My Weekly Mixtape: Music Discovery & Nostalgia

This week, I’m joined by Dryden Mitchell of Alien Ant Farm to trace the band’s journey: from the early $100 EP and Love Songs recordings—when tracks like “S.S. Recognize” and “Wishing” were still finding their final form—to the tongue-in-cheek Greatest Hits release that arrived before the band had even broken nationally.From there, we dig into the era that launched the band worldwide: ANThology, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026. Dryden reflects on the explosion of the band’s cover of “Smooth Criminal” (originally by Michael Jackson), the momentum behind songs like “Movies” & “Attitude,” and how hidden tracks like “Orange Appeal” managed to survive the jump from Cassette & CD era hidden-track Easter eggs to modern streaming.Along the way we talk about what it was like working with Dean DeLeo and Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots on TruANT, and dig into some deeper catalog moments: from the cult-favorite 3rd Draft tour CD release that became Up In the Attic, to the band’s evolving approach to album titles, long gaps between releases, and how those breaks shaped later records like Always & Forever and Mantras.And of course, we talk about what’s happening now: the upcoming ANThology anniversary vinyl release and the brand-new single “Reasons,” written by Rome Ramirez of Sublime with Rome—plus what fans can expect from the band’s next chapter.If you’ve been spinning Alien Ant Farm since the early-2000s radio days—or you’re just discovering the band—this one goes deep into the catalog, the stories, and the moments that shaped the band over the last 30 years! 🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

There are certain artists who become part of the soundtrack to your life — and if you’re lucky, sometimes you get to sit down with the people responsible for it. This week, I’m joined by the man who has been keeping the beat behind “Weird Al” Yankovic for more than four decades: drummer Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz.From a chance meeting through the legendary Dr. Demento show and playing drums on an accordion case during the early recording of “Another One Rides The Bus,” to the moment MTV helped launch Weird Al into the pop culture stratosphere, Bermuda shares stories from inside one of the most unique careers in music.We dive into the evolution of Weird Al’s sound — including the shift from the raw production of the self-titled debut album to the hyper-accurate musical recreations heard on In 3D and beyond. Bermuda also breaks down how the band studies and reconstructs an artist’s style for spot-on parodies and style pastiches, including the Devo-inspired “Dare To Be Stupid.”Along the way, we talk about collaborations with the artists themselves — like the Dire Straits connection behind the “Money For Nothing / Beverly Hillbillies” parody from UHF, as well as working with Taylor Hanson, Dwezil Zappa and Ray Manzarek of The Doors, the musical puzzle of assembling Weird Al’s legendary polka medleys, and the full story behind the fan-favorite epic “Albuquerque.”Digging deeper, Bermuda reflects on the hardest drum sound he’s ever had to recreate for a song, whether a Weird Al Super Bowl Halftime Show has ever been discussed beyond social media, and his thoughts on if Mandatory Fun is truly Al’s last full-length studio album. We also touch on the case for Weird Al’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, among many other topics! If you’ve ever laughed, sang along, or wondered how Weird Al’s band makes those parodies sound so perfectly authentic — this deep dive into four decades of musical comedy brilliance pulls back the curtain.Photo Credit: Kamal Asar🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

This week, I’m joined by American Idol Top 20 contestant and New Jersey artist Jake Thistle to talk about his experience performing on one of television’s biggest music stages.Jake shares what it’s really like behind the scenes of American Idol — from the strategy behind song choices (including his audition take on Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home”) to the pressure of performing original music in front of the judges and a national audience, as he did with his song “Sleep On Me.”We also dive into his roots in the New Jersey music scene, the artists who helped shape his sound — including Tom Petty and John Hiatt — and the moment he realized music was his path in life.Along the way, we preview his latest single “Alone, Together,” and Jake shares three songs he thinks deserve a spot on your musical radar.Whether you’re already a fan of Jake’s music, an American Idol faithful, or simply curious about the reality behind televised music competitions, this conversation offers a candid look at the journey behind the music.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

