August’s Beats & Burn mix encapsulates everything we’re feeling in the dog days of Summer. With the bounty of sunshine and lazy days, we’re reminded of the imminent changing season when darkness falls earlier in the evenings and a there’s a nip in the air. This weekend’s solar eclipse exemplifies this theme of light and dark, so whether you're luxuriating in the last moments of Summer sun or knee-deep in preparation for a busy Fall, stream this mix and remember that light and dark really can exist in harmony.
Cover Art by Chris Hornbecker.
This is the 20th volume of our monthly Beats & Burn series, a collaboration with Portland's local, independent radio station XRAY.fm.
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Playlist by Tanya Smith / Hot Fudge Sundazzze
“August to me is summertime heat, easy tunes and lazy livin'. This playlist was inspired by "Lazy Livin", a track by the band 'The New Tweedy Brothers' from 1966. I wanted a playlist that would be easy on the ears, playful, and all around great music. You will hear lightness, psych-ness, and a touch of darkness throughout.”
More about Tanya:
Tanya Smith is the host of Hot Fudge Sundazzze on Sundays from 2-4pm on XRAY.FM. She is a proud founding XRAY DJ who uses this awesome outlet to explore new and old music - then share it with other lovers of music. She was a college DJ back in the day, worked at record stores, played in a bunch of bands, and now she is a mama who's world is in film and animation. She also highly respects weirdness and individuality.
Twitter: @HotFudgeSundazz
Cover art by Chris Hornbecker / hornbeckerphoto.com / @hornbecker
“This image reminds me of the youthful excitement of adventure. The discovery when you finally get summer in full swing and get to explore and get the most of the long days. This was a great scene, watching young kids cautiously surveying the different rocks to jump off of as they build the courage to go for it. Watching my own kids pick their routes to get the top of the biggest rocks they can find. The growth in all these little steps forward in the constant progression of life and how to enjoy it.”
More about Chris:
“Growing up in Portland (and) obsessed with skateboarding, I began shooting photos with my dad’s camera, capturing my friends skateboarding. I studied photography in a largely organic way, working on set with award winning photographers around the world before launching my own career as a commercial and editorial photographer. I like to find the moments that feel natural and let the viewer connect with the subject in a way that feels like you know them; a small glimpse into their personality. I like to look for the expected angle then go the opposite direction, find the rough edges, and figure out how to show those in good light.
I've been working on some ongoing personal photo projects, updating images on my site, some fun commercial projects, welding, sewing, building out my van and lots of mountain biking. (I’m most excited about) trying to see old places with new eyes. I think we all have an inherent intuition to go to places that satisfy our curious nature… remember that you need to stop and put the camera down and just enjoy the moment you are in.”
Follow along with Chris’ van adventures on Instagram @maxheadr00m