12.28.2007
[Musikkah! Day Eight - Some Are Lovers, Some Are Friends]
The dualities post, a mix I've come to appreciate more and more ever since I resurrected it as a playlist on my iTunes. As you can imagine, this mix is a far cry from the last one, but I wanted to make sure Musikkah ended happily and with luuuurve. Shoving this to the end also allowed to me to insert one of the tracks from that movie Juno. Despite all that happy, the coming of this post, however, does mean that Musikkah is at the end of its run - I hope you all enjoyed it!
Some Are Lovers, Some Are FriendsOriginally Posted 8.19.06
Must the sexes really battle? Has thought ever been given to what would happen if we were all to just forgo the barriers of gender, throw out the "anything you can do, I can do better" talk and work together as one? Well, in the world of music, I found out that people just aren't that afraid to get...well, harmoniously sexed up. In fact, the harmoniously sexed up music tends to eventually fall further into the "good stuff" category. Dual, juxtaposed vocals can grab attention by being soft, brash, quiet, loud, gentle, unkind, flowing and forced all at the same time. Have you gotten it yet? Utilizing guy-gal vocals just has the inclination nto speak out of - ha! - both sides of the mouth. If you have yet to notice, even this blog is run by both guy and gal. So get harmoniously sexed up with these, shall we say, bisexual songs, and have a great weekend guys and gals!
Some Are Lovers, Some Are Friends (artist name leads to site and all songs are right click - save as):
The Brunettes - Loopy Loopy Love
The Chalets - Two Chord Song
The Eastern Stars - They Know What To Do
The Elephant Parade - I Like Riding In Your Car
The Light Footwork - The Art of Everyday Communication Pt 1
Los Campesinos! - Death To Los Campesinos!
Matt & Kim - Silver Tiles
The Moldy Peaches - Anyone Else But You
Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks
Sondre Lerche - Modern Nature
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Otherwheres - I'll just keep it to these otherwheres in the hope that it'll be more likely read. Sadly, after having a regular posting schedule, looks like I'll be posting ambiguously for the next week or so. I'm seeking warmer climbs for a bit this winter, and I don't know if I'll be able to find time to post...
Otherwheres - An early happy new year to all of you!
12.26.2007
[Musikkah! Day Seven - Musicupid]
With all of the love-themed mixes that go up at the time I put Musicupid up, a mix that propagated singleness just seemed oh-so-right.
MusicupidOriginally Posted 2.14.07
On this day of chocolates, of roses, of hearts, there are those among us that are rather...singular. Whether our status of "single" be fresh or stale, it can be accounted that Cupid missed a few, and with the blindness of that cherub in hand, it becomes a delightful thought to some of us that St. Valentine was beheaded for his "meddling." So here, on this Singles Awareness Day, we revel as swingles and celibate celebrate...
Musicupid (artist name leads to site and all songs are right click - save as):
Archie Bronson Outfit - Dart For My Sweetheart
Camera Obscura - Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken
Jenny Owens Young - Fuck Was I
The Lucksmiths - A Hiccup In Your Happiness
Razorlight - Who Needs Love?
We Are Scientists - It's A Hit
What Made Milwaukee Famous - Hellodrama
The Wombats - Patricia The Stripper
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Otherwheres - Be sure to head on over to You Ain't No Picasso for the ongoing Mixmas series...
Otherwheres - Matt over at Skatterbrain has had his pics for the top 15 albums of '07...
Otherwheres - Hope you all had a happy holidays...
12.24.2007
[Happy Holidays!]
Don't Be A Miser!
Happy holidays from the two of us here at Both Sides!
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No Otherwheres For This Post Guys
12.19.2007
[Musikkah! Day Five - Japanic! Attack!]
Japanic! Attack! showed me that looking at and contemplating about Japan can be definitely amusing, and why not? I expect nothing less from a country that has variety shows that like to slap meat on a person's head and set loose a small Komodo Dragon. Now I knew I didn't have a lot of Japanese material, but when it came to making this mix, I just never fully realized how little I had. Japanic! is, sadly, one of the more skimpier mixes when it comes to selection, so I'd love to hear about anything you like from that island nation...
Japanic! Attack!Originally Posted 5.9.07
Oh Japan, how irony lies in the idea that such a seafood-loving country be a sardine can of a place. You're Godzilla's favorite playground, Mothra's favorite skies. Our film producers like to steal your horror movies, and your backstreet vendors like to steal...well, everything else. And then, of course, there's your music. Singing in English is cute and sounds like you're trying to sing with loads of pink bubblegum in your mouth; singing in Japanese is just as interesting. It was noted some time back that a group wasn't quite Atari enough for their tastes, so, not being one to disappoint, I figure Japanic! Attack! ought to be a big enough quarter for their coin slot. Just like how the most serious of businessmen can walk alongside an extreme Harajuku girl on the streets of Tokyo, Japan's musical mavens come to represent a slurry of styles whether it be the surf rock stripe of the 5,6,7,8's or the truly arcade-esque aspect of groups like Halcali and PINE*am. If there's one string to tie it all together, it's their energy. Energy abound. It just jumps off the chart and proceeds to bitchslap it into submission. So Japan, I choose you - Japanic! Attack!
