February 2012
1 post
WatchResident Advisor got our feet moving early this month with a new mix for February. If you want to stay on top of the sounds making the rounds in dance music and only have time for one mix, look no further. And be sure to follow them, because they’ve been weighing in on a monthly basis. Big ups to our friends downunda. And for the latest out of the UK, we can recommend a pair of sizzling...
January 2012
13 posts
6 tags
Elzhi Interview
People have doubted Elzhi since he started rapping. His family wanted him to get a “stable” job. After eight years as a member of Slum Village, rapper T3, the group leader, left Elzhi out of the group’s music video for “Reunion 2.” When he decided to go solo, his label said he wouldn’t make it.
For years, Elzhi discussed remaking Nas’ album Illmatic, and calling it Elmatic. Naysayers said it...
2 tags
WatchIndie Rock Remix Mix from our friends at Indie Shuffle
5 tags
WatchNew hip hop and pop mix from Coachella artist The Airplane Boys.
5 tags
WatchA new digital hardcore mix from atari teenage riot
1 tag
1 tag
WatchNew rock mix from Coachella artist Gary Clark Jr.
4 tags
WatchMusic Blog: Fresh New Tracks specializes in hip-hop, electro and dubstep mixes. Their latest mix covers up and coming (fresh, am I right?) hip hop artists.
WatchClass Actress’ best of 2011.
WatchPorter Robinson, now on 8tracks
WatchImagine the heartache as lead singer Marty Crandall was “let go” from The Shins. The uncertainty, anger, and sadness he must have felt. Sea Baby Wolf’s “Best of 2011” begins with Bill Callahan’s “America,” an edgy, alt-Americana song about American imperialism. And like the war in Afghanistan and Crandall’s path, the playlist turns with Braid’s “Plath Heart” brightly closing the door saying “Are...
Watch
Portals is very exciting new collaboration between 16 kick ass music blogs to create monthly mixtapes. Make sure you like Portals on Facebook and follow them on 8tracks, if the first mix is any indication every mix will be a must-listen.
WatchAnother week, another great set of dance mixes for our end-of-year series. No matter that the calendar turned…we’ve got Best of 2011 goods for you through January. You might remember Italian DJ/producer Marco Dassi, who picked his winners for us back in November. Well, he’s back and surprised us with a phenomenal new mix for January. We also were super excited this week to get...
December 2011
26 posts
WatchTime for another roundup from our end-of-year DJ series. Over the past few days we’ve been spoiled with mixes from truly great tastemakers in the dance world. Check out the Best of 2011 selections from Melon (Holland), Miss Nine (Holland), Anja Schneider (Germany), and Pirupa (Italy). We also had some record labels weigh in, including the ever tasteful British imprints Rekids and Lost My...
WatchThe Good Natured’s playlist could be fittingly self-titled. It’s safe, and good at doing what many end of year list do, recounting on pop trends. Yes, Nicki Minaj makes an appearance on the list, but don’t think Lady Gaga gets a nod, not at all. If you followed 2011’s blog buzz, from the likes of Lana Del Ray to Odd Future, than you’ll know exactly what you’re...
WatchMaybe it’s because I’m stuck in a state of limbo as I wait, uncertain when, and if ever, my delayed flight will leave, but this playlist helps you sulk, forget, and let go. The melancholy of the distorted organ keys loom over Bon Iver’s “Michichant.” There is only so long that someone can wallow, and the pace chaotically picks up on Chairlift’s...
WatchKOAN Sound’s dubstep and electronic 2011 mix
WatchYACHT’s 2011 Favorites
Phantogram
Phantogram made us this Best of 2011 mix and I am in love with it. Swoon.
Icebird Mix Review
Icebird is the duo of RJD2 and Aaron Livingston. Taking the best of Gnarls Barkley and adding the flavors of contemporaries like TV On Radio and The Roots—Icebird is so soulfully warm they don’t have to fly south to stay hot. On their ‘Best of 2011’ you get the best of duo’s styles—psychedelic rock and soul with edgy hip hop and R&B. This mix is meant for...
The Best of 2011 from Paper Garden Records
Check out the latest mix from Paper Garden Records, an indie label out of Brooklyn.
Garth's DJs You Should Know
Garth (aka gdub22) is an engineer at 8tracks. His go-to DJs for hip hop are WisdoM, jayarem, dree, and Pshhlynnae.
Digitalism
Digitalism made a lovely compilation of the Best of 2011 in electro. Read the review of this mix from our friends at Earmilk.
WatchThe best indie rock of 2011. Compiled by Tord of The Wombats, enjoy.
rjcisme's DJs You Should Know
rjcisme has worked on business development and product at 8tracks since 2008. His favorite DJ’s tastes “wander from 60’s rock and roll to hip hop. They’re special to me because they were among the first DJ’s I followed on 8tracks, which unbeknownst to me at the time, would become a very large part of my life. I guess in some roundabout way I owe them quite a lot.
...
dp's DJs You Should Know
dp is 8tracks founder and CEO. Here’s his list of, as he says ”10 DJs who’ve introduced me to broad range of new (mostly) electronic music that I love. Many were early DJs on 8tracks who published some great mixes when we were but a wee startup and helped me realize we were really on to something.”
Check them out:
dh, groutgauss, KidVector, yakmilch, pachanka, petebios,...
Dada Life Best of 2011
Check out Dada Life’s Best of 2011 Playlist, covered over on Earmilk!
Mickey Avalon's Best of 2011
Our favorite shirtless and well tattoo Hollywood party rapper Mickey Avalon created a mix of rock and hip hop beats for his Best of 2011. His new album comes out in the Spring, it’s available for pre-order here.
