Hello my name is Zhubin

Q: 1-24
A: This

whatchu know 'bout me?

download mix here
i apologize in advance... this mix is ridiculous.

1. first concert - Weezer : The World Has Turned and Left Me Here
Growing up with ultra-religious, born-again christian parents meant that i didn't get to go to 'rock concerts' since they are obviously of the devil. fortunately, my aunt was able to convince my mom to let me see No Doubt/Weezer (1997!)

2. favourite song - Broken Social Scene : Almost Crimes
I'm not sure why i love this song so much... but i can listen to it over & over again without getting tired of it.

3. last concert - Say Anything : Admit It!!!
Okay, i made this mix before Coachella and didn't post it until now. technically, that was the last "concert" i attended... but i'm convinced it doesn't count. so i'm saying the last show i went to was max bemis' acoustic set at ucsd... and before that? say anything with eisley.

4. favourite song with "love" in the title - Band of Horses : No One's Gonna Love You
There were probably a million songs with "love" in the title that i could've picked, but this song is so sad and makes my heart hurt a little bit.

5. favourite song with "death" in the title - Los Campesinos! : Death to Los Campesinos!
Most of the "death" songs were totally bummers, which is fine... but this song is so catchy. i can't resist the boy/girl vocals.

6. favourite song with "love" & "death" in the title - The Stills : Love and Death
It has love... and death... in the title. i couldn't help myself.

7. i definitely had a poster of this band - *NSYNC : I Want You Back
Don't judge. i used to LOVE nsync. lance was always my favourite.

8. first cd i ever stole - Blink 182 : Waggy
So i had this friend who used to borrow stuff all the time... and she borrowed my favourite flip-flops (back in 8th grade) and swore up and down that she returned them, but strangely enough, i couldn't find them. until i went to her house one day and saw them shoved in the back of her closet, with one of the straps broken. i saw "Dude Ranch" next to her stereo and decided to take it... you know, to teach her a lesson.

9. last cd i stole - Major Lazer : Keep It Goin' Louder
I didn't buy this cd because i wasn't sure i'd be able to handle all the reggae/jamaican-ness of the music. turns out i was totally right. i've only listened to it once.

10. song that reminds me of an ex - The Promise Ring : Why Did We Ever Meet?
This kid i dated a while back sang this to me and it made me laugh because it was cute. he ended up being a piece of shit, but every time i hear this song, i can't help but think about him.

11. band that changed my life - Radiohead : Fake Plastic Trees
Yeah, yeah - cliché answer. everyone loves radiohead. but no joke, the first time i ever heard this song, i think my heart broke a little bit. i still love "The Bends" - it kicks the shit out of "In Rainbows."

12. favourite driving song - Eisley : Trolleywood
Don't laugh, i always turn this song way up when I'm driving.. and i sing along. it's so cute.

13. song i want played at my funeral - B.o.B. vs Digitalism : Pogo vs. Haterz
Funerals are supposed to be bullshit and sad, but this song rules. if danielle gets to have a churro stand at her funeral, i want to remind people about "haters [being] everywhere we go."

14. song i want played at my wedding - The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
I don't know if it's the violins or the creepily endearing lyrics, but i'm a sucker for this song. is it creepy that i think dying by Mr. Right's side is a heavenly way to die?

15. song that cheers me up - Reggie and the Full Effect : Congratulations Smack and Katy
Nothing cheers me up like Reggie... music with keyboards is generally pretty happy... and this song is so cute and fun. Plus the video is adorable - PB&J.

16. song that i listen to when i want to feel even shittier - Rhett Miller : Come Around
I don't even know if i can explain this one without sounding like a pathetic, lonely piece of shit. it's the anthem for my constant state of heartbreak.

17. favourite song from a mix - Elliott Smith : Bled White
Once upon a time, this jewish kid made me a mix... and it was pretty great. he put jimmy eat world, keepsake, get up kids, alkaline trio... all the seemingly appropriate stuff... and then he put this song. it didn't really flow with the rest of the mix, but i still love it.

18. band i want to see in concert (again) - Of Montreal : So Begins Our Alabee
Okay, i saw Of Montreal at street scene... (i missed BUSTA to see them) but the set wasn't nearly long enough... so i'd really like to see another show. kevin barnes is crazy but inspired.

