Mix Challenge X

Like, Prom text on image of glass ballsSpring 2022

Mix Challenge X: Like, Prom

I think I have accidentally curated a new genre of music. Sitting music. Ironically, I was on a walk when I realized this. Every song that came through my earphones was kind of the same, mid-tempo, jangly, thoughtful, and introspective song.  Most noticeably, it wasn’t danceable. Middle age has made my go-to music sit firmly in the middle-tempo section.

I remember days when I had danceable songs on my musical rotation. When I wanted to pump up the jam. But today, you certainly can’t tell that from what I am listening to. I need to reacquaint myself with music that makes me want to move. BUT (and this is an important distinction) I don’t want to accidentally make a workout mix.

This got me thinking. While Covid isn’t gone, it feels like we’re in a different phase now, or transitioning to one at least. I still feel stuck, not in the now, but in a vague space of between before and next. I’m ready to move toward the next phase of whatever this existence brings, but my body hasn’t caught up yet. What I need, we need, is a ritual, a spring ritual. With dancing! One spring ritual that I took part in years ago (ok, decades) was a thing called Prom. There was dance music, and there were also slow dance songs. Whether you loved it, hated it or didn’t go, it’s one of the events that marks a transition to life after high school. And, bonus, it had a soundtrack. Slow songs! Dance music!

I’ve been wanting to do another mix challenge for a while, and it seems fitting now, to theme this one after the twofer (spring ritual and dance) that is prom. I invite you to come to prom with me (but not, like, that) by joining this mix challenge.

Challenge

Create a playlist that meets the following requirements:

The basics:

  1. Make your mix public (on Spotify it’s in the “…” settings)
  2. Complete Google submission form with all the submission requirements including an image (cover art!) and a playlist link: https://forms.gle/dE4rrbDAEsNpwUcX9
  • 22 total songs (you can dance to)
  • Some songs must meet specific qualifiers
  • Mix/Playlist needs to be on a streaming music service where playlists can be shared. Such as Spotify or YouTube music.

Qualifiers

  • At least 3 slow dance songs
  • 8 decades. At least 1 song from each decade starting in the 1950s until now: 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s. Covers are allowed.

Other stuff:

A plea about wedding music. Please try to not succumb to the siren call of overplayed wedding music like “Shout” by the Isley Brothers or “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang. These artists are great, national treasures, but they have recorded other tracks. Dig deeper, try harder. Avoid wedding music. 

Digital formats & submission requirements

This is not a contest, but a challenge.  It’s open to whoever, just supply me with the below information, via the Google Form and I’ll create a mix listing and add it to this website.

  • (required) Your Mix Title
  • (required) Mix Playlist (Song + Artist) in order
    • Example: “The Hustle” – Van McCoy
  • (required) Playlist link (Spotify or YouTube preferred but other platforms are ok.)
  • (required) Cover Artwork, square, 2048px x 2048px (preferred), under 1MB, 1080px x 1080px (minimum)
  • (optional) “liner notes” If you want to explain why, tell us how your songs directly relate to the challenge, will be included on website.

Due date: June 21, 2022 (the start of summer)

I’m not going to be a stickler, this is sort of arbitrary but I respond to deadlines (even if self imposed). If you are late, and the form is gone contact me directly. I’ll plan to have the mixes posted on the site in about a week after the due date.

Submission form

When mix is ready, do these things:

  1. Make your mix public (on Spotify it’s in the “…” settings)
  2. Complete Google submission form with all the submission requirements including an image (cover art!) and a playlist link: https://forms.gle/dE4rrbDAEsNpwUcX9