“The camera makes everyone a tourist in other people’s reality, and eventually in one’s own.”
– Susan Sontag

UPDATE #1: Added The Cameras from Sydney!
UPDATE #2: I made this into an 8Tracks mix below so you can stream and chill out.

I’ve been collecting songs about cameras and photography for a while now. But lately I’ve been noticing a crop of great new music from performers whose entire being seems to be inspired by the bentlight art: Bands with photography-tinted names! Here’s a little mixtape of my 2011 faves — an indie, alt, lo-fi vibe connects all these songs.

Smile For the Camera
“What Are You Made Of?”
http://smileforthecamera.bandcamp.com/
Kicking it off strong with some britrock!

Toy Camera
“Summer Days”
http://toycamera.bandcamp.com/album/blissful-youth
Download this blissed-out project’s EP for free over at Bandcamp

Kodak To Graph
“I Keep Hanging On”
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kodak-To-Graph/152341958124571
This is assuredly the most brilliant track here, I can’t escape it. Mmmm Mmm! Kodak To Graph has a free EP over at Bad Panda!

Light Leak
“Snow”
I’ve covered Light Leak before, but this is from a slightly newer release. Chill!

Just Polaroid
“My Body”
http://soundcloud.com/justpolaroid
I didn’t dig this one so much at first, but it grew on me. It’s not amazing, but it’s got soul.

The Photographic
“Secure (Amtrac Remix)”
http://www.facebook.com/thephotographic
The original version of this track is a couple years old and even showed up on a C.S.I. soundtrack, I think. But, this uplifting and epic remix is brank-spanking-new-shit!

The Cameras
“I Know” http://www.camerasmusic.com/
Just added! This one starts dreamy, but builds into something of an epic. I am gazing the f^ck out of my shoes (in a good way). From their new album In Your Room which you can stream on Soundcloud.

8Tracks Stream

For a lean-back experiencem I put the whole mixtape into an 8tracks station with a couple other goodies to mix it up. Enjoy!

 
Bonus:

Every Move A Picture
“Signs of Life”
http://www.myspace.com/everymoveapicture
All right, this one’s old. They cats aren’t even around anymore. But, it was best to send everyone home on a high note.

(P.S. Check us out on Facebook for a ZIP of the full Mixtape)

There are some lyrics here I can’t figure out:

“Getting Used To Uselessness“
by Jon Langford & Skull Orchard

getting used to uselessness
getting used to uselessness
getting used to uselessness
getting used to uselessness

never knew the tenderness
lost his only friend
never had much sympathy
or kindness in the end

rags to riches, move on up
from hunger into ???
drank a cup of bitterness
where’s the sin in that?

getting used to uselessness
getting used to uselessness
getting used to uselessness
getting used to uselessness

youth is squandered, tossed away
before did us begun ???
unhappy traffic claims us all
a new day on the run

hey hey, fantastico!
hit the top and then you’ll know
create, destroy, confess
getting used to uselessness

getting used to uselessness
getting used to uselessness
getting used to uselessness
getting used to uselessness

always conscious of our power
always conscious of our chains
power slips away but. yes
something else remains

after all our time
and the killing that was made
live and die before the middle ???
happy to play the victim again (useless!)

getting used to uselessness
getting used to uselessness
getting used to uselessness
getting used to uselessness

Laura Duncan – “Open Arms”

As I was breezing through the monthly HearNoHo musical showcase last night, Laura Duncan was a revelation. I’m talking blues riffs, jazz tinges, and one of the strongest voices I’ve heard in a while. This UK transplant is now based in Los Angeles, and I’ll seek her out again. She can sing, and she can play guitar. I think she’s coming from a musical theatre background. I see she’s played Molly Malones. I wonder if she knows Philip Sayce?

She has a 4-song ep for free download on her site at www.lmduncan.com. Or if Myspace to stream music is your thing: www.myspace.com/lmduncan

I’ve been cranking "Less Earth More Rubber" all the morning after. I’m hooked!

Some bonus photos:

Just a heads up to my ol’ chillout fans that right now Amazon is giving away this free MP3 sampler from the impressive world/chillout label Six Degrees, with The Orb and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and others. I’ve always been impressed with Six Degrees Records since my days as a chillout radio DJ for Launchcast.

Amazon.com: 2008 Amazon Free Sampler: MP3 Downloads: Various Artists

A German blogger-mixer-guy who goes by djmq put together a very excellent Kraftwerk megamix. Then he asked politely if he could use a photo I took from the Kraftwerk show at the Greek Theater in ’05. Nice guy!

Go download the mix from his blog: Radioaktiv – Kraftwerk 1973-2000

Also, reminisce with a couple of photos I got from the amazing Coachella 2008 main stage performance: