MeFiSwap 2008 November 10, 2008 10:06 AM   Subscribe

Hey, anybody wanna swap Muxtapes? ...Oh.
Well, how about another MeFi CD swap?

It's been a while since we've mailed each other shiny discs of mix, and I'm itching for that wonderful feeling at the mailbox. (Plus, thanks to AskMe my digital music collection is finally all in one place and organized!) So let's swap.

Last year 'round this time ND¢ proposed a swap twisted to only include music from 2007 (The Best of 2007). I'd like to go back to a free-for-all this time around. Swappers have been consistently impressive over the years when coming up with their own mix themes, and I figure Best of 2008 is still applicable if you want; it's just not required. Send the music you're listening to, and the music you love.

A couple of questions come up every time.

Who's organizing?
I would be happy to, though I can't promise Dreama-level organization. I'll probably just keep track of everything on paper and email swap sets out. Sets are ideally six people big (everyone sends out 5 discs). International swappers will probably be mailing to the USA. I'm kind of excited about organizing this, having participated over the past 5 or 6 years, but if anyone else has a burning desire to step up and put everything together, that's fine.

What do I send?
Generally I've received single CD mixes in slimline jewel cases. Liner notes have ranged from nothing at all through single-page hand-written tracklist all the way to elaborately designed liner booklets. They usually come in padded mailers.

Can we trade tapes instead of CDs?
It's a CD swap. I suppose if five or six people pipe up wanting to trade tapes they could be a separate group, but I'd prefer we stick to burned CDs.

What about digital mixes? Why don't we just leave the dirty, expensive hassle of snail mail and send each other archive folders?
My main reason for wanting to keep it dirty is sentimental: I love getting mail. Even more, I love getting mail with music CDs inside. One thing that worked really well last year was to have a follow-up thread where everyone who mailed discs posted their tracklists and maybe a link to that downloadable archive of the mix. People who don't want to (or can't) swap via mail can still join in at the end.

How come I didn't get mixes from everybody in my group?
It happens sometimes, for whatever reason, that not all the mixes make it out. It's sad, it's disappointing, and it's a risk you take by participating. People flake, forget, or simply can't get life out of the way long enough to mail strangers music. So I'm doing a cursory reading back through old swap threads; as usual the people who didn't send out mixes after saying they would in the past won't be in this swap.

Is there a deadline?
I suggest a couple deadlines. First, swap sets will be determined and mailed out by December 1st. That leaves 3 weeks for interested parties to sign up. Then how about January 20th, Inauguration Day, for a mailing deadline? That give about a month and a half to get 'em together and out into the world.

This looks like the longest thing I've written on MeFi, so I'll stop now. Suggestions? Still interested?

Who's up for some new music?
posted by carsonb to MetaFilter-Related at 10:06 AM (73 comments total) 17 users marked this as a favorite

Oh yeah, email me if you want to participate.

tediseasy asperand gmail dot com
posted by carsonb at 10:07 AM on November 10, 2008


Heh, email me your mailing address if you want to participate.
If you're willing to help even swap sets out by being in 2 (or more) lemme know about that too, please.
posted by carsonb at 10:08 AM on November 10, 2008


We did a free-for-all just six months ago. Not sure I'm ready for another round of this.
posted by Plutor at 10:34 AM on November 10, 2008


MeFiSwap Winter 2008!
posted by carsonb at 11:13 AM on November 10, 2008


I'm always up for some good old fashioned mix-in-the-mail action. I try to never pass up an opportunity for a mix disc.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 11:20 AM on November 10, 2008


I'm in again.
posted by thivaia at 11:24 AM on November 10, 2008


If there's a group tolerant of posting to Foreign, I'm in.
posted by carbide at 11:29 AM on November 10, 2008


So this is just "I get a mailing address, I mail someone a CD with whatever I want to put on it, someone else gets my mailing address and does the same?"

Cool, I'm in.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:57 AM on November 10, 2008


"I get a mailing address, I mail someone a CD with whatever I want to put on it, someone else gets my mailing address and does the same?"

