Put a double bass in a cabin in the tranquil wilderness of Maine and combine it with years of experience playing with Dirty Projectors and a dash of free-jazz influence for good measure, and you get Nat Baldwin’s latest masterpiece, People Changes. Baldwin’s unique and beautiful fourth album came out last month on Western Vinyl, with the help of some seriously talented friends. Fresh off a U.S. tour supporting the record, Baldwin was nice enough to make MAGNET this mix tape.
“Weights” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/Weights.mp3
Ryan Power “I Don’t Care”
Ryan is one of my favorite singers and all-around musicians. This song is from his classic album from 2010, I Don’t Want To Die. For something so catchy and poppy, it’s incredible how unique this music is. You’ll be singing his melodies all day without realizing how weird certain aspects of it are. Sometimes the weird is more out front, but it always enhances the overall experience and blends in the right way. The lyrics are painfully honest, funny and sad, considering the complexities and struggles of these weird lives we humans live. Anyone can relate. Video
Chris Weisman “I Don’t Care Again”
I love Chris’ music for a lot of the same reasons I love Ryan’s. It’s similar in its singularity. It’s totally poppy, but there are surprising moments of harmonic complexity and instrumental virtuosity. I’m on tour right now, and my car only plays tapes. Chris’ album Fresh Sip ties Cyndi Lauper’s She’s So Unusual for most played so far. Unfortunately, Fresh Sip was only released on tape. Actually, I think that’s kind of awesome, but it’s unfortunate in that I wish more people could hear it. Fortunately, Chris is one of the most prolific songwriters I know and probably has a few more albums recorded since I last saw him, so there will always be more to look forward to.
Billy Bragg “A New England”
I bought this tape Back To Basics while passing through Brattleboro, Vt., early in this tour, and it easily comes in second to the above-mentioned for most played. I had no idea Billy Bragg was so awesome! The songwriting is beautiful, and his guitar playing is super subtle but impressive. I love the sparsity of the recording, too. It works perfectly with the songs, but at the same time, it’s easy to imagine a rock band behind them. Video
Cyndi Lauper “I’ll Kiss You”
This song is so awesome! I love the lesser known tracks on this album, like “Witness” and “She Bop.” The vocal performance on this is crazy. It’s so accurate, but also full of this punk energy that not many could pull off. She just sounds so full of confidence, in a way that’s not intimidating but more infectious. I feel really cool blasting this on the highway after a show and imagining her singing to me. Video
Extra Life “Strong Brother, Weak Brother”
This is off the new EP Ripped Heart. It is so strong. Extra Life has paired down to a trio now, and I love the space it creates in the music, highlighting each of their mastery. I think it especially works with these new songs. Their recent shows in New York have been really powerful. The music is going in new, awesome directions, and I think Charlie is one of the premiere talents creating music today. Video
Tooth Ache “Skin”
More awesome music from the beautiful state of Vermont. I played with her early in this tour, and it was one of the best shows so far, and her set was incredible. It’s hypnotizing music, full of awesome melody and deep grooves. She’s young, so I think she’ll have plenty more awesome music to come. Video
Travis Laplante “Solo Saxophone Music”
Travis plays tenor saxophone. His music is an unusual blend beautiful melody and violent brutality. It’s both primal and virtuosic. Watching him achieve this live is like a religious experience, or at least what I think one would be like. It’s always very moving to see someone expose themselves in this way and do it with such a clear vision and also such a command of their instrument. Even if you cant stylistically connect with the results, there’s no way to deny the emotion that cuts through. This music has huge balls. He has a solo album coming out in the fall. Video
Judee Sill “Jesus Was A Crossmaker”
My good friend recently sent me this link, and I was immediately blown away. I couldn’t believe I had never heard it before. I can’t believe more people don’t know about her! She only made two albums in the early ’70s before dying tragically and far too young. I consider her songs to be some of the most “perfect” constructions of songs I’ve ever heard. I can listen to them over and over. Video
Callers “Life Of Love”
This band is amazing. Sara’s voice has such incredible range and unusual control over dynamics. This is an overused term, but it feels so timeless. And powerful! Ryan does more with one guitar than most can do with two, and Don is as tasteful as any drummer I’ve heard. They have put on some of the best shows I’ve seen in new york, and more people really need to hear them. Video
Buke And Gass “Bundletuck”
This is another New York band that has blown me away over this past year. Their music is dense and angular but just as melodic and catchy. The amount of sound the two of them create doesn’t seem possible. They bring so much energy, and Arone’s voice can carry that energy or be delicate and beautiful as can be. They are freakin’ sick! Video
