Akron/Family released a live album ahead of new studio LP; Miles Seaton tells us his top cassettes played in his new car

Akron/Family at LPR in 2010 (more by Anna Scialli)

Freaky folkies Akron/Family released Akron/Family II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT in 2011, and they’ve announced that they’re planning on releasing a followup in 2013. To help fund the new record, the band meanwhile released a limited edition (1,000 pressings) live double CD which comprises a recording from their show at the Drunken Unicorn in Atlanta from January 2012 and some experimental pieces recorded in El Paso later in the year. You can purchase that CD at the Akron/Family webstore for $20. Each copy was handmade and hand-stamped by the band.

We also spoke to Akron/Family member Miles Seaton about his top albums of 2012. Miles recently moved from NYC to LA, had to get a car, and ended up getting one with a cassette player. So rather than listing his top 10 albums that were released in 2012, he listed the top 10 cassettes he acquired this year to play in his car stereo. His full list with some commentary is below.

—

Miles Seaton’s Top 10 2012 cassette acquisitions (car stereo edition)

Having moved to LA late last year I have had to get a car. Though my wheezing little coupe may be a modest home-away I can’t lie – the cassette-scored sunset cruise to the taco truck has the in-ear headphoned tune-it-all-out subway ride beat, hands down.

So, without further adieu, here are 10 of my top cassettes for the car. In no particular order.

10 – Velvet Underground – White Light White Heat.
When I miss the east out west. Nothing hits the spot like this one.

9 – Muddy Waters – Trouble No More
All killer no filler Chess records singles comp from ’55-’59

8 – Prince – Controversy
My all time favorite prince record. “Private Joy.” Oh yeah.

7 – Aswad – A New Chapter of Dub
1982 dub masterpiece. This one can just stay in the player for weeks – auto reversing into infinity.

6 / 5 – Grateful Dead – Without a Net
Hate if you want, but all your favorite bands probably sound just like this live with the ubiquitous MIDI use these days. 2 cassette set

4 – Greg Davis – Full Spectrum VOL 1
Master Drone poet Greg Davis in fine shimmering blissful form! A true road rage neutralizer.

3 – Hassania – Mystery Gnawa tape
I traveled to Morocco recently and went insane buying up all the Gnawa music cassettes I could find. Glorious ecstatic
Sufi trance music – tear jerking vocals and heavy pulsing grooves for days.

2 – Channel One – Hit Bound, The Revolutionary Sound
Insanely great all star reggae comp. Horace Andy’s “Girl I Love You” and Meditation’s “Woman is like a Shadow” are standouts for sure.

1 – Black Flag – First Four Years / Germs – GI
My split home dubbed cassette. Such classic LA punk. My absolute favorite Black Flag era is Keith Morris singing. Totally insane. Darby Crash brings the freak that makes Agnostic Front just sound stiff and buttoned up with their tightly muscular sound. LA punk was lawless and illegal and dangerous and dirty in a way that really reminds me why I’m coming to love this place.
—