Putting their playlists together is so much fun. The songs are rock n’ roll, old school hip hop, electronic… They’re all so different, but work together so well. A lot like the roller girls themselves.

Nothing makes me feel better than when someone comes up to me in skates and says, “That song really made my day. Thank you for playing it.”

I blush every time.

Here’s the Spotify playlist I put together featuring several of the songs I’ve played in past roller derby bouts. Below is a video of one of my favorite girl-rock tracks, The Kills with “Sour Cherry.”

Chuck Berry definitely knew his way around a melody. My favorite line in this song (in reference to a broke-down car which, let’s be honest, resonates pretty well with all of us) “I wish somebody’d come along and run into it and wreck it.” Yeah, that’s every car I’ve ever had.

If you get married and you want to have a kick-ass reception, Chuck Berry should come in at some point.
This video shows Chuck Berry and Keith Richards playing together. And Chuck Berry straight-up schools him.

So, it would be only fitting that I create a Christmas playlist for all the other nerds out there. I will say that I did throw in a lot of nontraditional songs (It’s not all Bing Crosby. But I do love Bing Crosby). You’ll hear Holly Golightly, Sufjan Stevens, and the Raveonettes, along with She & Him and Andrew Bird. You’ll also hear Eartha Kitt, because she is awesome. So bear with me until December 26th, friends. I promise it will all be over soon.

Those of you who know me, or have read my blog, know that I’m a big country music nerd. I’m a fan of old time country like Buck Owens and Kitty Wells, George Hamilton, etc. But I can also appreciate some more contemporary artists like Dwight Yoakam and… well, okay, that might be it.

And wouldn’t you know it, I just discovered that Dwight Yoakam did a covers album of ONLY Buck Owens songs. SQUEE.

Needless to say, that record has been on repeat for pretty much the last month. And there are a couple tracks that have made it on to the wedding playlist.

Like this one. Which is such a nice love song.

In short, I can’t wait.

Over the past three months, every weekend has been spent planning out other wedding playlists, while longing to have time for my own. Don’t get me wrong, I have the best time bringin’ the funk to the lovelies that work with me, I just really need to get my business figured out.

My fiancee and I have varying tastes in music. He is into straight-up rock and roll, which I can totally appreciate. AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, The Rolling Stones, The Faces. I like ‘em all, but I prefer more sweet, folksy songs, with some electronic music thrown in. Needless to say, he thinks drum machines are the devil. I actually think they’re pretty cool. I also like a lot of mainstream hip-hop, but that’s a secret just between us… and apparently the entire interwebs.

Our wedding playlist will be an exercise in compromise for the both of us. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t completely commandeered more than one of his playlists at a party, much to his chagrin.

So, I’ve (slowly, but surely) been working on our list. It’s a mix of old-time country, which we can both agree on, with classic rock and some Motown. And I plan on sneaking in a few of my own dance-able favorites. You can take a listen on Spotify right here.

Despite my having been involved in dozens of wedding celebrations, I guess I’ve never really thought about what I would want when my day finally came.

I’ve always been the type of person that could care less about centerpiece designs or flowers or whether my bridesmaids all match. I told my fiance (It’s weird to say it, much less TYPE it) that as long as he showed up to the ceremony in a shirt, it would be fine with me. I’m not big on the black-tie wedding style, myself.

But, as can be expected, the one thing I do really care about is the music at my wedding. And I’ve decided to DJ my own wedding for that reason. I know that sounds a little bit pretentious (what, you can’t trust someone else with your precious playlist?) And, no. I guess I really can’t. Plus, I’m kind of cheap, so anything I can do for myself (wedding invitations, roasting chickens, mixing drinks) I will. And I can kind of see the reception breaking down into a guest free-for-all where everyone contributes to the playlist and takes on a section of the night’s music. Which would be awesome.

It actually sounds pretty fun, now that I think of it. But I will at least get someone to set up my speakers for me.

And, these girls aren’t just tough as hell and crazy athletic, they’re fun, generous, and some of the sweetest people in the world (sorry to blow your cover, ladies).

When I put together a playlist for their bouts, I like to mix some classic soul (you really can’t go wrong with James Brown for any occasion), upbeat dance tracks, and  punk rock. You can listen to my roller derby playlist on Spotify right here.

My favorite Whiskeytown record is Stranger’s Almanac. Their track, “Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight” (which, by the way, is one of my favorite song titles ever) is a catchy, country gem. You can listen to it here. And, excuse me for the grainy video.

So. On days like this that are best spent inside, I like to make a playlist and do the work around the house that I’ve been putting off for a month or two too long. Like organizing my closet. Or throwing away expired stuff in the fridge.

Yeah, sometimes I need these terrible weather days to make sure I keep my disgusting dairy refrigerator levels in check.

Check out my Spotify playlist here, and get your cleanin’ on.

I have probably had the most fun ever on a night out dancing when Harry Belafonte’s song “Jump in the Line” rang out on the sound system. On this particular night, the bar was packed. It was a busy Saturday. When the first few notes struck out, the whole dancefloor formed into a huge conga line. I’ve never seen that happen before, and you could tell that everyone was having the best time just caught up in the moment. There’s something about songs like this that immediately get everyone up on their feet, no matter where they are.

“Jump in the Line” is one of those go-to songs I use to get a party going. But sometimes it gets me dancing even if I’m at home, alone, with dishes to wash and laundry to do.

You can see the video here, and if this song also makes you think of “Beetlejuice” you’re not the only one.