Onward!

Onward! from meganagitor on 8tracks Radio.

So, I guess you could say I've been on a bit of a... sabbatical?
I last left off in April of 2014 it seems.
There's too much that has happened since then, and while I did my best to keep up with even just the mixes, most months I never even made it to 8 songs.
But, I figured, if I'm ever going to get back into it, the beginning of the year is a great time. And this year definitely started off amazingly.

"The Devil Drives" - Murder By Death

So, Ultimately the story starts in December, but not by much. My roommates, their ladies, and myself drove up to the Joshua Tree area for a NYE show with Murder by Death. It was a blast, to say the least. To ring in the New Year with Murder by Death. That being said, in addition to Auld Lang Syne, they played two other songs after midnight fell, and both songs hit me in the feels. Each song had its own reason for being perfect for the new year. I ultimately chose this one for the mix because, just as the ending lyrics summarize... There's still time to start again.

"Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)" - Silversun Pickups

This song, I think the best way to describe, is mesmerizing. I don't remember if it popped up in my Facebook feed, or I was notified via e-mail, but I caught this when it first came out and I couldn't stop listening to it. I actually took my laptop into my bedroom, put the video on repeat and just closed my eyes, each time soaking in a different part of the song. "I've got nowhere left to dream, so I'll just stay awake" really resonated with me. But then again, so did the entirety of the song.

"Wolves Without Teeth" - Of Monsters & Men
I was listening to Of Monsters & Men pretty heavily in the beginning of the month. I got pretty excited that while I was playing their newest album at work my co-worker enjoyed it, and subsequently looked into them further on his own time. The album is very cohesive as a whole, one of the kinds where it's hard to have a favourite. It really depends on the mood, but I kept coming back to this song most during that time.

"Be Here Now" - As Tall As Lions
Another band I was constantly coming back to during January, and February. And probably will in March too. This is ultimately because I got to see them perform in late December at a reunion. They came back together for two shows in LA and two shows in NY and if it's not the best show I've ever been to, it's definitely in the top 3. The talent and emotion that came with that show resonated far into January, so I kept playing their self-titled album on repeat. And again, still do. I just can't get over how amazing it was. Out of all the songs though, as they played the album in full and then some, I chose this one because "It's been a good life, I'll be sad to see it go." I like that, in the sense of starting anew. For this particular year I think of it in terms of how I'm glad of what I've accomplished so far, but I'm ready for the next step.

"Shine A Light" - BANNERS
This song came up on shuffle, from one of many playlists I downloaded from an amazing site. I first heard it at work, and it immediately caught my attention. It's got such a nice feel to the beat, and the positivity that's conveyed through it is very much enjoyable.

"Lifted Up (1985)" - Passion Pit
More than anything, I drove my co-workers nuts at work because whenever this song would come up I'd since "1985 was a good year!!!" at them and generally follow it up with me telling them that's when I was born and "you're welcome!" What. You enjoy my presence, therefore 1985 was a good year, because I'm here! You're welcome.

"Night/Day" - Mae
Originally, this song was part of a project I did on Facebook. I told everyone to comment on my status with a letter. I would then find an artist/band that started with that letter. But wait, there's more! Within that artist, I would pick a song that I felt was appropriate for them. Yup. I got a little in over my head with that, but in such a good way. I had somewhere between 15-20 people respond, and it took me all together about 4 or 5 days to finish. Night/Day originally was for one of my co-workers, and still is. But the more I listened to it, the more I thought it was appropriate for my new year too. January I took charge, I stopped figuratively sleeping in. Plus it just kept coming up on shuffle. So, I couldn't deny it a spot on the playlist. And I'm sorry, but his voice. So delicious.

"The Tortoise And The Tourist" - Modest Mouse
Honestly, the biggest reason this is on the playlist is because it came up at work on one of my morning shifts, and it starts with "Wake up and get ready wake up and get ready." And I was like uuuggghhhh but why, I'm already am at work. Geez song, why do you have to rub it in. I think first though I just started laughing at the irony. And then I played it when my co-worker arrived for their shift.