This week, I’m joined by Weakened Friends’ Sonia Sturino to dig into Feels Like Hell, the band’s 2025 release that captures the emotional whiplash of modern life with biting honesty and melodic grit.We talk about the mindset behind the album, how exhaustion, anxiety, and self-reflection shaped the songwriting, and why Feels Like Hell feels like both a breaking point and a breakthrough. From loud-quiet dynamics to lyrics that don’t flinch, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how the band translated real-world pressure into a record that resonates deeply — especially if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed but kept moving anyway. Sonia opens up about trusting raw instincts, embracing honesty in songwriting, and how that vulnerability has deepened the connection with fans.We also get into the nuts and bolts: working with Don Giovanni Records, the surreal collaboration with Buckethead on “NPC,” song dynamics across the record, the band’s cover of Ednaswap’s “Torn,” and why Feels Like Hell was built to be experienced as a full album — not just a collection of singles.This episode is about survival, growth, and finding clarity on the other side of burnout. Then there’s the incredible music! 🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

Ever judge an album by its cover? This week on My Weekly Mixtape, Jay Sweet joins me as we flip through some virtual record crates to curate a playlist inspired by the most iconic album covers of all time. From legendary imagery to unforgettable records, we’re turning that visual inspiration into a killer mix of songs — and exploring what makes album art just as timeless, meaningful, and memorable as the music inside.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

Welcome to the launch of a new kind of bonus episode I’m calling Mixtape Moments — short stories sparked by a recent news item or an anecdote I haven’t yet found a place for in a full-length episode.There’s no set timetable for how often these will appear, but the format opens the door to new ways of experiencing My Weekly Mixtape — including quick hitters when the moment calls for it, whether it’s reacting to breaking news, a surprise album release, or a story that simply can’t wait.This premiere Mixtape Moment was inspired by this week’s news that Bruce Johnston is stepping away from The Beach Boys after more than six decades with the band. So join me as I celebrate Bruce’s remarkable journey with the band, while sharing a personal story about how a simple act of mid-concert kindness — a bottle of FIJI Water — became an unforgettable memory for this longtime fan.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

This week, I’m sitting down with the legendary Warren Haynes to revisit Tales of Ordinary Madness — his debut solo album, now newly remixed and remastered more than thirty years after its original release. It’s a record that’s lived a long life with a lot of us, and hearing it again with fresh ears raises a bigger question: what happens when you return to deeply personal songs after decades of living, playing, and moving forward?We talk about how the album found a home on Megaforce Records — yes, that Megaforce — and what it was like for Warren to re-engage with these songs from a distance he simply didn’t have in the early ’90s. From co-producing the original sessions with Chuck Leavell to hearing Grammy-winning engineer Jim Scott remix the album and fully unlock its timeless status, this conversation becomes less about revision and more about rediscovery — about what time gives you, and what it doesn’t.There are stories between the songs, too. We dig into the long-lost “Tear Me Down,” finally restored to its rightful place in the album’s new sequence, and trace how “I’ll Be The One” quietly evolved from Tales of Ordinary Madness into Gov’t Mule’s Mo Voodoo rendition. Warren walks through what changed, what stayed the same, and why those distinctions still matter — musically and emotionally.Along the way, we widen the lens. We revisit his legendary early-morning acoustic performance at Bonnaroo in 2004, talk about the mechanics of collaborations — what makes it work, what makes it last — and touch on his musical chemistry with artists like Little Milton, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Grace Potter and Joe Bonamassa (just to scratch the surface). We also unpack the story behind that unforgettable slide guitar on Blues Traveler’s “The Mountains Win Again,” and how that moment unexpectedly helped shape the sound and direction of Gov’t Mule’s debut.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

This week, Outlier’s Joey Arena joins me to break down “(Rock) Superstar,” the band’s collaboration with Sen Dog and Hyro The Hero, reimagining one of the defining crossover tracks of the early 2000s. Long before “genre-fluid” became a buzzword, the original version proved that hip-hop, rock, and metal didn’t just coexist — they could thrive together. This new take taps into that same spirit, updating the sound without losing the attitude that made it hit so hard the first time around. Anchored by Sen Dog’s unmistakable presence and Hyro The Hero’s raw, modern edge, this version isn’t simply for nostalgia’s sake — it’s a reminder of why taking risks mattered then, and still matters now.Beyond the cover, Joey also opens up about where Outlier is headed next, digging into original tracks “Warrior (feat. Chris Motionless),” “Crown (feat. VRSTY)” and “Creature of the Night.” Each song pulls from a different corner of the band’s identity — defiance, confidence, and controlled chaos — while pointing toward the bigger picture of Outlier’s upcoming studio album. We talk about how these songs fit together, what they reveal about the band’s evolution, and why this next chapter is a statement.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

