These mixtapes are inspired by everything from the shows we've been binging to the coffee shops where we've been camping out with our laptops. You'll find a delightful mix of new discoveries, tracks that are new to us, and those beloved classics that never seem to lose their magic. Consider this our musical journal, a little window into what's been inspiring us lately.

Sometimes these monthly mixtapes emerge from deep reflection on lessons learned. Other times they're born from pure silliness — a single moment that burrows into your brain and refuses to leave.

This month falls squarely in the latter category, thanks to my complete obsession with The Lonely Island & Seth Meyers podcast. When I'm not listening to them dissect each digital short while working, I've been deep in post-production on my own upcoming podcast. There's something beautifully nostalgic about their conversations — it takes me back to when SNL hit hardest for me, when those shorts felt so revolutionary, like pure genius beamed directly into my brain. Truly “an Golden Era.”

Ras Trent has always been Criterion-level comedy for me. We all went to college with THAT dude who discovered Rastafarianism during freshman orientation and made it his entire personality by October. The podcast's breakdown of how they created it only deepened my appreciation for what might be their most perfectly observed character study.

I caught recent Tony winner Cole Escola in Oh Mary! during a trip to New York — a show so gloriously unhinged it defies description. One review captured it perfectly: "a work of sheer idiocy and urgent necessity" that transforms Mary Todd Lincoln into an alcoholic, foul-mouthed comedy queen desperate to escape the White House for her true calling on the stage. It's absolutely absurd and completely brilliant. A favorite Belle & Sebastian song made it onto this playlist thanks to its wild inclusion in the show (spoilers for the Aughts indie kid crowd.)

One standout discovery from that same New York trip came during a Chelsea Symphony concert where my brother had a solo performance. John Psathas' The All-Seeing Sky was inspired by Greek mythology, but it struck me as pure science fiction. Marimbas and vibraphones are some of my favorite tones — I feel them in my bones. They transport me to another planet, which probably explains why they sound so wonderfully sci-fi to my ears.

So here's to the supremely silly obsessions and the cosmic discoveries that shape our months. Embrace whatever weird rabbit hole is calling your name. #QuaidArmy

This mixtape send you down a rabbit hole? Explore past June playlists: 2024 • 2023 • 2022

These mixtapes are inspired by everything from the shows we've been binging to the coffee shops where we've been camping out with our laptops. You'll find a delightful mix of new discoveries, tracks that are new to us, and those beloved classics that never seem to lose their magic. Consider this our musical journal, a little window into what's been inspiring us lately.

Sometimes nature delivers the most unexpected teachers. 

I stepped onto my back deck one early afternoon this month, ready for a quiet moment, only to discover I was sharing my space with 10,000 uninvited guests. 

Bees. Everywhere. 

Not the chaotic, panicked kind of swarming you might imagine, but something more purposeful — they were gathering, organizing, preparing for something bigger.

At first, it was overwhelming. The air thick with movement, the sound a nervous roar, like the all-consuming, ever-increasing volume of Hans Zimmer's droning in The Dark Knight. But as I watched, mesmerized, I began to understand what I was witnessing: swarm intelligence in action. When a hive grows too large, the colony makes an extraordinary collective decision to divide. A new queen emerges, and thousands of bees surround her in protective formation, searching for their new home together. It's collaboration born from abundance, not scarcity.

After some quick research, I reached out to the Alameda County Beekeepers Association — a volunteer organization that rescues exactly these kinds of "rogue" swarms. Within hours, a volunteer beekeeper arrived with poles, brood comb, and bucket, scaling my tree to safely relocate the entire colony to their new beginning. Here's the remarkable rescue in action.

There's something profound about witnessing thousands of individual beings move as one organism, each playing their part in a larger purpose. It reminded me why collective harmony resonates so deeply in music — and partially why this month's playlist leans heavily into supremely chill, contemplative sounds that mirror that sense of flow and unity.