Honourable Mention:

"Foxglove" - Murder By Death

This was the other song that was played after midnight at the NYE show. It's always been one of my favourites, so that helps. But although it wasn't necessarily as obvious of a new years song as The Devil Drives, it felt right to me. "It was always you..." just got to me. Not that it meant anyone in particular, but, that it was a good year to find whoever it was.

Songs Never Sent

Songs Never Sent from meganagitor on 8tracks Radio.

The contrast between the title of the mix and the image used on the mix is the most accurate description of this month that I could make. And I swear, one of these days the mix won't be influenced by my friend Jake. Actually, no, I don't. I think at this point it's pretty much impossible.
Every song in here that references him are songs I almost sent him, but then the moment passed. But the song left an imprint that wouldn't dissipate, so onto the mix it goes.

"On Top of the World" - Imagine Dragons

I heard this song on the radio, on my way home from work one day and connected to it. 

"Waiting on this for a while now, paying my dues to the dirt."

It hasn't been the easiest since moving out here, but I saved and worked for it, and it's still a point where I am heading in the exact direction I want to be. 

"Sleeping With a Friend" - Neon Trees
This song is.... a lot of things. A lot of it, to put it bluntly, is that I only really sleep with friends. I need some sort of a connection with a person. It doesn't have to be seven years of best friends forever, but someone I could see myself hanging out with on a regular basis. (Not that we have to, but just, that type of connection.) And given my derpy brain, this song associates with Jake. We have this conversation off and on, both jokingly and seriously. Because we both agree that I will probably try to seduce him when he moves here. Maybe not be the smartest idea I've ever had, but you know, it definitely won't be the dumbest. And he's someone I can see being stuck in my life for the rest of his. One way or another.

"Young Blood" - The Naked and Famous
I first heard this song somewhere around the 2:30 mark and for a brief moment thought somehow it was new M83. Obviously the rest of the song negates that, but I fell in love with it nonetheless. I didn't investigate the rest of the lyrics 'til writing this, but the "can you whisper?" kept resonating every time I listened to it.

"Kaleidoscope" - Blink-182
This month had a few more downs than the average up and down month. I started getting stressed out about finances, and that triggered other less stressful things to become full blown anxiety and panic. But I kept telling myself it will pass. And everyone else kept telling me it will pass. And it's getting there. "It's a long road, to get it right..."

"Broken Bottles" - The Forecast
I completely missed this song in at first, an album I haven't been as well-versed on. I knew when I heard it that it was them, but I couldn't figure out what song it was. I wonder who can guess why this song is on here? (Sarcasm.) This is just basically every serious conversation Jake and I end up having. An unhealthy back and forth, almost. One of us (or mostly me) ends up expressing lonliness, and we keep each other company 'til it becomes manageable, and then we fail to go to bed at a reasonable time because no one knows how to say goodbye.

"Boxelder" - Motion City Soundtrack
The random memories that associate with songs never fails to amaze me. I've hung out with my friend Mike multiple times, both at my place and his, and elsewhere. I had my iTunes on shuffle one day when he came over, and some random awkward possibly awful song was playing and I skipped to the next one, which was this song and I felt that this was acceptable, and went and sat down content. No big story with this one. I'm not as familiar with this song as other MCS stuff, I don't even remember the song before or why I skipped it, but I remember this is the song that came on next that I was content with and commenced hanging out with Mike. I don't remember the songs after, either.

"Lazuli" - Beach House
I love Beach House. I don't remember what I was doing, I just know this song came on shuffle, and as soon as it got to the 30ish second mark I was like: "Yup, this is going on my mix. There needs to be more Beach House in my mixes."

"Cannibal" - Silversun Pickups
I kept catching the tail end of this song on the radio. And every time I did, I shook my fists at the sky and screamed "Whyyyyyyyyyyyy?!?!?!?" I loved what I heard so much, and I just wanted to hear it in its entirety. I found the video for it, with the whole song, and then basically just played it forever. It turns out this is just one new song, to go on as a bonus for a 'best of' album, which I call bullshit because I just want an entire album of songs like this. I wish I could explain to you how much passion this song instills in me when I hear it. I just want to dance and jump and scream to it at a show. I can't put it any better than that.


