Friday Mixtape: Rae Morris curates a winter-focused mix

Date
16 March 2018

This week’s Friday Mixtape is by Blackpool-born musician Rae Morris, who released her second record Someone Out There at the end of January.

Rae’s mixes were made in the freezing winter weeks that we’re still sporadically experiencing and is the perfect comfort blanket to put on this weekend.

Over to Rae to tell us more about her album, music taste and today’s mixtape!

Why have you picked these songs, what do they remind you of or make you feel?

This playlist is a mixture of things but the thing that ties the tunes together is the season winter. I’ve always had a real obsession with the type of music you should listen to at this time of year. I definitely link memories to particular songs. Listening to Feist on headphones takes me back to being on the bus to college, watching the world pass by and counting down the days until Christmas. Some of these songs are nostalgic. The Michael Macdonald track reminds me of my Dad, and the Laurie Speigel reminds me of touring – it was used to play us into the shows on my most recent tour. It’s all about feeling and emotion at this time of year for me. Some others, I discovered right now whilst putting the list together. I think it’s important to keep exploring and finding new moments. The Sufjan Steven iPhone recording track will always remind me of this article now! 

When or where should this mixtape be listened to?

I think it’s perfect for cosy indoor activities. You should have a pot of tea and some sort of warm radiator or fire nearby. I’m hoping to do some painting this afternoon. I think it’ll be good for having on in the background as you do something creative. 

Can you tell us a little more about the story behind your latest record?

Someone Out There is a series of personal moments and stories. I have written most of it together with Fryars and we had some pretty amazing experiences along the way; working from Los Angeles for a time too. The title track was inspired by a very talented fan who handmade some gorgeous gifts for me and my family a couple of years ago. It was such a generous thing to do and a reminder that there are people out there that really want to do good and spread their positive energy. That tone definitely filtered throughout the album making process. He made me feel so happy and lucky to be recording music again for people. 

What posters did you have on your bedroom wall when you were younger?

I wasn’t a super obsessive kid when it came to bands and icons. I used to stick kind of weirder things on the wall like little drawings and postcards. But in my late teens, I took apart the inside of a Kate Bush vinyl and blue-tacked that above my bed. I later framed it and had it above my bed in my first adult abode. It means a lot. 

What records were you listening to while making your latest record?

Now that the album is completely finished I’ve started listening to full records again. I stopped for a while. On this second album, I just needed to concentrate and fully go into myself to make sure what came out was 100% authentically me. Touring always re-ignites the listening experience. I’ve been loving the new Rostam record. Grizzly Bear, Perfume Genius, Grimes, St Vincent and so on. 

If a feature film of your life was to be made, what song would play on the trailer?

Wow. Tough one. Actually, there’s only one answer – Cloudbusting by Kate Bush. 

Share Article

About the Author

Lucy Bourton

Lucy (she/her) is the senior editor at Insights, a research-driven department with It's Nice That. Get in contact with her for potential Insights collaborations or to discuss Insights' fortnightly column, POV. Lucy has been a part of the team at It's Nice That since 2016, first joining as a staff writer after graduating from Chelsea College of Art with a degree in Graphic Design Communication.

lb@itsnicethat.com

It's Nice That Newsletters

Fancy a bit of It's Nice That in your inbox? Sign up to our newsletters and we'll keep you in the loop with everything good going on in the creative world.