Erinnert ihr euch noch an Kassetten? Dieses hoffnungslos romantische analoge Format, das es einem im Handumdrehen ermöglichte der Liebsten, Freunden oder auch Verwandten nicht nur eine Freude zu machen, sondern gleichzeitig auch noch eine musikalische Lehrstunde zu geben, inklusive Coolness-Statement! Was war das schön! Wir huldigen nach wie vor dieser Leidenschaft und stellen euch mit unserer Mixtaping by Strangers-Reihe nicht nur tolle neue Künstler vor, die über ihre Mixtape-Vergangenheit und -Vorlieben berichten, nein, wir lassen sie auch extra für euch eine kleine Liste zusammen stellen, auf dass ihr schwelgt in für euch neuer Musik, musikalische Einflüsse entdeckt und die Leidenschaft zur Mixtape machen, weiter geht! Repeat & Rewind inklusive! Tape 5 kommt vom britischen Songwriter The Lion And The Wolf, der gerade letzte Woche sein neues Album ‘The Cardiac Hotel‘ via Grand Hotel van Cleef veröffentlicht hat und demnächst auch hierzulande ausgiebigst auf Konzertreise zu sehen sein wird! Also Augen und Ohren auf, Push Play!
Have you ever done a mixtape before? If yes – when was the first time and for which person? If not – why not and for which person would you do one?
Yes I have – I think it was back in high school many years ago when it was a really great way of hearing new music. Social media hadn’t really taken off at this point (showing my age) so getting mixtapes from friends was exciting and a good way of discovering your potential new favourite band.
Which format would you prefer for your mixtape: Cassette, CD, digital playlist?
I would probably always have to go for cassette as it’s what I grew up with. The first tape I ever bought was ‘MMMbop’ by Hanson and I still have it somewhere. Absolutely zero shame with that one, it’s a great song. It’s mind-blowing to me that cassettes have come back around again – first it was vinyl, and now tape. Even though we know for a fact that the audio quality on a tape isn’t so good and wears down over time. I think it comes down to people want to pay for something and feel the product in their hands.
Insider tips that the listener won’t know or mainstream hits?
I like a mix of both I think. We all like a party banger like Reef ‘Place Your Hands’ but there are so many good songs out there that don’t get onto radio. When I get in control of Spotfiy at a party or something you have to play the hits. I atteneded an NYE party last year and at 00:00am the host started playing pretty underground metal and I was like “nope, absolutely not” (it’s ok – he’s a friend of mine). Got the big songs on and everyone danced. YOU HAVE TO PLAY THE HITS.
Sad/emotional or dance/party songs?
It completely depends on who you are making the mixtape for or for what reason. If you were making one for, say, a funeral – then you would probably want the sadder songs. Or would you? It’s really difficult to lay out a comprehensive guide to making a mixtape it’s all done within that moment, or depending on what mood you are in.
Listing songs one after the other or planning a tonal climax?
One after the other I think, I like the randomness of a mix-tape. You could spend hours lining up the track order but for this I like the idea of it being more random.
About the cover: self painted, a picture stolen from the internet or a simple set-list?
Self painted.
If you could choose an artist/band, who should do a mixtape for you – which one would it be and why?
It would be David Byrne, of Talking Heads. Undoubtedly. The man is a musical genius and I imagine there are already mix-tapes or playlists he has thrown together.
The Lion And The Wolf Tour:
21.10. Walhalla, Wiesbaden
24.10. Stereo Wonderland, Köln
25.10. Hafenklang, Hamburg
26.10. Zeche Carl, Essen
28.10. Tower, Bremen
30.10. Monarch, Berlin
