A Mix from the Archives

featuring Bob Dylan, Belle and Sebastian, Big Star, and more!

This past week, I have felt completely burned out by my media intake. The endless scroll - of social media, of music to listen to, of shows to watch, of things to read - overwhelmed me. One day, I drove home from work in complete silence attempting to calm my frazzled mind. The next time I got in the car, instead of picking something off Spotify, I put on the CD that lives in the player: a mix CD my dad made for me in 2005. Sometimes, it’s really nice to know that this CD has 20 songs on it and just those 20. I don’t have to make any decisions beyond hitting play.

I love this mix: it was my first introduction to a lot of artists I still listen to today including The Modern Lovers, Wilco, Bob Dylan, and Elvis Costello. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve listened to this thing all the way through, but it must be in the hundreds. Having it on repeat this past week has helped with the burn out.

Ideally, I would make you a physical copy of this mix for your own car CD player, but alas. A digital playlist will have to do.¹ Huge thanks to my dad for doing the heavy lifting this week (and for teaching me how to make a mix in the first place).

Thanks for being here, for reading, and for listening! If you enjoy Made You a Mix, please share with a friend!

1. Title of this mix is historically accurate to 2005: “HEM” are my initials.