“Listen In“ is a weekly feature in which we ask musicians to curate a mixtape-length YouTube playlist of songs they’re currently digging.
Pile come from the same Boston basement rock scene that birthed bands like Speedy Ortiz, Krill, Grass Is Green, and Guerilla Toss, but for whatever reason, haven’t received quite the same love as the aforementioned bands in the press. Among those who know and love them, however, they’re practically revered: Krill’s latest release is a concept EP about a Pile superfan, for instance, and yours truly isn’t afraid to rant and rave about how great they are incessantly.
If you’re unfamiliar, acquaint yourself with the band immediately, then listen to this playlist compiled by singer/guitarist Rick Maguire, which includes John Fahey, Neil Young, and a devastating Elliott Smith cover. Click the big play button above to hear the whole playlist or scroll down to see and hear individual tracks.
“Dance of the Inhabitants of the Invisible City of Bladensburg (Live),” John Fahey, 1976
“Big Night,” Fax Holiday, 2014
“Rainboat,” Buildings, 2011
“How Happy I Am,” Reverend Gary Davis, year unknown
“Between the Bars,” Madeleine Peyroux, 2004
“The Charles Mansion,” Idiot Genes, 2013
“All I Could Do Is Cry,” Etta James, 1961
“The Pressure Keeps Me Alive (Live),” Kowloon Walled City, 2013
“A Blessing and a Curse (Live),” Radiator King, 2013
“That’s Not of Course,” Gnarwhal, 2013
“Blue Pepper,” Duke Ellington, 1966
“A Brief Conversation Ending in Divorce,” Smart Went Crazy, 1997
“Walk On,” Neil Young, 1974