Japanic! Attack! (artist name leads to site and all songs are right click - save as):
The 5,6,7,8's - I'm Blue
Fantasy's Core - Knocked On Heaven's Door, You May Fall In Hell
Halcali - Maachingu Maachi
Kiiiiiii - 4 Little Joeys
PINE*am - Get A Choco
Pizzicato Five - Baby Love Child
Shonen Knife - Flying Saucer Attack
I was stupid for forgetting to put in who? Of course! How could I forget? Feel free to share your regional favorites...
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Otherwheres - Head on over to Covert Curiosity for an amusing take of "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" by Nova Scotia's Rich Aucoin...
Otherwheres - John over at Party Ends! posts his top 10 releases of 2007...
Otherwheres - And while you're getting an opinion on it anyway, head on over to Side One: Track One for another take of the top of 2007...
12.17.2007
[Musikkah! Day Four - Scandimania!]
Scandimania! remains to be one of my favorites, and one of the rare mixes I bother keeping as a playlist and continue to add on to. Looking back on it though, I forgot how it was a celebratory mix for my first job at IKEA. I no longer work there, and as fun as it was, those people knew how to put people to work. Oh younger Brad, how naive you were to think a job would be enjoyable...
Scandimania!Originally Posted 11.14.06
A few months ago I applied to a certain Swedish company some of you may know as IKEA. Well, I bagged a job and start next week, so to celebrate I thought I'd post a mix. This mix. The Scandimania! Mix. Oh Sweden & Company, for such a cold, cold region, what makes you heart so warm? Next to Australia, you're my next source of happy. In fact, if Australia cans euphoria, the Baltic region crates the essence of care-free. Chocked to the brim with unique sounds, Scandimania! just gives a quick taste of different artists from Europe's chilly cap. Enjoysen ya?
Scandimania! (artist name leads to site and all songs are right click - save as):
Acid House Kings - Do What You Wanna Do
Buckaneers - Cold Morning
I'm From Barcelona - Jenny
Jens Lekman - A Sweet Summer's Night On Hammerhill
Kings of Convenience - I'd Rather Dance With You
Leopold - Johnny
Skuli Sverrison - Seria
Slaraffenland - Watch Out
Did I forget someone? Of course I did! Feel free to share your regional favorites...
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Otherwheres - Head on over to YANP for the musical advent calendar that is Mixmas!
Otherwheres - Matt over at Skatterbrain posted An Indiepop Christmas Mix to get you all spirited and whatnot...
Otherwheres - Be sure to pop on over to Swedesplease for a healthy dose of all things, well musical things, Swedish...
12.14.2007
[Musikkah! Day Three - Fourth Vowel From The Left]
Fourth Vowel From The Left carries quite a bit of weight for me. It was my first mix on this blog, and it probably had the most work done when it came to finding songs for it. Surprisingly, it didn't even have a frame when I posted it, so the work for this mix just never seems to stop...
Fourth Vowel From The LeftOriginally Posted 7.7.06
While listening to the Lovely Feather's "Frantic", I wondered what it is that would make an artist come to the conclusion that all that's needed to complete a song is a good "OoO" chorus of some sort. All the pondering eventually led me to go out and just find these elusive "OoO" songs, and after quite some time and a bit o' work, I managed to collar this bunch. After all the work it took, I realized the rarity of all these "OoO" songs, yet just about every time a song implements an "OoO", the finished song turns out great. I'm not saying adding an "OoO" would simply turn a crap song into gold, but the songs that do end up using it - well, it's hard to imagine it without the "OoO" and still holding the same finesse. Once an "OoO" song finishes, you forget it had any elongated vowel, let alone an "OoO." Well today is OoO Appreciation Day, and this post is for all the stranded OoOs out there - may you find your way to some pursed lips and a rush of air...or is that a whistle? Maybe another post kiddos...
Fourth Vowel From The Left (artist name leads to site and all songs are right click - save as):
Architecture in Helsinki - It's 5!
The Boy Least Likely To - I See Spiders When I Close My Eyes
Cassettes Won't Listen - Cut Your Hair
The Grates - Little People
The Hair - Thinking Loud Is Borderline
The Lovely Feathers - Frantic
Sally Crewe & The Sudden Moves - Good Morning Aston Martin
Sufjan Stevens - The Seers Tower
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Otherwheres - Head on over to Covert Curiosity for Diplo's take on Spoon...
Otherwheres - And to give even more love to my fellow locals, mosey on over to Party Ends! for a chance to win The Killers' new album aanndd a "cool-ass" tie...
Otherwheres - Next week marks the second week of Musikkah, but Monday's mix might come a bit late - exaaaaaaaaaams damnit, exaaaaaamms...
12.12.2007
[Musikkah! Day Two - Ebony & Ivory Keys]
Musikkah Day TwoLearn more about Musikkah [Post].
