Guest Mixer - Stan (Santah)

Hapsounds, March, 2011

Hello, I'm Stan from Santah. We're a band from Chicago. If you like these tunes, check us out at santahmusic.com. We're about to rerelease our first full length record, White Noise Bed. I named this mix after our van, Hap, because he did a very handsome job getting us to SXSW and back. Most of these songs are from records that we had in heavy rotation while driving. Others are songs we were privileged enough to see live. Enjoy.

"Taos" - Menomena

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrWxS8FM0mQ

We played the greatest house party ever in Omaha, NE. Only slightly less amazing then our set was when Vivian hijacked the DJ’s set afterwards. The highlight was this barnburner, when out of my blurry, headbanging peripheral, I saw all of Santah shaking it like blistered demons. Following our lead, the crowd threw down hard. So hard. So drunk. It’s worthwhile to note that Menomena was also in my top 3 at SXSW, just days earlier.

"Just A Growin" - Young Man

http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/young-man-concert/20031381-51555.html

This might have been my favorite concert of all of SXSW. I would check out this entire Daytrotter session if I were you.

"Downtown" - Destroyer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkB5Ba8SWxU

It’s easy to cruise into a random city with this song: “there was a four-leafed clover, red roveronhiswayovertoyourplace!

"Mermaid Parade" - Phosphorescent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8J1mK3jats

This is one of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard. Our drummer Steve and I always love the stories in country songs because they take you places, and this song takes you to a shallow ocean where you drown in the perfect sunshine of a past love. “Oh Amanda”. It’s a jam, and every instrument simultaneously matches the dynamic of the vocal delivery. I think everyone connected with this one.

"I Get Nervous" - Lower Dens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEQl3vD0kco

What an anthem. The band soundchecked with this song a few times. It was fun sneering into the microphone with Vivian and doing a caricature of Jana’s voice.

"Cloudy Shoes" - Damien Jurado

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1t6m0WruMQ

We shared a bill with Damien for the second time at the Nicodemus Agency showcase at SXSW. He has a captivating voice, a candid delivery, and reminds us that cloudy days can be beautiful. Nicodemus knows how to book talented songwriters with cool D names (see Denison Witmer and David Dondero, too). They also know how to book a great tour. Thanks for everything, Nicodemus.

"Neighbors" - Now, Now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeRV_YDjYC8

Now, Now were our petite tour mates from Minneapolis. I picked this live video because the band appears actual size on the screen. They are an incredible band, but rummer Brad pretty much outshines the whole group (just kidding girlz).

"Be Brave" - Strange Boys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hEQd-1XdIs

We’re brave.

"Codex" - Radiohead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cIbpokk4dc

Our favorite song from the new Radiohead record. The vocal melody at 1:16.

"I Don’t Wanna Go There" - Dinosaur Jr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qwWbVjKBR0&feature=related

Sometimes the only thing that can keep you driving is a “mind blowing” guitar solo from J Mascis. I was going to describe it more but according to this very youtube link “the solo can only be described as mind blowing”.

"Du Mal Á" and "Lato and Juti" - Kingston Springs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b7q6m9hAYo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoLBhDgbna0

When we picked up Vivian and Otto from a literal castle in Austin where they were partying, they had this CD in hand. Thank you for partying on animal furs, drinking ale, and ascending turrets, because this dude has a cool voice. Also, Colin Taylor and Erin Erdman got soul.

“Under Control” – The Strokes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gluGlVioNd8

I fulfilled a small dream of mine when I saw the Strokes at SXSW. For this song, Julian Casablancas and Nick Valensi peformed the first verse and chorus without the rest of the band, hightening anticipation for the song’s iconic drum fill (make sure to check out the real song if you are square: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT8gx5cgx4Q ). The concert ended with “Last Nite” and a fireworks display. I should have liked to bring a date, but Vivian was my date.