Sort of. Traditionally participants are broken down into swapsets of 5 or 6 people. You get 4 or 5 mailing address, make and mail 4 or 5 copies of your mix, and get 4 or 5 different mixes in return.
posted by carsonb at 12:00 PM on November 10, 2008


I'm ready.
posted by PhatLobley at 12:04 PM on November 10, 2008


I'm totally in for this. Sounds like fun!
posted by Dr-Baa at 12:19 PM on November 10, 2008


Can I just make, like, five or six copies and give them to you?

Organization is my downfall.
posted by klangklangston at 12:23 PM on November 10, 2008


Sure, why the heck not. I'm in.
posted by god hates math at 12:23 PM on November 10, 2008


If I can remember to email you my physical address when I have access to my personal email account, I'll gladly participate. This sounds like fun!
posted by owtytrof at 12:28 PM on November 10, 2008


In, except I feel like the last one was kind of soon and I haven't discovered enough awesome music since then, so I might end up repeating myself a bit... hopefully not to the same people.

If you don't like CDs, mail a memory stick. Someone did that once, it was pretty hip.
posted by PercussivePaul at 12:48 PM on November 10, 2008


I think that we can all agree that the Best of 2007 swap that ND¢ ran was awesome and the limits on the music people could choose were in no way oppressive and that guy is great and handsome too.
posted by ND¢ at 1:05 PM on November 10, 2008


Yes we can!
posted by carsonb at 1:09 PM on November 10, 2008


I'm still hanging my head in shame for failing to come through with my mix two years ago, but would like a chance to redeem myself...
posted by patricio at 2:59 PM on November 10, 2008


I am up for it, but I'd have trouble keeping it to "only things that came out in 2008," as I don't keep up with trends or new releases, and I get most of my music from the local library. And my lawn has a warning telling you kids to stay the fuck off! But yeah, I'm in!
posted by not_on_display at 3:11 PM on November 10, 2008


I'm in & am in a similar boat to not_on_display.
posted by batmonkey at 3:21 PM on November 10, 2008


Oh man, finally I get to one of these before it's TOO LATE!
posted by grapefruitmoon at 3:30 PM on November 10, 2008


(And there's no way I can limit myself to "Best of '08" - I live under a rock. It's a nice rock, but the pony express doesn't deliver "new" music all that often.)
posted by grapefruitmoon at 3:30 PM on November 10, 2008


I still haven't gotten CDs from [NOT-HERMITOS-IST] and pointystick from the last swap.
posted by sciurus at 3:51 PM on November 10, 2008


Having never played before, I have a question. What format? mp3 or cd or other?
posted by bjgeiger at 3:57 PM on November 10, 2008


I would love to participate again! Count me in carsonb.
posted by seawallrunner at 4:04 PM on November 10, 2008


I have an opentape; it lives here.
posted by heeeraldo at 4:49 PM on November 10, 2008


I've got my Christopher Cross b-sides warmed up and I am IN!
posted by dirtdirt at 5:36 PM on November 10, 2008 [2 favorites]


So, when you group us up, group me with people who like ridiculous music, okay? In that case, I'm in.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 6:45 PM on November 10, 2008


Sounds like a blast, and I had no idea that such a thing had been done before (I really need to pay attention around here...)
posted by eclectist at 6:54 PM on November 10, 2008


I'm in, and certainly wouldn't mind sending something to poor lonely carbide (or whoever).
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 7:05 PM on November 10, 2008


In! Just finishing the touches to a couple of mixes for friends right as I type this* so I'm mix-project less in the near-future.


* Score! The Ruby Suns segued into Syd Barrett without being jarring! Now the opening flows into the middle.
posted by Kattullus at 7:24 PM on November 10, 2008


Count me in! I'm hungry for some new music, and with Muxtape gone, I only have blip.fm to fill the void.
posted by Lush at 1:46 AM on November 11, 2008 [1 favorite]


The Best of 2007 swap that ND¢ ran was awesome and the limits on the music people could choose were in no way oppressive and... hey, I see what you did there! Actually I had tons of fun making that mix, and some of the ones I got back were really cool. I'll probably continue with a best of '08 since I haven't fully repopulated my hard drive from the latest catastrophic failure and have mostly new music on it. But if other people want to send me good songs from other years, I'm all for it.
posted by kyleg at 5:24 AM on November 11, 2008


I'm in.
posted by elmono at 8:21 AM on November 11, 2008


I'm in!

