Like “albums”, “mixtapes” is a word that’s survived despite the introduction of compact discs. Somehow, they’re warmer words that maybe reach into a collective consciousness that remembers when music was less transitional and more meaningful, when the underground was more real than pose, when cultures included more definitive labels descriptions for Alternates, Punks, Goths, Poppers etc.
Mixtapes are accessible to everyone. Millions of teens and young adults have tried to express joy and pain to a lover through songs that associated them with emotions relevant to their situation. For the passionate and true like myself, making mixtapes is a part of my life and will be forever.
I began as a pimpled youngster with my portable radio hidden under my covers, late at night. It was an exciting period of discovering The Pixies, the Cure etc. Whilst experiencing first love, i became a c0mmercial DJ at Sand Pebbles on the Durban beachfront. Having 2 turntables, 2 CDs players and a tape deck at my disposal was a dream come true. Living with my lover was a rollercoaster which got interpreted through dozens of mixtapes. I left the industry but through twists and turns became a DJ at the original Burn Night Club, the most successful rock club in the city. Ultimately, i DJed the 2 biggest nights, gaining more fuel for my hobby as well as soundtracks for my life of twists and turns.
I spent another decade in the industry. My mixtapes became official compilations boasting South African rock music that i loved. I made 10 of those, two of them double CDs.
I radically altered my life several years ago and unexpectedly rooted myself in the small, incredibly beautiful, town of Knysna on the Garden Route of South Africa. I’ve hosted cool bands such as Napalma, 7th Son, Plush, Stealing Love Jones, Jack Mantis Band, Dan Patlansky etc. but mixtapes has been sorely lacking of late.
Life has been busy yet poor, tumultuous and challenging. As a goal to add more joy to my life, and hopefully to dedicated music lovers such as you reading this blog right now, i’m starting a section on this site called Wicked Mixtapes. It will include everything from pop and indie to classics and metal but hopefully in a way you haven’t felt before.I’ll keep them at 64kbps so as to have a leg to stand on if a record company attacks. That’ll be good enough quality for you to decide if you want to buy the tracks yourselves. I’m hoping so. Music with depth should be shared and spread!
“Mixtapes” should not be “mistakes”. As intimated, i’m aiming for art, a particularly choice of songs placed in the right order so as to fulfill a theme or install an emotion within you that relates to your life.
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