When I was a lad, and everything was in black and white, and computers and smartphones were something you only saw in science fiction films, the mixtape was the perfect way to win new friends, impress people with your amazing music taste, tell that boy or girl you loved or hated them, or keep everyone at your birthday party dancing.
There is a lot of skill and art in putting together a compilation of tracks, and a big part of this is the ability to research and find new/old/obscure/long forgotten music.
I would like you all to put together your own Mixtape.
The key elements to think about first is the point or purpose of your mixtape. What is your theme?
This could be obvious:
to tell your crush you really fancy them using the medium of music
to get across just how much you hate someone for dumping you
to cheer up a friend with some joyful uplifting songs
to find as many songs as possible on the theme of space travel
to showcase the productions of one artist or producer over their career
Or it could be more obscure:
to show your encyclopaedic knowledge of 1990s hip hop
to show the line of influences from 1960s British rock and roll to the present day
to make people aware of the unknown output from your favourite (but slightly unknown) record label
Or it could be really really really obscure:
to showcase the unknown sound of a long forgotten Nigerian Funk Label that only existed from 1971-1972
a mixtape of songs exclusively about badgers
a mixtape of songs that sound better at half speed/played backwards
To further reinforce the message, mixtapes were often interspersed with interviews, film and tv clips, skits and interludes. These can be used to add more interest to your musical story, add humour or emotion, or bring in a human element.
Over the next week I would like you to research, locate your songs and any additional media./interviews/film or TV audio clips, and create your own mixtape.
Task:-
1 - Identify a theme that has real meaning to you - if you don't have anything to say, your mixtape will just be a collection of songs - remember the key here is the story you are telling. Please write a short (300 words) explanation of your theme, why you have picked it, initial ideas of songs you will include, and what you need to research
2 - Conduct research in to relevant songs. You have access to an unlimited amount of music. The art and skill of this task is to sift through lots of potential tracks, and narrow your selection down to the most meaningful and relevant based on your idea.
3 - Put a running order/sequence together for the tracks and any additional content you want to include. A Cassette has a run time of either 60 or 90 minutes (C60 cassette is 30 minutes per side, C90 cassette is 45 minutes per side - yes, cassettes have a side A and a side B [this may also feature in your planning - often different sides would have a different purpose - Slower tracks side A, faster side B etc]) and you will need to consider this carefully when planning out your mixtape
Initially I would like a google document with the above tasks answered, but please also gather your songs and media together as the next part will be to use Logic to assemble your mixtape
There are lots of examples of mixtapes and thoughtful compilations out there, but a great start for your research would be to listen to any of Bob Dylans Theme Time Radio shows. Not only are they a musical education, and incredibly interesting to listen to, but they are very cleverly themed as you will see.
Have a read through these links, and have a listen to Bob using the links below
The Lost Art Of The Mixtape
15 Rules For Making A Mixtape
Bob Dylan - Theme Time Radio Hour
A Journey Through Rhyme And Space
We will have a discussion on this task in our lesson this afternoon.
Get your thinking caps on!
