DJ Magneto - The Ying To Your Yang.

When I first heard DJ Magneto's Sea Panda Spring Time Love Breaks on this here blog, I almost shat my pants! Having dedicated the last 10 years of my life to creating saixy time mixes/selections or hunting those done by others, it's rare to find a mix where you don't have to skip a single track. This is but ONE of the elements of THE perfect saixy time mixand anyone that rinses the Delegation's Oh Honey on a mixtape gets my vote (pants down!)

DJ Magneto aka Manny Roldan is a self-described 'funk enthusiast, soul lover, dubwise master, sampling freak, burger blogger and taco quality control consultant'. To us here at Themes For Young Lovers, he inspires us to dig deep, represents to the fullest and brings the niceness on the regular.

Be it reggae to funk, disco, soul or hip hop and (sometimes) dodgy 80s cheese thrown in (Kenny Loggins... really?!) we LOVE DJ Magneto. Dude knows his tunes, his mixes are on some needle-eye pum pum shit, and not to mention he's down with DJ Day another TFYL fave who, apart from being a mad producer these days, formed one of the illest DJ crews in the mid 90s: The Innernational Crew with DJ RipOne (who else out there wore the shit out of the actual cassette mixtape 'Rippin Shit Up'?)

Aside from 'helping to keep Portlandia weird'. working, producing, getting married and other thangs life-related, DJ Magneto has held down a residency at the weekly First Friday Super Jam night at the Goodfoot Lounge in Portland which just had it's 10 year anniversary in March! Stellar effort son!

We're working on bringing him to Australia, but watch this space for DJ Magneto's next contribution in helping to increase the world's population: Sea Gator Nuptial Breaks Part 2 but until then peep his special Valentine's Day reggae/lover's rock mix By The Power Vested In Me & Sea Koala Heart Breaks and read on as Magneto lays down some answers to the good ol' Themes For Young Lovers questions - Josie Styles

Name - My name is Manny Roldan also known as my given name 'DJ Magneto' the evil villain sent to earth to make things fun, stylee, big, nice & heavy.

Location - A Mexican guy living in Santa Barbara CA. for the past 7 years but I consider Portland OR. my home.

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - Trying to woo someone... hmmm. Well the first mix I did for my now wife woo'd her so I'm going to talk about tracks in it. It wasn't a blended DJ style mix, it was a disc with tunes on it that I entitled 'Possibly Maybe'. I made the mix a few months into our courtship so I was already hooked, actually it's safe to say WE were already hooked. The tracks that I felt told my wooing story the best were - Gwen Guthrie '7th Heaven', MJ's 'I Can't Help It' and Minnie Ripperton 'Here We Go' as they set my intention for us and my actions. I guess when the songs played they really did all the wooing. Not too fast, not too strong. not too direct and with a high note of fun and possibilities. The track on there that was the most woo'ey was Leroy Hutson 'Lucky Fellow' I think it spoke of confidence in my commitment to feeling good together (gotta thank DJ Day for that album)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the Dom Perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? When the lights go low, the candles are lit, the Dom's on ice and the thermostat is set, Sade Lover's Rock is usually what's on. Don't know what it is about the melancholic key that does it? Maybe it's because I remember that I'm on the up at that moment.

What is your fave romantic film of all time? I just saw THX 1138 for the second time and that's quite the (tragic) love story with lots of context to current life so i'll go with that. They found out that love was what they needed. LUH 3417 and THX 1138 didn't need blue or red pills, nor God's advice to work hard and increase productivity, they just needed a bit of the chemicals each other's presence provided. So my advice to all young lovers out there is: enjoy the simple things in life, like love before our society gets to the point like in the aforementioned movie.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song that you play to ease the pain and get you through? After a heartbreak I would recommend a high dosage of Bill LaBounty's 'Livin' It Up' or 'Lettin' Go' by Janelle Monae, because that will lift your spirits. But if you really wanna remember the good and bad about the loves past, I recommend you play 'Sea Koala Heart Breaks part 2' and put it on repeat.

What song was played during the first dance at your wedding? The song I played for my wife at our wedding was Boris Gardiner's reggae cover of 'You Make Me Feel Brand New'. It really just tells it like it is and I like how it sounds better than the original Stylistic's track. The song she played for me was Roberta Flack's 'The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face' both songs were the inspiration for making my last mix 'By The Power Vested In Me'

Who do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years? I think that Stevie Wonder is responsible for lots of setting up the mood for some baby making time!! It's fun and talks of serious love and nice things.

and finally, What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? Cheddar makes it better! I have a high tolerance for cheese so I don't mind riding into the danger zone with my bwoy Kenny Loggins, I Believe In Love, What a Fool Believes etc. I love dropping these right before The Goodfoot (club) closes down, you know it might be the ultimate ice breaker or tipping point if you are trying to go home with that person you've been dancing with. Plus Kenny lives where I live so i'm going to see if I can get a shoutout for my next mixtape. Haha!

