IT'S BACK: The Mix CD Playlist Exchange!

You've got to scroll through my feelings first, but it's coming back: the Mix CD Playlist Exchange!

I still remember the feeling of realizing my crush had snuck a mix cd into my locker with a handwritten track list. Going home and listening to it; memorizing the lyrics to a song he put on there; breaking the CD in many pieces when he broke my heart.

I still remember exchanging mix cds with my cousin. Those CDs I got from her have some of my favourite songs still today. Songs like The Ballad of Love and Hate by the Avett Brothers, or Bruises by Chairlift, or Strawberry Swing by Coldplay — all discovered on the silver disc she burned for me.

I still remember sitting at a cottage table, with a little notebook that had a typerwriter on the front of it — having a new pal meticulously write out a playlist of songs I should listen to. I made it into a playlist immediately when I got home from that cottage table. When I listened, I felt like I had found a musical soulmate.

I still listen to the Dear Hannah playlist a pal made me in university. A mix filled with old favourites of songs I knew, and new songs to fall in love with. She’s the friend who introduced me to Donovan Woods. It’s the playlist that accompanied me with my whole last semester of university — and oddly enough, accompanied me in my first summer living in Edmonton.

For me, music is so powerful in the sharing and in the exchange. I get such a feeling during concerts, or Taylor Swift re-release days, or in Hamilton when Eliza sings “THE ORPHANAGEEEEEEE”¹ or when a friend asks me to make them a playlist… because a chief joy in my life is sharing the things I love, and hearing about the things you love.

And that’s the heart behind The Mix CD Playlist Exchange.

I launched the first Mix CD Playlist Exchange in November 2021 after an idea had been percolating inside me for a bit: what if we did a mix cd exchange, but made it a playlist and so it could be made on any music listening platform? Like that time I sat at the cottage and Lydia wrote out the tracklist she had for me, or the time that ex-boyfriend tossed a note and a mix CD in my locker with the tracklist?

What if we got back to sharing music we think would be great for a pal to listen to in a specific scenario? That’s what this comes down to - sharing music you love and find with someone who wants to hear the music you love and find for them.

Here are the details:

You give your name, email, Insta handle, and the genre, feel, and or activity of the playlist you're looking for in this form.² ³

You share three artists you love, one artist you're meh on or would skip, and what you currently listen to. (The What Should I Read Next model!)

You'll share some genres/vibes you generally avoid, and really: anything else you want to share about your music tastes. Optional extra: favourite playlists and what you like about them.

I'll match you up with someone GREAT, and you'll create a playlist for them, based on the information they provided. 

You can make the playlist in your preferred app, but you have to write down your track list so everyone with every kind of preferred music app can make the playlist themselves. (I’m a stickler about this, because I want it to be for everyone.)

You can write it or type it; make it cute, make it word art, or make it none of the above -- but you have to write it so a) your exchange partner has a cute memorial of this time together & b) there are no music apps left behind.

Hopefully it introduces you to a new pal, a new artist, a new playlist vibe, and maybe a new outlook on life! (Too much?)

Questions? You can reach me on Insta at @hannahreadsmoer, comment on this here Substack, or reach out to me at hannahvandyk@gmail.com.

DATES AND DEADLINES:
LAUNCH: October 17, 2023 
SIGN UP DEADLINE: November 1, 2023 
MATCH DEADLINE: November 3, 2023
PLAYLIST EXCHANGE DEADLINE: November 17, 2023

1. Want to make me cry? You can just with Eliza singing those words!

2. Need ideas for what kind of playlist vibe? Here are some from the last exchange: we had songs for morning commutes and a playlist based on the vibe of one specific song and songs for writing grants and taking names. You can also view the full highlights of the playlist exchange in a handy little Instagram highlight here.

3. I will also never use your email for anything - it’s solely to match you and your playlist exchange partner up in email, which feels more * ~ official ~ * to me than DM.