Can new music scratch the Gen X itch? I turned Kevin Alexander’s love of Fugazi, New Order & Jawbreaker into a playlist of brand new music just for him (but you can listen, too)
Keen to listen to this - looks great. This is such a great idea for a feature. Loved reading Kevin’s responses to your questions.
I actually made a playlist yesterday of my favourite mixtape which I made when I was 19 (for myself). It stands up pretty well to my ears. I don’t think there’s anything I’m too embarrassed about. It’s definitely not where my listening is now though (or where I think it was then tbh - this selection is retro even for 1994!)
For a while I was in a group of people who once a year would make a mix CD (to some selected theme) and exchange them (so each person would burn 10 copies of their mix and get 10 other mixes in return). It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun, and that group breaking up was one of the things reasons I stopped listening to much music for a while.
Reading the interview I can tell that you're both taking the project seriously, and I think a good mix is worth being serious about.
i keep thinking about how to resurrect projects like these in a way that wouldn't feel too burdensome to people (especially since so few of us have tape decks or even CD players these days). i want to slow down and stop being so reliant on the digital. i want to send things in the mail. i want a bit of mystery.
but for now, i'll be doing this, i guess. and i agree, it's worth taking seriously! and we're still having fun :) thank you for the kind words.
What a fantastic and brilliant “experiment” (in the nicest possible sense). I loved how Gabbie not only accepted the challenge but also how she broke down the “elements” of her reasoning, and how Kevin revealed his musical soul and heart in his answers. Amazing work!
This is a rad, super fun concept. Also, that Corner Shop story resonates, except I think I was that guy in the other car. I remember seeing them open for Oasis in 1998...? I often wonder how that tune, Brimful of Asha, made it to the radio; I miss those days.
Tubthumping is the first that comes to mind. I can think of other one-offs like Barbie Girl or maybe Macarena, but they feel a little different than the others; not sure why. *shrug*
Yeah, that song is such a happy vibe. I’ve always wondered what happened to that band. They seemed destined for better than just a one hit wonder status.
I love this feature Gabbie, it’s a great idea. And Kevin is an excellent choice to kick things off too. Some excellent choices there (love Fernet Underground!) and some new ones to me which I’m excited to check out.
As I was reading, I was wondering if you’d include a Pale Blue Eyes track. “Globe” always feels like a good fit for New Order fans who are open to a bit of dream pop too.
pale blue eyes was on there and got cut at the end only because I wanted to keep it to 90 minutes! I cut the more obvious 80s synth pop songs first only because I didn't want to lean too heavily into the new order obsession and give myself a slightly bigger challenge. but Kevin - go listen to Pale Blue Eyes!!
I trust Kevin's tastes so it is great to have some 2020 reccs in the same vein. I totally enjoyed the how of how you put this together! Off to enjoy some shiny new tunes thx!
So much fun. I miss making mixtapes for friends. I make playlists for them occasionally but the time constraints of tapes or CDs keep things from being overwhelming and I never settled on an arbitrary time for a digital playlist. 90 minutes seems like a good compromise between the brevity of a single LP, the capacity of a blank cassette, and the endless space of streaming.
I made a playlist for a friend learning French, a birthday playlist of music from the respective eras and places where another friend had lived throughout their life, and others that were less specific. Having a theme to work with helps. I admire the way you’ve done this.
That really means a lot -- seriously. I know how particular you are and how niche your own playlists can get, and how much thought and care you give curation and new music listening. So I'm very happy this landed for you.
I know that drive WELL! We lived in Seattle for 7 years, and my parents lived outside of Portland. Many times have we cursed the Fife area and JBLM en route! 😆
Oh for sure. I'm a guy in his forties, so of course the Replacements are on the Mount Rushmore lol. And I'll high five anyone who reps for Kylie Minogue.
Oh wow, this series is gonna be a lot of fun!! Loved the interview and the resulting playlist. About half of these bands are new to me. Of the new-to-me artists, I particularly liked the tracks by Nuovo Testamento, Crush of Souls, Alex Okami (added to my “2025 Music” playlist for further listening), Glitterer, Soft Kill, GHLOW and Neutrals.
