Mixtape Stories

Erik Casarez
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  • MUSIC COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Every week we invite a guest to curate a 5-song playlist with a specific theme and talk about why they chose those songs.

  1. 2025-12-03

    Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Soundtrack feat. FrameWright Workshop

    On this week's episode of Mixtape Stories, we invite old friend Andrew Cheuvront aka Frame Wright Workshop to make a playlist of songs from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video game soundtracks. We talk about our 20+ year friendship that bonded over punk music and video games, the fundamental elements of skate punk vs pop punk, what the Tony Hawk video games meant to us as people who can't skate, and much more. Listen as we discuss each of the Tony Hawk Pro Skater Soundtrack songs Andrew picked:1. "New Girl" by Suicide Machines2. "Guerilla Radio" by Rage Against the Machine3. "The Boy Who Destroyed the World" by AFI4. "Drunken Lullabies" by Flogging Molly5. "New Noise" by Refused Be on the lookout for his live album video with band Good Terms and content from his west coast tour with band Night Cap in the Spring and make sure to follow Andrew on social media:Instagram: @framewrightworkshopTikTok: @framewrightworkshopYoutube: @framewrightworkshop As well as his website: https://www.framewrightworkshop.com/

    1h 10m

  2. 2025-11-19

    ASMR Songs feat. Barely Average Jo

    On this week's episode of Mixtape Stories, we have ASMR Artist and Twitch Streamer Jordan aka Barely Average Jo. She made a playlist of songs that give the kinds of tingles that are similar to the sensations one would get from ASMR. We talk about "musical edging" with Pink Floyd, the concept of time and sleep in relation to music, how the Third Eye Blind self-titled album is the epitome of 90s rock, getting lost in the grooves of Tame Impala, how Vivaldi was metal af, and much more. If you listen closely, canine cohost Teddy gets in on the ASMR action chewing on his Himalayan Cheese Stick. Listen as we discuss each of the ASMR songs Jordan picked:1. "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd2. "Narcolepsy" by Third Eye Blind3. "Let it Happen" by Tame Impala4. "Winter" by Antonio Vivaldi5. "Wellll" by Jacob Collier Be sure to keep up with Jordan on social media:Twitch: @BarelyAverageJoYoutube: @BarelyAverageJoASMR

    1h 27m

  3. 2025-11-13

    Favorite Songs to Cover feat. Like Ghosts

    On this week's episode of Mixtape Stories, we have Gage, Noel and Andrew from the band Like Ghosts on to talk about a playlist of songs they've covered. With 3/4s of the band present, we discuss their evolution as a band through songs they've covered over the past decade, why they decided to cover these songs, how they were signed, meeting and performing with Ryan Cabrera, how one of their covers went viral through an NSFW video and much more. Listen as we discuss each of the cover songs Like Ghosts picked:1. "High" by The Chainsmokers2. "Ghost" by Justin Bieber3. "It's Gonna Be Me" by N*SYNC4. "I Had Some Help" by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen5. "On the Way Down" by Ryan Cabrera Check out Like Ghosts on all socials under @likeghostsrockInstagramYouTube Be sure to check out their latest single "Better Now" on Youtube here. Their new EP is set to be released early next year and if you're in San Antonio, their next show is at The Starlighter with Chasing the Night. Also, be sure to check out Andrew playing guitar with Rookie of the Year on tour with Fred Mascherino on 12/19 (Olean, NY) and 12/20 (Buffalo, NY) and be sure to check out their Instagram for more tour dates.

    1h 20m

  4. 2025-11-05

    PreGame Music feat. PreGame Andy

    On this week's episode of Mixtape Stories, we have my brother Andy Casarez, who spent the bulk of his 20s under the nickname PreGame Andy because of how he used to PreGame for parties. We talk about what makes a good pregame song vs what is just a good drinking song, the thin line between pregame songs and guys being dudes songs, and share stories from our 20s that helped shape the people we are today. Listen as we discuss each of the PreGame songs Andy picked:1. "No Beef" by Steve Aoki and AfroJack2. "Sorry You're Not a Winner" by Enter Shikari3. "Ebolarama" by Every Time I Die4. "Attitude" by The Misfits5. "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" by Ol' Dirty Bastard Check out Andy's full PreGame Playlist on Apple Music here.

