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FREE MP3s MIX TAPE

Ravens & Chimes Makes MAGNET A Mix Tape

New York’s Ravens & Chimes formed in 2005, when its members were studying music and film at NYU and frontman Asher Lack was interning for Wes Anderson. Now, the band has just released its sophomore album, Holiday Life (Better Looking), an energetic, bicycle-ride-worthy work produced by Howard Bilerman and grown out of a writing process that was rocky and exhausting, but well worth the struggle. Download “Arrow” from Holiday Life below, and check out the mix tape Lack made for MAGNET.

“Arrow” (download):

Weezer “My Name Is Jonas”
I forgot how much this band used to mean to me until recently when this song was playing backstage before a show and everyone in the band had a big singalong. I remembered how good it felt to blast it in my room as 14-year-old. Video

Sybille Bailer “I Lost Something In The Hills”
We used to listen to this song to cool out in the van after shows. I can’t believe this album sat on someone’s shelf for 39 years. The production is so antique and timeless. I’ve always wanted to record something that sounds like this. Video

Caveman “Old Friend”
I’m usually pretty late to the party in terms of liking new bands. Caveman has been a notable exception as I’ve been a fan since Rebecca (from Ravens) and I went to their first show at the Ace Hotel in 2009. I know Matty and Cobra because we toured with their old band the Subjects years ago. Matty and I once got frisked by the police together. Video

Washed Out “Amor Fati”
I’ve never made music that sounds anything like this, so this song makes me feel very inspired and baffled at the same time. I would love to see his writing and recording process. It feels like it came out effortlessly, but I know there must have been and insane amount of work that went into making it. Video

Anna Calvi “Desire”
This song always makes me stop whatever I’m doing and listen. It’s so strong and overpowering that I feel like I’m being swallowed up in it like a wave every time I hear it. Video

Wye Oak “Holy Holy”
We saw this band play a random secret show at the Rock Shop in Brooklyn last winter and everyone was totally converted. I would love to be friends with them. Video

Amy Winehouse “You Know I’m No Good”
Back To Black was one of the only albums everyone in the band could agree on when we first started touring. We played it so many times in the van that I know all the words now. This song always felt so slinky and tough at the same time. Video

Hooray For Earth “Black Trees”
Hooray For Earth walks the border between the synthetic, electronic music and organic, guitar-and-drums perfectly. This is the soundtrack to another world. It’s something everyone in the band can agree on. Video

The Joy Formidable “Whirring”
We opened for this band at their first American show, and they killed it. I have been a fan of them ever since. This is them at their best. Video

Beach House “Myth”
We just heard this song come over the PA right after we played in Basle, Switzerland. We’re all very excited for their new album. I think they write very classic songs that I hope people will be covering and singing for a long time. Hearing the kids chorus sing “Zebra” opened my eyes to how strong their writing is. Video