Songs About California by Bands From canada

mixed by Liam Eagle

PERFECT FOR:

A road trip, straight from Winnipeg to Hollywood.

INTRODUCTION:

What's the fucking deal, man? About halfway through my mix of "songs about California," I noticed that along with the Tupacs, Eagles, Mamas and Papas was a whole lot of what we like to call canadiana. "There's your mix tape, buddy," I said. "What?" asked my buddy, from across the room. It's practically a sociology project, I explained. I mean, what the hell do we know about California up here? Not a God damn thing. So what are we writing all these songs about it for? I personally put it down to three things. First, it's the artistic expression of our longing, here in this frozen wasteland of ours, for sunnier climes; our desire to sip on tequila, night after night. Second, it's the attraction of our signature, self-important singer-songwriters to the "bizarre" culture of Hollywood. Finally, it's the sad inability of our pathetic excuses for pop bands to come up with a halfway original subject for a fucking tune.

TRACK LIST:

Sloan - Losing California
Wave - California
Rufus Wainright - California
Bran Van 3000 - Drinkin in L.A.
Len - Steal My Sunshine (not explicitly about California, but implicitly suggests their desire to be from California)
Edwin - Hang Ten
Edwin and The Pressure - Malibu Sunset
David Wilcox - Layin' Pipe
Neil Young - L.A.
Nickelback - Hollywood

PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS:

First off, if you're from the United States, you're probably missing out on a few things. There's only one that's really worth explaining, though. Edwin is this spiky-haired, buff, talentless alt-rock front man we have up here. Think Scott Weiland's jerk-off fratboy younger brother. Aparrently, he loves California. You guys would hate him. Also (and this goes for everybody), don't get all pised off when you hear the David Wilcox song. I know it's not about California. It was a joke. Relax, cowboy.

LISTENING INSTRUCTIONS:

This is a tough one. Like I said, it's more for the sake of sociology than it is for actually listening to. Most of these songs really suck. But if you're intent on listening, I suggest some kind of fruit-and-ice drink, a hawaiian shirt, and sitting in a lawn chair with your feet in the turtle pool.