Most of these tracks were curated during a Southern California road trip, where I caught Devo at Cruel World fest and stepped into a galaxy far, far away at Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge. Ironically, neither of those experiences directly inspired the music here. Instead, the playlist captures the meditative headspace of long drives, basking in the extended golden hour of longer days, and quiet moments between destinations.

This mixtape hit the sweet spot? Explore the hive of past May playlists: 2024 • 2023 • 2022

These mixtapes are inspired by everything from the shows we've been binging to the coffee shops where we've been camping out with our laptops. You'll find a delightful mix of new discoveries, tracks that are new to us, and those beloved classics that never seem to lose their magic. Consider this our musical journal, a little window into what's been inspiring us lately.

I'm loving this unexpected benefit of sharing my monthly playlists — so many of y’all have been sending your own mixes my way! It's like we've created this beautiful music exchange program that's constantly introducing me to artists and tracks I might have otherwise missed. Keep ‘em coming!

Have you ever noticed how certain bands seem to follow you through life? I had to laugh when I realized Weezer has appeared on my last three playlists, especially considering I haven't actually listened to any of their new albums since 2014. Yet somehow, they keep finding their way back into my rotation. This time, it’s inspired by the news that Keanu Reeves has been cast as the villain in their upcoming mockumentary-style movie. It's being described as a cross between Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story — essentially a nexus point of everything I love. And there I go down the rabbit hole again.

There's this specific sound in many Weezer songs that hits my nostalgia center with laser precision. You can hear it on “I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams” — that wailing, distorted Moog synthesizer is my sonic signature. It's a siren call that makes me instantly fall head-over-heels with any artist who employs it. This month, I've been revisiting other bands that capture that Weezer-adjacent feeling — check out Ozma and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin on this playlist for that vibe.

Sometimes I wonder if we ever really escape our formative musical influences, or if they're just constantly recycling through our lives in new forms. Maybe that's not such a bad thing. After all, It was a big part in crafting the theme of my upcoming podcast. This month, a dear friend helped me develop the aural identity for the pod. As music is such a key influence on my work, we wanted to create something that genuinely reflects my personal tastes while still capturing the tone and content of the show. I can’t wait to share it with you this summer!

Let me take you through the shows and films that have been scoring my April — as always, they've contributed quite a few gems to this month's playlist.

The White Lotus: I went on a complete binge, devouring the first two seasons so I could watch the latest season live and join the cultural conversation. While many complained this season was weaker than previous seasons, I think the exploration of spiritual tourism and the quest for self through Eastern religious practices added this rich layer of depth to the show. 

Freaky Tales: What a way to celebrate my first year in Oakland! Set in 1987 Oakland, the film celebrates the city and features the historic Grand Lake Theatre — the very first movie theater I ever visited in Oakland. I made a point to see it there, surrounded by a crowd that erupted in cheers throughout the screening. The Tarantino influence is unmistakable — it draws from both Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill in the best ways. Sure, it's a bit unpolished around the edges, but it takes these bold stylistic swings that I absolutely loved. Plus, unexpectedly hearing one of my favorite Public Image Ltd songs used (“The Order of Death”) brought me hella joy.

Andor: After two years of anticipation, the continuation of Cassian Andor’s rebel journey is finally back. I did a complete rewatch leading up to the premiere and have been thoroughly enjoying the first three episodes. Composer Brandon Roberts deserves special recognition for how wonderfully he's expanded upon Nicholas Britell's original score from the first season. “Niamos!” from season 1 was excellently remixed in this season’s “Brasso” – both on this month's playlist.

This mixtape put you on a nostalgia loop? Get lost in past April playlists: 2024 • 2023 • 2022

These mixtapes are inspired by everything from the shows we've been binging to the coffee shops where we've been camping out with our laptops. You'll find a delightful mix of new discoveries, tracks that are new to us, and those beloved classics that never seem to lose their magic. Consider this our musical journal, a little window into what's been inspiring us lately.

