Tag Archives: Animal Years

The Very Belated 2020 Fall & Winter Mega Mix

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This year is a weird time warp. In quarantine, time is a construct. April felt like it was 200 days long. July feels like 100 years ago. Yet, wait, it’s February 2021… Anyone else feeling it?

I know Fall is a distant memory and Winter is practically over (let’s hope, anyway). But after much delay, the 2020 Fall & Winter Mix is happening. And boy howdy, is it HAPPENING. Somehow, it mushroomed into 80 songs. 5 hours of music.

There’s SO many really great tracks in this one and I honestly can’t pick favorites, but in case you’re a skim listener and can’t devote 5 hours to this, here are a few highlights. Call it a Top 12, if you will.

  • The opening track by Iceland’s Daði Freyr is a bizarrely addictive little tune. If you somehow missed it this summer, go watch the video. It is seriously the best thing EVER.
  • HOKO is my favorite 2020 new-to-me artist. I love every single thing the guy does. “I Don’t Know Where We Went Wrong” is the perfect song for this pandemic moment in the U.S. And because I’m breaking all the rules, there’s a second HOKO song on this mix, but you’re going to have to listen all the way through to hear it.
  • The Heavy Hours definitely grabbed my ear at first listen. They’re young and I am digging everything I’ve heard. Go follow them now before everyone knows this Ohio band.
  • “Paris” by The Brevet has been an ear worm since January 2020 and I’m so glad it’s out, finally. Good luck getting this one out of your head.
  • If you’ve known me for any length of time, you know that I’m freaking out about new music from Wil Seabrook. In an indirect way, Wil is one of the reasons that the Krissie Mix exists.
  • Caiola, the solo project of Mo Lowda and the Humble front man Jordan Caiola, is worth every listen you can give him. His solo album is one of my favorite releases of 2020 and this song…gut punch good.
  • “Heavy Load” by Great Peacock is perfect from start to finish. Their new album, Forever Worse Better, is spectacular. Definitely in the running for Top 10 of the year. Emotions for days and days and days.
  • It’s so good to hear Augustana (aka Dan Layus) back in full form. “Take” has been on repeat for months now.
  • Animal Years … My boys are back with a pop ditty that will put a smile on your face and make you dance.
  • Bruce Springsteen. No words needed. Listen to Letter To You from start to finish. On a recent Q&A, someone asked him if “Burnin’ Train” was a show opener and he replied with, “You nailed it.” Here’s to hoping for many more Bruce shows in the future. (Also, Bruce was framed. Fight me.)
  • If you dig the harder rock n’ roll, don’t sleep on the new Golden State album, Blood Finger Prick. “Little Glass Jar” is currently my favorite. James Grundler‘s voice is absurd. He also followed me on Instagram when I posted about the new album and I freaked out a little bit.
  • Speaking of rockers, can you say Dead Sara? “Hands Up” marks their return. Nice to hear Emily’s voice again.

Full liner notes – all 10 PAGES of them – are here, if you are one of the long-time listeners that digs them. I apologize now. It’s ridiculous, I know.

Apple Music version is here.

The 2018 Spring Krissie Mix

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Well, this one’s been a long time coming.

I’m only 8 days late getting this out the door for the season, which isn’t too bad. But you should know that I originally intended to put it out in January as a second Winter Mix. So, because that didn’t happen, the Spring Mix is a little longer than usual.

Enjoy the roller coaster ride this playlist will take you on. I recommend cocktails on a patio while listening. Happy Spring!

Get the liner notes here, if you’re into them.

The 2017 Fall Winter Mix

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Oh, hey there, folks. Happy merry holidays, everyone!

It’s been a hot second since I put out a Mix. This one’s been brewing for almost half a year now, so I guess it’s about time to put it out into the world. So here it is, my Christmas/Hannukah/Whatever-holiday-you-celebrate gift to you, my 2017 Fall Winter Mix.

Yeah, I’ve been a slacker and this one is a combination of two seasons. Sorry about that. It’s always hard to hit publish when it’s been so long since I started, but I hope that you’ll find a new artist to love among these 30 songs, anyway.

If you’re into reading my rambles about why I love these tracks, you can download my liner notes here.

I do love to hear from you guys if you fall in love with a particular track, or if a song leads you to discover a new band. Plus, who doesn’t love getting messages from friends (or, as has happened before, total strangers who are now amongst my dearest friends … *ahem, Libby and Fred*)? Either way, you know what to do.

The 2017 Summer Mix

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unnamedHey guys, Happy 4th of July.

Although it’s a bit belated, the 2017 Summer Mix is FINALLY ready for your ears. Two hours of songs to make you laugh, cry, and feel alive.

Believe it or not, at one point, it was up to something like 42 songs, so I have done a LOT of editing (although the liner notes sure don’t make it seem that way…they are forever long).

Hope you’re doing all the summer things. It is the best season, after all, isn’t it?

New Year, New Mix

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Hello, friends.

I know it’s been months since I’ve written. No excuses. I just haven’t felt like writing much lately. Work is kicking my butt and the last thing I want to do at night is come home and fire up the old computer. My company – where I have been for nearly 18 years – got sold and the merging of the two new companies isn’t the smoothest transition ever. It’s been stressful. And my Mom had to have some more treatment – cancer sucks, by the way – so I made a quick trip home to Jersey to be with her for awhile. (She’s doing okay…strongest person I know, my Mom.)

Honestly, you guys, I’ve been pretty blue. And tired.

But it’s not all gloom and doom. I haven’t been sitting around doing nothing. I closed out 2015 with a big milestone…seeing more than 100 live shows in a year (101, to be precise). Kind of a big deal for me – I’ve never done it before, and I’ve been keeping track of all the shows I’ve gone to since 2004. It was such a big deal that one of my sweet friends made me a trophy. I’m really proud of myself…I got outside of my box and saw a LOT of new music this year. Artists and bands I didn’t know. I found new loves. Oh, and Christopher Jak is BACK. Played a show in Charlotte. And is making a new record. So there’s that.

And of course, the Panthers are making history here in Charlotte. So that’s super exciting, especially for those of us who have cheered them on through a couple of really tough seasons.

In between all of this, I made the Winter Mix. But the notes, which are usually my favorite part, just weren’t coming easy to me. I guess the whole not feeling like writing thing has been sort of infecting all of my life. So I’ve been sitting on it for awhile. But it’s a new year, and I’m trying to get re-inspired about writing.

So here it is. The Winter Mix. Winter’s definitely not my favorite season, but I like this mix a lot. Hope you will, too.

Grab the notes and the label here.

Lots of love,

Krissie