Hello friends – I’ve missed you. To atone for my long absence, I present a mix that I’ve been working on for quite some time. As a child of the 80’s, I have a very special place in my heart for the synth sound. I grew up in music early with my bestie LK singing all of the “hits” and crushing on the Labyrinth-Era David Bowie while dreaming of our place in Jem and the Holograms. I am amazed at how synth has lasted through the decades and evolved into the sweet awesomeness that I’m hearing from so many of my favorite Indie bands. It took me forever to pull together a mix for this because there’s just so much good stuff out there. (A great problem to have.)

About the mix…I’m currently obsessed with Stranger Things and love its quite adequate nod to 80’s authenticity right down to the theme song, so of course I included it. I also find Chad Valley to be a genius – I met him in Portland when I saw him play at the Doug Fir Lounge (one of my favorite venues of all time) and was lucky enough to get a signed album and a hug. 🙂 I left all 6-minutes of his track on this mix because it’s a meditative experience that I feel needs zero editing. St. Lucia’s “Elevate” ends it because it totally embraces the 80’s music aesthetic, is an overall awesome feelgood song, and my philosophy is to end all things, wherever possible, on a high note.

Synth Serenade.

Featured Artists: L’Orchestra Cinematique, Atlas, Viceroy, Postiljonen, BØRNS, Pr0files, School of Seven Bells, Chad Valley, Wildcat! Wildcat!, Gonzo Jones, The Legends, St. Lucia

As always, these are best if listened to in good headphones or in a well-equipped car stereo (all mixes are Vader approved before they are released to the wild).

***NEW feature – This mix is also on Spotify – search for FOTD Synth Serenade if you have trouble with the link – however this is just a song playlist and is not Lisa-mixed. 🙂

These posts are a labor of love. Thank you for listening, and for letting me share this with you. Hope you enjoy.

@2016 Synth Serenade – retro artwork by Lisa Martinskis

Love is a funny thing. We spend most of our lives chasing it, constantly questioning its validity, sometimes not actually knowing when we have it, or how it’s even supposed to really feel…Then when “it” happens – it just fits perfectly like it’s been there all along. There’s no need to analyze or fear it, because it’s right. And that’s the best feeling in the world…even if it doesn’t last forever. Makes you really appreciate life’s more precious moments.

When it comes to relationships, I’m like the female version of John Cusack during his John Hughes years. A slightly awkward, horribly endearing romantic with an affinity for muscle cars and one hell of a knack for making mix tapes. While these aren’t necessarily resume-quality features for a girl who “brings more boys to the yard” … Sometimes, something clicks and the universe delivers. This mix was created in the spirit of happy surprises. A combination of old school, sass, bad ass, sweet yet terrifying uncertainty, some sick beats and a glimpse of the future. A long mix with a strong start, a mellow groove middle and a sweet finish. The perfect architectural plan for any truly meaningful relationship.

Love.

Featured artists…Newcleus (remixed by the Beatniks), Freestyle, Kanye West, Depeche Mode (remixed by Vince Clark), MIRAGE, CHVRCHES, Daft Punk, Röyksopp, Giraffage, Postiljonen, Still Corners, MINKS, Parks Squares & Alleys, Astra Via, Teen Daze

Love // A tattoo. On my leg. With poetic Life Hearts. // ©2013 Lisa Martinskis

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged up. No excuse really, I’ve just been in a kind of hibernation – waiting to build up some musical momentum and gather just the right songs for a “winter” mix.

It’s a season of indulgences, love, and perhaps some bad decisions. Sleep, silence, and then life again. Joy in every possibility…

I’m going to keep the description brief and let the music speak for itself… I’ll be back with another mix soon. ❤

Winter.

MØ, Purity Ring, CHVRCHES, Sally Shapiro, Emiliana Torrini, Valentina, Mister Lies, Wild Nothing, Phosphorescent, Wildcat! Wildcat!, Postal Service, Blue Hawaii, Against Me!

I would like to note that the above is a NEW Postal Service song – the first they’ve released in a decade. They’ve been in a “winter” themselves it would seem. Owl City can retire now — the real thing is back. 😉

Winter // A cold night in the Los Gatos Hills // ©2013 Lisa Martinskis

Technically, summer has come and gone. The days now are still pleasantly warm but there’s a hint of fall on the horizon. This track list is a tribute to summer memories. Some hot, some warm, and now…a hint of fall on the horizon. And fall is my favorite season of all…

This one’s got something for everyone. Enjoy.

Summer.

