The mixtape is an art form that I was never acquainted with until recently and one that I’ve heard wonderful things about. There are mixtapes for every sort of occassion, and there’s even a following who devote themselves to the art, but most interesting to me were the countless romance stories.
Mixtapes have helped music lover overcome mediocre looks and awkward social graces, paving the way into the bedroom for many years. Or at least, into the hearts of their beloveds.
So, how do you get lucky with a Mixx?
“To me, making a tape is like writing a letter — there's a lot of erasing and rethinking and starting again. A good compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do. You've got to kick off with a corker, to hold the attention (I started with "Got to Get You Off My Mind," but then realized that she might not get any further than track one, side one if I delivered what she wanted straightaway, so I buried it in the middle of side two), and then you've got to up it a notch, or cool it a notch, and you can't have white music and black music together, unless the white music sounds like black music, and you can't have two tracks by the same artist side by side, unless you've done the whole thing in pairs and...oh, there are loads of rules.”
- Rob Gordon (High Fidelity)
Loads of rules, indeed. After doing some research, I’ve found that everyone has a different set rules for Mixx making. Regardless, here are nine of the most common tips for making a better Mixx (and getting lucky).
- Know your listener – Before you even begin, what kind of music does this person like? If your listener only likes country, but you only like death metal ... well, there might be some learning to do. Also, if there are some touchy subjects in your listener’s life, be careful not to include any sort of reference in the songs you choose!
- Have a clever title – You should never read a book by its cover. Unfortunately, most of us do, so make sure you have a catching, meaningful title. Stuck for ideas? Why not try one of your favorite lyrics from one of the songs in the Mixx?
- Start off strong – Just like the title, start out grand, or your listener might lose interest early on. That doesn’t necessarily mean loud. Just make sure you’ll catch your listener’s attention immediately.
- Be honest – Yes, Disney songs are cheesy by most standards, but if it fits, use it.
- Use a variety of genres – Ballads are usually songs of love, but ballads for an hour and a half are just painful. Mix it up and throw in some tasteful surprises! It’ll say a lot about your musical expertise and your creativity.
- Sequence your songs carefully – Another High Fidelity quote: “... you're using someone else's poetry to express how you feel. This is a delicate thing.” A Mixx is like a story. You don’t express your feelings to someone by blurting out, “I LOVE YOU! MARRY ME!” Take consideration in how you put your pieces together. Some songs really don’t mix well.
- Add commentary –Talk a little bit about why this song means something to you, or how you interpret it. Every time your listener hears this song, they’ll think about what you said. Many veteran mixers swear by this technique. I haven’t tried it myself, but I can definitely see it being true.
- Finish off strong – Leave your listener with an idea or concept to take away with them. Find a song that encompasses everything you’ve said in the Mixx, or at least, a final proposition.
So, if you ever receive a Mixx from me with “L’amour Toujours” by Gigi D’agonstino, please say yes!
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