♫ Mixtape: Den by Lucas Ballasy

A wintry mix.

Photo by Lucas Ballasy

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This month’s mix comes from my friend Lucas Ballasy. He is a thinker, creator, designer, and musician. Also, he has a new puppy.

Lucas is a curious and contemplative person. He always seems to be exploring some new hobby or idea. Motorcycles. 🏍 Powerlifting. 🏋🏻‍♀️ Adopting a dog. 🐶

Then, every week, he reflects upon these experiences in his newsletter that shares one borrowed idea, one thing learned, and one thought starter. Naturally, it is titled Borrowed, Learned, & Thought—or BL&T. It has nothing to do with the sandwich. 🥪

Den is his take on a “cabin in the woods” mixtape. In fact, it opens with perhaps the most quintessential “cabin in the woods” song from the most quintessential “cabin in the woods” artist.

But this is not a quintessential “cabin in the woods” mix. 

Instead of being a quiet, bleak, and joyless frozen-over acoustic self-indulgence, Den has a warm buoyancy. It sustains not only momentum throughout, but some honest-to-goodness pep, too. Its blood is decidedly flowing. And it’s a thoughtful reminder that just because you’re snowed in, doesn’t mean you have to be snowed in alone.

▶︎ Listen to Den and read Lucas’s liner notes below.

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Listen → Den by Lucas Ballasy

Tracklist:

1. Blood Bank - Bon Iver

2. Go Out On My Own - Griffin House

3. Careful Where You Stand - Coldplay

4. Great Indoors - John Mayer

5. Invisible Pallette - Obie Hans

6. (No One Knows Me) Like the Piano - Sampha

7. Sleep On Needles - Sondre Lerche

8. Older Chests - Damien Rice

9. The Love Is Over - Ray Lamontagne with The Pariah Dogs

10. Coffee and Cigarettes - Augustana

11. Filatelie - Felbm

12. Homesick - Kings of Convenience

13. Show Me - John Legend

14. War of My Life - John Mayer

15. Call Me When You Land - Old Sea Brigade and Luke Sital-Singh

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Liner Notes by Lucas

After nearly a decade, my wife Dana and I traded in the hustle and bustle of New York City for a home quietly nestled among the trees in Pennsylvania. This winter was the first in our new home.

Once the cold weather set in, we'd spend many nights gathering around our wood stove, gazing at the stillness of the frozen trees. Sometimes, we’d get lost in a book, or I’d write. But often, just sitting together with the view was enough.

While I would not necessarily call myself a fan of Winter, there’s something unique about the highs and lows of the season. There’s the joy in warming up with loved ones or the sudden surprise of a “hot” day contrasted by the gloom of the bitter cold and dwindling sunlight.

This playlist began as a soundtrack to our time by the fire. Looking back, it's a reflection of how last winter felt for me.

— Lucas

▶︎ Listen to Den on Spotify.

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Thanks to Lucas for putting this mix together. Make sure to check out his newsletter and music, both of which are executed with as much thought and detail as this mixtape.

If you enjoyed this mix, check out:

• In My Room by Dan Svizeny

• when the road calls by Dans Karagannis

Until next time…

Stay safe. Stay sane.

Joe