If it’s December, then you know it’s Mixmas time at You Ain’t No Picasso! Each year I get a bunch of my favorite bands to contribute themed mixes and share their thoughts about each of the tracks.

MP3: Asobi Seksu – Trails

Asobi Seksu have been putting out quality records and great lives shows for a while now. This year they released Fluorescence and toured all over to promote it. I’d imagine a great bit of that touring played into James’ Mixmas contribution.

“Great Morning Tour Van Driving Songs That I Never Want to Hear Again” by James Hanna of Asobi Seksu

YT Link: Bauhaus- In the Flat Field
Generally on tour we get in the van somewhere around ten-ish if its not a particularly long drive. First shift is the best time to drive, far better than the afternoon post-lunch crash shift. This song has my favorite drum beat ever…..it’s grim determination and relentlessness contrast well against pretty west coast pastel landscapes.

YT Link Hall and Oates- I Can’t Go for That
Jesus we had a month long tour where our tour manager listened to their “best of “ everyday. I am forever thankful for that experience ,……I will also never let that happen again

YT Link: Pavement – Range Life
I love Crooked Rain so much,,, it takes me back to some of my few truly positive memories from high school. The good vibes wash away the occasional, inevitable case of “what the fuck am I doing with my life”.

YT Link: Melvins- Your Blessened
I was blasting this song , and just reveling in it. I expected that my band mates where doing the same ….. I mean how could they not. They were not! They wanted me to shut up so they could sleep.

Any CCR
Once in college I drove across the country just for the fun of it…!! After touring for many years, I cant imagine why I would want to do such a thing. Anyway this stuff is played as driving music. Ever notice how much Pavement steals from Creedence? Or Amelie steals from Chungking Express….I just noticed that last night……good for me. Maybe now I’m qualified to be a critic.

See all the contributions to Mixmas 2011