Many of us still remember the labor of love that was the mixtape, spending countless hours pressing record, stopping, rewinding and playing. But while it’s less time-consuming, rather than relying on an algorithm-based compilation, putting together a digital playlist can still be a thoughtful gesture that can make all the difference at a dinner party. Song picks can be a way to share (or forget) what’s going on in the world, serve as conversation starters, and most importantly set the mood.
Personally, I consider every get-together a cause for celebration, especially after the last few years, and I usually start the evening with margaritas (2 ounces mezcal, 1 ounces Cointreau, and the juice of a lime, shaken with ice) and land old and new Songs – Miranda Lambert’s “Scenes” is a guilty and lately daily delight. To slow down dinner, I recommend ‘Another Change’ by Psychic Ills, or ‘Diary of a Lover’, the bare-bones acoustic track by the usually noisier Johnny Thunders. What about the post-meal period? If you’re looking for a relaxing time dedicated to deep conversation, consider “Mother of Earth,” a dark and swampy song by The Gun Club, followed by “Boku wa Chotto” by the incredible Haruomi Hosono. However, if you want this to be just the start of a long and raucous evening, read on. For this story, we asked musicians and other creatives what they would listen to and play for friends, and there’s something for every kind of night.
Emily Bode, designer
“Angeles”, “Pitseleh” and “Someone I Used to Know” – Elliott Smith
“Elliott Smith feels like summer to me — driving with the windows down after a swim and thinking back to growing up in Atlanta, summers on the Cape and college days in New York.”
Cass McCombs, musician
“Mysterious Femme” — Kolumbo
“Frank LoCrasto, the hands behind Kolumbo, is an amazing musician as well as a friend and collaborator. Frank has also invited me to dinner before. He made lasagna.”
“Hallelujah Baby” – Weak Signal
“Weak Signal are good friends and their music gives me hope. Their most recent record, ‘War and War’, was released in March. But not really background music. Be played loudly.
“Sometimes it’s relaxing to set up a local radio station and free myself from the burden of choice. Flow with the eccentricities of a DJ Learn to love static. Switch to AM and check the score of the game then switch back. There are so many great independent stations around [where I live]such as KPOO San Francisco, OZCAT Vallejo, KCSS Turlock, KALX Berkeley, KPFA weekends, KPIG, WFMU, KXLU and so on.”
Pierre Kwenders, musician
“Obomi Nga” – Moonshine, MC RedBul, Uproot Andy and MC Azas
“Because a great amapiano song always sets the mood. This has been one of my favorites lately.”
“Party (feat. Andre 3000)” — Beyoncé
“There are those songs that just feel right and come at the right time — that moment when we need a little reminder that it’s party time lit. Queen B, always!”
“Law” — Koffi Olomide
“Congolese national anthem. loic means ‘law’. So we must obey! You can never go wrong with this song.”
Henni Alftan, artist
“Week-end in Rome” — Etienne Daho
“This must be the place (naive melody)” – Talking Heads
“Sound and Image” – David Bowie
“You get the feeling that time almost stops in the middle of summer. Maybe that’s why I feel so nostalgic right now. In any case, my song choices are nostalgic.”
Rosie Assoulin, Max Assoulin and Cedric Nicaise of Vivanterre wine
“Such a Good Day” – Lewis OfMan
“Summer Girl” – Haim
“Summer Breeze” – The Isley Brothers
“Cranes in the Sky” – Solange
“We think they speak for themselves.”
Angel Olsen, musician
“Mamata (Affection)” – Ananda Shankar
“A friend sent me this song and said she always listened to it in the morning. I really loved it and listen to it myself every summer morning. It gives me hope when I hear it and it makes me want to move my body. ”
“Why, Buzzard, why?” — Alabaster dePlume
“This song is just really sweet and reminds me of attending a beautiful ceremony. It is a great ceremony in Amalfi energy.”
“Andalusia” – John Cale
“I have listened to this song repeatedly while driving through the mountains. It has the best production and I love John Cale’s voice so much — it’s like a big blanket.”
Yaya Bey, musician
“Angel” — Anita Baker
“It makes me feel like I look even better than I thought I did with whatever outfit I’m wearing, which is essential for dinner party confidence.”
“Love, Love, Love” – Donny Hathaway
“This always makes the room happy.”
“I’m in Love” – The Gap Band
“It’s one of the most romantic songs I know. And summer is for romance.”
Beverly Nguyen, fashion stylist
“Hentai” – Rosalia
“A song for driving the Pacific Coast Highway after the beach and after the sun goes down.”
“Strawberry Letter 23” – Shuggie Otis
“A summer classic meant for every atmosphere. I especially love it when I cook at home. It sets the tone for ice cold drinks and grilling all night.”
“The Afterlife” – BFRND
“Play at a dance party outside late at night for best results.”
Jack Parlett, writer and scholar
“It’s My House (12″ Remix)” – Diana Ross and Jimmy Simpson
“Playing this song as a party host might seem a bit on the nose, but there are plenty of reasons why it’s the perfect track for hospitality. It exudes both warmth and glamour, builds up to drama and then withdraws from it.”
“Sweet Talk” – Jessie Ware
“A dinner party calls for music that teeters on the edge of excitement but does not dominate the atmosphere, a gateway to dancing. In its seedyness and longing, ‘Sweet Talk’ fits that line perfectly.”
“That’s the Way Love Goes” – Janet Jackson
“Lush, layered and full of desire – a flame that continues to burn in the background.”
