Monthly Mixtape, Throwback Edition: July 2019
This month, we're going back to exactly one year ago in my journey through life and music: I was having a great time with it being summer, I was hanging out with new friends, and you could gather in large groups to go to rock concerts. A much better, simpler time than this July... let's get to those memories.
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Smoking for the Aesthetic – Avery Grey
https://open.spotify.com/track/7HrWPQ6ISUcLNxhmdGB7bu?si=5cmxhbUATuyLb46vtepFSw
This girl was one of the many artists who completely caught me by surprise that summer, while I was working my local music venue's weekly Summer Sunday shows. She had a great voice, and wrote all original, interesting lyrics and tracks herself.
Eyes To The Sky – Jon Bellion
https://open.spotify.com/track/0WGIBojlsV9GT4A5xwjkE4?si=kGV3zh6_TLmSdprOT9JZgA
This was when I started to dig into Jon Bellion's older discography, and I remember playing this song CONSTANTLY, hanging out at the pool in my boyfriend's old apartment complex on our days off. We also went to see Jon Bellion in concert in this month, and it was a TOTAL blast; we danced and sang and had such a great time experiencing his talent live.
Saltwater Heart – Switchfoot
https://open.spotify.com/track/0mFVwzwb93v5yotuHMDyat?si=yVCFgoS6Tz2t2EbA0_04kA
This was also when I began going back through Switchfoot's older music, and this dreamy, summery tune was one of my favorite discoveries by far.
Florida – Lisa Cimorelli
https://open.spotify.com/track/15u5giTlsBHcHtk0AMYxx6?si=7fAEj8UYRRW4Y4STa6xFlw
This solo release from the most vocally talented Cimorelli sister (in my humble opinion) had me HOOKED for months on end. I COULD NOT stop listening to this song; it's just so catchy and the melody lines are so impressive.
The Day That I Found God – Switchfoot
https://open.spotify.com/track/5f2dreGGtXfReQWv9frSTZ?si=NhbIqQF_Ql-r2Twb3amUgQ
During this month, I was going through some intense mental stress, changing a large amount of my beliefs, and knowing that my life would change drastically because of it. This song was there for me, and serves as a reminder of me coming out okay on the other side, and finding God, which was the most important thing of all.
Sunny Side Up – The Timbre of Cedar
https://open.spotify.com/track/6a0iolQi43VaYP2cY54dGM?si=A7MQM1ZRRe2FqmyMVg3Dcw
This band are some dear friends of mine, and I wrote an entire review of this EP that you can read here! I remember driving back from vacation and listening to this tune for the first time; it's so happy and groovy.
In My Arms – Jon Foreman
https://open.spotify.com/track/7G2rU5r6u3ZLJA9uyCasi7?si=EsvHQLj8Qo2-ZatI9lUiow
This became one of “our songs”, and all you have to do is listen to it to see why. It's so soothing, beautiful, and romantic.
Restless – Switchfoot
https://open.spotify.com/track/55mzm4zrpY5r3uV1OPtaxu?si=Ud8seNIFQR-nzp2Ofm-J1A
Last July, I got to play a show with three of my friends in their existing band – I just added a rhythm guitar to fill it out and make it a four-piece. We spend many afternoons practicing together, but I will always remember one practice session in particular. We all just sat on the floor of one of the guy's bedroom, and after playing through our setlist, we just somehow ended up playing this song, singing our hearts out and playing (including the guitar solo!). I loved having so many moments like this with those friends, it meant a lot to me at that time in life.
Tears Won't Cry (SHINJU) – The Maine
https://open.spotify.com/track/7iZwbcvKJhudZ3Rp80rnhD?si=PZRoML_1Tj6-c8CBrtrpmA
Last July was the first year of Warped Tour's replacement, Sad Summer Fest! The Maine was one of the headliners for the big outdoor show, and they've been one of my favorite bands for years now. It was a great show, and I miss it a lot, especially not knowing when the next time I'll be able to go to a show is.
The Archer – Taylor Swift
https://open.spotify.com/track/3Y7MHz19qCg1Pkxridtu1k?si=R6jBTJ1aRZeXF9tLZNbk7A
This was one of Taylor Swift's very first releases in the new era of the album Lover, and I remember being so pleasantly surprised with this mellow, 80's flavored, and well-written tune.
Brown Eyes Boys – Lauren Cimorelli
https://open.spotify.com/track/3mXPFmpaxuDxRGzOJ2xw8b?si=AsvRTzAxQJKXEur_KkK0cg
Another Cimorelli sister kicked off her own solo career with this EP, and this song is SO catchy and unique, I couldn't stop playing it.
Won't Take No – Good Racket
https://open.spotify.com/track/6KHU5Zl9wbH11nCU7OmVIt?si=vfXeWtAoT8KI5sPJ50EuLA
At those aforementioned local summer Sunday shows, I got to see this band perform for the first time ever. I had never heard of them, and they were from a town about 45 minutes south of our venue, but I'll never forget how blown away I was by their performance. They had great energy, catchy songs, great singers and instrumentalists, and they just really knew how to capture your attention during a set. This was the first of MANY songs I listened to by them as soon as I got home from that show!
LISTEN TO MY WHOLE MONTH HERE:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4n1D2e0G1FBBuMxuaDr7IZ?si=5jP_gI8GQUiklguvh1yLjQ
Thanks for reading!
