Ethereal – extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world. Press play on Ryan Radlers latest mix tape and that’s exactly how the music will make you feel, immediately. The effect is no coincidence and if you’re hip to the anti-summer/anti-winter concepts then you know that’s what these tapes are all about…
At the end of the day I think the mixes are really about how to navigate each season. Personally, winter has been killing me and this mix is literally some catharsis to cope with the stuff that comes. Cold, depression, lethargic lack of motivation…
I love finding alternative perspective to seemingly crappy situations so Ryans and I see eye to eye on anti-lameness methods. Listening to this tape while reading that makes me think of all type of reality alteration; if you haven’t noticed by now I’m big into Steve Jobs and if you’ve read Walter Isaacson’s book you’ll know all about Steve’s reality distortion field. At it’s most fundamental level it was a complete neglect and disrespect for any know limits, boundaries and expectations. Dig a little deeper and it was Steves ultimate tool for creativity…
Reality is maleable, we should all know that but we don’t. There’s no such thing as the “real world,” the only thing that exists is what we decide to bring into fruition. That may seem far fetched but think about it, if you’re feeling down one day and you put on your favorite song to cheer you up and it works then you’re effectively changing your “reality.” That’s why the world, it’s art, it’s people, customs, morals and standard are constantly changing. The concept runs deep, I mean just think about the things you don’t do because of what you have come to accept as possible in your life.
In the case of a n t i – s u m m e r 2 a rebellion never sounded so good. Talk about reality distortion, this hazy dream of a mixtape make the world feel like heaven as it effortlessly jumps from genre to genre, decade to decade and known to unknown. There are mixtapes all over the place but you’d be hard pressed to find two as unique and inspiring as Steph’s and Ryans and I think I speak on behalf of the entire EMPT army when I say how thankful we are to have these great artist bless us with their selections. Alright, I have to go face this bitter sunshine filled LA winter, enjoy.
W I N T E R : a n t i – s u m m e r 2 a
1. Dissolving – BON ACCORD
2. Tropic Fruit – POLOGRAPHIA
3. People Can Do the Most Amazing Things – KISSES
4. Windows Of The World – PETER JOLLY
5. Roscoe – MIDLAKE (BEYOND THE WIZARDS SLEEVE REMIX)
6. Open Your Eyes – PARTY GIRL
7. Everybody – BENOIT & SERGIO
8. Charlotte Wants to Dream – BETAMAXX
9. Take me Home – POOLSIDE
10. Animal – MIIKE SNOW (FRED FALKE REMIX)
11. Psychic Chasms – NEON INDIAN (ANORAAK REMIX)
12. Little Man – LITTLE DRAGON REMIX (TYCHO REMIX)
13. Escape City Skyscrapers – MONO IN VCF