4:15 p.m. - 01.25.2003
Mix Master
I used to be the KING of mix tapes. I lobbied to get it recognized as an art form.
Mix tapes had to be FOR someone. And if not for someone, then for something specific - themed if you will. I miss the laborious hours of deciding the "who" and "what" of a mix tape.
Would it be autobiographical in nature - detailing the history of my relationship with chosen mix receivee? Or would I make a conscious effort to entertain them or open them to an erray of emotions in music I knew they were unfamiliar with. *sniff* Ah, yes. The dead art of cassette.
For me, once the mix was over, the project was only half-completed. Then I had to switch into graphic design mode and design and create a kick-ass cover, worthy of such a kick-ass mix. I would cut pictures out of magazines and keep a pile of possible covers, for mixes that hadn't even been conceived yet.
And finally there was the title. I love titles more than anything. I would love a business where people came to me just so I could name things.
My favorite mix recipe is to start side A off with a bang. A sure-fire crowd pleaser. I would keep the bounce for a ditty or two, and then a slower one, and then the middle of side A you hit 'em with full emo guns.
Then while the mix is already in a downbeat, you can throw on an emo track or two (this is where the Depeche Mode usually gets worked in). Then you bring the mix slowly back up again to end side A on an upnote. More of the same for side B.
My worst nightmare was when I would have the absolute mix maped out - but it would be just one song too long!
How was I to choose which song would be left off the perfect mix? Often times it was too much of a choice to make, so I would be forced into the cumbersome 2-volume mix, just so I could include two or three songs. But then, by the end of volume 2, I would be hard pressed for songs, and the whole thing would collapse, so that volume 1 was a triumph, and volume two would often end up in oblivion.
However, I would break the plastic tabs off the top of the tape - because even if they didn't like it, there was no WAY they were recording over it.
But there were those rare instances where I would set out to do a 2-volume set, and volume two would shine brighter than 1. My record is a 12-volume collection. It's still talked about today.
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