what better time to take a ride with you through the universe tonight.

I'm the most excited to share this week's Mixtape Monday. A few of these songs I was recently reminded of from the background of television shows and movies that I've been watching, and as a whole, I was on the hunt for upbeat jams to help start this week on a positive and productive note! Believe me, I know we all need it. There's nothing wrong with keeping your head up, even if you find yourself with a 'case of the Mondays' today.

All I ask of you is to add this to your to-do list: start listening and hopefully enjoying.

02.25.13 - Mixtape Monday

Adventures In Solitude - The New Pornographers

So Much Beauty In Dirt - Modest Mouse

How'd You Like That - The Kooks

Trojans - Atlas Genius

Boyfriend - Best Coast

Shuffle - Bombay Bicycle Club

New Shoes - Paolo Nutini

I Get Ideas - M. Ward

Piledriver Waltz - Alex Turner

Favorite Song - KaiserCartel

Hope you enjoy today's mix, and feel free to leave song suggestions in the comments!

If you're interested in the above mixtape coffee table, find out more.

and remember the time I wrote that song and many folks sang along?

And in the nick of time, here is this week's Mixtape Monday. These songs are mostly from the past year, with the exception of two: one from a forthcoming release that hasn't been released otherwise and another from a 2009 release (though a new single from that group was released today!).

The most surprising bit about one is that, well, let's take a trip down memory lane - does anyone remember purchasing CD singles or even cassette tape singles? Before, that is, the fact that you can now purchase 7" singles again. I saw at Newbury Comics this weekend that you can purchase Paramore's new single as a CD single. I know it's almost the same as downloading it off whichever internet downloading platform you use, but seeing the CD in stores was a bit of a "blast from the past" for me.

What have you guys been listening to lately?

02.18.13 - Mixtape Monday

Three White Horses - Andrew Bird

Green Eyes And A Heart Of Gold - The Lone Bellow

Little Numbers - BOY

A Tattered Line of String - The Postal Service

Heavy Feet - Local Natives

You Can't Be My Girl - Darwin Deez

Now - Paramore

Armistice - Phoenix

Sleep - Allen Stone

200,000 - The Rocket Summer

Again, you can listen here! Enjoy, and share with a friend!

Photo credit for this image is here.

if i could fix you, you wouldn't have to ask.

When looking outside today, it's a bit too reminiscent of Friday night. I feel like I'm still in the midst of a blizzard because even though I'm six stories up, the fog is so solid that I can't see the Prudential tower from my window like I normally can. Believe me, there's nothing better than the days when I can see one of the highest buildings in the Boston skyline. This left me a little bit unsure of how to go about choosing songs for today's Mixtape Monday - I'd like to move past this weather. We've been told by a groundhog that Spring is around the corner (it is whether he says so or not), but there's a good chance that far too many of you reading this may still be snowed in or at least maneuvering snowbanks to get to and from your daily activities - and those of you who are currently in sunshine, just know, we're expecting you to live it up for those of us who aren't.

02.11.13 - Mixtape Monday

Yesterday Was Hard On All Of Us - Fink
Behold The Hurricane - The Horrible Crowes
Half Moon - Blind Pilot
Oh, Libby - The Couch
You Wouldn't Have to Ask - Bad Books
Thread - Now, Now
Dead Now - Frightened Rabbit
This Is It - Harper Blynn
Book Club - Arkells
It's Too Late - Sondre Lerche

Hopefully you're enjoying these Mixtape Monday's! Listen to today's here.

Photo credit, myself - print and flowers can be purchased here.

Recap of What Wolfgang Wants 01.29.13

Last week I was lucky enough to get the chance to join my friend Shawn on his radio show, What Wolfgang Wants, which you can hear every Tuesday night at 9pm on UNRegular Radio (unregularradio.com, the MEOW channel). I've got to say I had an absolute blast and am looking forward to going back in for the hang and the chance to make more music commentary.

If you were able to tune in, know both Shawn and I appreciate you taking time out of your day to come hang via the internet. If for some reason you weren't able to, don't fret - I've uploaded the file for your enjoyment here! If you dig it, feel free to keep on listening to What Wolfgang Wants, like the show on Facebook (please!), and keep coming back here for updates as well.

I've got some reviews in the works, and tomorrow I'm getting the chance to interview the great yellowbirddd, who you can listen to on yesterday's Mixtape Monday. This here blog has officially hit over 500 pageviews since the relaunch, and there's nobody but YOU to thank for it.

let me show your lonely heart some company.

This past Friday night I made my way to NYC as a surprise for a friend who was playing a show. As I was walking from the 59th & Lex subway stop to a friend's who was in on the scheme, my iPhone starting playing the perfect song while the snow was falling around me - this is how I started off today's Mixtape Monday. "I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" (this may be a different version than one you're used to) is a fairly self-explanatory song about breaking from routine and getting out and enjoying yourself, so from that I wanted to share some upbeat tracks with good feelings to them to help get us all away from those Monday blues.

02.04.13 - Mixtape Monday

"I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight" - Matt Pond PA

"Gravity" - Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers

"Low Shoulder" - yellowbirddd

"Making It Up" - Allison Weiss

"If You Don't, Don't" - Jimmy Eat World

"The Hush" - The Spring Standards

"One Words Better" - Nashville Cast: Clare Bowen, Sam Palladio

"Wait It Out" - Tift Merritt

"C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips" - OK Go

"Money" - The Drums

Again, to listen to the above - go here.

The show I was referring to above? I was able to make it to Brooklyn for Allison Weiss' 7" release show to celebrate her new single "Making It Up," which will also be on her forthcoming album out this Spring. The greatest bit, besides for getting to see good people make good music, is that you can check out a great review of that set in today's New York Times - that is, after you've listened to the track on today's playlist.
A little side note: the bassist in Allison's band, Liam McCormack, has his own solo work under the name Yellowbirddd also on above mix.

Photo credit, here & here.