Monday Mixtape is another path towards music discovery, featuring people whose taste I admire answering a series of questions and prompts with songs (which might change from time to time).
Today we have Rohnert Park’s finest - American (punk/hardcore/secret third thing) rock band Ceremony. They recorded their first demo 22 years ago and put out their seventh album, Tell Me Your Dream, three weeks ago. I believe I referred to it then as a self-contained Eras tour of sorts, in which the band revisits all of the sonic styles that have made them so great over the last two decades, balancing the raw, direct hardcore that put them on the map with darker, more atmospheric stuff and jangly, angular post-punk moments. It’s a fantastic record. I have listened to the song “Dark Summer” a wellness-check number of times since it came out.
I’m so excited to have three members of Ceremony - Anthony Anzaldo, Ross Farrar, and Andy Nelson - contribute to a mega Monday Mixtape:
Anthony Lynn Anzaldo
"My star sign is Cancer, but my big three is Prince - Depeche Mode - The Cure"
Los AngelesHow do you find/discover music?
The Great Plains and Vast Cosmos; both analog and digital.
What was the first song you put on when you woke up this morning?
Terror “What I Despise.”
What song have you listened to more than once this past week?
Erykah Badu “Next Lifetime.”
What is a recent song you think everyone should know about?
Nilüfer Yanya “Like I Say (I runaway).” Is that new enough? (ed note: yes. Also love Nilüfer)
A song off your workout playlist:
Kylie Minogue “Love At First Sight.”
What song can you do at karaoke without looking at the tv screens?
David Bowie “Space Oddity.”
Song you associate with being 13 years old:
Prince “The Greatest Romance Ever Sold.”
What is a song that makes you feel pretty?
T. Rex “Children Of The Revolution.”
What song do you listen to when you want a lobotomy?
Does anyone not answer “Ramones”? (ed note: you’re the first babe)
What song do you use to indulge your wallowing?
Stevie Wonder “Blame It On The Sun.”
What song do you use to renew your spirit?
Joni Mitchell “California.”
What is your favorite cover song?
Sinead O’Connor “Nothing Compares 2 U” or This Mortal Coil “Song To The Siren.”
What song would you like to hear just before you die?
This Mortal Coil “Song To The Siren” or Sinead O’Connor “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
Ross Farrar
Virgo, Pisces Moon
Bay AreaHow do you find/discover music?
Record stores, friends, YouTube music discover, Shazam.
What was the first song you put on when you woke up this morning?
Vince and Bola
What song have you listened to more than once this past week?
The Incredible String Band “Job’s Tears.”
What is a recent song you think everyone should know about?
The Drin “Full Moon Natural Sickos.”
A song off your workout playlist:
Larry June “Organic Motion.”
What song can you do at karaoke without looking at the tv screens?
? & The Mysterians “96 Tears.”
Song you associate with being 13 years old:
I was big into “underground” hip-hop then, so prolly anything off “Uptown Saturday Night” by Camp Lo (ed note: I added “Luchini” bc obvi). Also, The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony.”
What is a song that makes you feel pretty?
Lip Cream “VX-2”
What song do you listen to when you want a lobotomy?
What song do you use to indulge your wallowing?
I refuse to wallow.
What song do you use to renew your spirit?
Eddie Harris & Les McCann “Set Us Free.”
What is your favorite cover song?
Spiritualized “Any Way That You Want Me.”
What song would you like to hear just before you die?
Biff Rose “Fill Your Heart.”
Andy Nelson
Leo
Los Angeles, CAHow do you find/discover music?
I’m always looking in any conceivable place music can be found. But there’s still nothing that touches the most tried & true method: friends.
What was the first song you put on when you woke up this morning?
Young Marble Giants “Final Day”
What song have you listened to more than once this past week?
Tatsuro Yamashita “Ride On Time”
What is a recent song you think everyone should know about?
Eliana Glass “On The Way Down (E At Home Version)”
A song off your workout playlist:
Paperclip Minimiser “II A1”
What song can you do at karaoke without looking at the tv screens?
David Bowie “Let’s Dance”
Song you associate with being 13 years old:
Beat Happening “Jamboree” (Ed note: omg same)
What is a song that makes you feel pretty?
I ever feel pretty, I’ll be in touch.
What song do you listen to when you want a lobotomy?
Brainbombs “It’s A Burning Hell”
What song do you use to indulge your wallowing?
Antony And The Johnsons “Hope There’s Someone”
What song do you use to renew your spirit?
What is your favorite cover song?
Grace Jones “Love Is The Drug”
What song would you like to hear just before you die?
Brian Eno “By This River”