--Making mixes sans spotify--
Updated: Feb 18, 2026
Music | Making | Radio | Dis/connection |
Making a mixtape every season is my project for 2026. I go over the 'why' for my mixtape project in that section of my website. This note is about the process.
Finding songs outside of the algorithm
For this project, I wanted to minimize my use of Spotify. Not because I'm a Luddite (well, maybe I am), but I've had Spotify for years, and can count on one hand the number of beloved new artists I've found through the app. The algorithm just feeds you more of what you like. Even if it presents you something new, it's "new stuff that sounds just like what you already like." Spotify sells your attention, not music, so its suggestions are meant to be as inoffensive as possible to keep you on the app listening and contributing to their user data. I personally have found the experience of finding music on there safe and stale. It's made me musically lazy, and has largely left me locked in my current sonic space. In summary, f*** Spotify.
Finding new music off the algorithm requires listening to lots of stuff, and seeking out new ways to explore genres and sounds. Here are some ways I found songs for my first mixtape:
- shazam'd a song on TV.
I explored musical tangents. For example: some of the pentatonic runs in the song I heard on TV reminded me of an Ethiopian jazz song that a friend of my ex-wife shared with me years ago (Mulatu Astatke - Tezeta, FYI). I wondered if there was any other Ethio-jazz that I'd like, so I put a hold on a compilation CD from the Public Library.
Ordered a couple of issues of The Wire magazine from the UK. One of the issues came with a mix CD, and I put one of the tracks on my mixtape. It's mix-ception.
Went to a local noise show and id'd a cool track in the DJ's intermission set.
Most of the songs I've found so far this year came from independent, human-curated radio stations. Here's a few I really like:
Station |
City, Country |
|---|---|
| KMHD | Portland, USA |
| Radio Alhara | Bethlehem, PSE |
| Bad Radio.biz | ??? |
| NTS Radio | London, UK |
I'm always on the lookout for more DIY web radio stations.
Equipment
At first I thought that it would be fun to relive my youth with a 90's 3-piece stereo, but I kind of want my tapes to sound good. So, I bought a re-belted JVC TD-W444 on ebay. I also got some blank 60 minute cassettes. Just need some speakers and I'm in business.
Lots more to come in this note...