Black Prairie Makes MAGNET A Mix Tape

Black Prairie is Chris Funk, Nate Query and Jenny Conlee (all members of the Decemberists), along with fellow Portland, Ore., musicians Annalisa Tornfelt and Jon Neufeld. The band’s sophomore album, A Tear In The Eye Is A Wound In The Heart, is out now via Sugar Hill. Knowing what music geeks (in a good way) these guys are, we asked the five-some to make MAGNET a mix tape. Check it out below.

“How Do You Ruin Me” (download):

John Hartford “Steamboat Whistle Blues”
Funk: I tried to name my daughter Hartford, but my wife wouldn’t have it. Here you can see the reason why we paid tribute to the man on our album with the song titled as such. Amazing. Video

Joel Savoy And The Caleb Klauder Country Band “Ouvrez la Porte”
Conlee: This is a track from Cajun Country Revival. It is a combination of the Caleb Klauder Country band from Portland and two Cajun masters, Jesse Lege on accordion and Joel Savoy on fiddle. I was at Pickathon recently and ended up watching these guys as much as possible. Video

Soko “First Love Never Die”
Tornfelt: I found Soko on a late-night YouTube binge. I have been hooked ever since. Her childishness is so refreshing to me. Video

Vijay Iyer With Prasanna And Nitin Mitta “Duality”
Query: Vijay Iyer, an incredible jazz musician and composer, joins forces with two giants of Indian music and creates a beautiful American musical document. Video

Doc Watson “Nights In White Satin”
Neufeld: I had a guitar student who asked if I know this version. I asked over and over, “Doc Watson playing Moody Blues?!” Apparently Doc was a big fan. Video

Thee Oh Sees “Meat Step Lively”
Funk: Despite our “folk band” front, most of us play some good old rock ‘n’ roll for our “day jobs.” I love this band, the spirit and return to rock vibes in time of indie rock being overloaded with complex arrangements, accordions, banjos (a-hum). There is such a great movement of what people are calling “garage rock” out of San Francisco now; it’s refreshing to see that city get some musical attention after all these years. I want this band to play on my grave. Video

Richmond Fontaine “Santiam”
Conlee: I have always loved this band. Singer Willy Vlautin writes sad stories about the Pacific Northwest with some of my favorite musicians backing him up. Paul Brainard on steel (who also appears in Cajun Country Revival), Sean Oldham on drums and Dave Harding on bass. Yeah! Video

Taraf de Haidouks “Rustem Si Suite”
Tornfelt: Chris Funk introduced me to Taraf de Haidouks after I told him I was looking for a stroh violin. I can’t get enough. Video

My Brightest Diamond “We Added It Up”
Query: I love the way Shara Worden makes the most of her chamber group to make some killer rock music. The interplay between musicians is incredible, but it doesn’t take away from the great song and Shara’s voice. Video

John Anderson “Wild And Blue”
Neufeld: And this one is one we do in Jackstraw, another band I play in. This video shows the way I wish country music was still being played (and sometimes still is). Awesome! Video