    1h 10m

  5. 2025-10-29

    Disney Pop Stars feat. Shawn Gessay

    On this week's episode of Mixtape Stories, we have my wife Shawn Gessay to make a playlist of songs by Disney Pop Stars. We specifically look at pop stars whose career started on the Disney Channel. We discuss the exploitation that some of these young stars went through, how many tried to redefine themselves with more adult music,  how some are seeing a resurgence thanks to Tiktok trends, a brief tangent on the unpunished crimes of Justin Timberlake and much more. Listen as we discuss each of the Disney Pop Star songs Shawn picked:1. "Bad Liar" by Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place)2. "Please, Please, Please" by Sabrina Carpenter (Girl Meets World)3. "(You Drive Me) Crazy" by Britney Spears (The Mickey Mouse Club)4. "With Love" by Hilary Duff (Lizzie McGuire)5. "We Can't Stop" by Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana)

    1h 18m

  6. 2025-10-22

    girlPOWERlift feat. World Bench Press Champion Jamie Fisher

    On this week's episode of Mixtape Stories, we invited World Bench Press Champion Jamie Fisher on to make a playlist of songs that soundtrack her lifts. Part workout playlist, part hype up playlist, Jamie guides us through the female artists that help her elevate her lifts. We talk about music that empowers women, what it's like to be a woman in a male-driven sport, how female artists reinvent themselves and overcome adversity, and so much more. Listen as we discuss each of the Girl Power Lift songs Jamie picked:1. "I am Not a Woman, I'm a God" by Halsey2. "You Should See Me in a Crown" by Billie Eilish3. "Hard" by Rihanna 4. "Like a Boy" by Ciara5. "Bad Bih 4 Ya" by GloRilla Jamie will be competing in the upcoming Powerlifting America SBD Austin competition on November 22, 2025 in Austin Texas. For information on tickets, check out the SBD website here.

    1h 20m

  7. 2025-10-15

    Indie Sleaze feat. Itzel O

    On our first episode of Season 2, we invited local scene queen Itzel O to make a mixtape of some of her favorite Indie Sleaze songs. We talk about trying to define indie sleaze, millennial cringe, the heyday of rappers embracing indie rock, fried pickles, American Apparel, and so much more. Listen as we discuss each of the Indie Sleaze songs Itzel picked:1. "Walking on a Dream" by Empire of the Sun2. "Oblivion" by Grimes3. "Crime Wave" by Crystal Castles4. "Young Folks" by Peter, Bjorn and John5. "I Can Change" by LCD Soundsystem Check out the full indie sleaze playlist Itzel made on Spotify here.

    1h 19m

  8. 2024-12-25

    Christmas Songs feat. Cody Mauser of Freund/Rich Hands

    On our final episode of season 1, we invited Cody Mauser of the bands Freund and Rich Hands to make a mixtape of some of his favorite Christmas songs. We talk about what makes a good Christmas song, why we think there aren't as many original Christmas songs, why some people hate Christmas songs, the Christmas song he just wrote and released, and much more. Listen as we discuss each of the Christmas songs Cody picked:1. "Christmas All Over Again" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers2. "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney3. "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" by Wizzard4. "This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway5. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love Check out Cody's Christmas song "It Must Be Christmas Time" on Spotify. You can find his solo stuff here and be on the lookout for his new band Freund set to release a new album in January 2025. Follow them on Instagram here.

    1h 24m
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About

Every week we invite a guest to curate a 5-song playlist with a specific theme and talk about why they chose those songs.

Information

  • Creator
    Erik Casarez
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Erik Casarez