Designer Drugs Best of 2011
The best of 2011 according to dubstep DJs Designer Drugs.
DataDebt's favorite 8tracks DJs
DataDebt has been engineering 8tracks since the early days. Here are his favorite techno & EDM recluses on 8tracks: “always eclectic, always surprising, occasionally misanthropic and dependably mindblowing.” Check out atw, disassembler, errormalfunction, and discoselector.
Here’s one to put on repeat from Anselm0o.
Ghostpoet's Best of 2011
When The Guardian named experimental hip hop artist Ghostpoet a band of the day, they said: “Ghostpoet’s music is perfect for that atmosphere of muggy dread. He sounds like Dizzee on mogadon, or a half-asleep Streets. A lot of his songs are set early in the morning after the night before, and find him doing what might imagine: dreamwalking his way through a series of scenarios, usually...
CSS' Best of 2011
CSS’ favorite tracks from 2011. Great indie rock / indie dance selections here. Spread the word.
Foreign Beggars Best of 2011
The Best of 2011 in electro, grime and more from Foreign Beggars. Love it.
The Go! Team's Best of 2011
The Go! Team, a six piece group out of Brighton producing funk, hip hop and cheerleader chant influenced tracks, selected their favorite indie / rock of 2011 for us. It’s a gem.
Kate8's first 8tracks DJ loves circa 2008
Oh, my 8tracks first loves. Sigh. These DJs have been crafting wonderful indie-ish mixes since 2008. See televisionaire, exhaustedwriter, MaryBeverly, sproutdr, cmcafee and traxx for huge catalogues of indie-leaning mixes.
I leave you with a mix circa November 2008 from bean.
Bahamas
Bahamas is a solo indie artist, formerly on piano and guitar for Feist. He now has a holiday track on the new album This Warm December.
His 8tracks holiday mix is a mix of folk and country, perfect for cold winter nights.
Straight No Chaser's Christmas Favorites
Straight No Chaser is a pop a capella group, huge at Christmas time for their holiday music medleys. They were originally discovered when a video their “12 Days of Christmas” rendition went viral.
They’ve made us an epic 20-song mix of their favorite Christmas tracks, new and old.
WatchLast week saw us launch an end-of-year DJ chart series, where DJs/Producers from around the world send us mixes featuring their favorite dance music tracks from 2011. We’ve heard from Germany, South Africa, Italy, France and Scotland so far…World Cup of DJ Charts, anyone? Highlights have been Dirt Crew, Phil Weeks, and Silicone Soul — all phenomenal producers and selectors in...
A G. Love Christmas
This Warm December is a new Christmas album from Brushfire Records that includes covers and originals from G. Love, Jack Johnson, Matt Costa and more. We G. Love for his favorite Christmas tracks. 8tracks Santa says merry Christmas.
November 2011
12 posts
Jenova 7
Downtempo trip hop artist Jenova 7 made us a dark, jazzy mix of his favorite tracks from the likes of DJ Cam and Blockhead. He’s promised more 8tracks mixes, so follow Jenova 7 on 8tracks for more downtempo.
Chelsea Wolfe
“You’re not likely to find a female musician who comes across as beautifully haunting as Ms. Chelsea Wolfe. It’s not just her look, but the way her songs capture this dark density, then softly wrap that around the gentle cool in her voice,” says Austin Town Hall.
Indeed. Here’s Chelsea’s “dark haunting” 8tracks mix. She’s touring around the West through...
g-side
Huntsville, AL hip hop duo g-Side recently released iSLAND, their second album now available on Bandcamp, and well reviewed on Pitchfork. And here’s their epic 8tracks mix of Southern rap & influencers.
He's My Brother She's My Sister
Check out He’s My Brother She’s My Sister for folk-influenced, upbeat indie pop. They have a winter tour all over America, and will appear at SXSW in March. They also need cash money for a tour van, and you can help make it happen.
Here’s their 8tracks mix of some rock classics, arranged for “walking through cemeteries, getting down and feeling blind love.”
We Barbarians
Brooklyn indie group We Barbarians’ big, catchy indie rock tracks should serve as the soundtrack to awesome things. Play the Headspace EP (iTunes) in the car on the way to get the girl back you almost lost. Or right before you meet her for the first time.
Since 2008 We Barbarians has toured with bands like Local Natives and Cold War Kids. They have December shows in Toronto, Boston,...
I Got You On Tape
Copenhagen group I Got You On Tape creates sexy, brooding indie rock. I am crushing hard on their sound, so asked them to make us a mixtape. They’ve selected some of their favorite indie and hip hop tracks.
Stream the mix below, or check out some of their tracks on SoundCloud, and catch them live at SXSW 2012.
Dave Audé
Dave Audé is the Grammy-nominated DJ and producer behind Audacious Records. He’s put together this 8tracks mix of his favorite and very danceable tracks released by the label.
Delay Trees
We recently discovered the lovely (free download) Before I Go EP from Helsinki dream pop group Delay Trees. You’ll be albe to catch them live at SXSW 2012.
I asked Delay Trees to make us a mix of their recent inspirations, and they produced this gem of dreamy chill.
My Education 8tracks Mix
We searched through the SXSW First Round of artists and requested mixes from some bands we think you might like.
First up is My Education, a rock group from Austin. They say: “Trying to pigeonhole the music of Austin’s My Education is akin to trying to stuff a pigeon in a hole: the sound is calamitous, there’s movement all around, the frenized beating of wings against wall, and...
B.o.B's 8tracks Mix
B.o.B made an 8tracks mix of tracks currently in heavy rotation on his iPod.