Honourable Mention:


"I Don't Know What To Do With My Hands" - Minor Alps
I originally listened to this song in December, when a friend from my early college days posted it on Facebook. I almost put it on the December mix, because Jake (of course.) But other than watching that video it hadn't really sunk in with me. The video was super cute, and the lyrics were great; however it just didn't keep coming back like I originally though it would. But then throughout January I kept randomly getting "I don't know what do with my hands..." trailing through my head.



"Counting Stars" - OneRepublic
This one was another radio song, that caught my attention enough to find out who it was. In the beginning it was a strong contender for the mix. But it turns out this is a radio song that gets played. And played. And played and played and played. So I didn't bump it entirely, but I couldn't willingly include it as the original eight. Ironically, although I could probably use the lyrics to attribute this song to Jake, it's not. It was just a catchy upbeat song that caught my attention randomly. Sure, there's the lyrics like "dreaming about the things we could be," but, well, I may be cheesy, but I'm not that cheesy. What really gets me are the lyrics "everything that kills me makes me feel alive." So simple of a contrast, but so great, I still get goosebumps.

Hey, Who Turned Out The Lights?

Hey, Who Turned Out The Lights? from meganagitor on 8tracks Radio.

"Silence In The Library" - Murray Gold (Doctor Who: Series 4)
I do not have triskaidekaphobia, however that doesn't mean I couldn't love The Bloggess's fix, In The Library.
"Everything that happens in the library is just preparation for the next year. That means if you fuck something up this year it's fine."
And after reading it, I knew what my first track would be with certainty.

"The Spicy McHaggis Jig" - Dropkick Murphys
This is just a song I could not get away from. Not that I was actively trying to. But I know I only have this one version, in all of my songs ever, and only this one version just once on my iPod, yes it came up on shuffle a numerous amount of times. And I smirked every single time.

"Secrets In Mirrors" - Spitalfield
This one just stuck. For some reason the chorus of "How long..." would keep ringing thru my head at odd hours. And I've always loved Mark Rose's voice.

"Ocean Avenue" - Yellowcard
A lot of Yellowcard came up throughout the month, but Ocean Avenue made the cut not only because of nostalgia from my late teen years, but longing for the future where Ocean Avenue won't require a plane.

"So So Cold" - Hot Hot Heat
I wish I had something more introspective, but what made this linger in my head was the chorus relating to current life. Winter weather, and a penchant for feeling cold even if it were 70.

"Imagineer" - The Imagineers
You can thank Craig Ferguson for this one. I didn't even have an antennae hooked up to the telly until New Years Eve, and it was some point after that, that a random Late Late Show episode came on from when they were in Scotland. And thus, I learned of The Imagineers.

"Lazarus" - David Byrne & St. Vincent
Despite everyone I (trusted and) knew raving about David Byrne in general, I always kept my distance. Not actively, I just didn't seek out his music. But then St. Vincent came along and changed that. I had to hear this new album, regardless of who else participated. And now I am plotting the owning of everything else from David Byrne's catalog.

"Thrift Shop" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (feat. Wanz)
I kept hearing bits and blurbs about this group called "Macklemore." Initially, I thought they were indie, in the misclassified sense of them sounding folky and mellow. Slowly, still without hearing them, I started to gather that they were hip-hop. Not a genre I'm against, but not one I seek out. However, some of the folks I was hearing about them from were from on of my favourite bands, Minus the Bear. So I got off my ass and did some research. Without knowing it was a hit of any sort, I randomly picked "Thrift Shop" to listen to on my way to work. It. Was. Glorious. When I got off work, I subsequently googled for a video, and found this. I don't care how many times you have or haven't heard it, if you haven't seen the video click that link. RIGHT NOW.


And this one is not on the mix, as I keep it strictly 8 tracks. But this was a (last-minute) runner up:

"Together We'll Ring In The New Year" - Motion City Soundtrack
I won't make it a habit of posting runner ups unless it was an agonizing decision. The only reason this one caught my attention (and with only days to go) was of the lyrics "I'm trying to find out if my words have any meaning. Lackluster and full of contempt when it always ends the same." It just felt appropriate, blogwise, especially for how this one started off. Maybe this year will tell me what meaning my words have.