Overview
Vincent Corneille and Rubin Utama are the excellent gentlemen behind Son Valise, the company that builds the adorable and awesome JukeCase. You might have seen them at various markets, walked past their Collingwood store, or eyed one off with envy at your mate's place, either way, they're everywhere at the moment and not only they look great, but also the sound quality is top-notch.
Vincent and Rubin recently launched a Pozible campaign to create a smaller version of the JukeCase, appropriately named the JukeCase Mini. As of Monday they reached their $16,000 goal and the JukeCase Mini is going ahead. (If you're pretty keen on these wonderful musical contraptions you can still pledge up until December 16 and receive a JukeCase Mini for below the RRP.)
To celebrate their Pozible win, and the gorgeous summer that awaits us all, we asked Vincent and Rubin to compile some kick-arse playlists that are perfect for warm weather activities. Whether you're heading to the beach, getting out of town for a few days, or throwing a house party of epic proportions, here are a few tunes the Son Valise lads can recommend.
Road Trip Songs
A road trip playlist needs to cover a lot of ground. For starters, you need enough sing-along songs that your carload of people can scream along to that it keeps morale high. You also need songs that compliment your surroundings. A good way to do this is play artists who come from your destination of choice to get you in the mood. Finally, road trips are excellent introversion time, so if you're travelling solo, sometimes quieter, thinking music is best. Vincent and Rubin have covered all bases here, so grab your bags and let's hit the road.
VINCENT
Jackson Browne - Running On Empty: In the middle of the desert when you've been on the road for eight hours straight, this song propels you to keep on moving.
The Doors - LA Woman: No road trip is complete without The Doors blaring out of the stereo (or JukeCase). This song has great pace and always gets you focused on the drive.
Bruce Springsteen - I'm On Fire: Really chilled out and great for those really late nights in the middle of nowhere.
Gorillaz ft. Little Dragon - Empire Ants: An amazing and powerful crescendo.
The Chemical Brothers - Star Guitar: Seeing the sunrise over the ocean and this playing in the background is a truly wonderful experience.
RUBIN
Kanye West - POWER: Always a good pump up if driving is getting a little dull.
Dr Alban - Sing Hallelujah: '90s sing-along.
Cake - The Distance: The title is self-explanatory I think. Time to drive!
Todd Terje - Swing Star, Pt.1 & 2: Sometimes when you get in the zone it's good to listen to a bit of "in the zone" music that develops. No lyrics. Just a musical journey.
Kitty, Daisy and Lewis - Don't Make a Fool Out of Me: A good sunny-day, window-down tune to sing along with.
House Party Boogie Nights
Whether it's a housewarming, Christmas party or NYE festivities, you can bet that there will be some banging house parties over summer. If you're planning to throw your own, make sure you pack your playlist with dancefloor-fillers from the now and yesterday. Old school hip hop and disco are excellent choices and have been favoured by Vincent and Rubin, as well as few saucy ones for a cheeky make-out sesh. You're welcome, future summer lovers.
VINCENT
Rick James - Give It to Me Baby: I'm a big Rick James fan and this one always sets the scene.
Prince - Erotic City: Sleazy funk from the master himself.
Talking Heads - Girlfriend Is Better: Unrelenting party jam
Hot Chocolate - Heaven Is in the Backseat of My Cadillac: The name says it all really.
The Whispers - And the Beat Goes On: Try to not dance. I dare you.
RUBIN
Oliver Cheatham - Get Down It's Saturday Night - Because that's what you should be doing on a Saturday night.
Chic - The Chic Minimix: The best of Chic all mixed into one seven-minute ultimate minimix.
Young MC - Bust a Move - Old-school hip hop song/dance-along.
Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough: What's a house party without a little Michael?
Thundercat - Oh Sheit It's X!: Upbeat, high energy, ridiculous bass line. Sure to get you moving in ways you never knew you could.
Beach Time Chill Out Tunes
It's time to kick back and let the hours pass you by with a blissed out soundtrack. Embrace the lazy, hazy days of summer either crashing amongst the waves or swinging in a hammock. Classics like The Beatles and The Beach Boys get a look in from Vincent's list, while Rubin has gone with local legends The Avalanches and the always perfect Will Smith. Surf's up, dude.
VINCENT
The Beatles - Side Two of Abbey Road LP: It doesn't technically count as one song, but they all intertwine without stopping so I can never bring myself to stop the music.
Beach Boys - God Only Knows: Try and hunt down the a cappella, moving stuff.
Cornelius - Beep It: One of my favourite artists, and it has such a beautiful melody.
Daft Punk - Fresh: It starts with waves gently breaking and builds a chilled out groove.
Fleetwood Mac - Albatross: Feels like you're sinking into the sand.
RUBIN
Will Smith - Miami: Will Smith, that's why.
Air - La Femme D'Argent: Think dusk, hanging out in a hammock watching the orange sunset over the rolling sea.
Washed Out - Feel It All Around - Poolside, ice cold drink. Maybe a Mojito. With a little umbrella in it.
The Coasters - Down in Mexico: Drinking rum at a little bamboo beach shack. If that's not what you're doing then you should be.
The Avalanches - Since I Left You: A feelgood song that makes you think of bright flowers and sunny days. Happy times.