Any parting words? I'd like to thank all the people who take things very seriously, you are my yang and make things much nicer for me and people like me... love and respect - DJ Magneto

DJ Neil Armstrong on love jams, fumbling with pantalones & crying to Lionel Richie tunes.

When he's not busy touring the world as a spokesperson for Adidas, DJing at exclusive parties & launches, making ridiculously good mixtapes* & sharing the stage with the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beyonce & Puff Daddy, nice guy and humble music fan Neil Armstrong is being a good sport and answering the Themes For Young Lovers questions.

*Be sure to check for his love themed mixtape joints - Warmfuzzy (Themes For Young Lovers All-Timer!), Smoove & Bittersweeet

Name - DJ Neil Armstrong

A/S/L - Older than I look/Male/NYC born and raised

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -

Debarge - I Like It


Lenny Williams - I Love You


Heatwave - Always Forever

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Ya know, come to think of it... I don’t really play music when that situation is going on?? I’m too busy fumbling with the pantalones....

What is your fave romantic film of all time? When Harry Met Sally, Or
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through?

Bittersweeet Audio Clip

Or if someone else has -

The Softies - Winter Pageant

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding?

Stevie Wonder - All I do

If you had to pick one artist or group, who’s music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years? Michael Jackson.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? I got a bunch of those ...

Journey - Open Arms


Ambrosia - Biggest Part Of Me


REO Speedwagon -I Can’t Fight This Feeling


Lionel Richie - Hello... sniff!

Bonus Vid - A Day In The Life Of Neil

Josie Styles Borrows a Cup Of Brown Sugar From Your Favourite Rapper's Favourite Rapper

I'm going to have a new partner in crime soon at the Themes For Young Lovers HQ.. helping me with content and adding a female touch around the place will be Josie Styles.

When I first approached Josie about helping me out with the blog she started running off at the mouth about all these BIG name artists that she was going to get onboard and at the time I was like 'yeah whatevs'... Well pass me a knife and fork so I can eat my words and make way for the first of hopefully many question sessions that Josie Styles will bring to the table - Maccy

Being one of the world's better cunninglinguists, I am not sure how may people would consider Talib Kweli Greene as a 'ladies man' (especially in comparison to his partner in Black Star rhyming, Mos Def). He only ever does one or 2 love joints per album eg Talk to You (lil darlin'), Never Been in Love, Brown Sugar (raw), Hot Thing and then waxes superb lyrical consciousness in his quicksilver-tongued style (sounds a bit porn related to me!) for the most part.

I was first taken by Kwe's sexy croons on "Brown Skin Lady" from the Black Star album. He came correct on that joint, with ill wordplay and vivid imagery, and of course, anyone who makes reference to Tony Rebel's "Fresh Vegetable" wins me over in a jiffy! "Coppertone? Oh you copyright infringement"!!!

Having spent a bit of time in the USA with Kweli, I can tell you folks that he really is a gentleman and has exceptional taste in music. This is reflected in the artists and producers he chooses to work with and the tunes he drops during his DJ sets (every MC wants to be a DJ right?!)

Aside from completing a relentless worldwide touring schedule, running the Blacksmith Music label (along with CEO Corey Smyth), and helping look after his two children, Talib recently 'rekindled' his Reflection Eternal partnership with producer Hi-Tek. In May 2010 they released RPM, the follow up album to the 2000 debut release Train of Thought. There's a 'love' jawn on that in the form of "Midnight Hour" with UK pop darling, Estelle. Peep the video below and check out Kweli's dapper threads, proving himself to be every bit the quintessential ladies man.

Oh, one thing (and I'm sorry ladies) I should have said before, Kweli is technically 'off the market' after marrying his fiance DJ EQUE last year... now for the saixxy time! - Josie Styles

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
Can I by Eddie Kendricks
Waiting In Van by Bob Marley
Sometimes by Bilal

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo?

What is your fave romantic film of all time?

Love and Basketball

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through?


What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding?
I Believe (When I Fall In Love) by Stevie Wonder

If you had to pick one artist or group, who’s music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years?