This week, we’re digging into one of the most important collision points in modern music history — the moment when rock and hip-hop first slammed into each other and changed the landscape forever. Using When Rock Met Hip-Hop as a guiding lens, I’m joined by legendary music journalist Stephen Blush to explore the artists, scenes, and cultural flashpoints that brought distorted guitars and breakbeats together long before genre lines disappeared.These collaborations were risky, raw, and often controversial. From early experiments that raised eyebrows to landmark moments that rewrote the rules, we unpack how rock and hip-hop didn’t just influence each other — they challenged ideas around race, authenticity, rebellion, and what popular music was even allowed to be.Along the way, we dig into the stories behind these crossover moments, the samples that became entwined in the sound’s musical DNA, the artists willing to take the risks, and why their impact still echoes today.If you’ve ever wondered how we got from Run-DMC and Aerosmith to today’s genre-fluid musical landscape — or if you just love a deep dive into music history — this episode connects the dots. Because some of the biggest shifts in music don’t come from trends or algorithms — they happen when two scenes collide and refuse to move out of each other’s way.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

Power ballads didn’t disappear when the lighters went away — they just continued to evolve.This week, I’m joined by Terrie Carr of Carr Stereo to explore 10 power ballads released after 2000 — songs that still build slow, hit hard, and aim straight for the chest, even if the glow in the crowd looks a little different now.From massive choruses to emotional gut-punches, these are the songs that prove the power ballad never lost its place — it just traded Bic lighters for phone screens and kept going. No era restrictions, no genre snobbery — just big feelings, bigger hooks, and the kind of songs that demand you turn them up a little louder than you probably should.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

This week, we’re turning the headlights on & exploring 10 songs that provide the perfect soundtrack for a late night drive by yourself. Because let’s be honest: road trips in the sunlight and road trips under the glow of streetlights are two completely different experiences. One’s about destinations. The other’s about the space between them. Especially when it’s just you and the music. There’s something about driving at night that makes everything feel a little more cinematic — fewer cars, quieter thoughts, and songs that seem to hit harder when the rest of the world is asleep. These are tracks built for empty highways, dashboard lights, and moments where you don’t necessarily need to get anywhere fast… you just need to keep moving.This playlist leans into mood over momentum — songs that breathe, linger, and let your mind wander somewhere beyond the windshield.To add another layer to the episode, I pull a complete 180 and create a daytime alternative mix, featuring different songs from the same 10 artists — a sun-soaked playlist designed for a completely different musical atmosphere!Thanks to Patreon Mixtaper Sean Goff for sending in this week’s playlist concept.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

This week, we’re rewinding to one of the most charming quirks of the ‘90s CD era: the hidden track. You know… those sneaky gems buried after minutes of silence, tucked into track 99, or disguised so well you didn’t even know they existed until someone finally tipped you off.I’m diving into the stories behind these secret songs, what made them so appealing, and the unforgettable moments that made discovering a bonus track feel like you’d unlocked a musical cheat code. Join me as we celebrate the lost art of the hidden track — one skip (or search) button press at a time!P.S. You might want to listen carefully to this one.🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

Trying to figure out the right songs to send your crush without making things weird? This week, I’m building a not-at-all-awkward soft-launching playlist — the kind of mix that lets you test the waters, drop a hint, but keep everything fun, flirty, and totally low-pressure.These are the songs that say “I kinda like you” without turning it into a grand gesture. No heavy power ballads. No dramatic declarations. Just genuine tracks with the right vibe — warm, charming, and subtle enough to send with confidence.I'll dig into why certain songs land better than others, how the right track can quietly move a connection forward, and what actually makes a crush playlist work. So if you’re looking for the perfect “hey, I’m into you” starter kit as we roll toward Valentine’s Day… let this episode be your guide.Thanks to Mixtaper Bryan Rosenberg for sending in this topic!🎙️ LEARN MORE🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