Many of us still remember the labor of love that was a mixtape. I’ve spent countless hours pushing, stopping, rewinding, and playing records. But it doesn’t take long, but curating digital playlists rather than relying on algorithmic editing is still a thoughtful gesture and can make all the difference at a dinner party. Choosing a song is a way to share (or forget) what’s happening in the world, act as a conversation starter, and above all, set your mood.
Personally, especially in the last few years, I tend to treat the gathering as a celebration and start the night in the country with margaritas (2 ounces of mezcal, 1 ounce of Cointreau and 1 lime juice, shake with ice). There are old and new songs — Miranda Lambert’s “Scene” is guilty and is a daily joy these days. To make your supper easier, we recommend Psychic Ills’s “Another Change,” or Johnny Thunders’s minimally noisy acoustic song, “Diary of a Lover,” which is usually more noisy. How about the postprandial period? After a cool time devoting yourself to deep conversation, consider The Gun Club’s dark and damp song “Mother of Earth” and the wonderful Haruomi Hosono’s “Boku Wa Chotto”. However, if you want this to be just the beginning of a long and noisy night, read on. In this story, we asked musicians and other creative types what they were listening to and playing for their friends. There is something in every kind of night.
Emily board, designer
“Angeles,” “Pitseleh,” “someone I knew before” — Elliott Smith
“Elliott Smith feels like summer to me. After swimming, I drive with the windows down and remember growing up in Atlanta, summer in Cape, and college in New York.”
Cass McCoom, musician
“Mysterious Fam” — Colombo
“Frank LoCrasto behind Colombo is a great musician, friend and collaborator. Frank actually invited me to dinner. He made lasagna.”
“Hallelujah Baby” — Weak Signal
“Weak Signal is a close friend and their music gives me hope. Their latest record,” War and War, “was released in March. However, it’s not really background music. It will be played loudly.
“It can be relaxing to set up a local radio station and be free from the burden of choice. Learn to love DJ’s eccentric flow static. Switch to AM and check your game score There are many great independent stations around [where I live], KPOO San Francisco, OZCAT Vallejo, KCSS Turlock, KALX Berkeley, KPFA Weekend, KPIG, WFMU, KXLU and more. “
Pierre Quendors, musician
“Obomi Nga” — Moonshine, MC RedBul, Uproot Andy, MC Azas
“Great Amapiano songs always set the mood. This is one of my favorites these days.”
“Party (feat. Andre 3000)” — Beyonce
“There is a song that comes in just right, right in time. At that time, the party Lit.. Queen B, always! “
“Roy” — Coffey Oromide
“The national anthem of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Roy It means “law”. So we have to obey! You will never make a mistake on this track. “
Henni Alftan, artist
“Weekend à Rome” — Etienne Dajo
“This must be a place (naive melody)” — Talking Heads
“Sound and Vision” — David Bowie
“I feel like time will stop in the middle of summer. Maybe that’s why I often feel very nostalgic at this time. Anyway, my song selection is definitely nostalgic.”
Rosie Assoulin, Max Assoulin, Vivanterre Wine Cedric Nicaise
“Such a good day” — Lewis Offman
“Summer Girl” — Heim
“Summer Breeze” — The Isley Brothers
“Cranes in the Sky” — Sorange
“We think they are talking for themselves.”
Angel Olsen, musician
“Mamata (love)” — Ananda Shankar
“A friend sent me this song and she said she always listens to it in the morning. I really like it and listened to it myself every summer morning. Just listening to it gives you hope and makes you want to move. “
“Why, Buzzard Man, Why?” — Alabaster Deplume
“This song is very sweet and reminds me of attending a beautiful ceremony. It gives Amalfi’s energy a great ritual.”
“Andalusia” — John Cale
“I listen to this song repeatedly while driving in the mountains. It’s the best work and I love John Cale’s voice. It’s like a big blanket.”
Musician Yaya Bay
“Angel” — Anita Baker
“This makes it look better than you might think, no matter what clothes you wear, and it’s essential to the confidence of your dinner party.”
“Love, love, love” — Donnie Hathaway
“This always makes the room fun.”
“I’m in Love” — The Gap Band
“This is one of the most romantic songs I know, and summer is for romance.”
Beverly Nguyen, fashion stylist
“Hentai” — Rosalia
“A song to drive the Pacific Coast Highway after the beach as the sun sets.”
“Strawberry Letter 23” — Shuggie Otis
“A summer staple that suits any mood. I love it especially when I’m cooking at home. I set icy drinks and tones for baking all night.”
“Afterlife” — BFRND
“For best results, play late at night at an outdoor dance party.”
Jack Parlet, writer and scholar
“It’s My House (12” Remix) “—Diana Ross and Jimmi Simpson
“It may be a little annoying to play this song as a party host, but there are many reasons why it’s the perfect track for hospitality. It exudes both warmth and charm and builds towards the drama. And then retreat. “
“Sweet Talk” — Jessie Ware
“The dinner party wants music that wobbles at the edge of excitement but doesn’t dominate the atmosphere that is the gateway to dance. In its ruche and longing,” Sweet Talk “is perfectly on the border. increase. “
“That’s the Way Love” — Janet Jackson
“It’s lush, multi-layered, full of desire. It’s a burning flame in the background.”