. Goddamn Electric Bill)
4. Camera Obscura - The Blizzard
5. Mumford & Sons - White Blank Page
6. Ah Holly Fam'ly - Loneliest City
7. Bicycle Voice - Ellis the Trellis
8. Slow Club - Because We're Dead
9. Rye 'n Clover - Black Hoody Dreams
10. Low - Dinosaur Act
11. Clare and the Reasons - Murder, They Want Murder
12. El Perro Del Mar - Change of Heart
13. MGMT - Weekend Wars
14. My Robot Friend - By Your Side (Ft. Dean Wareham)
15. Jupiter One - Flaming Arrow
16. Lisa Mitchell - Clean White Love
17. Frank Smith - Throwin' Rocks
18. Stevans - Monday's Weddin
19. Owen - No More No Where
20. Sufjan Stevens - Amazing Grace
21. Priscilla Ahn - Leave the Light On
Zach's Notes
2. I LOVE the overall sound of this song. It is so cool.
6. Intricate harmonies, melodic clarinets, and a great song.
11. Another song high on the overall sound feature.
12. Great bass line and you have to love the echoing.
15. I'm pretty sure this band played at NMU a few years ago. Proving that with some hard work and a good song, even YOU can make this playlist.
19. Oh, Owen...
20. Yes, it is the spiritual. Yes, it is cool. I mean, it uses a banjo for crying out loud!
CABIN FEVER
1. Los Campesinos! - We've Got Your Back
2. Frightened Rabbit - Nothing Like You
3. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Young Adult Friction
4. Throw Television - F is for Freakout
5. Dan Mangen - Road Regrets
6. Whitley - Poison in out Pocket
7. Hungry Kids of Hungary - Let You Down
8. Blue October - Jump Rope
9. Yeasayer - I Remember
10. Men - Big Fucker
11. Eels - Gone Man
12. Andrew P - I've Been Waiting for U
13. Fyfe Dangerfield - When You Walk Into the Room
14. Erin McKeown - Santa Cruz
15. First Rate People - Girl's Night
16. U.S. Royalty - Every Summer
17. Tegan & Sara - On Directing
18. Polarsets - Just Don't Open Your Eyes Yet
19. Wiretree - Back in Town
20. Ball Park Music - Sea Strangers (I Don't Really Know You)
21. Gold Motel - Perfect in my Mind
22. Muse - Resistance
Zach's Notes:
1. I would literally dropkick a ninja to see these guys live.
2. These guys won me over with their November hit, but this is pretty good too.
3. Yes, fRiction...not fiction
7. Great tune!
8. After "Lips of an Angel," I NEVER EVER thought I'd listen to Blue October again. However, this song is a little funny and a little ironic and a little catchy. Also, who can say no to a children's choir? Not this guy apparently.
9. This band is getting a lot of play with "Ambling Alp," but I prefer this one.
10. Not as hardcore of a song as the name implies.
12. Hip-Hop!
13. Such a cool song!
15. I love the sound of her voice.
17. I've heard a lot of Tegan & Sara songs lately, and this is the best one to come my way. They've been so close to making previous playlists, so let's welcome them.
22. MUSE!!!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
February 2010 Playlist
Hey team! February CDs went out in the mail today! Getting a playlist ready by the 24th of a month is usually pretty good, but since February is obviously a little slow and didn't get enough days, it is kinda late. I'm sorry if it doesn't reach you until March. Like, truly sorry.
As usual, this post will be music related, but a life update will be shortly behind.
In addition, if you managed to stumble across this and want to hear the music, you can go to www.artofthemix.org. Search for DJ Spyrograph and you should find links to most of the music!
Give this CD 2 listens before making any big judgments. It's good, but it was so hard to try and follow up the hit-parades that December and January became. It's like batting 5th in the Brewer's lineup behind Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder...
FEBRUARY 2010
1. Weezer - I'm Your Daddy
2. Shout Out Louds - 1999
3. Los Campesinos! - Romance is Boring
4. Dreamboat Money - I Can't Wait to Come Home
5. Tape the Radio - Stay Inside
6. Album Leaf - Falling from the Sun
7. Dirty Projectors - Emblem Of The World
8. Darwin Deez - Constellations
9. Whale Tooth - Hibernation Song
10. Fun. - All The Pretty Girls
11. Stornoway - Zorbing
12. Stereophonics - She's Alright
13. Desmond and the Tutus - High Fives
14. Vampire Weekend - Diplomat's Son
15. Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore - Something, Somewhere, Sometime
16. The Fiery Furnaces ft. E. Friedberger - Keep Me in the Dark
17. Broadcast 2000 - Your Own Worst Enemy
18. U.S. Royalty - Keep It Cool
19. Geographer - Can't You Wait
20. Mumford & Sons - Roll Away Your Stone
21. The xx - VCR
22. Letting Up Despite Great Faults - Folding Under Stories Told
Zach's Notes:
1. Though I may not fully agree with Weezer's new "let's get every song in the Top 40" mantra, I do fully agree with their "let's play with synthesizers" motto. Way to go!
