Ian Simpson, better known by his stage name Kevin Abstract, is a Texas native won a diehard following online with a series of confessional hip-hop mixtapes. His new album "American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story" moves in a more pop direction and sees him both rapping and singing about never quite fitting in. Listen to him spin a time-hopping dinner party soundtrack featuring songs by Sunny Day Real Estate, Donell Jones and more.
DJ Steve Aoki spins and mixes electro house music at massive parties from Las Vegas to Beijing. He collaborates with the biggest names in pop music, and a concert film about his work called "Steve Aoki: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" is up for a Grammy this year. Check out his eclectic mix of songs by Bloc Party, Refused, and more.
Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek are the masterminds behind the band Whitney. The band blends '60s folk and psych rock with a warm, orchestral sound on their debut album, "Light Upon the Lake." Listen as they blend folk and a touch zamrock for a party playlist perfect for the golden hour.
Natalie Mering makes gorgeous music under the name Weyes Blood and her new album has landed on a bunch of "Best of" lists for 2016. She serves up a soundtrack a few tracks from The Stranglers, Electric Light Orchestra's Roy Wood, and more to go with her tiny dinner party.
Musicians Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward help you celebrate the holidays with playlist picks to set the tone your next Yuletide gathering.
Virginia musician Lucy Dacus has had a pretty sweet 2016. Back in February, she put out her debut album "No Burden" on a local label. Then 20 labels were so floored, they came calling to re-release it. Matador Records won the bidding war, and their reissue is out now. Check out her party soundtrack featuring Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, Big Thief and more.
Musician Kurt Wagner is the frontman for the Nashville music collective Lambchop and over the course of 12 albums, he's drawn on everything from country to hip-hop, to create odd, lyrically rich music. With his new album, "Flotus," he's added beat-driven electronica into the mix. The Los Angeles Times describes it as, "something really magical." The Nashville native builds us a playlist that mixes a touch of "Hee Haw" with a little doo-wop.
On October 15th, Chris Thile steps on-stage as the new, permanent host of public radio's venerable variety show, "A Prairie Home Companion," with the blessing of mentor Garrison Keillor. Chris cut his teeth playing mandolin for bluegrass bands Nickel Creek and The Punch Brothers, with which he won four Grammys. But he's a musical omnivore and -- according to the MacArthur foundation-- a musical genius. Get an eclectic playlist of tunes that Chris considers required listening at your next dinner party.
Tom Krell (aka How To Dress Well) shares a soundtrack that highlights songs that influence his own style -- a heady mix of pop, R&B and electronic music
Jack Garratt's mix of electronica, pop and soul won him the BBC's "Sound of 2016" Poll and a Brits "Critics' Choice" Award. To put things in context, the last folks to do that were Sam Smith and Adele. He mixes up a party playlist perfect for a throwback dinner party, featuring songs by Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, and more.