The mix CD is an indie rock dating ritual. If done right, you might even get laid. But you have to respect the craft, sort of like Daniel respects Karate in the Karate Kid Part II. There’s a ridiculous amount of thought that goes into it so you don’t want to screw it up. For me, this is a passion project that took up an entire day I was supposed to be working for the man. So thanks to Sanctuary143 for the distraction and I hope it scores you some action.

-Dave Brown

Holiday Matinee
www.holidaymatinee.com

1. Writer’s Block – Just Jack
2. Can’t Hold On – M.E.D.
3. Lilac Wine (Nina Simone) – THE ALBUM LEAF
4. Lose Yr Frown – The Electric Soft Parade
5. Quiet Town – Josh Rouse
6. Lady Lady – Cynty And The Monkeys
7. Chemicals – The Notwist
8. Consolation Prizes – Phoenix
9. Falling Down – Scarlett Johansson
10. Our House – Phantom Planet
11. Something to Do with My Hands – Her Space Holiday
12. Alienation – Lali Puna
13. Talk About A Girl – Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf
14. New Hampshire – Matt Pond PA
15. My Week Beats Your Year – Telefon Tel Aviv
16. West Coast – Coconut Records

The latest installment of the Sanctuary143 podcast, and first edition of our Minstrel Fridays series, comes courtesy of San Diego musician Joel P. West. Check the review of Joel’s new album, Dust Jacket. ENJOY!

i started making this list by trying to collect all the songs that have influenced me the most but immediately realized that it was going to have to be a super-deluxe box set and gave up. i noticed that all the songs that move me the most have a wintry feel to them and started thinking about why i am drawn to quiet and delicate music with bells and strings and choirs. i find it fascinating that these songs do not fit my current setting at all; the measly hints of winter that we get in san diego are few and far between and the seasons have to be forced with decorations and special menus. i get overwhelmed with emotions whenever i get a weekend somewhere crisp and cold and always do a lot of pondering and reflecting. i think we often use the novel to hold memories and emotions; we need sacred places to keep our deepest thoughts. i have come to venerate true winter moments as a san diegan and i think it is evident in both the art i appreciate and the art i make. here are some songs to accompany the leaf-less parts of the year.

the photograph is of crowley lake at night (up by mammoth) where a lot of these nostalgic memories are kept. i was walking around at night listening to icelandic music and thinking it looked a lot like iceland (i hadn’t been there yet).

Credit:
Joel P West
http://joelpwest.com (update coming soon)
http://otherrivers.com (soon launching with design & illustration)

1. The Fall – Peter and The Wolf
2. Hemipode – Amiina
3. Unravel – Björk
4. The Piano In The Bathtub – Department Of Eagles
5. Ashes of American Flags – Wilco
6. Only Skin – Joanna Newsom
7. The Partisan – Leonard Cohen
8. Finally We Are No One – Múm
9. I Think It’s Going to Rain Today – Randy Newman
10. Symphony No. 3: II. Lento e largo – Tranquillissimo – Gorecki