Well, it’s Mix Tape Friday and this week, I have been in my car probably close to 40 hours so I have been listening to alot of old CDs of mine.

I popped in a CD I named Happiness and instantly remembered why I named it so…

“Happiness” Goldfrapp

The most lovely name in all the world..We saw this band for New Years at the Disney Concert Hall and it was super fantastic!!  The lead singer China Forbes was 7 months preggo and she was amazing. I also was blown away by Thomas Lauderdale piano skills.

“Lilly” Pink Martini

I would LOVE for Olivia to be a concert pianist *she has the fingers for it* I totally took years of piano lessons but I somehow blocked that creative flow in my brain. Now when I sit in front of my Mommy’s piano I can just play “Shave and a haircut, 2 bits”

I would LOVE to see this band live. Beth Gibbons is the modern day Billie Holiday, she smokes and drinks while she sings. I have the Live at Roseland NYC dvd and every song rocks.

“Over” Portishead

It’s been awhile since I heard my man, Tommy. This song is super sexy, all the years I’ve listened to it I always thought one of the lyrics was “you’re the ice in my drink” but one day Antz corrected me “it’s AND the ice in my drink” I like it better my way. This song is from the album Alice and I love every song on it. Tom’s music reminds me of a turn-of-the century carnival in New Orleans. I must see Tom live in the next year, I should add that to my life list. He is so fucking rad.

“Alice” Tom Waits

My obligatory Björk of the week is an oldie but goody *well, great* it’s such a cute song and I adore the way she says Ghetto Blaster. Oh my Gawd, she is soooo fucking cute!! This is Aimee’s favorite Björk song so this one is for you babe!!

“There’s More to Life Than This” Björk

Richard James is the weirdest guy in the world. I have no idea what the fuck he was thinking when he made this video but the director is Chris Cunningham *the genuis behind Alll is Full of Love by Björk* I have the works of Chris Cunningham dvd and when I first saw this video, all I could say was What Tee Fuck?? Now, it’s pretty much my anthem, but I’m a weirdo too!

“Windowlicker” Aphex Twin

This is my random song of the week. It’s not as random as others but I have a serious obsession with the 1960’s. I love Brigette Bardot’s style and Serge’s lovely French accent. I am pretty sure it’s my destiny to live in France for a year.

“Pauvre Lola” Serge Gainsbourg

Hope you enjoyed this week’s Mixtape. I know I did!!

Welcome to another Mix Tape Friday *condensed version*. I know it’s been on hiatus but I am stoked to share this week’s tunes!

I’ve been rockin out to a bunch of CDs *so very old school* in my car since my iphone car adapter died. I have brought out old stuff I haven’t heard in years and this first one is an old favorite of mine. I actually saw him live for my birthday at the Los Feliz Derby *sadly, it’s closed since* I even scored his signature on a martini glass. I have always fantasized of hiring him to play at a party at our house but his $10,000 fee has put a screeching halt to that becoming a reality. I am not a huge System of a Down fan but I love the way Dick does it.

“Chop Suey” Richard Cheese

The next band is pretty awesome *I know I say that about every band* but we saw them open for Radiohead in San Diego. I love weirdos and these guys fit the bill! I also love obscure songs *hence my love for Björk* sorry the sound sucks so bad but this is the actual footage from the concert, the album version is way better sounding!

“Panda Panda Panda” Deerhoof

The next is a oldie but super special to me. I remember being 9 years old and going on tour with my Mom in the summer of 1986. I was used to life on the road by then but this time I was allowed on stage *I ran out picking up the flowers and gifts fans threw on stage for Stevie* it was surreal. It felt like a million people were in the audience. I have been hearing this song at a bunch of places lately and it always reminds me of my Mommy. She was a typical Mom, taking me to ballet class, feeding the dog and helping me with my homework yet she had another persona, on stage she was a rock star. Doing what she was born to do, the only percussionist in an industry dominated by men and still she never missed one of my volleyball games. I have no idea how she did it but I am so proud of my rock star Mommy. Check out her bitchin 80’s style in the intro of this video.

“Stand Back” Stevie Nicks

That’s right, Mix Tape Fridays is back and better than ever! I sound like an Infomercial but I just downloaded a bunch of stuff from iTunes this week that I am excited about.

This first one is more of an Antz favorite. He has a penchant to what I like to call “Music to slit your wrists to”. Pretty melancholy, sad-sack tunes *hence his love of Radiohead* But I can’t say I dislike this chick. I downloaded her Covers album and it’s pretty rad

“Troubled Waters” Cat Power

I have liked this band for a few years now. They are definitely on my bands to see live list. Groovy tunes.

“Golden Skans” Klaxons

Sometimes I am in the mood for some happy music. This band is pretty mainstream and this is what I consider an “oldie” but they aren’t too annoyingly trendy *or maybe they are*. Oh well, I’ve been rockin’ out to this song all week.

“A-Punk” Vampire Weekend

Nothing makes me happier than a sweet 80’s tune. Aimee & I are both pretty much obsessed with the movie 16 Candles. I know every single song on the soundtrack but I just downloaded these guys yesterday when Aimee came over. We were totally geeking out!!