2. For kicks, listen to Phoenix's 1901 first...
3. The title track off of their new album. I read an article where the head Campesino (that's his last name) said that "Romance is Boring" has two meanings. The first, of course, is dull. The second is that it is boring a hole into you like a drill. I like that.
7. Such weird, but amazing harmonies. I can't stop listening!
9. So catchy!
11. Such a cool beginning and stays strong till the finish!
13. Best band name and most creative song topic all in one!
14. My favorite track off of the new Vampire Weekend album, Contra
15. Trish actually called this one to my attention. Way to go roomie!
18. Possibly my favorite track on the mix...
21. Great mellow sound!
22. For a trip, listen to this one in headphones!
As always, questions, comments, and concerns are always welcome!
As usual, this post will be music related, but a life update will be shortly behind.
In addition, if you managed to stumble across this and want to hear the music, you can go to www.artofthemix.org. Search for DJ Spyrograph and you should find links to most of the music!
Give this CD 2 listens before making any big judgments. It's good, but it was so hard to try and follow up the hit-parades that December and January became. It's like batting 5th in the Brewer's lineup behind Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder...
FEBRUARY 2010
1. Weezer - I'm Your Daddy
2. Shout Out Louds - 1999
3. Los Campesinos! - Romance is Boring
4. Dreamboat Money - I Can't Wait to Come Home
5. Tape the Radio - Stay Inside
6. Album Leaf - Falling from the Sun
7. Dirty Projectors - Emblem Of The World
8. Darwin Deez - Constellations
9. Whale Tooth - Hibernation Song
10. Fun. - All The Pretty Girls
11. Stornoway - Zorbing
12. Stereophonics - She's Alright
13. Desmond and the Tutus - High Fives
14. Vampire Weekend - Diplomat's Son
15. Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore - Something, Somewhere, Sometime
16. The Fiery Furnaces ft. E. Friedberger - Keep Me in the Dark
17. Broadcast 2000 - Your Own Worst Enemy
18. U.S. Royalty - Keep It Cool
19. Geographer - Can't You Wait
20. Mumford & Sons - Roll Away Your Stone
21. The xx - VCR
22. Letting Up Despite Great Faults - Folding Under Stories Told
Zach's Notes:
1. Though I may not fully agree with Weezer's new "let's get every song in the Top 40" mantra, I do fully agree with their "let's play with synthesizers" motto. Way to go!
2. For kicks, listen to Phoenix's 1901 first...
3. The title track off of their new album. I read an article where the head Campesino (that's his last name) said that "Romance is Boring" has two meanings. The first, of course, is dull. The second is that it is boring a hole into you like a drill. I like that.
7. Such weird, but amazing harmonies. I can't stop listening!
9. So catchy!
11. Such a cool beginning and stays strong till the finish!
13. Best band name and most creative song topic all in one!
14. My favorite track off of the new Vampire Weekend album, Contra
15. Trish actually called this one to my attention. Way to go roomie!
18. Possibly my favorite track on the mix...
21. Great mellow sound!
22. For a trip, listen to this one in headphones!
As always, questions, comments, and concerns are always welcome!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Zach the Job Hunter
So for the past month I have sent out literally dozens of applications for full-time teaching jobs across the country. My applications stretch as East as Connecticut and as Far East as Singapore.
I will be 24 this summer and although I do not feel ready to calm down and stay in one city for an extended period of time yet, I do need a full-time job for next fall. I need some experience teaching a classroom my way, whether it be general music, instrumental music, or vocal music. No longer can I hypothesize about how I would teach a class...I need to activate my plans. I need to be able to come to an administrator a year from now and say this is what I've DONE as opposed to what I WOULD DO. It's so scary to think about. I love the flexibility of having temp jobs and I love being able to escape into an adventure any time I feel like it. I just hope the next place I end up will have that availability.