The Isley Brothers

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?

Loving You by Minnie Ripperton

Over the years Talib himself has layed down some killer themes for young lovers business, here are a few choice picks -

Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek) feat Estelle - Midnight Hour

Talib Kweli - Hot Thing

Black Star (Talib Kweli & Mos Def) - Brown Skin Lady

Bumpin' and Grindin' with Friction

DJ Friction is another artist who without actually knowing it has been contributing to this blog with his killer re-edits of funk & soul gems for the past little bit... see here & here.

With this being the case I thought it would be worth reaching out to him and letting him know that we were digging his work and also seeing if he'd be up for answering the Themes For questions and not only was he up for that, he also whipped up a tidy compilation of some of his go to slow jams from back in the day. Enjoy!

Name - Martin Welzer aka DJ Friction

A/S/L - 40 / Male / Germany

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -

Teddy Pendergrass - Come Go With Me
Isley Brothers - Groove With You
Heatwave - Star Of The Story

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Marvin Gaye - I Want You is always a winner i guess, same goes for Sade

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through?

The Five Stairsteps - Ooh Child

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? I hope i never have to go trough the traditional wedding BS. But it should be something to get the party started like Michael Jackson - Rock With You. If it was just me and my girl we would both wanna hear Teddy Pendergrass - Come Go With Me. That's our song. But at a party i would rather play it as the last song not the first.

If you had to pick one artist or group, who’s music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years? it's so hard to pick just one…my favs would be Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, Barry White, Al Green, Sade...

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? I don't know, i actually don't think it's cheesy as i love it so much but The Carpenters - (They Long To Be) Close To You

DJ Friction - the following mixtape is all 70's& 80's slow jams that i like and i haven't even touched Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, The Isleys and other usual suspects that i love too of course. It's not about mixing skills ether, just playing nice slow jams. Recording this reminded me of my teenager years in the 80's when me and my homies made similar tapes that we would play when we where alone with the girls...hahaha.
DJ Friction - For Lovers Only Mix by themes for young lovers

The Jams -

Tavares - Check It Out
Gap Band - Seasons No Reason To Change
One Way - Don't Stop
Alexander O'Neal - If You Where Here Tonight
SOS Band - Weekend Girl
Hall & Oates - She's Gone
Carl Carlton - This Feelin Is Rated X-Tra
Shalamar - You Can Count On Me
D-Train - You're The Reason
Surface - Shower Me With Your Love
Bill Withers - Make A Smile For Me
Tom Brock - There's Nothing In This World To Stop Me From Loving You
Barry White - Midnight And You
Herbie Hancock - Trust Me
Leon Haywood - Long As There's You

Turntabalist, Blend King & Total Cheeseball DJ Platurn Runs Us Through Some Of His Fave Love Tunes

I recently featured a nice little love themed blend with video to match by DJ Platurn of the world famous Oakland Faders and then thought to myself why not get him to come through and let us know some of his fave love jams and artists that create them by answering the Themes For Young Lovers questions and he was down for the cause! and it goes a little somethin' like this...

Name – DJ Platurn

A/S/L – 34, manly Oaklander - California

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo –

Rude Boys – Written All Over Your Face
Aaron Neville – Tell It Like It Is
Mint Condition - Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo?

Air - Moon Safari

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Lots of ‘em, but currently ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’. Next runner up would have to be ‘Scarface’.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Sigur Ros – Agaetis Byrjun

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? Emily King – U & I... love you Mich ;)

If you had to pick one artist or group, who’s music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years?

My generation Jodeci

80’s

Prince

70’sAl Green

60’s

Sam Cooke

50’s Ray Charles

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? Too many to name, but if I had to pick... Joe Satriani – Always With Me, Always With You

It's a little known fact, i’m a total cheeseball and not afraid to admit it. Mixtape Evidence

Here are a few Platurn bits & pieces to check out, starting off with a tidy little pissed off lover themed Janet Jackson bootleg with the 7" out now on Bstrd Boots. Cop it here

Your Dancing Feet Are Always On My Couch by Platurn

and lets pretend this is the male response to Janet's track! Platurn teams up with fellow Oakland Fader DJ Enki to form The Blend Kings and lay down this beats & breaks remix of the classic Hall & Oates joint I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)

"I Can't Go For That" (The Blend Kings Beats & Breaks Edit) from Platurn on Vimeo.

