Autumn's Weather

October is my favorite time of year in New York City. Crisp mornings and changing leaves. There are so many albums and songs that bring to mind this, the finest of seasons. As soon as the temperature starts to drop, I am often hit with the urge to listen to The Shins first album, Oh, Inverted World. I can't count the number of times I played that album as I walked around Brooklyn in the Fall of 2001. Or even Sebadoh’s Bakesale, which was the soundtrack of the first Thanksgiving dinner that I ever hosted in NYC. These were my starting points with the playlist and then I started to think a little further back with artists like classics from The Cure and Kate Bush; and then more obscure artists, Vashti Bunyan and Felt. For some reason, I kept coming back to the ‘90s and early ‘00s with songs from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Elliott Smith, Cat Power and Clinic. Included are a few new ones that fit the mood, the epic track “Go Home” from Angel Olsen and the Arctic Monkeys’ “Body Paint,” which was especially epic when I saw them play it live a few weeks ago, plus a new one from Alvvays called “Lottery Noises.” Charles Bradley’s soulful cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” from his final album is right at home on this playlist. As are FKA Twigs “Fallen Alien,” Bat for Lashes’ brilliant “Daniel” and Kevin Morby’s moody (and long) “Harlem River.” I am curious to know what songs remind you of autumn. Please drop them in the comments. Until next time, put on those headphones, press play and get outside and enjoy the best of the spookiest of seasons.

The Cure - A Forest

Bat For Lashes - Daniel

Angel Olsen - Go Home

Charles Bradley - Changes (featuring The Budos Band)

Arctic Monkeys - Body Paint

FKA twigs - fallen alien

Broadcast - Come On Let's Go

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Red Right Hand

Sebadoh - Magnet's Coil

Alvvays - Lottery Noises

Elliott Smith - Bottle Up and Explode!

The Shins - Know Your Onion!

Felt - Vasco De Gama

Clinic - Distortions

Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights

Cat Power - Cross Bones Style

Vashti Bunyan - Where I Like To Stand

Kevin Morby - Harlem River

Panic at the Roller Disco

Something is in the air. I am not sure if it started with the sad passing of Olivia Newton-John or the release of Beyoncé's epic dance music-inspired new album Renaissance or seasonal Disco Roller Rink in Central Park but nostalgia has hit me hard over the past few weeks. As a tween, I spent nearly every Saturday afternoon at the roller rink and, in between, I used my family driveway as my stage as I choreographed routines to my favorite songs. When the weather was bad outside, I made my parents move the cars so I could convert the garage into my indoor rink. I cannot recall how many times I watched Xanadu and Roller Boogie, but it was certainly in the double digits. Naturally, ONJ had to kick off this roller disco playlist. What a legend. When I heard Beyoncé paying tribute to queen Donna Summer on "Summer Renaissance," I knew it was meant to be. I have been trying to find a place for Sylvester on one of my playlists and I think I found the perfect spot. The rest of the playlist has late 70's/early 80's roller disco classics like Diana Ross, Blondie, ELO, The Pointer Sisters and Shannon. Mariah Carey's "Fantasy" is right at home on this playlist with its Tom Tom Club DNA. I tried to include a couple tracks from the 21st Century that would be at home at the rink, so you will hear Sky Ferreira and Annie. Last week, I paid a visit to the DiscOasis in Central Park. It took a minute for me to find my "skate legs" again. I guess it is like riding a bike? I barely left the floor for the entire two-hour session it was so much fun. And I have still have the blisters to prove it.

Olivia Newton-John - Magic

Beyoncé - Summer Renaissance

Sylvester - Do You Wanna Funk?

Mariah Carey - Fantasy

Blondie - Heart of Glass

Sky Ferreira - Everything Is Embarrassing

Electric Light Orchestra - Don't Bring Me Down

Diana Ross - Upside Down

The Pointer Sisters - Automatic

Annie - Greatest Hit

Shannon - Let the Music Play

Gold Soundz

I think we all probably need a relaxing summer playlist to forget (for a moment) that our country is complete trash. Pour yourself your favorite drink and hopefully this playlist will help you decompress. This one has music from my all-time fav, Pavement, as well as classics from The Clash, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Fleetwood Mac and Ms. Lauryn Hill. There are indie jams from Brendan Benson, Best Coast, Teenage Fanclub and Beach House plus new music from Alex G, Cate Lebon and Sasami.

Recharge those batteries because we are gonna need all hands on deck to protest the hell out of the latest decisions from our illegitimate Supreme Court. This weekend I will be making donations to the following:

National Network of Abortion Funds:

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/supportabortionfunds?refcode=1milmatch

Elevated Access:

https://elevatedaccess.org/donate

Pro-Choice Candidates in Pivotal Races:

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sdp-dlcc-jld-2022?refcode=officialjld_ig_bio

Shout out in the comments where else to donate.

Happy 4th?

xo, Julie

Pavement - Gold Soundz

The Clash - The Magnificent Seven

100 Days, 100 Nights - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Fleetwood Mac - Think About Me

Best Coast - Feeling Ok

Brendan Benson - Tiny Spark

Alex G - Runner

Teenage Fanclub - Ain't That Enough

Beach House - Myth

Cate Lebon - Moderation

Ms. Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing)

Sasami - Not A Love Song