Any of you guys feeling a bit nostalgic? Has the sense of too much digital ever made you miss the tactile, analogue world? I had a moment today when I sorted through a box from the loft and I found a bag with old cassette tapes. A flood of memories came rushing in and I was reminded of one of the closest things we had to playlist creation - mixtapes.
Mixtapes were the original form of personalised playlists. We recorded songs from the radio, jotted down favourites from our CDs or vinyl collections and then put them together to make a unique collection. Watching the cassette reels spin as the music played was a delight in itself.
While the concept of mixtapes might seem archaic in our world of Spotify and Apple Music, DIY-ing a mixtape can be a great experience. So I thought, why not share a simple guide with you all on creating a mixtape with a modern twist.
Step 1: Sourcing for music
In the past, we relied on our physical collection: CDs and vinyl records. Now, you can source songs from Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud, or any streaming app. Jot down your favourites and arrange them in a sequence.
Step 2: Choosing a medium
You can do it the old way with a cassette and recorder, if you have them. But let’s be more modern - try using a blank CD or a USB drive.
