What is this?
Since 2013 I've made it a tradition to create an annual mixtape before Christmas.
Significant music from the course of the year is curated into a playlist and shared with friends. Some of it may be new, some old, I might have been to a gig, missed a gig, seen a film, heard something on the radio, or I have a special memory associated with a song. The Mix is almost always eclectic and although not all of it will be to your taste, you might just find something you like.
I design a cover and annotate each choice of track. As with any form of diary, sometimes it only makes sense to me.
My year of 2015
Make no mistake, 2015 threw lemons right from the start, but with the bad came good. There was another marathon Major - in Berlin. I had an extended SA trip, best friends' weddings, a free week in Cannes, Burning Man, and Florence Marathon. I've lost loved ones and been blessed with new.
Thank you to every person who has shared memorable experiences and in some way contributed to RORY's UNFORESEEN 2015.
How do I get it?
The mixtape exists as a Spotify playlist, CD, or digital download (only friends with my contact details can request the last two formats).
You can listen to the Mixtape from the button below:
The Mixtape list
01. Meteorites
Yann Tiersen
"This is our story, our movie; This is our rom-com and it ends like this." A Black Dress and a Bow Tie.
02. Hourglass
Catfish And The Bottlemen
The year began ominously - with a break-up.
03. When I Was Done Dying
Dan Deacon
"But I should have gone deeper but I'm not so brave."
04. S.O.B.
Nathaniel Rateliff And The Night Sweats
An apt song for the year's troubles. "Somebody please, just tie me down."
05. Hard To Find
The National
Limpopo adventures of a human and an alien.
06. PPP
Beach House
Birthdays written in beach sand. Like undrunk rossini's and trips abandoned, I missed the gig this year too.
07. So Allowed
Beirut
I got to see another wonderful Beirut gig this year. The brass section hits me every time and the love perormance is always so very moving.
08. C'est La Vie
Stereophonics
I never thought I'd have a Stereophonics song on here but this was a well-timed summer banger to deal with blocks in the road.
09. 20/20
The Vaccines
Finally got to see them. "Finally I'm through Thinking 'bout you." Part of my SA soundtrack.
10. I Won't Back Down
Tom Petty
Mom's car in Joburg only had a CD player. Tom Petty's Greatest Hits was the only CD and became my theme music. Thanks Ma!
11. Stolen Dance
Milky Chance
Happy Cape Town soundtrack vibes courtesy of Kerry.
12. Hold On
Alabama Shakes
That Southern voice.
13. The Ribbon
Rodrigo Amarante
A beautiful introduction to this Brazilian. Music and messages that connect.
14. Teeth White
The Staves
Harmonic bittersweet melancholy. Just the way I like it.
15. Ong Ong
Blur
Coming back to their best. I missed this gig at Hyde Park because I was having happy free times in Cannes instead. Thanks Soph!
16. Head And Shoulders
Leftfield & Sleaford Mods
This is just so scaffy I can't help liking it. Every time it's on the radio it grabs my attention.
17. Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck)
Run The Jewels
Justine put this on our Field Day playlist; many excitable pre-outings have resulted in jumping around to this.
18. Bilimankhwe (feat. Jerere)
The Very Best
Finally got to see Esau perform after being denied a visa for 10 years. Crazy energy in that gig.
19. Stealth
Lauren Shera
Descending into Lake Tahoe, surrounded by breathtaking nature, driving a 30ft RV. Goosebumps.
20. Johnny and Mary (Feat. Bryan Ferry)
Todd Terje
Driving through the Nevada desert, surrounded by breathtaking landscape, driving a 30ft RV. Goosebumps.
21. Le chrome et le coton
Jérôme Echenoz
The best way I can describe this song is "immense". I don’t know what that is in French.
22. Spring / Sun / Winter / Dread
Everything Everything
I’m not sure about the rest of the album but I was delighted to have it featured on the airwaves this summer.
23. Nest
Young Fathers
A POWER song to have when running. Thanks to Lina for Young Fathers.
24. Electricity
Guy Garvey
Guy Garvey kept me company on BBC 6 Music on many Sundays. Wait for Jolie Holland to come in and bring shivers on this gorgeous jazz number.
25. Queen of Denmark
John Grant
I finally got to see him with Sophie and what a show it was. His voice is flawless and it's hard not to be enamoured with him.
26. You're A Germ
Wolf Alice
This Mercury Price Nominee taked me back to 90’s grunge days, this would work in The Shaft.
27. Go
The Chemical Brothers
Florence Marathon. The body is hurting. One kilometre to go. Can't think, can't sleep, can't breathe. No time to rest.
28. Lousy Connection
Ezra Furman
Ezra is a colourful character with a diverse range of music, one of my discoveries of the year. Thanks to Mr Dunn, I got to see this show as well.
29. What Part of Me
Low
A beautiful bittersweet track from a strong tenth album.
30. Don’t Breathe Out
Roots Manuva
I love this new Roots Manuva track including a tender Barry White soul sample.
31. Sunday Candy
Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment
The anthem for lazy Sunday lie-ins.
32. Home
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
The whole RV was sleeping when I drove into Black Rock City at 6am. As we approached the welcome party, I cranked this up to wake everyone.
33. Whirlwind of Rubbish
Evangelist
For Tony. I will miss you my friend.
35. Rise
Eddie Vedder
Driving along the open road on the Garden Route a couple weeks after a massive work shock. Vedder on loud. A good way move on from this year too. "Gonna rise up. Throw down my ace in the hole."