After a month of recovery, I'm nearly back to movement as normal. Being mobile again means I've returned to my kitchen, and not just to cook for myself. My neighbors just welcomed a baby boy into their lives, and I wanted to make sure they came home from the hospital to a fridge stocked with days of home-cooked goodness: savory vegan cottage pie, crispy baked tofu, roasted Japanese sweet potatoes. (Shoutout to Balanced With Becks, who completely transformed my relationship with food last summer and helped me fall head over heels for vegetables!)

I feel nourished, and not just from eating and providing good food. Which got me thinking – how else do we fill our cups?

I've been feeding my soul by reconnecting with friends eager to hear about my surgery and recovery. There's something replenishing about being truly seen. I've also been intentional about following through on plans with new acquaintances. Those early conversations where you're just beginning to unfold each other's stories feel like a special kind of nourishment.

My media consumption has evolved into something more deliberately nourishing too. TV episode analysis podcasts have become a regular part of my diet – House of R and The Prestige TV Podcast are particular favorites. (A 3-hour deep dive into a single episode of Star Wars television? Shut up and take my High Republic credits!)

In our post-monoculture world, these discussions replace the missing watercooler moments – especially valuable when you work solo. I enjoy media so much more when I can study it rather than just mindlessly consume. It's like savoring a thoughtfully crafted tasting menu instead of mechanically munching on stale popcorn. Listening to deep dives following each episode of Severance’s latest season created a richer experience.

Speaking of Severance, Song Exploder interviewed Theodore Shapiro about creating the show's haunting theme. By complete coincidence, I watched Coppola's The Conversation for the first time (honoring Gene Hackman's passing) and noticed similarities to the Severance theme that weren't mentioned in the podcast. Prestige TV pointed me toward Lemon Jelly's "In The Bath" for another Severance musical connection. These layers of discovery feel like finding hidden treasures, like a concealed note behind a breakroom motivational poster. (Hang in there, Innies!)

My long drives to post-surgery check-ups were an opportunity to dive into another podcast favorite: 60 Songs That Explain The 90s: The 2000s. This month's listens gave me fresh context for M.I.A. and confirmed what I've always known: System of a Down's "Chop Suey!" does and will forever slap. Another rediscovery: Bong Joon-Ho’s highly anticipated Mickey 17 had an Elliott Smith needle drop that transported me right back to high school.

When I'm not filling my cup in these various ways, everything feels disconnected. I'm not bringing my whole self to my work or to my relationships with clients and collaborators. Independent consulting work can be isolating enough without cutting yourself off from fresh ideas and perspectives. Without that constant influx of new experiences, creativity withers.

Meaningful connections are the foundation of a fulfilling life, whether those connections are with the media we consume, the relationships we nurture, or even the food we put into our bodies. What does nourishment mean for you?

Devoured this mixtape? Dig in to past March playlists: 2024 • 2023 • 2022

How do you capture the feeling of a perfect curl day in a logo? Our latest case study with Portland Curl Room explores the journey from a difficult-to-read DIY creation to refined branding that perfectly positions this curl specialist in Portland's competitive beauty market. This project reminded us why we love that sweet spot between authenticity and polish when working with passionate entrepreneurs.

Read the full case study to see how thoughtful typography, color selection, and flexible logo design transformed the trans-owned salon’s visual identity while honoring the inclusive, affirming vision its founder had for her business.

These mixtapes are inspired by everything from the shows we've been binging to the coffee shops where we've been camping out with our laptops. You'll find a delightful mix of new discoveries, tracks that are new to us (how did we miss these gems?), and those beloved classics that never seem to lose their magic. Consider this our musical journal, a little window into what's been inspiring us lately.

I was absolutely certain this month's mixtape would be the thinnest one yet. With a major surgery scheduled and February dedicated to recovery, I figured my musical horizons would be pretty limited.