Ebony & Ivory KeysOriginally Posted 7.31.06
Once upon a time, I tunefully pressed the black and white keys of a piano and did so for three years before I threw out my songbook and deemed the instrument for nerds. I regret ever making that decision, and I shatter to pieces knowing that, had I continued, I probably could belt out the fantastically sequential notes of Spoon's The Way We Get By on my dusty, neglected Yamaha keyboard. I have a sense of respect to artists nowadays that don't take those 88 keys for granted - a piano is a piano whose sound can never be replaced and is a classic among instruments. yet for its long existence, this geezer has managed to show that it's still hip and happenin'. It's hugged by practically every genre, and wherever it goes, it always brings a touch of class and a (dirty) martini. This mix is homage to my dead talent and a way for me to raise a glass to the piano and the dirty-sounding person that plays it. Cheers...
Ebony & Ivory Keys (artist name leads to site and all songs are right click - save as):
Anathallo - Hanasakajijiii (Three: The Man Who Made Dead Trees Bloom)
Bishop Allen - Queen of the Rummage Sale
Chris Garneau - Black & Blue
Haley Bonar - Captain Captain
Headlights - Lullabies
The Mighty Narwhale - Night Lights
Robbers On High Street - Spanish Teeth
Spoon - The Way We Get By
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Otherwheres - I was going to send you over to Dodge at MOKB for a best of list when I realized there's just loads going on over there. Head on over for his holiday interview series aaanndd various takes on the year's best...
Otherwheres - I was looking for Mixmas over at YANP, but was distracted by the Okkervil River offer instead...
Otherwheres - Quite a few blogs are going dead, but if you're in college, you understand why...
12.10.2007
[Musikkah! Day One - Hue Talkin' To Me?]
Musikkah Day OneSlated first for Musikkah is Hue Talkin' To Me, a mix that deals with, if you haven't already guessed, colors. Surprisingly, when I went back into our archives, I found out that the post itself didn't even talk about the mix. I had spent at least two weeks on the site layout and banner that you see here now every however the hell often you come here, and Hue Talkin' To Me was my comeback post after quite a bit of stagnance. Considering my last post was a month ago, I realize now that this mix is the most appropriate one to start with.
Hue Talkin' To Me?Hue Talkin' To Me (artist name leads to site and all songs are right click - save as):
The Bridge Gang - Blue Sky Grey
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth
Gogol Bordello - Start Wearing Purple
Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby
Okkervil River - Black
The Starlight Mints - Black Cat
Tunng - Red and Green
And because I love The Clash
The Clash - White Riot
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No Otherwheres For This Post Guys
[Musikkah!]
Musikkah!As the days grow shorter and the temperature falls, we remember that snow (or really, really cold rain) isn't the only thing to descend down upon us. The time for Chrismahanukkwanzaavus has arrived, and in this merry month of giving, I've decided to initiate Musikkah! No matter if you decorate a tree, polish a menorah or dust off a Festivus pole, Musikkah is a celebration of music for all! Eight days of revitalized mixes - from Scandimania to Americanada - refreshed, reborn and reposted during the next three weeks. Happy Musikkah!
Musikkah Mixes (links will go active once posted):
Hue Talkin To Me?
Ebony & Ivory Keys
Fourth Vowel From The Left
Japanic! Attack!
Scandimania!
Americanada
Some Are Lovers, Some Are Friends
Musicupid
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No Otherwheres For This Post Guys
12.05.2007
Wolf Parade
"Wolf Parade is like a retarded dog with four heads. At any given time, three of the heads are sleeping." - Dan BoecknerWolf Parade is the other band of that Frog Eyes/Sunset Rubdown/Swan Lake guy. His name is actually Spencer Krug, but "that Frog Eyes/Sunset Rubdown/Swan Lake guy" makes him sound busier and impressive-er. Actually, the other bandmates also have extensive band histories. There's also "that Handsome Furs/Atlas Strategic guy," "that Hot Hot Heat/Johnny and the Moon guy," with nods to Arcade Fire and Fifths of Seven. What band sluts, yea?
Now even though Wolf Parade was conceived and birthed and raised and married off to Sub Pop Records amidst an orgy of indie rock bands, the band manages to uphold a striking originality. Only the combination of Dan's "squawk squawk, mumble mumble" voice with Spencer's "thump thump" piano and Hadji Bakara's "blippity blappity bloop[s]" could result in such a sweet sound. Like The Little Rascals or Arthur & Friends, this motley crew works their motley-ness to their benefit. And ours.
(all from Apologies to the Queen Mary)
mp3 I'll Believe in Anything (a stereotypical favorite, but my favorite nonetheless)
Brilliant video for "I'll Believe in Anything."
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Soyea it's snowing in Baltimore!!! I still miss you terribly though, Austin.
Soyea is it true that more girls than guys enjoy salt & vinegar chips? Just a thought...
Both Sides of the Mouth is a dual-authored mp3 blog based in Austin, Texas. All audio posted on this site is meant for sampling purposes only. If you really like what you hear, show it and support the artist - buy an album, buy some merch. If you represent or own any media on this site and would like something taken down please email us, and we will take the neccessary action of removing the file(s).
Notable Mixes - Brad