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February 2009, News
Say What You Want, Without Having To Say Anything
Cassette tapes.... lost in the digital realm?
With February, the month associated with "love" and "romance" being upon us, thoughts race about what gifts to give those closest to us representing these feelings. In today's day of technology and gadgets, a staple of what was once thought of as thee emotional gauge has all but disappeared. Long before certain 'rock stars' had a problem with you sharing their music, back when it was about the message not the money, there was THE MIXED TAPE. A small cassette tape compiled of songs that sung out your very thoughts..as if they were meant just for your understanding. The mixed tape could express your admiration for a crush, your affection for your lover, your secret desire for someone unattainable, or even your anger or rage towards someone you felt jilted by.
Much like journal writing, it was a perfect avenue of release for any sentiments that you had caged up inside... just begging to be released and shared. However the magic of the mixed tape also left you the option of anonymity if you chose to go uncredited. It was also a wide open door for creativity for those who felt untalented enough to write a poem or song themselves. The mixed tape gave you the power to control what the outcome would be. You could arrange the songs in a certain order to send a message, a story almost. You could pick songs from different genres of music, or you could simply just pick your favorite songs from your favorite band that you wanted to share with someone as a way to gain a new fan.
If you were not into making them for 'gifts', then you could always make yourself one, to just recall good times with friends, a certain trip, a season, or era of your memories. You were in charge. The master of naming the mixed tape, designing the cover, the labels, some even decorated on the cassette itself, if you didn't already like the variety of designs cassettes came in. You were left to decided the approach of delivery, too. It became a project of sorts, a much needed outlet at times or even a mood lifter.
You could throw one together as quick as it took to 'dub' songs to the blank tape or you could take you time and make as near perfect as you felt needed. It could be your best work of art, or it could be left as plain and simple as a blank tape can be...either way it was still and expression. If you ever received at least one of these cartridges of melodramatics, you knew the work that went into it upon site. You knew the message inside that piece of plastic and metal and magnetic stringy tape was a real outcry for your attention.
Sadly, this art has all but died out. There are still some devote cassette fans, however finding a stereo that actually plays them is harder and harder. Cassette tapes themselves are basically now just a memory or a fashion statement, like on the artist auction site Etsy, in the new millennium. Most people made way for the compact disc era and more recently the mp3 devices. Yes, you can make a 'mixed cd' or 'mixed mp3 file' but it just doesn't hold the same consciousness or sentiment as sitting in front of a tape deck and pressing 'play/record' at the same time. Making sure to then hit 'pause' at the perfect moment. Knowing if you don't get it just right you will have to then press 'rewind' and line it all up again, painstakingly. That is, if you were lucky enough to even have all the songs you wanted on cassette. Some would use the radio as a way of making a mixed tape, which led to trying to avoid the dj's intro and outro.
HOW TO MAKE A MIXED TAPE:
1) Get yourself a blank tape, chose the length and style. Some tapes are already decorated, some leave lots of room for you to add your signature to it.
2) Decide the emotion you are trying to convey. You are the story teller this time so give it some good thought. Look through the lyrics, listen to the songs. Decide if this is for personal use or will it be given to someone.
3) Now comes the hard part, narrowing down your favorite songs that fit the message. Depending on how much time you have, you will need atleast 10 songs. It might be difficult to pick just one song from a band if they have a few good albums. Go through your collection..write down the ones you would like to use. Narrow it down as best as you can. If it is really too hard you could just go for ONE band with a theme from that band. Or throw them all in a "hat" and pick titles randomly. (Personally, I stay away from radio singles, esp if you are trying to "show off" a band to a new listener)
4) Press record and now your cooking. But remember, there is more fun still to be had. Decorating the tape, tape labels and the case jacket. You can use anything from permanent markers to paint pens to stickers to White Out, or even cut up magazine words and pictures. Get as artsy as you feel. Write out the song titles and credit the bands.
5) Now is the most important part...giving your tape a title. Naming the creation you gave birth to! It can be witty, charming, angsty, boring or even slightly confusing.
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