I have applied to a few places near Boulder, but nothing has come from them yet. I would love to stay for one more year, but it is looking less and less likely. My long shot is that there was a music teacher placed on administrative leave last week and I am his substitute all this upcoming week. If he gets fired, they will need a long-term sub and I would have a big foot in the door. Also, that means there would be at least one position open in Boulder Valley for fall. I think I'd have a shot, especially if I do a good job in the next few days.
The places that have been most active in hiring me so far have been Judith Gap, Montana and the Ministry of Education in Singapore. Judith Gap has a population of 152 and I would teach EVERY student in town - K-12! That's exciting because in one year of employment, I would gain THREE years of experience as I'd be teaching general, choral, and instrumental. In Singapore, I'd be teaching high school/jr. college students, so ages 12-18ish. Yes, the schools are taught in English. I have always wanted to go to Indonesia and that is like right there, but I'm afraid of being in a HUGE EFFING CITY all by myself for a year. I'm sure they'd have training and support services set up for foreign recruitees. Also, how cool would it be 10 years down the road to say I taught in Singapore for a year? We'll see how it goes I guess.
I usually have no problems with commitment, but I have truly afraid I will commit to a job only to have a better job offered to me. Of course I want the best scenario for myself, but I have a feeling it is going to take some diplomacy. At least I hope so...that means I'm a wanted man.
There is also rumor that good ol' Mayville, WI will be having a music position open. I would love to gain experience as a teacher for dirt cheap, but I would hate to be living at home. I'm sure it wouldn't be horrible, but I'm sure it wouldn't be awesome either.
If I could pick where I go next (supposing I can't pick Boulder), I would continue West to the Seattle area or at least Northern California on up. The New England area sounds cool too. I'm also monitoring Milwaukee and Southern Michigan pretty closely for jobs as it would be really easy to move back there.
South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, New York, Iowa, Nebraska, Alaska, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Singapore, Colorado, Arizona, North Dakota, Tennessee, Kentucky, Connecticut, Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Maryland. Those are the places I've applied so far. I think. I might be wrong. It's crazy.
I will be 24 this summer and although I do not feel ready to calm down and stay in one city for an extended period of time yet, I do need a full-time job for next fall. I need some experience teaching a classroom my way, whether it be general music, instrumental music, or vocal music. No longer can I hypothesize about how I would teach a class...I need to activate my plans. I need to be able to come to an administrator a year from now and say this is what I've DONE as opposed to what I WOULD DO. It's so scary to think about. I love the flexibility of having temp jobs and I love being able to escape into an adventure any time I feel like it. I just hope the next place I end up will have that availability.
I have applied to a few places near Boulder, but nothing has come from them yet. I would love to stay for one more year, but it is looking less and less likely. My long shot is that there was a music teacher placed on administrative leave last week and I am his substitute all this upcoming week. If he gets fired, they will need a long-term sub and I would have a big foot in the door. Also, that means there would be at least one position open in Boulder Valley for fall. I think I'd have a shot, especially if I do a good job in the next few days.
The places that have been most active in hiring me so far have been Judith Gap, Montana and the Ministry of Education in Singapore. Judith Gap has a population of 152 and I would teach EVERY student in town - K-12! That's exciting because in one year of employment, I would gain THREE years of experience as I'd be teaching general, choral, and instrumental. In Singapore, I'd be teaching high school/jr. college students, so ages 12-18ish. Yes, the schools are taught in English. I have always wanted to go to Indonesia and that is like right there, but I'm afraid of being in a HUGE EFFING CITY all by myself for a year. I'm sure they'd have training and support services set up for foreign recruitees. Also, how cool would it be 10 years down the road to say I taught in Singapore for a year? We'll see how it goes I guess.
I usually have no problems with commitment, but I have truly afraid I will commit to a job only to have a better job offered to me. Of course I want the best scenario for myself, but I have a feeling it is going to take some diplomacy. At least I hope so...that means I'm a wanted man.
There is also rumor that good ol' Mayville, WI will be having a music position open. I would love to gain experience as a teacher for dirt cheap, but I would hate to be living at home. I'm sure it wouldn't be horrible, but I'm sure it wouldn't be awesome either.
If I could pick where I go next (supposing I can't pick Boulder), I would continue West to the Seattle area or at least Northern California on up. The New England area sounds cool too. I'm also monitoring Milwaukee and Southern Michigan pretty closely for jobs as it would be really easy to move back there.
South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, New York, Iowa, Nebraska, Alaska, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Singapore, Colorado, Arizona, North Dakota, Tennessee, Kentucky, Connecticut, Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Maryland. Those are the places I've applied so far. I think. I might be wrong. It's crazy.
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