If you’re like us here at Live For Live Music, your listening habits go through cycles. One week, you’re all about that new single you can’t get enough of. The next, you’re really feeling a record from your past, something that evokes a bygone place and time. Next month, you’ll be deep in a bluegrass rabbit hole. Maybe an old-school hip-hop phase is next, or a deep dive into psychedelic jams. It’s all about how you’re feeling, what’s on your mind, what’s happening in your life.
Enter the L4LM Monthly Mix, a serial playlist compiled with care by our staff, a small group of dedicated music lovers with unique and varied tastes. Each month, we’ll bring you a new mix of tracks—from the old to the new, the beloved to the obscure, the silly to the sentimental. There’s no particular overarching rhyme or reason to the selections on the L4LM Monthly Mix. This is just the music that’s on our minds, the music we’re excited to share with you right now. Next month, we’ll be feeling something different, and we hope you’ll subscribe and continue to listen along with us as that journey unfolds.
This article serves as your listening guide for the L4LM Monthly Mix. These are your liner notes, your peek inside our brains. Hear a song you like as you listen through? Scroll down (or “cmnd + f” search) and find out “what’s good” with the selection—why it was chosen, why that music moved us this month. We hope we can help you discover something that moves you, too.
Dive into the November edition of the L4LM Monthly Mix below and subscribe on Spotify to make sure you don’t miss any new Monthly Mixes.
L4LM Monthly Mix – November 2019
LINER NOTES
Tom Morello, Portugal. The Man, Whethan – “Every Step That I Take”
What’s good: With all the talk of Rage Against The Machine coming back, I wanted to bring it back to this awesome track by Tom Morello and Portugal. The Man from the album, The Atlas Underground. I’m excited for all the rage that’s about to come, but I gotta give it up to all the amazing music Tom’s made in the interim. –Kunj Shah
Oysterhead – “Mr. Oysterhead”
What’s good: Admittedly, the OG Oysterhead is a bit before my time, so I only ever heard of and watched videos of this mythical collaboration between Trey Anastasio, Les Claypool, and Stewart Copeland. The recent announcement of their highly anticipated return in 2020 has me revisiting the classic album over and over again, and let me tell you, it holds up. 2020 is the year of the Oyster! –Sara Shah
Turkuaz – “Life In The City”
What’s good: “Life In The City” reminds me of New York City. It’s been almost a year since I moved away from New York, and this track reminds me of home. –Kunj Shah
Ween – “Bananas and Blow”
What’s good: I had the pleasure of attending the third night of Ween’s Halloween run at the Mission Ballroom in Denver, and they f*cking knocked my socks off! This song wasn’t on the setlist that night, but it’s a classic and adds a fun vibe to any day’s playlist. –Mikala Lugen
Adam Deitch Quartet ft. John Scofield – “The Way You Make Me Feel”
What’s good: The new Adam Deitch Quartet EP Egyptian Secrets is one of my favorite releases of 2019. The fact that it features John Scofield, one of my favorite jazz guitarists, covering Michael Jackson is the icing on the cake. –Kunj Shah
Ghost-Note, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer – “Smack ’em'”
What’s good: Ghost-Note‘s record Swagism might be one of the greatest jazz-fusion albums ever recorded, and we’ve been booking Brandon “Taz” Niederauer for shows since he was around 10 years old. Being able to hear him throw it down on this track with some of the world’s greatest musicians is such a great feeling. –Kunj Shah
Scott Nice, Evan Fraser, Tone Ranger – “Highland Step”
What’s good: Scott Nice’s 2019 album, It Takes A Village, features Nice’s upbeat jungle electronic roots on 11 different remixed tracks. “Highland Step” has such a vibrant, bouncy energy—it’s impossible to not dance to this quirky track. –Mikala Lugen
Tame Impala – “It Might Be Time”
What’s good: The Slow Rush, the Australian act’s first album since 2015’s Grammy-winning Currents, is due out on Valentine’s Day 2020. “It Might Be Time”, the second single off the new LP, is melodic, spaced-out Tame Impala psych-pop at its finest. –Andrew O’Brien
Lizzo – “Water Me”
What’s good: I was fortunate enough to see this queen recently in Denver, which turned out to be the hottest ticket in town since Phish at Dick’s. Her stage presence, message, pipes, and overall vibe made it one of the best shows I’ve seen this year. Lizzo for president. –Sara Shah
Pure Colors – “Make Things Better”