Featured artists: Major Lazer, Poolside, Exitmusic, Real Estate, Beach House, The Tallest Man on Earth, Wild Nothing, Angus & Julia Stone, Tesla Boy, MGMT, The Antlers, Pinback, Fever Ray, Teen Daze, Dirty Gold

Tribute to Summer // Lake Britton // ©2012 Lisa Martinskis

It’s here! I am SO looking forward to another weekend jam-packed with awesome music. It will certainly be an adventure – as my maiden voyage to Outside Lands will be taken solo. Hoping to meet some awesome new peeps and see a few friends who I know will be there! I’ve got my lineup schedule waiting at the ready, so let the shows begin! In the spirit of musical awesomeness, I’ve compiled this mix for your listening pleasure with artists that will be performing this year.

2012 is the year I will see ALL the bands.

Enjoy this little taste of Outside Lands.

Outside Lands 2012

This one is about the intermittent periods of turmoil we encounter in life, learning to embrace and find strength in the parts of yourself that you once viewed as weaknesses, and finding light in places where you least expect it… Sometimes the intentions of your heart and mind just don’t quite mesh together. This mix, for me, is the glue that makes them one. If you let go enough to feel and experience what’s really around you in the moment, sometimes the universe will surprise you with something or someone you never even knew you needed. My eyes are open – may yours be as well.

Pieces.

I am so excited about having the opportunity to go to Coachella this year! There is SO much killer music to be listened to I’m almost going to have to find a way to be in two places at once. In the spirit of amazing music, I’ve created not only one but TWO mixes, filled with goodness from the bands I shall be hearing at Coachella. Most of them are songs from each separate artist, and some are collaborations from artists that will be there. (Like Modeselektor and Thom Yorke!) I have an awesome road trip to look forward to, company that is even more awesome, and an experience that I’m sure I will remember for the duration of my days. I am a very fortunate girl! Hopefully this will be the start of an amazing new tradition.

Enjoy!

Coachella Alpha // Photo Credit goes to Trendland

Coachella Beta // Photo Credit goes to the Brooklyn Vegan

The “mixed tape” concept has been around for quite some time. For me, it started in junior high, trying to be quick enough to catch a song from the radio onto a cassette tape to be able to enjoy it whenever I wanted it. Then it sort of morphed into making a mix of sweet songs for a boy that I felt was deserving at the time (which is still known to happen) … but for the most part these days it’s about stitching together a group of songs that will make people stop and listen. Providing another method to make better known songs and artists I believe in. Sometimes these mixes send a message, sometimes they set a mood, and sometimes, with a little patience, the universe randomly guides my mind to merge a series of songs that leaves me with a sense of accomplishment, like I’ve solved an audio Rubik’s Cube. Like so many things in life, when you just let go and step back a bit, really beautiful things can happen. I really love this mix. I hope you do too.

Rubik’s Cube.

Featured artists…M83, Air France, Drake feat The Weeknd, Arrange, My Morning Jacket, Active Child, Mirrorring, Mumphord & Sons, Arcade Fire, Simple Minds, Keep Shelly In Athens, Rocket Empire

Rubik’s Cube ©2021 IronGirl77

This playlist is about empowerment. A careful selection of tracks hand-picked by a girl thinking of the inner athlete, born and bred, who knows the effort and sacrifice required to become the best of the best. It’s got a lot of kick, even more attitude, and is the fire that burns from within so as to force you to forget pain, smash through mental blocks, own that powerful feeling created from music in your ears and feet hitting pavement. It will afford you 60+ minutes to rise above the atrocities you said you’d never become and forget the rest – followed by a few minutes at the end to bask in your very own glory. It’s also not really all that predictable, so you might want to listen until the end.

Make up your mind – because it’s now or never. Your life is waiting.

Turntable.

Featured artists…Deadmau5 & Kaskade, M.I.A., Ayria, Childish Gambino, Lil Wayne feat Cory Gunz, Flo Rida feat Timbaland, Eminem, Björk, Justice, Foo Fighters, The Darkness, Social Distortion, Mr. Mister, Catherine Wheel, M83

Turntable ©2021 IronGirl77

This playlist is about beautiful transitions, big, open sound and unexpected surprises…

I had someone in mind when I put this together … done in the spirit of friendly competition and the love for all things music.

Oceanscapes & Beers in the Forest.

Featured artists…Marc Hellner, Rebecca & Fiona feat. Yves Saint Lorentz, Stina Nordenstam, d’Eon, Blood Diamonds, Taken By Trees, Small Black, Ford & Lopatin, George Michael, Akufen, Pet Shop Boys, Gavin Friday, Third Eye Blind

Oceanscape // Half Moon Bay ©2021 IronGirl77