DJ Day Talks Jnr High Love Jams, Eloping, Pretty In Pink & Tunes That'll Have You Weeping Like a Baby

I was introduced to the sounds of DJ Day a few years ago by way of his debut album 'The Day Before'. The fact that it was released on one of my fave labels Melting Pot Music was enough for me to pick it up on spec and upon hearing it I wasn't disappointed. It came at a great time as it helped fill a gap in my instrumental hip hop collection that was left when DJ Shadow went hyphy (The Outsider) and RJD2 got behind the mic and did the indie thing (The Third Hand).

Since the release of his debut, Day has gone on to produce some great remixes of Marvin Gaye, People Under The Stairs and Erykah Badu (see below) to name a few, run a great blog - Like a Throttle as well as tour the world with fellow west coast producer DJ Exile, showing off their amazing MPC skills

Day recently took time out from all this busyness as well as working on new business for his eagerly awaited follow up album to answer the Themes For Young Lovers questions, and here it is!

Who & where? - DJ Day, Palm Springs, California

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -

Off the top from past mixtapes, I'd say:

King Crimson - Cadence and Cascade
Outkast - Prototype
Stereolab - The Flower Called Nowhere

I could (and should) make a whole mix of joints, cause there are far too many to name just 3, here's a bonus Jr. High 3: Surface "Shower Me With Your Love", Whistle "Always and Forever" and The Deele "Two Occasions"

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo?

Marvin Gaye I Want You. Solid all the way through. I have a story to go along with this, but it's not fit to print unless I want to end up living alone in a studio apartment.

What is your fave romantic film of all time?

I'm honestly not a big movie dude, but I'd have to go with Pretty In Pink. Who hasn't been Ducky?

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song/album that you play to ease the pain and get you through?

John Coltrane Ballads.

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding?

We eloped to Vegas to escape all this kind of schitt, but if I had to choose, I'd go with the classic "Ribbon In The Sky" (Stevie Wonder). It would probably make me weep like a baby at my own wedding, but it gets no better.

Who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye?

That's a tough one for sure (where's The Isley Brothers?), but I'd have to go with Marvin on sheer personal experience.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?

Personally, I don't think they're cheesy, but Todd Rundgren's "Hello It's Me" or Ambrosia's "That's How Much I Feel" are neck and neck. I actually got on the mic and sang Ambrosia while I was DJing a few weeks ago. That's how much I feel.

Erykah Badu - Honey (DJ Day Remix)

Just B.Cause

Check my web history and in amongst Facebook, Twitter, eBay and various adult sites you'll find another site which i visit on the regular called Diamonds In The Dust it's easily one of my favourite blogs as it never fails to deliver something new (not too mention exclusive) for my ears every single time i stop by.

The man behind it all has been high on my list of people to get to answer the Themes For Young Lovers questions for a while now and he recently took the time out to do so.

Name - DJ B.Cause

A/S/L - 39, Male , San Francisco

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
Etta James - Anything To Say You're Mine
Aretha Franklin - Call Me
Barbara Mason - Yes, I'm Ready

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP or song goes on the stereo?
Leroy Hutson - Hutson II (a-side!)

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Hard to choose one but either Amelie, Annie Hall or The Princess Bride

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or record that you play to ease the pain and get you through? I like to listen to tortured ballads when I'm busted up as they help to expel the sad feelings, so something like Otis Redding's "Pain In My Heart" would probably be in the list. Actually though, I like to listen to tortured ballads all the time! Dionne Warwick's "You're Gonna Need Me" might be the move for simple vindictive satisfaction, haha.

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? Kwick - Let This Moment Be Forever (below) or the Etta James track listed above

Who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye? Smokey Robinson?

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?
Stacey Q - Two Of Hearts - cheesy perhaps, but no guilty feelings here!


Make sure to swing past B.Cause's blog and load yourself up with all the remixes, blends and edits he's whipped up. For a few on the love themed tip be sure to check here, here and here.

DJ Eleven Pours The Courvoisier, Lays Down The Bear Skin Rug and Talks Love Tunes.

You know it's a good day when one of the world's illest party and mixtape DJs - DJ Eleven tells you he's down for taking some time out from a hectic schedule to answer a few silly questions for your blog and that's exactly what we have here.

When he's not jet setting around the world or DJing at exclusive parties that you and I will never be on the guest list for i.e. Scarlett Johansson's 21st and Playboy gatherings, he's busy keeping dance floors packed in and around New York City as a member of The Rub DJ Collective (along with DJ Ayres & Cosmo Baker) and more recently he's stepped up his production game with a killer EP that really shows he's spent a lot of time in clubs taking note of what works as it's dancefloor gold! Click on the below pic for a sneak peek and try keeping still!

