Altered Zones

Some website told me that the Summer solstice began on June 21st at 1:16 pm EDT, but I'm going to go with Steve Hauschildt on this one and lay it down: Summer starts July 7th at 12pm-- right here, right now. One of the three Emeralds, Steve also has a slew of releases under his own name, and heads up the fantastic Cleveland-based label Gneiss Things. He's been nice enough to help us forget the intermittent rain and wind with a glorious "First Day of Summer Mix." Opening with a too-good-to-be-true cut from '60s LA outfit The Fraternal Order of the All, the collection cycles through some classic B52s, a hip-hop yarn from 805 Locos, and a slice of sexy from The Controllers before moving into a brand new Fennesz track and some Ken Seeno. We close with some syrupy melodies and jangles from The Dovers before reaching "Responsitrannity," a timeless cut from everybody's favorite drag queen, RuPaul. This summer, take RuPaul and Steve's message to heart, and remember that we are all stars. --Daniel Gottlieb, Altered Zones

Steve Hauschildt: First Day of Summer Mix