Ever wondered what music the hosts of MTV’s Catfish are listening to when they are traveling from city-to-city helping people like un-masked super heroes? Well wonder no more! Soundtrack convinced Nev and Max to let us borrow their headphones and now we’re sharing our discoveries with you.
Take a listen below to Nev’s playlist, read a little about why he likes these artists/songs, and be sure to watch the season premiere of Catfish TONIGHT @ 10/9c.
From Max: Listeners of music can be put into a few different categories. You’re generally either a lyrics person or an instrumental person, a full-album listener or a one-track repeater, a melancholy wallower or an upbeat energy junky. Just to warn you in advance, this is the kind of listener I am: First, I don’t hear lyrics. I don’t pay attention to them and even on my favorite songs I probably have very rarely considered the words. For me it is all about the melody, the music and the emotional ride. Secondly, I am a binge repeater. I do not have the discipline to listen to a full album all at once. Rather if I like a song I will just listen to it on repeat over and over and over again until I get sick of it (for that day) and will probably resume playing it on repeat again the following day. I guess I have an addictive personality. Thirdly I do not like slow, melancholy music. I just don’t. Growing up my parents exclusively played upbeat, high energy songs and that is probably why I’ve never, to this day, been able to sit through maudlin or morose tracks, however poetic and beautiful they may be. I know I’m missing out. I much more prefer dance music or music that pumps me up. Lastly, because I have been making movies since I was 15, I have disciplined myself to only listen to music that I can clear the rights to, in the event that I wanted to use it in a film. Therefore, I never listen to pop music unless subjected to it in the car or at the gym. In the same vein, I had to wean myself away from classic rock because it’s just too damn expensive to ever use. So the list you see before you has been curated with those criteria in mind.
[ SOUNDTRACK NOTE: When specific/rare versions were not available we substituted in a standard/original version of the song. ]
From The Ritz to the Rubble (Original Demo Version) – Arctic Monkeys
The first time I heard the Arctic Monkeys was from a leaked EP that had apparently taken the UK by storm. They had an energy and a sound that was punk, dance, playful, and contagious. I must have listened to those couple songs hundreds of times over and over again. I’ve loved the Arctic Monkeys ever since but their first two albums hold a special place in my heart.
You’re Not Good Enough (Holy Ghost! remix) – Blood Orange
I’ve long been a fan of Alex and Nick from Holy Ghost! We even went to rival high schools in NYC growing up and played basketball against each other. I’ve admired them from afar until last year when I made a documentary about their label DFA Records. Everything they touch is awesome and recently I can’t get enough of this remix they did on Blood Orange’s “You’re Not Good Enough.” It’s currently one of those tracks that I have on repeat.
Sister Saviour (DFA Dub) – The Rapture
While on the road shooting season one of Catfish, I listened to this track every morning on repeat in the shower and while getting dressed. I think that continued up until halfway through season two. Just a perfect dance groove that I never get tired of.
Ophelia – Ambulance LTD
Ambulance LTD only made on full LP and it’s one of my favorite records of all time front to back. It’s a tragedy that they didn’t stay together and make more music. I must have given this CD as a gift to all of my friends (back when people still bought CDs).
I Believe – Simian Mobile Disco
One of the best, smoothest, most repeatable electhttp://soundtrack.mtv.com/wp-admin/post-new.phpronic tracks I’ve ever come across. Never get tired of it.
Bizarre Love Triangle – New Order
New Order is OG electronic music. At every stage of my life this song remains awesome, relevant and fresh. It’s that rare dance track that’s both soulful, emotional, and complex.
Fall Back – Factory Floor
I recently discovered the new band Factory Floor (also on DFA Records) who seem inspired by New Order as well. Their album is incredible and their sound is a fresh, modern, take on electronic dance music. Can’t get enough.
The Phoenix – Pyramid
Pyramid has also been blasting repeatedly on my headphones recently. He’s an amazing young DJ/producer out of France (on the tastemaker Kitsune label) who continues to consistently make some of the sickest electronic tracks around. His new EP “The Phoenix” is a must-have. I’ve been following this guy for awhile and he just gets better and better.
Scale It Back – DJ Shadow
DJ Shadow’s first album “Endtroducing” changed my life and inspired me creatively almost more than any book, movie, or song. His sample-based and collage-ist approach to music is something that I often think about when writing and editing my own movies. More than that, I love the dark, beat-driven world he creates. This new track featuring the vocals of Little Dragon is a gem and does me right when I’m in a more relaxed, tranquil mood.
Before The Dive – St. Lucia
I cannot get this song out of my rotation. It’s just too fucking good! I can’t imagine how awesome it would be to experience live at a concert. It also seems to magically transport me to a beach in the Caribbean in the 80s. So so good.
Too Late For Goodbyes – Julian Lennon
This was my very very favorite song as a kid, around 4 to 6 years old. It’s one of those songs that brings back all these vivid memories from my childhood growing up in New York City. I need to be careful not to listen to it too much or else it will lose it’s memory-inducing potency. I fell in love with this track before I even discovered The Beatles, so to me John Lennon was always just Julian Lennon’s father, and that’s what made him cool.
An Ending (Ascent) – Brian Eno
Best movie music EVER. It’s been used in the movies Traffic and 28 Days Later and is one of those rare slow, atmospheric tracks that reminds me that life is sacred, precious, short, and beautiful. I can live inside of this track for days. It never fails to bring me to a deep emotional place.
