Monday Mixtape: Natalia Mantini
Die Spitz, Sade, The Melvins, F.Y.P, a lot of Björk, and more
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).
Natalia Mantini is a New York based photographer and director, and someone I’ve known for a long time. She’s shot photos for The New York Times, i-D, Vogue, Paper Magazine and so much more. I’m such a fan of her visual sensibility, her general vibe, and of course, her music taste (she’s a deep head who once very briefly played in a Flipper cover band as a teen how cool is that).
Here is Natalia’s Monday Mixtape:
Natalia Mantini
Scorpio sun, Scorpio moon, Gemini rising
NYHow do you find/discover music?
Close, heady friends, Malibu’s NTS show- united in flames,
What was the first song you put on when you woke up this morning?
I woke up with “YES GODDD” by Slayyyter in my head. I think that says a lot about me.
What song have you listened to more than once this past week?
“Throw Yourself to the Sword” by Die Spitz- the cutie redhead really channels Lemmy. It’s so relieving to see, God bless those girls. “American Porn” also goes crazy. They switch off on instruments and vocals and this one feels a little bit like Distillers / L7- ish. They give me hope.
What is a recent song you think everyone should know about?
“Don’t Need You” by Luster - beautifully pure shoegaze. (ed note: shout out Luster in this house we love Luster)
A song off your work-out playlist:
I always think about the fact that most studios don’t play great music, respectfully. When I’m in class I often fantasize about what I’d play as a teacher. I think a goth hot pilates class would be so cute. Maybe “Head Like A Hole” (by NIN). Imagine doing squats to Skinny Puppy. Would that not slay. (ed note: yes, and I do listen to Skinny Puppy when I work out).
What song do you put on first at a photoshoot?
It definitely depends on what we’re making. I’ve been playing a lot of SOPHIE. If it’s an intimate vibe, I’ll put on “Cherish the Day” by mother Sade. obviously “Human Nature” (by Madonna) is always fun for the girls.
What song can you do at karaoke without looking at the tv screens?
Quite a few because I’m obsessive. The discography of Depeche Mode and Björk. I usually open up with “I Wanna Be Adored” (by The Stone Roses).
Song you associate with being 13 years old:
That’s hard because that’s around when I started getting really immersed in punk and going to shows nonstop. I guess my first thought would be “Jerk Off” by F.Y.P. I very poorly played bass covering that song with my friends during a Halloween backyard show. It’s a sacred core memory.
What song do you listen to when you want a lobotomy?
What song do you use to indulge your wallowing?
“So Broken” by Björk orrr if i really want to lean in, “I’m So Depressed” by Abner Jay.
What song do you use to renew your spirit?
“Bull in the Heather” by Sonic Youth :) One of my favorite music videos. that or “Funeralopolis” (by Electric Wizard).
What is your favorite cover song?
“Goin’ Blind” by The Melvins. I positively do not listen to KISS however thank God they made that song. I’ve cried to it multiple times.
What song would you like to hear just before you die?
“All Is Full Of Love - Strings” by Björk on the craziest speakers ever. I hope to be in nature, preferably a forest with lots of moss.