One of my regular riders gave me a Parov Stelar CD a few weeks ago. Stelar is an Austrian DJ who does electroswing – a genre I didn’t even know existed. I popped the CD in while making dinner that night and have been playing it ever since. It’s eminently cyclable.
So here is March’s Challenge: this month, use at least one song from a genre you’ve never used before. For some, that might be classic rock or country, hip hop or dubstep. Classical? Show tunes? World music? Leave your comfort zone and play something totally different.
Let us know if you’re in, and report back once you’ve completed the challenge to let us know what you played and how it went over in your class(es).
Me? I’m going to try electroswing.
Serena Ryder Stompa fabulous high resistance standing
Serena Ryder Stompa–fabulous! high tension standing
Okay folks, time to report on how it went when you used a genre you’d never used before.
I’ll go: I chose electro-swing (The Paris Swing Box – Parov Stelar and Bom Bom – Sam and the Womp). I put the songs in at the beginning and end of a new playlist that veered from top 40 (Nelly, Kelly Clarkson, David Guetta, will.i.am) to mashup (Adele vs. Eurythmics) to lesser-known regional artists like Hanna Pakarinen and Walk Off The Earth. In other words, some insurance. But I needn’t have worried – my class liked it as much as I did and it worked perfectly. I think I’ll be pulling out more electro-swing because it’s a great bridge for younger and older riders. I’m delighted with my find. Now on to some of your finds….
Hi Cynthia,
Check this out let me knwo what you think put it in my class this morning, a few puzzled faces at first but they loved it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpc3cCxWNkU
Will
It passed the foot-tapping test so I downloaded it. Funky, plus I like it when the lyrics talk about what we’re doing. What did you use it for?
I recently used Nat King Cole’s L.O.V.E. and everyone L.O.V.E.D. it. Another one that is a remake from a similar era was THE LADY IS A TRAMP a duet by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. If you ever wanted to hear what a great vocalist L.G. Is check out this song.
The photographer who did our first baby pictures set the slide show to L.O.V.E and it will always remind me of when my daughter was a newborn. Did you use it for a cool down, Karen?
That’s crazy because my boyfriend just two weeks ago told me about a band called Caravan Palace that also does electroswing and I was hooked!! It’s make it only a couple playlists already. I also love incorporating my personal favorite genre and that is ska-punk! Check out Reel Big Fish, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Big D and the Kids Table, or Streetlight Manifesto for some good ideas.
**made in onto**a couple playlists
Thanks Christina! I’ve never heard ska-punk (had to look it up on Wikipedia). Cool stuff!
Great challenge! This year I’ve been using more inspirational / Christian music…some great motivational tunes. I’ll be checking out the electroswing too. Have a great weekend!
This theme playlist is loaded with tracks from some better-known gospel / Christian artists…
http://stevespinlist.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/spinspiration/
Thanks Steve, this isn’t a genre I know much about at all, but I really liked the songs you selected. And folks, Steve recently posted a 90s playlist – I know some of you were looking for 90s ideas and I want to run a 90s playlist soon, too. (You could stretch it for a whole month: 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s).
Cynthia.
Love your site and always useful to get ideas for my sessions that I coach in the uk ! I try and play something different in each session, currently playing some ‘fast pace’ classical songs which my riders seem to enjoy, try Scotty – Pirates des caraibes remix, or Dave Pearce – Now we are free remix. Makes a great difference to some of the other dance / rock tracks that I play, and gives the riders a new challenge !
Love these Ian! I downloaded The Black Pearl (Caribean Trance Mission) remix for a remix playlist I am working on.
Hi Cynthia. Last night I had a Caribbean themed class. I used music from a variety of locales; Cuba, Mexico, Jamaica, Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, D.R., Tortola (yes Tortola) and more. Not your traditional stuff but it worked and it was fun.
Mike
Love this idea Michael! Just got back from Mexico myself. Can you post your ride and music on the Reader Playlist page?
I would love to link up with your blog. I started blogging a few months back. I started as my wedding journey but lately I’ve been posting a lot of spin playlists I’ve been using in my class. Feel free to check it out. mistyandwesley.blogspot.com