Empire Ants – Gorillaz
This track is a full emotional journey for me. I associate with the period of time during which I met and dated my now-wife, Priscila. Beyond being just a beautiful track, it brings back lots of incredible memories. Okay, okay, I’m allowed to have a few slower, emotional tracks. I’ve also been a big Gorillaz fan ever since their first single Clint Eastwood. Damon Albarn is a genius. Let it be noted that this is the second track on this playlist that features Little Dragon.
La Femme D’argent – Air
I think I literally left this song playing on repeat for the entire duration of my sophomore year of college. I’m not kidding. You can ask any of my friends. I even left it playing when I wasn’t in my dorm room.
Take Me Home – Twinsy
Newish Australian electronic on Sweatitout Musict with an amazing EP. Keep waiting for the next release from these guys but it won’t come soon enough.
It Gets Dark – Holy Ghost!
One of, if not my ultimate, Holy Ghost! track. They just get it.
Love Missile F1-11 (Ultraviolence Mix) – Sigue Sigue Sputnik
This is one of the best songs off of the Ferris Bueller’s Day Off soundtrack and a milestone in electronic music. I love it’s energy, humor, and collage sensibility.
Second Summer (Dub) – Yacht
Yacht is one of those bands that is always getting better and better. I had been a fan of theirs for a long time before I interviewed them for my DFA documentary. This is one of their most recent tracks and proof that they are one of the best continually evolving dance-rock bands.
Lindsey Brohan – Javelin
Javelin is one of the bands that has most inspired my work. Javelin and I became friends in college and I can honestly say that I was one of their very first fans and supporters. They are now signed to David Byrne’s prestigious music label Luaka Bop and I have used over 30% of their music catalog in my films. This is my favorite track of theirs.
Dance Yrself Clean – LCD Soundsystem
I will die knowing I had the pleasure of enjoying 5 LCD Soundsystem shows. James Murphy is a hero of mine and a musical genius. Everything he touches turns to gold. A rare renaissance man of the 21st Century. And songs like this spark the ultimate dance parties.
Situation – Yaz
One of the best dance songs ever.
Haiti – Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire is the best band I have even seen live and I’ve seen them 7 times. They are the band that captures the spirit of my generation. And the beat of their music matches the beat of my heart.
Far From Home (DFA Remix) – Tiga
I had long been sitting on this song to use in a film and finally pulled the trigger on a video I made for Nike with my friend Casey Neistat.
Monkey 23 – The Kills
Love The Kills. This has always been my favorite song of theirs.
I Got The… – Labi Siffre
Discovering this song was like finding gold. I went through a phase where I tried to find all the original songs that my favorite hip-hop tracks sampled and this one is like the white whale. Jay-Z has sampled it (twice I think) and Eminem too. See if you can figure out which other songs have sampled it.
Funky Squaredance (Part 1/2/3) – Phoenix
When I was 24 I traveled for 6 weeks by myself through Spain and Portugal. Some might call it a life-trip or visionquest. I spent a lot of time with my headphones on, walking through crowded plazas, historical landmarks, traveling on busses, trains. I was listening a lot to The Knife and Phoenix. This song stands out though as a consistent part of the soundtrack to that trip.
Dear Prudence – Ramsey Lewis
The great jazz composer Ramsey Lewis put out an incredible record called Mother Nature’s Son filled with the most amazing arrangements and covers of Beatles songs performed by a full orchestra. This one is my favorite. Cry Baby Cry is also an untouchable track.
Kennedy – Ratatat
Ratatat’s second album Classics is one of my favorite albums of all time. This is one of many of my favorite songs off that album.
Footloose – Kenny Loggins
Dance movies and dance songs don’t get better than Footloose. Kenny Loggins was killing it in the 80s with his music for films. The opening credit sequence to Footloose is one of my favorite pieces of cinema ever.
Tribalistas – Tribalistas
You should really just download this whole album. Tribialistas is a Brazilian supergroup comprised of three famous performers–Marisa Monte, Carlinhos Brown, and Arnaldo Antunes. A friend of mine turned me onto it around 2005 and it hasn’t left the rotation since. Every song is a gem and transports you down to Brazil with a wide range of emotions.
Steady Rollin’ – Two Gallants
Two Gallants is one of those rare indie/folk bands that really inspire me. The sound of Adam Stephens’ raspy, haunting voice, combined with his hardened poetic lyrics create a very vivid landscape that is uniquely beautiful, irreverent and American.
Elephant Gun – Beirut
Talk about creating a world… When I listen to Beirut it transports me to a different universe and makes me nostalgic for places and time periods that I’ve never visited or been a part of. Each of his songs are like their own movie and I often find myself dreaming up ideas for stories when listening to his music.
My Sister, My Spouse – Cass McCombs
In those rare moments when I want a slower, more melancholy vibe I’ll turn to genius singer-songwriter Cass McCombs to put me under his spell. This song, in particular, is quite beautiful and haunting.
Born Slippy Nuxx – Underworld
Best use of a song in a movie ever. Period. Trainspotting is my favorite movie of all time and this song pushes the film over the top for me.
A Certain Romance – Arctic Monkeys
I started with Arctic Monkeys so I’ll end with Arctic Monkeys. I’ve always dreamt about shooting a music video for A Certain Romance (the original version, not the album version which is slightly different). It would be one of the coolest, most poignant, fun, and existential music videos ever made. Hope they read this!
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