Everyone has a story; a story with exposition, main characters, conflict, action, and are told in chapters, volumes, novels and series. What humans do with their stories are expressed in sonnets, films, books, folktales and through generations of spoken word. Dancing alongside expression, music has coexisted with the art of story telling since ancient times to modern day. What better a way to give these personal accounts a way to be shared with the world than to publish them!
Memoir Mixtapes is a volunteer-ran blog that reviews submissions of personal poetry and prose paired with a song or an album for their “every-so-monthly” issue. Every issue has a different theme. Their latest issue available is Vol.10: Ballads & Breakups, about (you guessed it) what could have been, what was and how love changes over time.
My favorite themes were Ballads and Breakups and Vol.4: Anthems. Many of them included songs from artists like Pink Floyd, Lana Del Rey, Selena and many more that spring from all across genres. That’s the privilege of being part of the most diverse world yet, the ability to read a collection of backgrounds and stories from the saturated cultures we come from.
In blunt terms, Memoir Mixtape has allowed a space for all of these stories to come as one.
Aside from the magazines, there are a couple other endeavors on the site. Deep Cuts would be the little sister to the magazine, featuring excerpts, poems and short(er) stories that wouldn’t necessarily fit in the issues. Ranging from a curious Spotify open letter to song recommendations during self-isolation, there is not bounds when it comes to Deep Cuts.
Speaking of song recommendations, Memoir Mixtapes also hosts a dedicated tab to song recommendations from fellow students. This is partly influenced by certain teachers who have integrated the website in their own curriculum. It’s a great way to spark potential interest of writing to aspiring novels in the years to come.
It is a simple project with a goal that continues to evolve with time. With the right resources and funding, there’s no telling where the project could go. The downside of a lack of opportunity and funds means that we can only see the potential. However, their dedication does not go unnoticed.
Being mindful of everyone’s past is the most cautious people can be when confronted with people that are different than themselves. In addition, it’s also the most important habit to form. Sharing art comes with a subjective degree of vulnerability and empowerment; both of which can’t thrive without the other.
The Memoir Mixtape Project is one that deserves recognition and contributors for issues to come.
Coffee Shop Talk 