Underground Sound Swap (international)

Do you refrain from playing in the forums' CD tag game because you know you'll kill the thread? Does Clear Channel/top 40 radio make your heart crumple up like a dirty tissue-paper ball? Do any of the following catch your ear?

freeform radio - sound collage - plunderphonics - mash-ups - Gypsy jazz - Eastern European folk - rai - bhangra - IDM - powernoise - electroclash - toy piano - theremin - freak folk - jug bands - ragtime - darkwave - field recordings - circuit bending - Tropicália - calypso - trip-hop - space-age pop - gamelan - Kraut rock - klezmer - no wave - free jazz

You don't have to be into all of that - those are just examples - but if you're looking for relatively obscure/exotic/underground music, this swap is for you. Let's share some of our favorite lesser-known songs! Now's your chance to give props to your favorite Scandinavian folk-rock group, or that dude you met through MySpace who can really rock a melodica, or the unsigned polka-punk band rehearsing in the garage down the street. Or things like that.

"Underground" is a relative term, but go with your gut feelings on this one; many performers labelled "indie" or "alternative" regularly sell out venues that hold thousands - I'm hoping to dig a little deeper down. Put sincere thought into your song and artist selections! Try to share bands that you honestly feel deserve wider recognition!

Here's the real catch (and why it's only 1 partner) - along with one mix CD, you must send ONE ORIGINAL CD, IN NEW CONDITION by any one of the artists on your mix. That way there's no (or less) lingering guilt that you're not duly supporting the little guy. If you can get a CD from your favorite local band for $8, more power to you, but plan on dropping $12-18 total on your package, including the blank CD, the original CD, and shipping.

The other parameters: usual mix CD format - at least 15 songs, slightly fewer ok if you throw on a couple really long tracks, with no more than 2 tracks by the same artist. Liner notes a MUST, with brief commentary on how you came across the artists (no essays required, just a quick mention like "I first heard this band on WFMU - they have a couple free downloads on the web site" or "this is a fun local band that plays lots of basement shows, their bagpipes are homemade").

Decorated covers are a big plus, but not necessary - DO securely package your CDs to keep them from scratches and breaking!

This swap is international!

Please rate what you receive fairly - you may end up with songs you've already heard, or things you don't like. If your partner sends a mix of Good Charlotte and Amy Winehouse, yeah, that... missed the point, but try to be reasonable - "underground" is relative.

Please contact me if you are new here, or your rating is under 4.5. I cannot personally angel a big stack of flaked-on goods!

Props to FairyBotMother for planting the seed for this back in April, too.