Challenge #4: Little Pinches & Pokes (Steven's Mix)

It's supposed to be a challenge, right? I knew I wanted to mix a few tracks that I have been listening to over and over this summer, Thunderheist, The Cocknbullkid, Little Boots and Royksopp's Girl and the Robot (should this song be banned from future mixes?!) alongside music from rainy Portland, Oregon. While there were some obvious PDX music choices(I spared you Nu Shooz and Quarterflash), the real challenge for me ended up being, just how about do I go and pair these songs together in a logical manner. I've futzed around with this to become "Little Pinches & Pokes". From synthy electro to the lush, drama-filled sound of Pink Martini, all of these things represent Portland to me. I hope you enjoy this little romp through my home.

The Artwork:

I think the artwork's all pretty obvious. Portland is full of bridges, and St. John's (just west of the downtown area) is one of my favorites. And I think of Portland as a place that shines brightest after the sun sets...

Little Pinches & Pokes

(I've noted all of the Portland bands with a "PDX" below)

1. The Love That I Crave (Strategy's Strata Club Remix) - The Blow PDX
2. Vanished - Crystal Castles PDX
3. The Girl and The Robot (Chateau Marmont Remix) - Röyksopp
4. I'm Not Sorry (Stuart Ramsay Remix) - The Cocknbullkid
5. Nothing 2 Step 2 (Sammy Bananas Remix) - Thunderheist
6. New In Town (Fred Falke Radio Edit) - Little Boots
7. Wilderness - Strength PDX
8. Violence, Diamonds - Panther PDX
9. Toys (Richard Sen Remix) - Hedford Vachal PDX
10. Jealousy (Club Mix) - Martin Solveig
11. Florida - Starfucker PDX
12. Iceage Babeland - Natalie Portman's Shaved Head
13. Lisztomania (Classixx Version) - Phoenix
14. She Comes in the Fall - Inspiral Carpets
15. Crest of the Hill - The Minders PDX
16. E. Its Stable - Menomena PDX
17. Miss Haze - Reclinerland PDX
18. Spirited - Laura Gibson PDX
19. Sweet California - Chris Stills (A bit random, I know, but there's a Portland connection for me here, as well as an irrational crush on Chris)
20. Let's Never Stop Falling in Love - Pink Martini PDX

Grab your umbrella, and listen to Little Pinches & Pokes

Challenge #4 - This Midwestern Ocean (Marc's Mix)

I have to say, this challenger was a head-scratcher at first, combining summer jams with local flavor. But as I mulled it over, I realized it made sense. Part of summer is getting out there and enjoy the sounds of it at street fairs, festivals and local dives, discovering new talent, making new friends, and logging in great memories based around music.

I originally thought of going the logical direction of Chicago House Music, but realized as much as I love it, there's no real connection since I moved to Chicago after the house music peak. So, I contact my friend Geoff Kessell who I've been friends with since the early 90's for suggestions and maybe a song. He sent me a demo of his from years back that has since made it onto one of his albums, Songs for a Caustic Guitar. After listening, the ideas rolled in naturally. Geoff has been one of my biggest influences in music tastes. He, along with my best pal Kelly, really showed me how pleasurable simple guitar pop can be. And over many summers, the 3 of us built memories around many of these fun, jangly tracks.

So, this summer mix, with local flair, is really an homage to Geoff and the summers of my twenties. As I age into my 40's, these songs still see ageless.

1. Music To Watch Girls By - Andy Williams (best summer song ever)
2. Rise And Shine - The Cardigans
3. It's A Miracle - Trashcan Sinatras
4. The Life Of Riley - The Lightning Seeds
5. Girl's Bike - The Aluminum Group (local Chicago)
6. I Never Though I Could Feel This Way For A Boy - The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir (local Chicago)
7. He's On The Beach - Kirsty MacColl
8. Against The Sun - Eggstone
9. La La Love You - Pixies
10. Perfect - Jinx Titanic (local Chicago)
11. Life In These Little Boats - Deas Vail
12. The Girl Who Waves At Trains - The Lilac Time
13. Like Lovers Do (Stephen Street Mix) - Lloyd Cole
14. I've Been Waiting - Matthew Sweet
15. Pretty the World - Matt Nathanson (not local, but good friend so seems local)
16. She's so High - Tal Bachman
17. If It's Love - Squeeze
18. Town Called Malice - McFly
19. Baby's Coming Back - Jellyfish
20. Sweet Sunshine - David Mead (localish)
21. Screen Door - Uncle Tupelo (local St Louis)
22. Unwind - Erik Voeks (local St. Louis)
23. Land-Locked (Demo) - Geoff Kessell (local St. Louis)

Download This Midwestern Ocean

Challenge # 4 - Surf Town (Jeff's Entry)

The songs of summer, keeping it local. This was tuff as it's my 3d summer compilation this year, having just finished one a few weeks ago with Colin for Break Out The Grill '09. But I do love the songs of summer. To me, this means an ecclectic mix of current and old, dance and rock, alternative and mainstream since summer is an all out celebration of fun, in all its forms. I stuck to the Chicago local - adding a Wilco tune, along with a favorite from Crosby Stills & Nash about a turbulent time in the City under old man Dailey. I confess that my artwork is clearly not Chicago, but I love the feeling eminating from this guy's gutsy ride on a wave, and was determined to use this photo. Catching a wave is, after all, a quintessential summertime move.

Take What's Mine ~ Baumer
All These Things That I've Done ~ The Killers
Chains of Love ~ Erasure
The Way You Love Me (Morel Pink Noise Mix) ~ Colton Ford
Keeps Gettin' Better ~ Christina Aguilera
Love Burns ~ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Standing In the Way of Control ~ The Gossip
Love Etc. ~ Pet Shop Boys
Chicago ~ Crosby Stills & Nash
The Last High ~ The Dandy Warhols
Struggle ~ Ringside
I've Seen That Face Before ~ Grace Jones
California Stars ~ Billy Bragg & Wilco
I've Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea That Says

_You Should Shut Your Mouth (Summer Song) ~ Fall Out Boy
Rebellion (Lies) ~ Arcade Fire

Download Surf Town