19. guilty pleasure - Hall & Oates : Out of Touch
How can i explain my love for hall & oates?

three songs that sum me up -
this is going to be depressing, but i can't apologize for who i am. i'm sort of a sad, sappy jerk.
20. The Stills : In The End
21. Pretty Girls Make Graves : Sad Girls Por Vida
22. Nada Surf : Inside of Love

Self Test

So, I'm kind of amused how foolishly eclectic this mix is. I guarantee it's the first mix ever to have both Mi Ami and Jeffries Fan Club on it. Fact.

Download it here.

1. First concert ever: Rush - Tom Sawyer
So, I'm not sure how it is in other places, but a lot of the dudes in my high school marching band were way into prog rock. I think it's that sort of "we are musicians, we want to listen to the most technically impressive music we can find." So, a couple of us went and saw Rush at the Forum on their "Test for Echo" tour when we were 15-17. I was very possibly the youngest person in the entire venue. Also, because it was in the bad part of LA, my friend Danny's dad paid for us to have a van take us there (but then learned that for a very small amount more, we could go in the lower-end limo). So, four high school band nerds in ill-fitting flannel (1996) got out of a limo in front of the Forum.

2. Current favorite song: Captain Ahab - I Don't Have A Dick
Under my musical interests on Facebook, I have "current best song in the universe," where I put the last song that really rung my bell. This is what's currently holding that spot.

3. My UFC entrance music: The Blood Brothers - Crimes
My roommate and I watch a lot of UFC, which a lot of people find surprising about me considering I own more Belle and Sebastian albums than you do and have read Pride and Prejudice. Anyway. Most dudes come out to total bro-metal, but every so often, someone will come out to something like Michael Jackson, and we think it's rad. The idea of entering into a fight to something decidedly un-manly is amazing. This song sounds foreboding and scary (which is good), but is also really "faggy." It'd be awesome.

4. Band whose poster I had in high school: Marilyn Manson - I Put A Spell On You
I used to love Marilyn Manson, and definitely had a Hot Topic-purchased poster up on my wall, held in place by that blue sticky crap that fucks up the corners of your posters and then never comes off the wall.

5. Last CD I bought: Mi Ami - Slow
As of right now, this is my favorite album of 2010. Mi Ami sounds like Can living in a neon junkyard. It's amazing.

6. Favorite song with "love" in the title: Spiritualized - I Think I'm In Love
At least right now it is.

7. Song I want played at my wedding: Sparklehorse with the Flaming Lips - Go
I've tried to get two separate couples to have this song at their wedding, and only one of them seemed really interested. I don't think either used it, though. Daniel Johnston lyrics are awesome, romantically, but you're gonna need to find a cover to make sure you don't weird out your aunt.

8. First show ever: Jeffries Fan Club - Wish You Weren't Here
So, Rush was my first concert, but Jeffries Fan Club at the UC Riverside venue "The Barn" was my first "show." I listened to a ton of ska in high school, and my friend JR and I really latched on to THIS band for some reason. I think because they were local and we talked to their manager on AOL and such so they felt more connected to us. They sure as shit weren't as good as other ska bands we liked. Anyway, my mom drove JR, me, and this girl named Stacey I had a crush on out to the venue (about 40 minutes away). I kind of sort of tried to "skank" to the music, and JR and Stacey, who didn't know each other, stood behind me not talking to each other. It was awkward. Anyway...

9. Song I lost my virginity to: Elliott Smith - Sweet Adeline
Well, it probably wasn't the FIRST song on "XO," because you know, you got making out first and such. But, if we're being honest, it was probably before the end of "Independence Day," you know?

10. Album that changed my life: The Aquabats - Playdough
Mike Suh gave me a bootleg copy of "Return of the Aquabats" one day before freshman-year bio. He made it seem like we had talked about the Aquabats before, and that I had asked for the tape, but I really don't remember that. I do remember wearing that fucking tape out though. I had to have listened to it 1000 times. It was the first time I had ever heard ska, really, and it was the first time I ever really heard something that I thought was good that I didn't hear first on KROQ. So I became aware that there are good things that aren't on the radio, and I had to find more. And anyone who knows me knows how THAT quest turned out.

11. Great songwriting: The Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride
Lyrically, the Goats cannot be beat for me. And, as a big fan of narrative songs, this song's story of dark age burning at the stake is really engaging and amazing, not to mention written with evocative imagery. And the way Mr. Darnielle sings it with that "vocals bordering on unhinged" really adds a sense of excitement to the song. And in addition to the lyrical meaning of the song, the message of pride/confidence/strength in the face of overwhelming adversity and ignorance is something we can all use a little of.