What’s good: Mix electro-funk with sultry lyrics and you get this song. He just released a new album in September, Chromafunk, but I still can’t get this 2018 song out of my head. –Mikala Lugen
Maggie Rogers – “Alaska”
What’s good: Maggie Rogers seems like the kind of person who could just as easily dominate a crowd at Coachella and smoke a joint and eat pizza with you on your couch, and I love that. She’s got this sweet and soulful, yet badass vibe that I respect. Just the other day, she sat in with Dead & Company at MSG. –Sara Shah
GRiZ, SUPERLOVE – “Voodoo”
What’s good: GRiZ has been rolling out a series of “Bangers” that I love to throw on at the gym or anytime I need to get pumped up. This collab with SUPERLOVE is my favorite. –Sara Shah
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong – “King Kong”
What’s good: King Kong!… was a spunky monkey! These guys made huge waves this summer at dozens of festivals, and just released this new studio track with Here Come The Mummies before they play together during their biggest show to date at Washington, D.C.’s The Anthem in December. That is, it will be their biggest until they go even bigger for NYE in Asheville. Been jamming this nonstop! –Mikala Lugen
David Byrne – “Once In A Lifetime – Live”
What’s good: This is one of my favorite songs of all time, and after the resoundingly positive response to David Byrne’s new Broadway spectacle, I can’t wait to see it over the holidays. –Sara Shah
Eggy – “Lost and Found”
What’s good: We premiered this track from the CT-based quartet’s debut album back in March, and I’ve listened to it regularly ever since. From their clever lyrics to their four-part vocal harmonies to their spellbinding group improvisation and sonic exploration, what sets Eggy apart are the contrasting facets of their sound—loud and soft, absurd and sincere, poignant emotion and reckless abandon. This song’s a bit of all those aspects rolled into one highly entertaining ride. –Andrew O’Brien
Lawrence – “Casualty”
What’s good: The sky truly is the limit for the Lawrence kids. Aided by big, enveloping production by Jon Bellion, “Casualty” sounds like Clyde Lawrence, Gracie Lawrence, and company stepping up into their roles as stars on the rise. Lawrence…remember the name. –Andrew O’Brien
Circles Around The Sun – “Peace Reprise”
What’s good: A beautiful track as we remember the work of Neal Casal with Circles Around the Sun—and an album that we’re lucky enough to still be able to listen to. –Kunj Shah
TOOL – “Fear Inoculum”
What’s good: I hadn’t heard a new TOOL song in 13 years. Never in a million years has an album been so hyped up. How could it live up to the hype? Then, I put on “Fear Inoculum”, and knew that it was worth the wait. I grew up playing the tablas, and hearing that instrument integrated with the most hyped album of the decade made me extremely happy. –Kunj Shah
Billie Eilish – “Bad Guy”
What’s good: Consider me on the Official E Train. I have been blown away by Eilish’s vocal command as she spans genre to genre with ease. While I could have picked a number of songs for this list, her recent performance of “I Love You” on Saturday Night Live, alongside brother and co-writer Finneas O’Connell, was both haunting and gripping, leaving chills up and down my spine. For a 17-year-old to sing with such restrained power and maturity is a feat in and of itself; never mind the fact that “I Love You” is the middle section of a gorgeous three-song suite, the two other being “Listen Before I Go” and “Goodbye,” respectively. “Bad Guy” is something else entirely—100% bass and attitude—and it’s on the same album. Career trajectory: pointing sky high. –Chris Meyer
J Dilla ft. Common, D’Angelo – “So Far To Go”
What’s good: When legendary producer J Dilla died in 2006, his third album, The Shining, was still unfinished. A mind-boggling cast of friends, peers, and artists he influenced contributed to completing his final opus, which was released later that year. This track alone features D’Angelo, Common, and The Isley Brothers. Even with all that star power on the final version, it’s the slightly incongruous yet wholly transfixing beat—an extended vamp on Donuts instrumental “Bye“—that makes this track unforgettable. Nobody has ever managed to sound quite like Jay Dee. Even 13 years after his death, he remains one of the most important musicians of our time. –Andrew O’Brien
The Greyboy Allstars – “Fried Grease”
