FRICTION NYC

Above pic via nadissistic

This mixtape turned out a lot weirder than I initially thought. Originally James’ idea, pawned off on me (because he’s super busy), we decided to do a mix based around the first song you hear upon waking up. To be completely random and honest, I surprised everyone yesterday by asking them to send me the first song of the day they listened to and also to provide a brief description on how or why they listened to this specific track. Everyone’s responses are below. It’s pretty random.

[MP3]: Jay-Z  ”Heart Of The City (Ain’t No Love)” [Christian]
The Blueprint, Roc-a-fella; 2001
It’s the song from trailer for the new Ridley Scott film, American Gangster. Really hype to see this flick.

[MP3]: Sebadoh  ”Skull” [Ray]
Bakesale, Sub Pop; 1994
About 20 of my college friends have a mix tape project that’s starting its second year. Once a week, each person is assigned to do their own, so you get to sample a new album every week. Everything is posted on a blog for people to comment, so it’s a great way to keep in touch with old friends.

My time is coming up in December and I recently put a few sample playlists together. This year I wanted to do a throwback album of all of my favorite 90s tunes. “Skull” just happened to be the first song on the playlist. I was thinking of calling the mix, “Glory Days.”

[MP3]: Blackstreet  ”We Gonna Take You Back (Lude)/DLM” [Nghia]
Another Level, Interscope; 1999
I was listening to Another Level this morning while getting ready for work. This album was tha bomb! when it came out during my early college years. I was reminded of this baby-makin’ jam after seeing the Blackstreet reunion on the VH1 hip-hop honors show on tv a few weeks ago. Teddy Riley is tha man!

[MP3]: Queens Of The Stone Age  ”3’s & 7’s” [Ric]
Era Vulgaris, Interscope; 2007
It makes me want to be awake…it makes me wanna embrace my inner rock GOD!

[MP3]: Captain  ”Broke” [Theo]
This Is Hazelville, EMI; 2006
I love to wake up to this song — it’s wonderfully uplifting in a Thompson Twins-esque kind of way.

[MP3]: Pavement  ”Elevate Me Later” [Justin]
Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, Matador; 1994
Although I love the whole concept of being a “morning person” (ie. getting up, having coffee, breakfast, and reading the daily news), I realize that I’m never going to be one. I’m forever going to be one of those people who hit the snooze button for a good hour and then rush to get ready everyday. Because of this, I have very little time in the morning to do anything other than the essentials; shower, brush my teeth, maybe shave (maybe not), get dressed, and then get the hell out of the door. Eating breakfast, drinking coffee, and reading the “paper” are the farthest things from my mind and music is even farther. My waking hour consists of me (half-asleep), hitting the snooze and listening to bits and pieces of NPR blaring from my nightstand. I’m actually jealous that Theo has an “uplifting” morning to Captain as I struggle to leave my cozy nightly nest.

Anyway, since I sent everyone an email about this and already knew about it, I wanted to be surprised to see what my “waking up song” would be too. So as I left in a hurry yesterday morning, I put my iPod on shuffle and hit play and this is what I heard. It was perfect.