The Mixtape #2 – Ride Along
Welcome to the Mixtape! This is a an ongoing effort to highlight the many talented independent musicians that hang out on the Fediverse! All of the songs below are regularly broadcast on Radio Free Fedi, an online radio station consisting only of music by fedizens.
Thanks to a recent poll, our readers indicated that they wanted a mix that focused on driving. We’ve taken that idea and ran with it, crafting a mix that combines soft, relaxed introspection punctuated by moments of excitement. Sticking with the same format as last time, here are ten deep cuts pulled from the author’s catalogue of favorite recent tracks.
“Come On and Dance” – Hurly Burly and the Volcanic Fallout
I can’t get over this band’s name. Hurly Burly and the Volcanic Fallout?! That’s awesome. This song kicks off the mix with a punky, grungy, nostalgic sound that recalls nights of letting loose and not caring about what anybody else thinks.
“The Spectre” – Doctor Deathray
The Spectre is perfect for a creepy drive at night through a long stretch of nowhere. The vibe hearkens back to the days of Black Sabbath, with spooky lyrics that seem to allude to a malevolent being in the distance.
“Inner Source (Lehto’s 1997 Mix)” – Socool
I love Inner Source. Something about it feels like the emergence of a beautiful, complex idea, as layers build up to a more cohesive whole. This is a great one for speeding along the highway in front of a glistening city, silently contemplating the world around us.
“On the Run” – Tim Woodruff
Tim Woodruff seems to be having a lot of fun doing synthwave mixes. The rhythm and tempo are evocative of Todd Terje’s excellent Delorean Dynamite, with nostalgic instrumentals that seem to have stepped right out of the 80’s. This feels like a race against time through crowded streets.
“Who Are You Now” – Mira
Everything about this takes me to another time and place – one of long-distance relationships, driving for hours through multiple states to see someone, and late night conversations over the phone. Mira does a really great job with modulations and compression, creating something that feels both high and low resolution at the same time.
“Take It Anywhere” – THALREX
Oh my god, where do I even begin with this? THALREX is simply incredible, combining the best of late 90’s / early 2000’s club music, and elevating it into a relentless all-night bender. If this were at a nightclub, I’d dance until my muscles gave out.
“Carry Me Home” – Blue Nagoon
Blue Nagoon really is something special. Many of their tracks differ wildly from one another, featuring a variety of styles, singers, and symbolism. This song is simple and sweet, with some killer instrumentals to really bring it home. It gives me the feeling of the end of the night, dropping off someone after a long adventure together.
“Mistrise” – Gribbles
The sun is rising, you’re on top of a steep hill at the end of a long drive. Staring down into the valley, you see golden rays illustrate the dirt road snaking around steep cliffs and hillsides. Off in the distance, you gaze at the morning mist, and the red light melting off of the mountains.
“Her Gentle Heart” – Nigel Harpur
Nigel’s music is an absolute treat, and pleasantly surprises me whenever it’s broadcast over Radio Free Fedi. Her Gentle Heart is soft, warm, and dreamy.
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