So, 8tracks isn’t really new but it’s new to me and I love it! “Handcrafted internet radio” is the tagline for this music streaming website where users can upload their mixes and listen to others’ mixes. The idea is that personally chosen radio programming is superior to the algorithmic streams on sites like last.fm. I would have to agree, as the mixes found on 8tracks tend to have themes, tell stories, and emote the sentiment of the person who created the mix.
Sound a little bit like the mix tapes you used to make as a kid? I miss making mix tapes. The tactile quality of pressing play and record, being able to put commentary in between tracks and having two sides…sigh.
A new blog, aptly named 52 Mixtapes, clearly shares my appreciation for the mix tape. The creator states that music sharing in the digital age “lacks all the personal touch, grace and devotion of previous media.” So true. In this experiment, each Friday a new “mix tape” is uploaded on the site. How is this different from 8tracks? There are some rules: 1. Give it a name. 2. Two sides, 30 minutes per. 3. Create cover art. 4. Include liner notes explaining the mix. Recreating the constraints and the creativity of the mix tape creates an old school vibe to music sharing on the Internet that normally goes by the wayside in this age of downloads.