What’s good: The Greyboy Allstars—what a conglomerate of boogie-down badasses. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since the group dropped their first proper album, West Coast Boogaloo—with the legendary Fred Wesley, no less. Unlike actual fried grease, this “Fried Grease” offers soul-jazz, drum breaks, and flute loops that will rejuvenate you quicker than IV fluid. The real heads know what’s up when the Greyboys decide to get together. Be there, or get in the know ASAP. –Chris Meyer
Beck – “Uneventful Days”
What’s good: On the first single from his upcoming album, Hyperspace, Beck uses sparse instrumentation to color everywhere but inside the lines. In doing so, he makes the “negative space” in the song’s sonic palette shine. This song’s been firmly stuck in my head since 10 seconds into my first listen, and it seems to get better every time I hit play. –Andrew O’Brien
Free Nationals ft. Kali Uchis, Mac Miller – “Time”
What’s good: The Free Nationals–known primarily as Anderson .Paak‘s live band–have released a trio of fresh singles throughout 2019. “Time” is my personal favorite of the three. The easygoing R&B track features some awfully smooth instrumentation as it grooves all the way through with guest vocal contributions from Colombian singer Kali Uchis and late rapper Mac Miller. The song really glistens thanks to the subtle horn and key parts sprinkled in throughout the recording. –Tom Shackleford
White Denim – “NY Money”
What’s good: The longest track from White Denim’s latest studio effort (2019’s Side Effects) opens up with a burst of energy and sounds more like the start of a pinball game than a rock track. Once the band reaches cruising altitude about 0:35 seconds in, the listener is taken on a smooth ride with James Petralli‘s soothing vocals leading the way. It’s not as hard-hitting as some of White Denim’s other fan-favorites, but “NY Money” certainly livens up the room any time it’s played. –Tom Shackleford
Trey Anastasio – “Flying Machines”
What’s good: While Trey Anastasio may be known more for using his guitar to launch fans into orbit with lengthy jams, the mark of any talented songwriter is how their songs hold up with minimum production or overplaying. That’s exactly the case with this feel-good track from Anastasio’s 2015 solo album, Paper Wheels. Piano and Anastasio’s soft-but-affirmative vocals highlight the song, which is rich in melodies and choral backing vocals from his backing band. This song is a far cry from the unpredictable jams born the Phish machine, which is why it sticks out so pleasantly—like a rose in a hurricane. –Tom Shackleford
Jeff Austin – “15 Steps”
What’s good: Our whole community is still feeling the loss of Jeff Austin earlier this year. Songs like “15 Steps” make it clear why he had such a powerful effect on people. His boundless energy bursts through the mix as clearly as any instrument. –Andrew O’Brien
The Black Crowes – “Remedy”
What’s good: Following years of public controversy and bickering between brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, all signs seem to point to a Crowes reunion (of sorts) in 2020. “Remedy” is a powerful rock anthem that any music fan unfamiliar with The Crowes should listen to. –Sam Berenson
Robert Randolph & The Family Band – “Baptise Me”
What’s good: “We sat down to write and started talking about the blues, my roots of growing up in Church, and all the pressures of trying to be a good man,” Randolph said of the first track on his latest album, Brighter Days. Two hours later, they had written “Baptise Me”, this soul-cleansing Sacred Steel clinic. Can I get an amen?! –Andrew O’Brien
The Revivalists – “Oh No – Made In Muscle Shoals”
What’s good: The Revivalists visited the one and only Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama earlier this year, working among the spirits of the Allman Brothers Band, Aretha Franklin, and countless other legends. The energy from the celebrated studio and all who have recorded there really shines through on this powerful live rendition of “Oh No.” –Sara Shah
Rage Against The Machine – “Wake Up”
What’s good: Rage Against The Machine reunion!! Some of the most powerfully bombastic live show experiences of my life, period, as well as being a major influence on activating my young mind back in the ’90s. Where has the protest music gone? When you consider that the band’s “Sleep Now In The Fire” video, directed by Michael Moore, literally predicts a Trump presidency way back in 2000 (credit given to Moore on that one), maybe it is time for people to “Wake Up” and realize that we’re on a precipice with one foot over the ledge, while a bunch of corrupt politicians have their palms on our backs ready to push. Use your voice and GET OUT AND VOTE!!!! –Chris Meyer
The Flaming Lips – “Do You Realize??”
