31 Days of Digital Mixtapes, Day Eight:
Music That’s New to Me
No matter who I’m making a mixtape for, I always try to add at least one musician or band I think they’ve never heard of. I discovered some of my favorite bands over the years through mixtapes and compilations, so adding some less known acts on my tapes is almost like a civic duty. For most of my adult life, I’ve been a pretty big music snob who doesn’t want to give bands the time of day if it’s not my “kind of music.” What’s my kind of music? Mainly ska, reggae, punk, hip hop, indie, or a combination of all of those. Just ask my wife if I’m willing to admit I like a band that I didn’t discover first. It’s tough, but I’m trying to get better. It’s with that spirit of self-improvement that I bring you my next digital mixtape. These are bands or artists I just heard about in 2013 that I actually admit to liking (and in the case of Ben Marwood, obsessing over). You’ve caught me in a moment of acceptance, what other music should I get exposed to?

Ben Marwood says hello.