Make a MIXA Blog

Nothing says I LOVE YOU like a beautifully crafted, well thought out mix tape; well OK, maybe something from Tiffany & Co. would go down pretty well in trying to convey your undying devotion to the love of your life, but can a load of bling truly touch that special someone in the same way that perfect mix you’ve sweated blooded over can?

But this is the 21st Century calling – there’s no point in making a mix tape if the target of your affections has to the trawl Ebay for days on end trying to find an old school cassette player to hear your romantic masterpiece that the Walrus of love himself would be proud of.

That’s why MIXA combines the best of both worlds – physical analogue retro cool cassette with shiny digital newness. Now you can create a mix like you used to only this time you can add other stuff like photos, videos, web links or anything else you feel might set the mood for love!

So this Valentine make that perfect mix tape for that special someone in your life and Make a MIXA.

Yes, we are still feeling bleary eyed from staying up to watch last night’s Oscar coverage. However that hasn’t stopped us talking non-stop about who won what and who was wearing what (Natalie Portman we’re looking at you). Here at MIXA HQ we were pleased to see The Social Network scoop the award for Best Adapted Screenplay and the Oscar for Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ score was much deserved. That got us thinking. Just what is the greatest film soundtrack of all time? Once we’d stopped humming the James Bond theme tune – RIP John Barry – films like Pulp Fiction, Trainspotting, Tron (love a bit of Daft Punk) and O Brother Where Art Thou came to mind. Think you can do better? Send us your movie-inspired mixes…go on we dare you.

Ever on the lookout for supporters of the mixtape, this week we stumbled across The Mixtape Club.
Each month, this neat little site is graced by ten new mixes by ten great people.
There’s a load of really cool stuff on here, and some lovely cover art too.
You should check it out.

You might remember us talking about our collaboration with exciting Parisian record label French Lopez a month or two ago?
Well, we have news of their big Christmas bash which is taking place at the Social Club in Paris later this month.
The line up includes DJs, such as Kriskha, as well as a live performance from the Brooklyn based rapper and DJ Jasmine Solano.
And what’s more, the kind folk at French Lopez are giving away free MIXA, packed with musical treats to the first 100 entrants on the night.
If the MIXA gang lived in Paris, we’d be there in a shot.

What could be more personal than giving your loved one a handcrafted MIXA this Christmas?
Make sure you get your order to us in time for the last post dates.

UK: 15th December
Western Europe: 13th Dec
Eastern Europe, USA, Canada: 10th Dec
All other countries: 6th Dec

Some lovely shots of MIXA on location at Reed Space:

A special limited edition MIXA was given away at the Double Goose PopUp shop which opened in NYC on Nov 6^th.

The shop, which is situated in concept store Reed Space, will be open until mid-December. They created a one off Double Goose MIXA to give away at the opening party – featuring an exclusive mix from DJ EMZ who also played out at the launch.

This is another slice of great news for all things MIXA and we’re really chuffed about it.

Ever wondered what Klaxons would put on their playlist if you gave them a MIXA?
How about band of the moment the Hurts?

Well wonder no more. At least if you are in Germany…

MIXA has collaborated with Amazon Germany and several musical big guns to bring you these exclusive mixtapes in time for Christmas
Simply choose your favourite artists playlist, add it to your shopping cart where it magically uploads to your MIXA, wait patiently for the postman to arrive and by Christmas Eve you will be kicking back and rocking out to tracks hand selected by them.

Each artist has also designed a sleeve to go with the mixtapes. Pretty freaking cool. So now for the bad news. It’s only available in Germany so if you want to get your hands on one and don’t live there you need to consider moving. Pronto.

The headstone will soon need engraving…. A fitting epitaph? Maybe something along the lines of:

You would never have found me in the kitchen at parties.

Today Sony announced that it would be discontinuing production of the Walkman, the portable device that literally altered the face of music for good during the 1980’s and early 90’s. Everybody had one, whether it was strapped to your waist or hidden away in a jacket pocket – often the only indication of ownership being the choice of headphones worn with this box of audio magic.

Since its launch in July 1979, Sony has sold 220 million cassette Walkman players globally;  changing peoples lifestyles by popularising music on the go. Not even the introduction of the Mini Disc could put the axe into the Walkmans lifespan – that inevitably came with the launch of Apples iPod some 9 years ago.

Whether you were sat huddled around a folded out cassette inlay, frantically singing along to your favourite tape or exchanging home made mixes; the Walkman was crucial in consuming music in this way for such a long time.

RIP Walkman, you’ve left a huge legacy in your 30years on planet earth.