What’s good: One of the greatest rock albums of all time, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. I just saw Lotus play an amazing Flaming Lips tribute over Halloween weekend at the Fillmore Denver. Guitarist Mike Rempel took lead vocals, and they took it on electro-funk Lotus style…badass. –Mikala Lugen
My Morning Jacket – “Steam Engine”
What’s good: Perhaps I’m still in nostalgia mode, but seeing My Morning Jacket at Forest Hills Stadium as part of their very brief summer completely reinvigorated my love for Jim James and company. This song’s haunting melodies and distant vocals from James give the 2003 recording just enough mystique and melancholy as the summer excitement transitions into the cool and calming fall months. –Tom Shackleford
Broke For Free – “Do It Again”
What’s good: I stumbled upon this guy one fine Monday morning on my Spotify Discover Weekly playlist and I play him every day while working. He just came out with a studio LP, BFF, and this is one of the finer songs on the album. Get you a little dose of R&B, hip-hop, and funk all in one. –Mikala Lugen
Lettuce – “Royal Highness”
What’s good: This track was a live favorite for a few years before making its studio debut on Lettuce’s recently-released album, Elevate. This track perfectly encapsulates what makes Lettuce such a dynamic band. –Gideon Plotnicki
Lotus – “Colorado”
What’s good: “Colorado”, the final track on 2004’s Nomad, remains one of the band’s most beautiful compositions. I can remember exactly where I was the first time I heard it, and it’s still a lullaby and “zen-out” song for me. –Emily VanderWiel
Andy Frasco & The U.N. – “Change Of Pace”
What’s good: The title track from Andy’s newest record showcases his fun playful side as well as his serious musicality. Also, the playlist needed a change of pace here. –Kunj Shah
The String Cheese Incident – “Boo Boo’s Pik-A-Nik”
What’s good: Gotta love the fact that String Cheese is still putting out awesome new music! Another fun one from the SCI Sound Lab. –Kunj Shah
Drive-By-Truckers – “Outfit”
What’s good: No songwriter alive can paint a picture quite like Jason Isbell. One of two songs he wrote for his first album with Drive-By Truckers, “Outfit” is a father’s advice to his young son which features some of my favorite lyrics of all time: “Have fun, stay clear of the needle, call home on your sister’s birthday / Don’t tell them you’re bigger than Jesus, don’t give it away”. Gets me every time. –Andrew O’Brien
Aqueous – “Little Something To Me”
What’s good: This new track from Aqueous has the slick groove-rock sound for which they’re known coupled with a catchy beat and a super-crisp sound. Mike Gantzer‘s vocals are top-notch and the sassy lyrics make this song tons of fun. I can’t wait to see what they will do with it live! –Emily VanderWiel
Brittany Howard – “Stay High”
What’s good: Brittany Howard is a force, such a powerful songwriter, vocalist, and visionary. “Stay High”, from her recently released solo record Jaime, has such a unique yet familiar feel, and showcases just how talented she is. –Gideon Plotnicki
Marcus King – “Wildflowers & Wine”
What’s good: The second single off the South Carolina-native guitar phenom’s Dan Auerbach-produced debut solo album, El Dorado. Who knew Marcus King could make you swoon? –Kunj Shah
Envy Alo – “Only Way”
What’s good: This Colorado-based funk outfit just released this new single last week and it’s been a regular heater on my daily plays. I love Callie Morrocco’s powerful vocals, which slip into some smooth saxophone chords before hitting hard with the psychedelic guitar. –Mikala Lugen
Tedeschi Trucks Band – “Hard Case”
What’s good: Some TTB fans are hard on this track from Signs—maybe because it’s a little more “pop” than usual, maybe because of the sort-of confusing animated music video the band released along with it. Those are the very same reasons why I love this tune. Different strokes… –Andrew O’Brien
The Main Squeeze – “405”
What’s good: “405” is like the spiritual cousin of your favorite ’90s West Coast hip-hop jam. Off The Main Squeeze’s 2017 album, Without a Sound, this L.A. track is perfect for a late-night slide down the 405—or whatever way-less-exciting road you happen to be sliding down. –Andrew O’Brien
SunSquabi, Nobide – “Chrysalis”
What’s good: The latest track from SunSquabi’s Instinct REMIXES series. Nobide debuted this SunSquabi remix live at the two bands’ Halloween show in Boulder and put such a cool new spin on it. –Kunj Shah
Opiuo, Lafa Taylor – “Send It”
What’s good: Never one to rest on his accomplishments, New Zealand native OPIUO continues his career evolution as a solo artist with the same bold ambition and surgical precision that has defined his art thus far. A beloved performer on the US Bass scene from coast to coast, OPIUO has steadily married funk, glitch, electro-psychedelia and modernized, melodic musicality into a signature sound and stuck with it. After spending a few years creating and performing with The OPIUO Live Band, releasing the critically-acclaimed SYZYGY 01, and cultivating the astonishing SYZYGY Orchestra endeavor at Red Rocks in August 2018, Oscar put an exclamation mark at the end of that sentence. With today’s release of SYZYGY 02, the erstwhile sound-scientist assures that he’s turned the proverbial page, and firmly stepped into the now frontier. –B. Getz
