Thao & Mirah are two artists who have enjoyed successful music careers. Separately. Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn has five beloved solo albums on her resume, and Thao Nguyen has released two LPs to critical acclaim with her band the Get Down Stay Down. The two friends finally joined forces at last year’s Noise Pop festival and toured North America together soon afterward. On April 26, you can own the resulting collaborative magic on the duo’s self-titled record (on Kill Rock Stars), which features Merrill Garbus as co-producer and guest musician. Clearly, Thao & Mirah’s respective musical journeys led them to each other, as evidenced by this cohesive mix tape the two made for MAGNET.
“Eleven” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/Eleven.mp3
Janelle Monae “Cold War”
Mirah: This woman works hard and beautiful, and I want to receive what she is giving. Video
The Byrds “You Ain’t Going Nowhere”
Thao: The Byrds’ performance of this Dylan tune is one of my favorite country songs. I love the chorus harmonies and all the classic country instrumentation. When I listen to it, I feel timeless. Video
Stevie Wonder “Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away”
Mirah: This song gives me a special feeling of when I was little, and also as I am the least goth and most earnest person ever (though I swear I have a good sense of humor), I’ve always found myself to be a fan of songs that champion peace, love and understanding. Stevie has a special gift for writing songs with social messages that are not preachy, or if they are, you never want him to stop preaching. Total universal love crafted into the most special little ships. Video
Orchestra Baobab “Bul Ma Miin”
Thao: One of my favorite bands, all time. I love the guitarist’s tone and all of the different melody lines and rhythms traveling through; incredible musicianship. I have no idea what they are singing about, but I think I know what they are saying. You know what I’m saying. Video
Melanie “Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)”
Mirah: I like the emphatic choir and how it always makes speakers sound like they’re going to break. And all that just from a bunch of voices. Video
Junior Kimbrough “Meet Me In The City”
Thao: This song has the sweetest and saddest guitar and vocal lines, and I love to feel sad and nostalgic when listening to music. But only when listening to music. Video
Tésfa-Maryam Kidané “Tezeta”
Mirah: I could listen to this song over and over all night long on repeat. Recently, I did. It means “memory” or “nostalgia.” Video
De La Soul “Betta Listen”
Thao: Such incredible MCs. I love how smart and thoughtful all their lyrics are. I find it very heartening when men in popular music can be subversive enough to be respectful of women. Video
Yoko Ono “Hard Times Are Over”
Mirah: Ditto on the emphatic choir I mentioned with Melanie, and ditto on the Stevie comment about how I really love when music is allowed to perform its natural function of being the conductor of life and soul. Yoko’s voice cuts straight into me in a way that I can hear the words she says like snowflakes. I heard this once: no sames, that’s the rule, whoever breaks the rule gets bored. Video
A Tribe Called Quest “Keep It Moving”
Thao: Oh my god, Q-Tip, your voice is so hot. Similarly to De La Soul, I love their lyricism, so intelligent and sharply witted and goodhearted. They keep melody a priority in tandem with the beats, and everything flows so well. Oh my god, Q-Tip, your voice is so hot. Video
Curtis Mayfield And The Impressions “People Get Ready”
Mirah: I know. Everybody loves this song. And that’s a good thing. I join you in loving this song. Video