12. Last concert I went to: Emperor X - Everyone In Jacksonville
Sam put on one of his Acrobatics Everday shows in the 24-hour lobby of an Irvine post office. It was, very remarkably, not broken up by cops. Additionally, both bands (Emperor X and Rare Grooves) both were amazing. Then we went over to Emily's house, drank beers, saw the trailer to a traumatizing horror movie, and discussed other topics of the day.

13. First album I bought: Crash Test Dummies - God Shuffled His Feet
If we're being honest, I bought a couple "Weird" Al Yankovic tapes and CD before I got this album, but this was the first like...."real music" album I bought. It was probably early in 8th grade (when I really started to listen to music). I was so excited about it. I brought it with me when I went out to Palm Springs with my friend Dustin, but he didn't really want to listen to it. We listened to the Violent Femmes, though, while driving around in his dad's golf cart, which I liked.

14. Favorite song with "Death" in the title: The Mountain Goats - The Best Ever Death Metal Band In Denton
Another Mountain Goats song, you say? Well, honestly, I could have put the Mountain Goats for most of this mix if I really wanted to. Also: this song is awesome forever.

15. Song to make me feel shittier: Bright Eyes - Let's Not Shit Ourselves (To Love And Be Loved)
This song makes me cry a lot. But, that's because I often cry to songs that have overt outpourings of emotion. Like, due to depression, I kind of keep myself semi-numb to avoid feeling shitty, and when faced with really strong emotion (or movie trailers, oftentimes, oddly enough), I just kind of can't handle it and start crying. But, this song has also cheered me up, as well. I'm a complicated man, folks.

16. Great songwriting: Tom Waits - Christmas Card From a Hooker In Minneapolis
I know I already answered this question, but this song is such a perfect little short story that I couldn't bare to exclude it.

17. Song I want at my funeral: Calexico/Iron & Wine - Dead Man's Will
I've thought about this question a lot, actually. This song is topically appropriate for the occasion, emotionally somber, and lyrically represents the idea that the singer has held on to these small treasures from throughout his life of the people he loved. And now that he's gone, he wants them to know that he valued and cherished these memories and the people who he made them with. I'd want anyone at my funeral to know that I loved them, and I valued the time we had together, even if it were as "inconsequential" as the innocuous items listed.

Take on Me

Since I was the one who suggested this theme, it seems apt that I would be the first to post a mix (unless during this time I upload/write descriptions, someone beat me to it). Thinking back to what I listened to before I listened to ~cool~ music is embarrassing, but I couldn't have it any other way. I mean, isn't childhood (and mostly high school) all about awkwardness and learning from sad, sad mistakes? I think so. To make it more lols, I will probably post a few photos too. It's not as cohesive as a "mix" nor is it anything cutting edge (expect a lot of "entry level" stuff), but I hope you still enjoy it!

DOWNLOAD HERE.

1. Patrick Wolf: A Boy Like Me
My first concert: I had just met one of my best friends (foreverrr) Cecily, and we went to Amoeba to see Patrick Wolf perform. This was for his record launch party (sort of) for "Lycanthropy." This was the first concert I went to on my own free will. The first EVER concert was when I was in Hong Kong but I honestly don't remember who I saw. All I remembered was my cousin jumping up on her chair and screaming like a crazy fan girl. It was not cool.
Here I am with P. Wolf. I think I was 15?

2. Xiu Xiu: Suha
My most recent concert: Since graduating, I haven't been to as many shows mostly because I'm lazy. But if Xiu Xiu is ever in town (or Jamie Stewart solo), I will go, no questions asked. Easily one of my top 5 favorite bands. And for fun, here is a photo of the first time I ever saw Xiu Xiu! I think I was 15 or 16. Hahah, look at how awk-awk Jamie is.