I didn’t realize Preoccupations had new music out, so that’s exciting!
If you were ever gonna figure out my musical DNA you’d need to know that my first favorite band was The Police (1980-83 after which they were supplanted by The Cure).
Really looking forward to following this series Gabbie!!
It mean so much to me that you enjoyed this, Mark! And I also feel really proud of myself that I managed to capture a few artists that you haven't heard of -- you're really on the pulse of new music! I can't wait to keep up with this one. It really was so much fun.
I have to say I’m absolutely LOVING the Alex Okami album!! It’ll be an AOTY contender for sure! I’m on the fourth or fifth listen now and it’s just getting better
I'm not all that much of an Americana person, but (selfishly!) what I'm hoping these interviews/mixtapes do is force me to challenge myself to go outside my own comfort zone and find new music that speaks to everyone's tastes -- mine, the person I'm talking to, and the readers.
I’m truly honored to have you here. I still remember seeing you talk at the Philly public library when I first moved here, so probably 2006/7, and it was such a treat. Sometimes the world is a strange and lovely place.
Thank you for having me, Gabbie! I hope everyone has as much fun checking this out as we did putting together.
And the playlist is (*chef's kiss). My kid's rugby game was brutal. This made the drive home a lot better.
I'm delighted and relieved that you're enjoying the playlist, Kevin. Thanks so much for indulging me.
Keen to listen to this - looks great. This is such a great idea for a feature. Loved reading Kevin’s responses to your questions.
I actually made a playlist yesterday of my favourite mixtape which I made when I was 19 (for myself). It stands up pretty well to my ears. I don’t think there’s anything I’m too embarrassed about. It’s definitely not where my listening is now though (or where I think it was then tbh - this selection is retro even for 1994!)
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2spH7lqngGCs9fI7Mtmy99?si=mEkSGJkWQliMIjCx1xbrlA&pi=yrwWlqc4S6m8o
Thank you, Lou!
this is awesome, thanks so much for sharing. i can't wait to listen.
Love it Lou! What a mix!
Aww, thank you!
What a fabulous project!
For a while I was in a group of people who once a year would make a mix CD (to some selected theme) and exchange them (so each person would burn 10 copies of their mix and get 10 other mixes in return). It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun, and that group breaking up was one of the things reasons I stopped listening to much music for a while.
Reading the interview I can tell that you're both taking the project seriously, and I think a good mix is worth being serious about.
i keep thinking about how to resurrect projects like these in a way that wouldn't feel too burdensome to people (especially since so few of us have tape decks or even CD players these days). i want to slow down and stop being so reliant on the digital. i want to send things in the mail. i want a bit of mystery.
but for now, i'll be doing this, i guess. and i agree, it's worth taking seriously! and we're still having fun :) thank you for the kind words.
I think the conversation/ interview process also has the effect of slowing it down, in a good way.
What a fantastic and brilliant “experiment” (in the nicest possible sense). I loved how Gabbie not only accepted the challenge but also how she broke down the “elements” of her reasoning, and how Kevin revealed his musical soul and heart in his answers. Amazing work!
glad you're on board Andres!
This is a rad, super fun concept. Also, that Corner Shop story resonates, except I think I was that guy in the other car. I remember seeing them open for Oasis in 1998...? I often wonder how that tune, Brimful of Asha, made it to the radio; I miss those days.
I miss 'em too!
I wonder the same! there were some college radio crossovers though. I'm trying to think of others...
Tubthumping is the first that comes to mind. I can think of other one-offs like Barbie Girl or maybe Macarena, but they feel a little different than the others; not sure why. *shrug*
Yeah, that song is such a happy vibe. I’ve always wondered what happened to that band. They seemed destined for better than just a one hit wonder status.
💯
I love this feature Gabbie, it’s a great idea. And Kevin is an excellent choice to kick things off too. Some excellent choices there (love Fernet Underground!) and some new ones to me which I’m excited to check out.
