Sutrastore - Ifuwannitoo

Welcome to our second trip-hop entry here on The Mix Tapes. Please correct me if I'm characterizing this genre incorrectly. For the life of me I can't figure out how I found out about Sutrastore, but I found their name on my Zune a few days ago, and thought "well I don't recall that name..." so I listened to it and it was the most pleasant surprise I got that day. Sutrastore's music features sometimes a female singer, sometimes a male singer; this is one of the only songs where they both sing together, and it sounds just divine. The girl has one of those raspy jazzy voices but it's so soothing at the same time. However, the thing I love the most about this song, is that solo at the beginning that sounds like a... harmonica? I could be wrong, but it sets a really nice mood for the rest of the song.

--Vivian

Nicole Atkins - "The Way It Is"

My philosophy behind good music is quite simple: if it makes me feel something (be it good, bad, sad, happy, psychotic, etc), it's worth listening to. This has led me to appreciate all kinds of music, finding gems of musical genius in the most unlikely places. It also leaves me listening to songs on repeat for hours, riding high on the waves of emotions that somehow the songwriters have managed to make me feel. Even better is when a song can invoke an entire memory. When I was young, my mom would listen to old Patsy Cline songs when she would make dinner. Since then, her voice automatically throws me back into my childhood, sitting in my room and hearing my mom downstairs, singing along while she fried onions and chopped vegetables. Patsy Cline is considered one of the quintessential figures in classic country music (sorry if I'm treading on your turf here, Karah!). She has a strong, low voice which practically breaks your heart when she sings about love.

However, the main song choice of this post isn't a Patsy Cline song (but I'll post it after the main video for the sake of completeness). I'm posting a song by another singer, Nicole Atkins. Her voice is beautifully low and powerful as well, and she's got a strong sound reminiscent of Patsy Cline. Nicole Atkins gives me a nice hybrid feel, she's got the sound that reminds me of my mom's love of old, classic country, but a more modern feel that places her in our time.





(Check out that tiny waist!!)

--Eithne

Meg & Dia - Rebecca

Okay, here comes another one of my favourites. I hope I don't run out! Meg & Dia are a sister duo that got famous via Myspace. So here's the ingenious thing about them: they write their music based on stories and literature. I guess this is what happens when you give nerdy girls a guitar. Brilliant, ain't it? This one in particular is called Rebecca, based on the book by Daphne du Maurier. Enjoy!

--Vivian