hot’n’slow

Hello! I’m excited to announce the first of at least one guest post from Valerie Burn. I have had top-of-my-lungs sing-alongs to her high school mixtapes after being well into my twenties, and thus am very pleased that Ms. Burn has been kind enough to share with us her hottest and slowest summer jams.
Everyone loves a good, hot, summer jam. Everyone. This is science. However, sometimes you need to roll it back. Slow it down a bit. And that is precisely what slow jams are for.
But what, dear readers, would it mean if a song could be both? Simultaneously a hot jam and a slow jam? Before your head explodes, allow me to explain.
Sometimes musicians, usually white ones in indie rock bands, take an amazing hot jam and slow it down – with the tempo, acoustics, or otherwise. It’s like Columbusing, but way cooler and hopefully less offensive. Certainly, some (many) covers are awful, which is why I conveniently made you this list. You’re welcome.
These hot’n’slow jams are the perfect music to listen to at the end of a long night. Party’s over, but everyone’s got time for one last singalong.
hot’n’slow
01| Are You That Somebody – Gossip
02| Umbrella – Marie Digby
03| Crazy – Emily Asen
04| Hey Ya – Obadiah Parker
05| Hot in Herre – Jenny Owen Youngs
06| Heartless – Virender Singh
07| Whatever You Like – Anya Marina
08| Cry Me a River – Glen Hansard
09| Single Ladies – Pomplamoose
10| Bitches Ain’t Shit – Ben Folds
11| Whatcha Say – Princess
12| Grenade – Julia Sheer & Tyler Ward
13| 99 Problems – Hugo
14| Pursuit of Happiness – Lissie

 

Honorable mentions (i.e., songs not on Spotify or they might be on this list):
No Diggity – Klaxons
Umbrella – Mandy Moore (starts at 0:35)
World’s Greatest – Bonnie “Prince” Billy
Cry Me a River – Selena Gomez (trust me)
We Found Love – Ed Sheeran
Valerie Burn is a very cool adult who writes things sometimes and is always looking for new and innovative ways to listen to pop music.

on leaving home

Talented. Beautiful. Sweet. These are the words I’d use to describe Kelli Cohen if I was following the advice/rules of crappy internet dating sites. I met Kelli through a friend at the now-defunct Club 770. Our paths kept crossing and we decided we should probably just man up and be pals. A passion for music, photography, and whiskey runs common through our veins, and I quickly grew to love Kelli like a little sister. This summer while bonding over movie moments and summer nights, I tapped her to make a mix for M|H. Perfectly timed for the trading in of one year for the next, On Leaving Home explores change and embraces it. While Kelli and I no longer occupy the same city, leaving our trademark trails of red lipstick and dominating karaoke with “Dog Days Are Over” and the doubled power of our voices, I sit secure in the fact that absence only makes the heart grow fonder.

ON LEAVING HOME
01| She’s Leaving Home by The Beatles
02| I Don’t Feel Young by  Wye Oak
03| Everyday by Rogue Wave
04| Lost Coastlines by Okkervil River
05| What Me Worry? by St. Vincent
06| Never Going Back Again by Fleetwood Mac
07| Chains, Chains, Chains by Elvis Perkins in Dearland
08| Winds of Change by Fitz and the Tantrums
09| Don’t Forget Me by Neko Case
10| The Past and Pending by The Shins
11| Troubled by Land of Talk
12| Ghost Town by First Aid Kit
13| Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right by Bob Dylan
14| Murder in the City by The Avett Brothers
15| See You Then by Roberta Flack

wake up & say good morning

WHO IS MIRANDA TSANG? A darn-fine lady, that’s who. When not making offerings to the tumblr. gods via salt-tooth and bizarro “anytime” newsletter Swak! Bitches., Miranda is thinking of the children – specifically those who benefit from one of my favorite organizations in the world, 826 Valencia.  I had the pleasure of working with Miranda while interning at 826, and quickly discovered her sense of humor was twisted at the same angle as mine and that she knew what was up when it came to music. I asked her to make M|H a mixtape, and she bestowed upon us the 19-track Wake Up & Say Good Morning.

Now that Miranda’s got the mix out of the way, she can focus on becoming a cheater – but she needs you to help. 826 Valencia is hosting a Spelling Bee for Cheaters. In exchange for funds raised, contestants can get help spelling their words. Miranda’s team, Black Swan (comprising Miranda, Miel Alegre, Emilie Coulson, Christel Chan, and John Vanderslice), is halfway to their goal. Help them meet it! Proceeds benefit kids in the SF Bay area via 826 Valencia, a non-profit writing and tutoring center. Miranda & Black Swan are up against some stiff competition, including Thao Nguyen (Thao & The Get Down Stay Down), Adam Savage (Mythbusters), Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket), and Michael Chabon (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay).

Though contributors will feel much better for helping the children (the sweet, adorable, literate children!), even non-contributors will love the mix. Enjoy!

WAKE UP & SAY GOOD MORNING
01| Crave You (Bxentric Remix) by Flight Facilities
02| Party & Bullshit in the USA (Hathbanger Mashup Remix) by Notorius B.I.G. & Miley Cyrus
03| Since You’ve Been Gone by Aretha Franklin
04| Be Brave by The Strange Boys
05| Seven Fingers by Frank Black
06| Four Floors (Diplo Remix) by Sunday Girl
07| New Pony by The Dead Weather
08| Fish Paste by Die Antwoord
09| Dance Wiv Me (Shazam Remix) by Dizee Rascal
10| Vy Fraan Ett Luftslott (Punksjumpup Remix) by Kent
11| Phantom Mountain by Ghost Eyes
12| When I’m Small by Phantogram
13| When Will Happiness Find Me Again? by Frank Black
14| Random Girls by So Cow
15| Paradise Circus by Massive Attack
16| Keep the Streets Empty For Me (Majikers BPM Remix) by Fever Ray
17| I’m Not Alone by Calvin Harris
18| Indestructible (A-Trak Edit) by Robyn
19| Pap Smear by Crystal Castles


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