As I was reading, I was wondering if you’d include a Pale Blue Eyes track. “Globe” always feels like a good fit for New Order fans who are open to a bit of dream pop too.
Thank you, David!
pale blue eyes was on there and got cut at the end only because I wanted to keep it to 90 minutes! I cut the more obvious 80s synth pop songs first only because I didn't want to lean too heavily into the new order obsession and give myself a slightly bigger challenge. but Kevin - go listen to Pale Blue Eyes!!
I respect the choice to keep it under 90 minutes. Always a key consideration when crafting a mixtape!
I trust Kevin's tastes so it is great to have some 2020 reccs in the same vein. I totally enjoyed the how of how you put this together! Off to enjoy some shiny new tunes thx!
Kevin has fantastic music taste, old and new. I really hope you enjoy!
So much fun. I miss making mixtapes for friends. I make playlists for them occasionally but the time constraints of tapes or CDs keep things from being overwhelming and I never settled on an arbitrary time for a digital playlist. 90 minutes seems like a good compromise between the brevity of a single LP, the capacity of a blank cassette, and the endless space of streaming.
I made a playlist for a friend learning French, a birthday playlist of music from the respective eras and places where another friend had lived throughout their life, and others that were less specific. Having a theme to work with helps. I admire the way you’ve done this.
That really means a lot -- seriously. I know how particular you are and how niche your own playlists can get, and how much thought and care you give curation and new music listening. So I'm very happy this landed for you.
Yay, I love this feature! I know what I’m listening to today on my 4.5 hour drive to Seattle!
FWIW, a lot of the bands/songs I mentioned got played early and often on runs up/down I-5 between Portland and Seattle.
I know that drive WELL! We lived in Seattle for 7 years, and my parents lived outside of Portland. Many times have we cursed the Fife area and JBLM en route! 😆
please give me your thoughts after!!
This is such a great idea Gabbie!
Thanks Joi!!!
Oh this is fun!! I can dig it. Fantastic new feature.
Yay so happy you dig it! Were any of Kevin's old favorites also yours?
Oh for sure. I'm a guy in his forties, so of course the Replacements are on the Mount Rushmore lol. And I'll high five anyone who reps for Kylie Minogue.
(high fives back)
This is a killer mixtape!
thanks!!
Oh wow, this series is gonna be a lot of fun!! Loved the interview and the resulting playlist. About half of these bands are new to me. Of the new-to-me artists, I particularly liked the tracks by Nuovo Testamento, Crush of Souls, Alex Okami (added to my “2025 Music” playlist for further listening), Glitterer, Soft Kill, GHLOW and Neutrals.
I didn’t realize Preoccupations had new music out, so that’s exciting!
If you were ever gonna figure out my musical DNA you’d need to know that my first favorite band was The Police (1980-83 after which they were supplanted by The Cure).
Really looking forward to following this series Gabbie!!
It mean so much to me that you enjoyed this, Mark! And I also feel really proud of myself that I managed to capture a few artists that you haven't heard of -- you're really on the pulse of new music! I can't wait to keep up with this one. It really was so much fun.
I have to say I’m absolutely LOVING the Alex Okami album!! It’ll be an AOTY contender for sure! I’m on the fourth or fifth listen now and it’s just getting better
Listening now! Thank you.
please enjoy!
Love the inclusion of Kara Jackson. And love Kevin's rediscovery of INXS. I've never let them go!
I'm not all that much of an Americana person, but (selfishly!) what I'm hoping these interviews/mixtapes do is force me to challenge myself to go outside my own comfort zone and find new music that speaks to everyone's tastes -- mine, the person I'm talking to, and the readers.
And INXS is never a bad choice!
The music Substacks have definitely expanded my fandom! Thank you!
I’m truly honored to have you here. I still remember seeing you talk at the Philly public library when I first moved here, so probably 2006/7, and it was such a treat. Sometimes the world is a strange and lovely place.
Thanks, Gabbie!
this was so so so great! thx
can’t wait for the others
i can't wait for the others either :) thank you!