paper tiger mixtape

When we saw that Midwestern hip-hop collective Doomtree (P.O.S, Sims, Dessa, Cecil Otter, Lazerbeak, Mike Mictlan, and Paper Tiger) was coming to town, we jumped on the chance to see if they’d make us a mixtape. Live DJ, producer, and graphic designer Paper Tiger was so kind as to agree, and has given the world an amazing mix of hip-hop, 80s, and indie to get pumped on before catching them on tour. The Madison, Wisconsin show on Friday, March 9th at Union South’s The Sett is free, so be sure to come out. Stick around after – Paper Tiger and Lazerbeak will be DJing the after party.

PAPER TIGER MIXTAPE
01| Walk In by Lil’ Wayne
02| Vital Nerve by Company Flow f/ BMS
03| Can U Touch Me (Yuksek Remix) by The Film
04| Buddy (12” Remix) by De La Soul & Jungle Brothers
05| Lips Like Sugar (Extended Remix) by Echo & the Bunnymen
06| Let’s Go To Bed by The Cure
07| Sussudio (Special Extended Remix) by Phil Collins
08| Axel F (Extended Version) by Harold Faltermeyer
09| Running Up That Hill (Extended Version) by Kate Bush
10| Dance Hall Days by Wang Chung
11| Under the Milky Way by The Church
12| Making Plans for Nigel by XTC
13| No Scrubs by TLC
14| Everybody, Everybody by Black Box
15| Ride On Time by Black Box
16| In a Big Country by Big Country
17| Lisztomania (Shook Remix) by Phoenix
18| Sleep Rules Everything Around Me by Wugazi
19| Stay Close by Basement Jaxx
20| General Patton by Big Boi f/ Big Rube
21| I ♥ U So by Cassius
22| Pots & Pans by Les Savy Fav
23| Suedehead by Morrissey
24| 212 by Azealia Banks f/ Lazy J
25| Stupid Hoe by Nicki Minaj
26| Bring Em Out by T.I.
27| Stop by Jay-Z f/ Swizz Beatz
28| Blow by Rick Ross f/ Dre

the bluebird as she sings

I am legitimately saddened by the passing of Davy Jones. When I was little I watched The Monkees TV show every day. The credits still make me giggle. Davy Jones’s charm was a huge part of it. Who wouldn’t love a sweet Englishman singing the catchiest songs? I’ve led a semi-charmed life in the sense that I’ve had the opportunity to meet many of my idols, and Davy Jones was the first of them.

When I was in seventh grade, my family went to Arizona visit some relatives and drive to Disneyland. We flew back home out of Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix. While waiting in line at the ticket counter to check in, I noticed a man about my height (5’4″ – average for a 13-year-old girl, not so much for an adult male). When he looked to his right, my heart skipped a beat.

“Mom! Mom!,” I whispered, “I think that’s Davy Jones!”
“What? No, I doubt that’s him.”
“I’m pretty sure it is.”
“What would he be doing in Phoenix? I don’t think so.”

Then the short man a few people ahead of us started singing. It was definitely him. Too afraid to approach him, I made my mom go ask to be sure. Davy couldn’t have been nicer. He seemed excited that someone my age was 1) aware of who he was and 2) was a big enough fan to recognize him in an airport and send her mother to go talk to him. While we waited, Davy told us stories about his touring days, proudly sharing that The Monkees had toured with Jimi Hendrix – with Hendrix as the opener. Amazing.

While I never had a proper crush on Davy Jones, I did have an affinity for him. His goofiness, his dancing, and the fact that he was so nice to some kid bugging him at the airport while he was trying to enjoy his vacation have forever endeared me. I’m glad to have known him, if only for a few moments.

waiting for a ride in the dark

We were just dancin’ in the dark.

Waiting For A Ride in the Dark
01| Second Song by TV on the Radio
02| Why I Love You by Jay-Z & Kanye West
03| One Pure Thought by Hot Chip
04| Fences by Phoenix
05| Swimming in the Flood by Passion Pit
06| Islands by The xx
07| Nothing Compares 2 U by Evan Voytas
08| Wicked Games by The Weeknd
09| Ride by Courtship
10| Playing House (Houses Remix) by Active Child f/How to Dress Well
11| Midnight City (Man Without Country Remix) by M83