I think limits are good stimulus for creativity, so I'd encourage you all to pick a theme and stick to it. My theme this time will be science fiction.
posted by hydrophonic at 9:49 AM on November 11, 2008


My theme is "MUSIC I LISTEN TO."
posted by Dr-Baa at 9:53 AM on November 11, 2008


My theme will be songs that have both the words "Afternoon" and "Delight" in the title.

And yet are not "Afternoon Delight".
posted by dirtdirt at 12:04 PM on November 11, 2008 [1 favorite]


I missed the last couple of these, and I've been looking forward to subjecting you poor bastards to the nightmare musical medley of awesome that I listen to when I drive, so I'm in.

I apologize in advance for what it will do to you.
posted by quin at 12:44 PM on November 11, 2008


I'll do it again. who likes songs from video game soundtracks?

bjgeiger, audio cd format so that it plays in any old cd player has been the format in past swaps, i'd assume the same in this one.
posted by jermsplan at 12:48 PM on November 11, 2008


I'm in, and thanks for organizing!
posted by immlass at 1:04 PM on November 11, 2008


Count me up!
posted by aubilenon at 1:09 PM on November 11, 2008


Yes, please! Count me in.
posted by mkim at 5:00 PM on November 11, 2008


I've always wanted to participate in one of these. I'm in.
posted by kerning at 5:04 PM on November 11, 2008


Thank you, jermsplan. Count me in please.
posted by bjgeiger at 5:22 PM on November 11, 2008


Excellent. Everyone so far who has contacted me with their mailing address is counted in. To be clear, those of you who have piped up in this thread but not sent me your mailing address (or heard from me otherwise) are not yet counted in.
In this our age of fear I feel I should mention that I will not use, sell, or give away any personal information submitted to me (including but not limited to name, email address, or mailing address) outside of the intended purpose of giving it to the members of your swapset so they can send you mixes. Please feel free to email or MeMail me with any questions or concerns you may have.
posted by carsonb at 5:42 PM on November 11, 2008


In--love inflicting my musical taste on unsuspecting folk.
posted by elfgirl at 6:06 PM on November 11, 2008


ooh! Me too. That sounds like fun.
posted by Miss Otis' Egrets at 6:12 PM on November 11, 2008


Count me in!
posted by _dario at 6:55 PM on November 11, 2008


Yeah... I can't remember what music I got hepped to this year or sometime before... I probably won't be able to do a "music of 2008" theme unless it's something like "music that's mattered a lot to me this year" in which case about 3/4 would be actual songs that mattered to me this year and a quarter would be songs that I'd claim did so that the mix would flow better.

Yes! Animal Collective sequences beautifully with Caetano Veloso... the mix is ready... provided that no glitches or jars reveal themselves on the last listen-through... shit's gotta cohere!
posted by Kattullus at 9:42 PM on November 11, 2008


count me in (1,2,3,4)
posted by the_very_hungry_caterpillar at 2:00 PM on November 12, 2008


Yes!
posted by bonobo at 6:03 PM on November 12, 2008


Where mix CDs are, there, too, you will also find me. My theme will be "pudding hats."
posted by otolith at 6:08 PM on November 12, 2008


carsonb, please put me in otolith's swapset. Thanks.
posted by hydrophonic at 7:31 PM on November 12, 2008


Alrighty, now that this is off the front page the signups should slow down a bit. If you're down here and wondering if you can still participate, the answer is you betcha! Just email me your mailing address and promise me against your eternal soul you intend to mail out and not flake out on your swapmates.

I'll be sending out swapset assignments on December 1st, so unless you come correct the night before with crazy numerous stipulations to what you can and can't do it shouldn't be a problem to fit you in.