“If You Were Here” Thompson Twins

Contrary to popular belief, I am an undercover Rockabilly chick…I like a bunch of psychobilly bands and enjoy partaking in East LA cholita fashion, example: *ok, bad example, can’t seem to find the photo I had in mind, but here’s me and Flav*

“Haunted Cathouse” Nekromantix

I think it’s blasphemy for anyone to even attempt to cover a Björk song *I’m looking at you Thom Yorke* but Aimee brought a cover to my attention that I didn’t throw a major eye roll at. It seems that Björkie was being honored and Swedish pop singer Robyn *who I loveeee* sang a tribute to her. So hauntingly pretty, I am looking for it on iTunes!!

“Hyperballad” Cover of Björk by Robyn

So of course Antz & I have been playing ridiculous amounts of Music is Awesome but this is not your ordinary kid’s singing “the farmer and the dell”. There are such amazing bands *The Shins, Ladytron, Of Montreal and Biz Markee* to name a few. I fell in love with this band from watching YGG, I would be interested to hear more from them.

“Listen” Paco

Let’s get in the spirit of Halloween with some Nightmare Before Christmas covers. The first one is a chick I adore and had the privilege of seeing live a few years ago. Too bad she only puts an album out once every 4 years. She’s a total recluse/weirdo but her voice is fantastic.

“Sally’s Song” Fiona Apple

The next NBC cover is a band I really like *Antz can’t stand them* but I really love the lead singer Brandon Flowers *but only in a gay way*. It’s as pop as I like to get.

“This is Halloween” Panic at the Disco

And now, the song of the week!! I have massacred this song. I play it non stop *much to Antz dismay*. Since it appears to be covers week *not intentional* Here’s a cover of a song I normally didn’t like *not a fan of the original band* but the band covering it is super rad!! I love their take on it, so melodic and whimsical. Give me anything with an orchestra and a singer who can actually sing and I am happy happy. Yay!

“When You Were Young” Cover of The Killers by The Noisettes

Wowzers, it’s already been 3 weeks since the debut of Mix Tape Fridays…where does the time go?
I have to keep it short but sweet this week, my hubby is on his way home and we have a walking date in *of course* Atwater Village!

The first track is a prime example of when I love a band so much I play them in my car, on my ipod while I clean the house, I play them while I do my hair, in Liv’s nursery, in Antz car, at my Mom’s house, I put it on Aimee’s nano…you get the idea. I play the song to death, although I can’t get enough of this one…it totally reminds me of Disneyland’s Main Street Electrical Parade

“Less Talk More Rokk” Freezepop

The next song is a band I’ve featured before but they are so awetastic *yep I made up a word to describe them* I never get tired of them. And they sound so lovely in Olivia’s nursery.

“Waiting for the Moon to Rise” Belle & Sebastian

This next song is a surprise to me because I am adamently anti-radio *with the exception of KCRW* mainstream music but after seeing her perform at the Mtv Video Music Awards  *and loving her* I immediately downloaded this from itunes *I actually thought she was a drag queen*

“Dog Days” Florence +the Machine

I am a big Flight of the Concords fan and this next song is an indirect reference to them via a film called Eagle vs Shark starring Jermaine Clement. I love the soundtrack and this next band as much as I love cake!!

“Hitchcock” Phoenix Foundation

This next band is pretty solid. I am still kicking myself for passing up an opportunity to see them live *for free!!* a few years ago while I was in Beauty School. I thought I was too cool at the time and I’m hoping to see them soon.

“Paco” Ladytron

Sometimes I get nostalgic and I play my *Old School* playlist and this one is super sentimental to me. Being the child of the 80’s I am, I’ve been constantly playing this band. I was in extreme love with the lead singer Michael Hutchence *so sad when he died* and I was postive I would play “Never Tear us Apart” at our wedding.

“I Need You Tonight” INXS

Here’s my mandatory Björk tune of the day!! I am super excited to post the inspiration of my Blog’s name. I love this song, it seriously puts me in a happy mood. I also love this video, I love her SOOOO MUCH!!!

“Violently Happy” Björk

We have played this next song to death but to be fair, Antz loves this band *as much as I love Björk* so I must indulge him. He loves the piano intro and we have attempted to learn it on my Mom’s piano *he plays better than I do* We saw them live in San Diego for Antz 31st birthday in 2006 and we really didn’t enjoy it. It was a general admission and outdoors so we had to sit on the grass for hours before the show started and once it did, everyone was pushing and it was so crowded we didn’t have fun. I was particularly bummed they they only did 3 of my favorite songs because I didn’t recognize any of the other ones *But I’m an old, bitter lady*. I am hoping to take Antz to see them at a more mellow venue *with seating* with a smaller crowd.

“Fog” Radiohead

The random song of the day is an inside joke between my friend Jessica and me. We used to go to school together across the street from LA’s Hare Krishna community so they would play this guy alot. I played it for Jes when she graduated as a joke but now she is totally into this guy in a serious way. I still think of her when I listen to him. Disclaimer: I am not a Beatles fan *with the exception of Yellow Submarine*

“My Sweet Lord” George Harrison

And now, my song of the week. I have been so sporatic about my listening choices but this one has been in heavy rotation for 2 reasons. Last month you saw Olivia’s video with Antz making her laugh. He was singing this song to her because I was playing that band in her nursery all day. and two, my ipod car transmitter just died *yeah, the one I bought back in July!* so I have been forced to listen to CDs in my car and that particular CD has been playing alot. I loved this band since 1999. I love a great swing band and I really hope to learn how to swing dance one of these days. This makes me sad that they closed the Derby in Los Feliz last year.

“Put a Lid on it” Squirrel Nut Zippers

Now I must skeedaddle… Have a great weekend!