And now on to the question session!

Name – DJ Eleven

Location – Brooklyn Son! Originally from Oakland CA

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo –
Leon Haywood “I Want’a Do Something Freaky To You”
Pharoahe Monch “The Light”
Ryan Leslie “Rescue U”
and the honorable mention goes to John Legend “Refuge (When It’s Cold Outside)”

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? LPs take way too many trips up off the bear skin rug to flip sides, so I’d put on my playlist of the 60 greatest Bill Withers songs and lay back. Or Darondo’s “Didn’t I” on repeat.

What is your fave romantic film of all time? By far, without question, “The Mack”.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Anthony Hamilton’s ”Comin’ From Where I’m From” album has probably gotten more run than any other record in those times. I love the record because he was able to touch on super deep despair, but still turn around and leave me feeling hopeful at the end.

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? One of my great hopes in life is to never do the traditional wedding mess. But at the party to celebrate the wedding we’d eloped to Bahamas for, we would walk in to The Impression’s “Love Me”. Or “The Theme from Shaft”.

If you had to pick one artist or group, whose music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years? Man, that’s such a generational thing… For folks of my generation, Barry White. For other generations, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Sade, R Kelly, and for the kids born next year, Trey Songz.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?
A week or so ago, I caught myself admitting to my girl that I really love Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Loved” a LOT! Needless to say, she wasn’t impressed.

BONUS! Eleven was nice enough to pass on this little edit he did for you and yours!

Sunny (DJ Eleven Edit) - Bobby Hebb Listen/Download

O-Dub Talks Love Jams, Sans Music Weddings and Nora Ephron Rom-Coms.

When I first started making a wish list of people to answer the Themes For Young Lovers questions, music journalist, scholar and DJ Oliver Wang aka O-Dub was one of the first names I wrote down as someone who I had to have answer them.

I've been a fan of his for ages thanks to his ridiculously good DJ mixes and more recently his Soul Sides blog which has introduced me to more amazing music than I can even remember over the past few years.

So when I got in touch with him recently and he said he was down to answer the Q's I expected school to be in session with well thought out answers and as you read on you'll quickly see he didn't disappoint!

Name - Oliver Wang

A/S/L - 37/M/Los Angeles

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - OK, so I’m probably way over answering all these questions but I have start off by saying that much as I love “love songs” as a loose genre, when it comes to my personal associations with love/romance/heartbreak and music, everything becomes audio-biographical and as someone who usually tries to talk about music through more of a curatorial perspective, all that pretty much goes out of the window. To put it another way, all three of these songs I included have much more to do with how they’ve been markers in my own life than any kind of “no-brainer recommendations” I’d give to some random person. I mean, if you’re making a mixtape for someone, ultimately, you should pick songs that first and foremost, say something to you before you can hope to have them say something to anyone else.

In any case, I’ll probably surprise some people by not including any soul songs here. In fact, I’m surprising myself by that fact.

1. Joni Mitchell: “All I Want” from Blue. My now-wife turned me onto Joni when we were merely friends but so much of what’s said in “All I Want” captured my sentiments during the time we were transitioning to being “more than.”

What it says to include it on a mixtape: “Hey baby, I’m slightly crunchy, left-leaning, like reading books and newspapers. I have good taste in the classics and don’t trust today’s singer/songwriters because they’re not as clever as Joni. I keep my sentimentality on the d.l. but “All I Want” is perfect because it’s happy, folksy pop won’t be confused with the schmaltz of a power ballad.”

2. Duke Ellington and John Coltrane: In a Sentimental Mood from Duke Ellington and John Coltrane. The gold standard in romantic jazz standards.

What it says to include it on a mixtape: “The inherent melancholy of this song reveals an emotional depth that you perhaps were not aware of when we were flirting at the bar last weekend. I too, like you, have been wounded and you will want to be with me in order to unravel my shrouded past of heartbreak that you will then try to heal.”

3. King Pleasure: Moody’s Mood For Love. My affection for this song predates ever having actually been in love and there’s an innocence in its sentiment that one can only really appreciate at an age where you’re imagining what being “in love” feels like without having actually gotten there.

What it says to include it on a mixtape: “I like Nora Ephron rom-coms too.”

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the Dom Perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? I seriously gave this some thought and to be honest, I’ve never used music as a seduction ritual. I figure those situations are about taking things OFF, not putting things on. But hell, I guess if I were going to try to pull a move like that off, you can’t tell me that Sade’s Lovers Rock would fail, as far as a single album would go.