WRONG.

It turns out recovery time is perfect for catching up on shows and movies, which led to an unexpected wealth of musical discoveries. While many of the films I watched featured traditional scores rather than contemporary music, binging The Bear and diving into SNL's musical history provided plenty of inspiration.

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music - Can we talk about Questlove for a moment? The man is a creative genius – check out his book Creative Quest if you need convincing. That intro mashup had me legit getting chills. More than the anniversary special or the Homecoming concert, this documentary rekindled what SNL meant to me growing up. Remember that electric feeling of seeing your favorite band on that legendary 8H stage? Or discovering an artist for the first time and having your mind blown? This special reminded me of when tuning in wasn't just something I did – it was something I lived for.

The Bear - Here's a fun industry tidbit: To keep costs down, Christopher Storer and Josh Senior (the creative masterminds behind this intense culinary dramedy) handle the music supervision themselves. The result? A soundtrack unlike anything else on television. After the emotional rollercoaster of Season 2's "Fishes" episode, ending with that deep-cut Weezer track was exactly the emotional release I needed. (Reader, I laughed so hard from the whiplash I nearly burst a stitch.) While Season 3 might not have hit the heights of previous seasons IMO, the Nine Inch Nails instrumental tracks (especially the premiere looping the same Ghosts track, Together), REM, and yes, more Weezer, were bright spots throughout.

Valley Girl - Let's be honest: Not the greatest film, but the soundtrack? Absolute fire. Two Sparks songs!? 😍 Almost made up for the disappointment of never seeing Nic Cage wear that iconic outfit from the movie poster. Almost.

Dig this mixtape? Check out past February playlists: 2024 • 2023 • 2022

How do you transform an author-illustrator's vision into a market-ready children's series? Our latest case study breaks down our collaboration with Jon Upton, from establishing publication timelines to creating flexible design systems that will grow with the series. The result is the foundation for an entire series that captures the energy of Saturday morning cartoons for readers aged 7-12. Read the full case study to see how we did it.

These mixtapes are inspired by everything from the shows we've been binging to the coffee shops where we've been camping out with our laptops. You'll find a delightful mix of new discoveries, tracks that are new to us (how did we miss these gems?), and those beloved classics that never seem to lose their magic. Consider this our musical journal, a little window into what's been inspiring us lately.

I've practically made Mother Tongue my second office this month. Truth be told, I'm as much there for the incredible music as I am for the coffee. I've found myself constantly opening Shazam on my phone while working, as this place is an absolute goldmine for discovering artists I never knew I needed in my life. Major props to the always friendly baristas picking such rad tracks.

The ambiance is perfection: they usually have anime projected on the wall, which provides the perfect little brain break between tasks, especially for a former teenage weeb like myself. There was a day when they played Digimon, and let me tell you, the nostalgia hit me like a wave. I spent a good fifteen minutes reminiscing with my siblings about it before getting back to work!

Some notable watches that influenced this month's mixtape:

Godzilla Minus One - While the actual score is fantastic, every time I hear anything Godzilla-related, I can't help but get Pharoahe Monch's "Simon Says" stuck in my head.

Star Wars: Visions - Have you checked this out on Disney+ yet? It's this breathtaking anthology series where different animation studios bring their unique styles to the Star Wars universe. Each short film has its own distinct vibe and sound, and I found myself looking up several tracks afterward. The cultural diversity in both visuals and music is truly something special, and as a huge Star Wars fan, I love seeing the galaxy expanded in new, non-canon ways.

10 Things I Hate About You - I rewatched this classic and was immediately transported back to my teen years. Letters to Cleo performing on that insanely beautiful high school roof? Iconic doesn't even begin to cover it. Did you know that’s a real high school!? I love it as much as Ben Wyatt loves Letters to Cleo.

Dig this playlist? Check out past January mixtapes: 2022 • 2023 • 2024