If you're counted in (see my last comment) you're good to go. There will be an email similar to this note tomorrow, then you probably won't hear from me until 12/1. After the swapset assignments go out, you'll have until January 20th to get your mixes in the mail. I've always procrastinated with these swaps, so I can say with confidence this time that the sooner you finish and mail out, the better.

We have a great turnout, and I'm excited to get started. Happy mixing!
posted by carsonb at 11:36 PM on November 12, 2008


I'm in!
posted by arcticwoman at 11:38 AM on November 13, 2008


I'm so there. Emailing my address now.

My theme is "Cool songs from uncool bands." There will be Hanson. You have been warned.
posted by cereselle at 12:49 PM on November 13, 2008


I've serendipitiously come up with a mix based on songs that have come up in posts on MeFi. There is some filler material, but it's mostly a MeFi themed mix. I'm pretty thrilled with it.

I'll post the tracklist after the swap is over!
posted by grapefruitmoon at 2:22 PM on November 13, 2008


(It's even a GOOD mix!)
posted by grapefruitmoon at 2:22 PM on November 13, 2008


OK, I'm in, too. This time I'll actually try to send mine on time. Though if I'm late again (which I have an unfortunate tendency to be), I'll probably feel guilty about it and include a copy of a previous mefi mix CD I've made...
posted by klausness at 3:50 PM on November 13, 2008


me too me too
posted by exceptinsects at 1:02 PM on November 14, 2008


Enjoyed the hell out of it last time... Swapset Forte represent.

I'm in.
posted by defenestration at 1:40 PM on November 14, 2008


Swapset Forte hellzyeah!
posted by Kattullus at 9:04 PM on November 14, 2008


NO RICKROLLING
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 1:17 PM on November 20, 2008 [1 favorite]


NO RICKROLLING
Dammit, that was my whole 26 songs, right there! Now what?!
posted by not_on_display at 9:15 PM on November 30, 2008


Alrighty, swapset assignments are out. Whew. I probably made that a lot more convoluted than it needed to be. If I fucked up somewhere (address, preference, etc.), please let me know (discreetly?) and we'll work it out.

Signups are closed.

The mailing deadline is over a month away, January 20th. Don't be that user.

If you're still interested but not signed up yet, there may be one (1) spot open. Email.
posted by carsonb at 9:33 PM on November 30, 2008



I noticed that the swapset that i'm in has 'Wyld Stallyns' named. Are we supposed to follow that theme for our swapset ? do we interpret that however we'd like ?
posted by fizzix at 5:08 PM on December 2, 2008


fizzix: I'm in the same set, and I (as previously mentioned) already made my mix... I dunno how wyld or stallyn-y it is, but I hope it at least meets with approval.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 5:14 PM on December 2, 2008


No, mix themes are at your discretion. I just picked a bunch of fake band names from books and movies I like for the swapsets. Though if anyone wants to theme their mix on "Kathleen Turner Overdrive" that'd be sweet.

...
SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RULES!

posted by carsonb at 2:13 AM on December 3, 2008


No, mix themes are at your discretion.

Hear that? My cohorts and I in the Heaven 17 swapset just breathed a sigh of relief.
posted by hydrophonic at 4:56 AM on December 3, 2008


This from the pudding hat fanboi.
posted by carsonb at 8:23 AM on December 3, 2008


Swanky Modes win the best group name contest.
posted by dirtdirt at 12:14 PM on December 3, 2008


And it's from the movie with the best sobriety test ever:

Close your eyes, Now recite the alphabet backwards skipping the vowels and give the appropriate hand sign for each letter.

(Followed immediately by a clearly inebriated John Cusack and Tim Robbins doing this in sync, perfectly is a great moment in the movie.)
posted by quin at 2:23 PM on December 3, 2008


AND it has Jello Biafra playing an FBI agent who arrests the heroes and, when they say something like , "You can't do this!", Jello says, "Shut up! Remember what we did to Jello Biafra?"
posted by dirtdirt at 3:53 PM on December 3, 2008


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