What is your fave romantic film of all time? This changes as I get older but the last film that I felt really nailed it for me was probably Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. But that feels a bit too “early 30s” for me; I don’t know if I’ve found something that I can connect to now though.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? John Coltrane: “Naima” from Giant Steps. Practically any Coltrane ballad seems cosmically tuned into the resonant frequency of heartache.

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? Unbelievably, I had no music, at all, at my wedding. It wasn’t a conventional ceremony or reception and it just never occurred to either my wife or myself that we should have music. Later on, some of my friends pointed this out and I thought, “oh yeah, I guess that would have made sense” but we loved our wedding even sans music. That said, I turned to my wife and asked, “so what would our first dance song have been?” between the two of us, we decided that we probably would have gone with something seemingly anti-sentimental yet secretly romantic like Rufus Wainwright’s “My Phone’s On Vibrate For You” from Want One.

If you had to pick one artist or group, who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the worlds population over the years? Marvin Gaye with “Let’s Get It On,” no question. When I used to do a college radio show on KALX in Berkeley back in the ‘90s, an acquaintance of mine would call to request this song so he could get his mack on.



and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? I don’t think any song you enjoy should ever be something to feel sheepish about. But if I had to pick a song that seems hopelessly out of fashion today, I’d probably roll with Huey Lewis and the News’: “Do You Believe In Love” Awesome hook. This is one Zooey Deschanel rom-com soundtrack away from redemption.

For further reading be sure to check Oliver's published works archives and as I mentioned earlier if you haven't already visited his audioblog Soul Sides do NOT pass go, do NOT collect $200...

I Like Pants

Stones Throw recording artist James Pants' style is hard to define, with his music taking in elements of 80’s Soul, Electro Boogie, Early Rap, New Wave, & Post-Punk Disco he's managed to create a unique and fresh sound that has one foot in the past and one stepping forward into the future.

I got at James via email recently and although he's a busy man he was nice enough to find time to roll out some quick answers to the Themes For Young Lovers questions...

Name – James Pants

Location – Spokane, Washington

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - Kleeer – Take Your Heart Away, Maggotron – Pillow Talkin' Baby, Shocking Blue – Love Buzz

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Iasos – Inter Dimensional Music

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Oh man... I should ask my wife. I haven't seen enough. Anything with Jane Birkin in it?

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Bathory - S/T

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? First dance? Peanut Butter Wolf played our wedding. I think he played EPMD.

If you had to pick one artist or group, who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the worlds population over the years? Definitely Sade or Julee Cruise.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? Atlantic Starr – All In The Name of Love

Coming To You, On a Dusty Road...

Raer records?.. he's got a truckload!

He's a crate digging/mixtape making/DJ/Producer/Emcee who goes by a few different names; The Soulman when he's on the ones & twos, Phill Most Chill when rockin' the m.i.c and Phill Stroman on the credit card he uses to buy obscure records you've never even heard of.

Responsible for some of my fave mixes of all time like 'Neva Stop Diggin' and 'Drugs', he was definitely high on the list of people I wanted to ask the Themes For Young Lovers questions and not only did he come through with the answers he also had a love themed mix ready to go that you can download below!

Be sure to swing by his website and bookmark that bad boy as he puts up mixes and other great content on the reg but in the meantime read on...

Name -
Phill Stroman aka THE SOULMAN (also aka Phill Most Chill)

Hometown -
Living in Philadelphia

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
Marvin Gaye "Come Live With Me Angel"
Joe Bataan "You're Driving Me Right Out Of My Mind"
Steve Parks "Still Thinking Of You"
There are a million of them, really... Marvin has a bunch of them by himself. But the gun's to my head and I gotta pick three, so there you go.

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Something by Curtis Mayfield or Leroy Hutson would be cool... sheeeiiit, I'd like to be able to put on a Vashti Bunyan album. But for real? As the grown African American gentleman that I am, the business would be either of the two Kem albums. Works everytime like Billy Dee armed with two forties of Colt 45. But if I ever ran across a female who was feelin' Jon Lucien's "World Of Joy" on a deep level my wife might be in trouble (just kidding if you're reading this, baby... put on the Kem cd, I'll be upstairs in a minute).

