San Diego Art Institute - Art's All Over Mixtape, vol. 1

Mar 26

Mar 26 San Diego Art Institute - Art's All Over Mixtape, vol. 1

Albums, avant-garde, experimental music, home recording, record guide, Record Reviews, underground music, cassette tape culture

The San Diego Art Institute got the worthwhile idea a few years ago to not only start featuring live (and often experimental) music performances, but also to compile those same artists on a mixtape. Live highlights over the last few years have included Gary Wilson, Dynasty Handbag, and Angels Dust to name just a few.

This first - and so far only -  installment of the San Diego Art Institute's mixtape series was a limited run on 100. Our copy is copy number fifteen, as seen here. — *This first - and so far only - installment of the San Diego Art Institute's mixtape series was a limited run on 100. Our copy is copy number fifteen, as seen here.*

This comp (offered on cassette tape and as a digital download) focuses by and large on San Diego artists who have performed at SDAI, and thusly offers music that may be unfamiliar to those outside the San Diego-Los Angeles-Tijuana sphere. Notable exceptions like Gary Wilson and Prayers, of course, have devoted fans across the globe, and the mix of genres and artists is an effective one. Wilson's enigmatic classic "6.4 = Makeout" makes an appearance here (with the title uniquely spelled out in this edition), as does "Killy My Baby" by L.A. With, and "Popular Writer" by Octagrape. The collection deftly straddles everything from experimental music to alternative to psychedelic rock, and more.

*The compilation features notables Gary Wilson, Angels Dust, and Prayers*

Start with: "Slow Tapes" by Angels Dust.

Why it’s worth revisiting: SDAI's adventurous billings have been some of Southern California's more intriguing offerings over the last few years, giving fans of experimental music, performance art, and under-the-radar performances a rare opportunity to experience important events in a setting where art is at the center -rather than the periphery - of the proceedings. The mix of established and developing artists here constitutes and engaging and worthy compilation.

While this mixtape stands on its own, we do hope there will be future installments of the series, accompanied by additional live performances.

If you can't track down a physical copy, you can download the compilation here.