3. Joy Division: Love Will Tear Us Apart
Favorite song with "love": This was a pretty difficult one to choose from just because I have at least 450 songs with the word "love." I decided that Xiu Xiu's "I Luv the Valley, OH!" was out because it's "luv" (although I guess we can argue the TitSJ version). And although I hold Björk's "All is Full of Love" near and dear to my heart, the impact that Joy Division had (and has) on me is stronger. I could listen to "Love Will Tear Us Apart" every single day and can always find another thing I love about the song.
4. No Doubt: Spiderwebs
First CD: The first CD I ever got was No Doubt's "Tragic Kingdom." I didn't listen to the radio then, and the only music I did listen to was classical (I started playing the cello when I was eight) or Cantonese pop (parents). I think No Doubt's last single for this album came out in 1998 and I was like WHAT IS THIS???? I was in fifth grade and I found the CD in my newspaper one day. I guess someone who was packing our newspaper accidentally left it in. Sucks for them, but great for 9 year-old me. The late '90s also happened to be the revival of ska. I'm pretty sure at least one of our contributors knows VERY WELL the effect ska had on their lives.
5. Avi Buffalo: Truth Sets In
Most recent CD: When I buy CDs, I buy a few at a time so it's hard to just choose one. However, this was the newest CD I listened to. I enjoy it a lot. Hah, from No Doubt to Avi Buffalo. Life!
6. Radiohead: Idioteque
Band that changed my life: Yep, I'm just like EVERYBODY ELSE. But whatever, I heard Radiohead for the first time (not counting "Creep") and it was just like nothing I had ever heard before. It was then that I decided to seek out bands that were also unconventional...and by unconventional, I mean they weren't being heard on mainstream radio. Haha
7. The Smiths: This Charming Man
Favorite song to dance to: Every single indie club I go to, I go crazy when I hear "This Charming Man." I love The Smiths, but this song just makes me incredibly happy and I can't help but grin like the Since U Been Gone kid anytime I listen to this song.
8. The Velvet Underground: I Found a Reason
Song I want played at my wedding: This is so cheesy and I can't believe I'm sharing this with you guys, but I want my first ~dance~ with (ugh) my husband-to-be to be this song. It's not original, but whatevs, I don't claim to be cool. It's a great song and it's romantic.
9. Joanna Newsom: Peach, Plum, Pear
Song to make me feel shittier: I suffer from (teen) angst a loooot for no reason (sometimes) and if I want to feel even shittier, I listen to this song. Nothing about unrequited love and lyrics that I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND 100% to make me feel worse!
10. Sigur Rós: Ný Batterí
Song with great songwriting/lyrics: I don't understand the lyrics of this song, but I feel making up my own lyrics and meaning transcends (ho ho!) it. I mean, the beauty of the song is that it can mean different things to different people. Listening to this song brings back so many memories, thoughts, and ~feelings.~ In general, this band makes me feel this way more than any other band has.
~Bonus~
I need this song to soundtrack some random scene in a movie based on my life.
Belle & Sebastian: I Don't Love Anyone
No explanation needed, really.

April Theme: Whoooooo are you? (doot doot, doot doot)

So, Vivian pointed out that not everyone in this community knows each other. So, perhaps it'd be helpful if everyone's mix was an introduction of sorts.

Here are a list of questions you can answer, via mp3s (with helpful commentary, if possible). Then we'll know all your deepest, most embarrassing secrets. Feel free to answer as many of these questions as songs will fit on a CD. And feel free to create your own questions to answer, if you want to be all difficult about it.

Possible questions:

1. What was your first concert?

2. What is your favorite band? [Or, favorite band from the 60s, 70s, 80s, etc]

3. What is your favorite song? (I know it's hard. Just fucking answer the question)

4. What song was playing for your first kiss/other physically romantic experience?

5. What was the last concert you went to?

6. What is your favorite song in your library with "love" in the title?

7. What is your favorite song in your library with "death" in the title?

8. What is a song you feel exemplifies great lyrics/songwriting?

9. Pick three songs that you feel sum you up.

10. What band did you have a poster of during high school?

11. What was the first CD you bought/stole?

12. What was the last CD you bought/stole?

13. What song/band changed your life?

14. What's your favorite driving song?

15. What's your favorite dancing song?

16. What song makes you think of an ex?

17. What song would you like played at your funeral?

18. What song would you like played at your wedding (civil union or equivalent)?

19. What song cheers you up?

20. What song do you listen to when you want to feel even shittier?

21. What band would you love to see live?

22. What's your favorite song from a mix someone gave you?

23. If your life was a TV show, what would the theme song be?

24. If you were an Ultimate Fighter, what would be your entrance music?

And so on, in that fashion.