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Uhhh... maybe Truck Turner? The scene where Isaac Hayes picks up his girl from prison and buys her a six pack and a two-piece from KFC then screws her to "You're In My Arms Again" is a classic moment of movie romance for sure.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Never really experienced that in the way you probably mean, but oddly enough the song "If This Ain't Love" by Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators got me through a very rough little patch in my life a little while ago. That song goes a little bit beyond just one-on-one love and takes it to a more familial space, which hits home a little more for a family man such as myself. Definitely touched me and gave me some comfort. Also kind of made me realize I had a lot to be thankful for, because I honestly haven't had a whole lot of rough patches in my life, not that affected me to the point where I needed a song or something or somebody else to help me get through it. I'm pretty lucky in that respect, I guess.
　
What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? Didn't do any of that at my wedding... jeez, this is some schitt my wife should really answer, not me. I don't know, she might want something by Maxwell. Me, maybe I'd go with Marvin's "Distant Lover". Would that be appropriate for a wedding? I have no idea. I had a drive through wedding- take a number, get hitched, take some pictures, go home. Worked for us.

If you had to pick one artist or group, who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the worlds population over the years? Probably Luther Vandross. Maybe the Isley Brothers, but Luther had some real baby makers. His version of "House Is Not A Home"... whew. Brings back memories.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? I like a lot of 70's lite rock... that stuff ain't cheesy to me, but a lot of people would probably see it that way. To me cheesy is the Disney movie love themes by Peter Cetera or Celine Dion or whoever sings that stuff. "Superstar" by the Carpenters isn't cheesy at all to me. Carly Simon's "That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" is great, Hall & Oates "Sara Smile", The Eagles "I Can't Tell You Why"... dog, I can go on and on with this schitt.

Lovers & Friends - Soulman Listen/Download

Learnalilgivinanlovin.

Singer/songwriter/drummer/all round nice guy Wally De Backer is one helluva talented man. He took the Australian music scene by storm in 2006 with his incredible sophmore album Like Drawing Blood which he released under his Gotye (“gore-ti-yeah”) moniker and went on to win enough awards to fill up the family pool room including Best Male Artist at the Aria awards, definitely no small feat for a 'bedroom' producer.

3 and a bit years down the track and Wally has just announced that he'll be releasing a 3rd studio/bedroom/barn album and that news will have alot of kids, including myself very excited.

I was lucky enough to get Wally to answer the Themes For Young Lovers questions by way of a dodgy dial up internet connection somewhere in regional Australia whilst on tour with his other band The Basics

Below you'll find some of the best/funniest answers to the questions yet and I don't think there'd be a girl alive who wouldn't be over the moon to receive his 'Mixed Messages' tape.


Name - Wally De Backer aka Gotye

A/S/L - 29/M/Melbourne

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - Kate Bush- Cloudbusting, Iron and Wine- Naked As We Came & Geto Boys- This Dick Is For You. I'd call the tape "Mixed Messages"

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP or song goes on the stereo? Joan As Policewoman's "Real Life". Such a sexy record

What is your fave romantic film of all time? I think Edward Scissorhands is the most romantic film ever

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or record that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Hmmmm....for wallowing: Kate Bush's Hounds Of Love. For getting back up: The Beatles' Abbey Road

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? Something I can dance to....probably Joe Dolce's "Shaddapa You Face"

Who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye? Marvin Gaye, definitely. Heavy D and the Boyz would give him a good run for his money though

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? In My Pants- The Reddings. It's more direct than Wind Beneath My Wings.

Gotye- Learnalilgivinanlovin from Gotye on Vimeo.

Gotye- Hearts A Mess from Gotye on Vimeo.

Bringin' The Ruckus No Doubt

One of my fave records from a few years ago was Ruckus Roboticus' Playing With Scratches, an amazing cut & paste affair loaded with samples from childrens records and tasty beats which sort of had an Entroducing..... for kids vibe about it. As with all the artists that have featured on this blog Ruckus is someone who's work I love and who's brain I wanted to pick in regards to what were some of his go to love jams.

I managed to get a hold of the man himself who kindly took some time out from working on new tunes, making mixes (check his latest Daft Punk inspired mix) and remixing other artists (Vampire Weekend, Bloc Party, Killa Queenz amongst others) to throw down some answers to the Themes For Young Lovers questions.

Name - Ruckus Roboticus

A/S/L - 28, Male, Ohio (U.S.A.)

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
1. The Knife "Heartbeats"
2. White Stripes "We Are Gonna Be Friends"
3. Daft Punk "Something About Us" (... only if it was a VERY SPECIAL girl!)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Only one? ... I suppose any of the Portishead LP's are money.