The Polish Ambassador – “Let The Rhythm Just”
What’s good: Cue the finger-snap. “Let The Rhythm Just” is like the tastiest, strongest cup of coffee you’ve ever had—goes down easy and gets you moving. The beats and smooth lyrical rhyming nod to the days of Big L. The silky vocals of Mr. Lif and Ayla Nereo make this song so catchy and fun, it tends to stay on repeat. Really looking forward to seeing TPA in Boulder at the end of December. –Emily VanderWiel
Goose – “Butter Rum”
What’s good: Check these guys out! Goose is on the up-and-up, selling out shows all over the country seemingly out of nowhere. They just added a second NYC date to their tour after their show at Bowery Ballroom in January 2020 sold out in ten minutes. –Kunj Shah
Little Feat – “Time Loves A Hero – Live At The Rainbow Theatre, London, UK, 08/04/1977”
What’s good: We just lost Paul Barrere last month. I don’t need any more time to tell he was “a legend sent from heaven.” So glad I caught him with Little Feat at the Beacon earlier this year. We sat in the last row of the highest balcony, and it didn’t matter one bit. Great time. Rest easy, Paul. –Andrew O’Brien
The Meters – “It Ain’t No Use”
What’s good: Never feel like you have to provide a reason to listen to The Meters at any time, ever. It’s like water. It’s good for you. –Public Service Announcement
Kitchen Dwellers – “Shadows”
What’s good: These guys just sold-out two nights in a row at Denver’s Cervantes’ Other Side and boy, was it one hell of a bluegrass pickin’ party! As the first single off their new 12-track album out November 8th, Muir Maid, it perfectly showcases the four-pieces’ talent of true bluegrass folk music. –Mikala Lugen
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – “Ohio”
What’s good: With plenty of local and state measures up for a vote at the Nov. 5th elections, I’ll stick with the protest music tip after my Rage Against the Machine pick. On May 4th, 1970 at Kent State University in Ohio, four students were shot and killed by Ohio National Guardsmen during a protest of the Cambodian bombing under the Nixon Administration. Cambodia was neutral during the Vietnam War, FYI. Upon seeing a photo of the atrocity on the cover of Time magazine, Neil Young called David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash to an immediate studio session to record the song he wrote in response to the shootings, which would be titled “Ohio”. Calling out Nixon, the Ohio National Guard, and the killing of their own citizens on a college campus (let that one sink in), CSNY became the face of the counterculture. The song still serves as a reminder of what can happen when those in power take advantage of that power, and are not held accountable. It wasn’t until the Watergate scandal boiled over and the threat of impeachment was knocking on his door that Nixon decided to resign over 4 years later. Not 28 National Guardsmen firing 67 rounds in 13 seconds, wounding nine and killing 4 American citizen college students. Baffling. GET OUT AND VOTE!!! –Chris Meyer
Robert Palmer – “Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley”
What’s good: Did you know that the title track from Robert Palmer’s debut record was written by Allen Toussaint and recorded by a backing band featuring members of The Meters and Little Feat!? F*cking all-star tune. –Kunj Shah
Return To Forever – “Majestic Dance”
What’s good: I feel like Return To Forever doesn’t get discussed enough as a major influence on the jam scene. Chick Corea‘s jazz fusion band with Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, and Al Di Meola made for one of the most powerful bands of all time, transcending Jazz as they essentially created a new sub-genre that mixed Jazz with Progressive Rock. Their incredible album Romantic Warrior still holds up today. –Gideon Plotnicki
The Soul Rebels, Robert Glasper, Tarriona “Tank” Ball, Fabriq – “Blush (Poetry In Motion)”
What’s good: The Soul Rebels, Robert Glasper, and Tank?! Almost too much talent for one track. –Kunj Shah
Dead & Company – “Black Muddy River” [Live at Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC 11/28/17]
What’s good: This song hits me in the feels every time I hear it. John Mayer has done a great job with this beautiful but hard-to-sing Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter ballad with Dead & Co. –Kunj Shah
The Ghost Of Paul Revere – “This Is The End”
What’s good: “Cause this ship is sinking past the whiskey, give me my last cigarette, tell my mother not to worry, oh my friends, this is the end, this is the end.” Deep, emotional lyrics with a catchy tune make this the perfect anthem to cap off many of The Ghost of Paul Revere’s live shows and, now, this playlist. –Sara Shah
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