if you’re a gym goer, or even if you run outside, you might be interested in this 35 minute interval workout mix i put together – it’s all fun electro and remixes of cheesy pop songs. i’ve done a session on the treadmill with this puppy & it’s super helpful not only for knowing when to push your speed/incline up & down (no more looking at the timer) – but your workout goes by quickly. download it here.
(note: there’s a read me included in the zip file showing you the breakdown of the intervals which you should probably scan through before trying it out.)
* just thought i’d take this opportunity to show you this clever packaging for panasonic earphones
i was compiling my favourite cover songs and thought it would be a pretty great playlist to share. the list was so long that i had to cut it down, and as expected it boiled down to mostly indie / alternative artists. that’s not to say that more well known cover songs aren’t amazing – sinead o’connor’s version of nothing compares to you is arguably more well known than prince’s, but i wanted to share renditions that hopefully you haven’t heard before… enjoy :)
probably the most well known cover on here, this version is so dry & deadpan – as only cake could do it.
2. nouvelle vague – heart of glass (blondie)
nouvelle vague basically only does covers with their signature bossa nova spin
3. rogue wave – everyday (buddly holly)
rogue wave’s version is almost unrecognisable from the original sweet fifties ditty
4. metric – don’t think twice, it’s alright (bob dylan)
it’s nice to hear a girl singing this song, and emily haines’ voice is soothing compared to dylan’s
5. amy millan – i will follow you into the dark (death cab for cutie)
you might know amy millan better as the lead singer of stars. she’s also a guitarist, which you can clearly hear on this almost country version of i will follow you into the dark
6. the morning benders – nothin’ in the world can stop me worryin’ ‘bout that girl (the kinks)
the morning benders do a lot of covers, my favourite of which i already included on a previous mix. this is a close second though.
7. band of horses – the end’s not near (the new year)
i actually don’t know the original version at all, but because i love band of horses this is an obvious in.
8. the tallest man on earth – graceland (paul simon)
i love this version of graceland because it really suits the imagery i’ve always had of the song in my mind, an american south backwoods banjo twang of sorts (even though lead singer kristian matsson is actually swedish). paul simon’s original still gives me goosebumps & always makes me think of south africa, especially because we listened to the album on road trips throughout the country as a kid.
9. daniel rossen (grizzly bear) – too little too late (jojo)
this song is great if only because he’s covering jojo, possibly the most annoying teen singer on the planet (except for bieber?) it has a really ominous undertone too which is kind of hilarious considering the lyrics.
10. passion pit – tonight, tonight (smashing pumpkins)
aah, one of the best smashing pumpkins songs. passion pit recorded this as part of the levis pioneer sessions, which is pumping out some pretty great covers.
11. foo fighters – keep the car running (arcade fire)
i wish this was a better quality recording because it’s a great cover of a superb song
12. amy winehouse – valerie (the zutons)
i prefer this version to the original… i really really really hope amy winehouse makes a comeback.
13. goldspot – float on (modest mouse)
i can’t say i’m familiar with goldspot, but they’ve managed to turn an already upbeat song (by modest mouse’s standards) into something almost over the top happy. you’ll either love it or hate it.
14. florence and the machine – postcards from italy (beirut)
you’d think that anything florence welch sings has to sound good… and you’d be right. i adore the original and i’m very pleased with this cover too.
all music is for sampling purposes only – please go out and buy the artists’ records & support them at their shows!
my copy of the miseducation of lauryn hill was basically the soundtrack to my life when i was 15 (as well as the fugees, actually). to the point where not only did i know the words to all the songs, but i knew the words of the interludes of the children discussing things between each track. i am craving for her to make a comeback, big time. but who knows if that’s ever going to happen? for now i can take solace in one of my favourite ever music videos:
a new music mix for you! mostly newish music, but one old (superb) paul simon tune thrown in for good measure. download it here. song list is as follows:
the shins – goodbye girl
arcade fire – the suburbs
good old war – my own sinking ship
fanfarlo – atlas
she & him – fools rush in
passion pit – dreams
laura marling – goodbye england (covered in snow)
janelle monáe – oh, maker
the sweet serenades – die young
headlights – get going
bishop allen – don’t hideaway
fleet foxes – it ain’t me babe
paul simon – loves me like a rock
all music is for sampling purposes only – please go out and buy the artists’ records & support them at their shows!
i know i’ve contributed plenty to the 38,000+ views that she & him‘s cover of fools rush in has garnered on youtube, but if you haven’t seen it yet… enjoy:
