Big Harp Makes MAGNET A Mix Tape

If groups like No Doubt and Fleetwood Mac are any indication, it’s generally a bad idea to be romantically involved with bandmates. However, L.A.-based duo Big Harp doesn’t seem to have a problem with it. Chris Sensenery and Stefanie Drootin-Senseney met while touring together in separate bands (Art In Manila and the Good Life, respectively) and are now happily married with two kids and ready to release their debut album, White Hat, on September 13 via Saddle Creek. Not only are they each the perfect complement to the other’s musical style, but they also make a killer mix tape.

“Everybody Pays” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/EverybodyPays.mp3

Violent Femmes “Jesus Walking On The Water”
Stefanie: One of my favorite songs and bands of all time. Such a rad song. Hallowed Ground is also one of my favorite record of all times. Video

Blind Willie Johnson “Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground”
Chris: I don’t think there’s much to say about this that hasn’t been said. Slide guitar and wordless vocals combine in a hair-raising performance. Video

Nina Simone “I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl”
Stefanie: I love Nina Simone!! This song is perfect. I’m not sure what else to say about it. Video

Leonard Cohen “First We Take Manhattan”
Chris: I love the I’m Your Man album. The production style is completely 1988, but the songs underneath are 100 percent Cohen. The combination of cryptic, ominous lyrics and deadpan delivery really works for me. Video

Talking Heads “Heaven”
Stefanie: There was a time in my life where I watched Stop Making Sense every night. Love the movie, love the band, love the song. Video

Harry Nilsson “Medley (Walk Right Back/Cathy’s Clown/Let The Good Times Roll)”
Chris: I picked this one just because the video is so good. I love Nilsson, and this kind of sums him up for me. He’s a great singer and a great songwriter, but he never seemed to be taking himself too seriously. Video

Joanna Newsom “The Book Of Right-On”
Stefanie: This song went through my head every day for two years. Video

Lefty Frizzell “Long Black Veil”
Chris: I think most people are more familiar with the Johnny Cash version. This is the original and the one that got played around the house when I was a kid. Video

Townes Van Zandt “At My Window”
Stefanie: I heard this song on a documentary, Be Here To Love Me, that I watched with my husband back before he was my husband. Fond memories. Video