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Shit, I have entire mixes devoted towards healing a broken heart! I suppose my two favorite songs to lift spirits are Mos Def -"Umi Says" and William DeVaughn "Be Thankful".

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? 'Twas "Spit On A Stranger" by Pavement. I know the title is not romantic, but the lyrics are, and it's a sentimental song for my wife & I.

Who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye? Hmmm.... Al Green.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?
Again, it's hard to pick just one. I like a lot of cheesey music! Two of my favorite are INXS - "Never Tear Us Apart", and 10CC - "I'm Not In Love". Both have seriously amazing song-writing ... and the production on the 10CC track -- ridiculous!

From Huwston With Love

"Australia's answer to Gilles Peterson" That's what I like to call my good friend Huw Ellis. As someone that's spent years around music from his days working for some of Australia's best indie record labels to DJing to running his own amazing label Knowfool as well as writing a column and interviewing all the right people in one of Sydney's longest running dance publications 3d World and more recently shining as a radio presenter with his show Soul Glow on 2ser he does an incredible job of opening peoples ears to 'good music' hence the 'Gilles' tag I've given him.

With all this on his plate it's a wonder he has any spare time to scratch himself let alone return my calls so I was especially stoked when he said he'd take the time to whip up a mix and answer the Themes For Young Lovers questions for the blog.

So without further ado heeeere we go...

Name - Huw Ellis aka Huwston

A/S/L - 27 / Male / Newtown, Sydney, Australia

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
Al Green - Love & Happiness (Shoes Edit)
Natural Four – Try Love Again
Kylie Auldist – Never Did I Ever Stop Loving You
(funnily enough none of these made the cut today but I started the Q & A before I did the mix and this is just where I was at on an overcast Sunday afternoon)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Erykah Badu – Worldwide Underground (but you gotta program out the Latifah joint at the end). I Included her and Common’s tribute to Hip Hop on the mix because it’s nice like that and that woman is gonna have one talented family. You see – music really does bring people together!

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – so bittersweet. Gets me every time. And I could only bring myself to see it once. A modern masterpiece.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Lonely Soul – Unkle feat Richard Ashcroft – really evokes the tears, especially when the strings come in – POW! That’s the DJ Shadow influence. I steer as far away from anything by Unkle after that album. Yuck. But this is a love blog and now I’ve gone all negative...

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? Good question, so many to choose from, really have to go with a joint choice here and should bring in the missus on this one. I DJ a lot of weddings and there are some terrible choices, mostly really obvious ones, too. Maybe ‘Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing’ by Marvin and Tammi. Best duo ever?

Who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye? Marvin, no doubt. Everyone (meaning rich white people) only knows ‘Let’s Stay Together’ by Al Green and that Barry White is ‘that guy with the deep voice’ but I think Marvin infiltrated popular culture from early on and kept building. But I gotta give a shout out to ?uestlove – his productions or drums or whatever appear like half a dozen times on my mix!!!

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? Sting is a very guilty pleasure cos he comes off as such a knob in interviews. Had to drop ?uesto and James Poyser’s cover of ‘Be Still My Beating Heart’ on the mix. The guys is an incredible songwriter, in all fairness.

Themes For Young Lovers blog mix - From Huwston With Love by Knowfoowl

Tracklisting -

Stanley Clarke – Slow Dance
7 Samurai – Without Luv
James Mason – I Want Your Love
Mos Def – Ms Phat Booty (Pure P Mix)
Erykah Badu feat Common – Love of my Life
Joss Stone – Fell In Love With A Boy
Dwele – If You Want To The
Randy Watson Experience – Be Still My Beating Heart
DJ Mitsu The Beats feat Jose James – Promise In Love
Freddie & Linn – Live For Love
Sa Ra Creative Partners – The Bone Song
Final Solution – I’m Ready For Love
As One feat Paul Randolph – I Love You
D’Angelo – Feel Like Making Love
Al Green – What More Do You Want From Me
Amy Winehouse – Love Is A Losing Game
The Four Tops – Your Love Is Amazing
Raphael Saadiq – Love That Girl
Marvin Gaye – I Want You
Floating Points – Love Me (Like This)
Donna Summer – Love To Love You Baby (Frico Edit)
Al Hudson & The Soul Partners - Spread Love
Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes – The Love I Lost (DJ Asparagus edit)
Jose James – Love (Ben Westbeech Remix)
The Foreign Exchange feat Yahzarah – If This Is Love
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Prayer
Mayer Hawthorne – Green Eyed Love (Waajeed Remix)