Beginning in 2004, shortly after the release of Sonic Nurse and Corporate Ghost, Sonic Youth began making mp3 "Mix Tapes" available online, featuring tracks from their then-current releases, reissues, obscure out of print singles or compilations, and in the best cases, completely new, unreleased material picked from the depths of their recorded history. The 'orange' coded lines below indicate tracks that were completely unreleased at the time the mix tape was posted. Some of these tracks have since been collected (on "Destroyed Room", in particular), but there is still a lot of magic to be found in these compilations. Unfortunately, few tracks from the tapes are preserved once a new tape is uploaded.
| NOTES: same version as 'sonic nurse' lp. | |
| NOTES: same version as side 2 of 'lightnin' single w/ black box | |
| NOTES: side 1 of 'silver rocket' single w/ elements of side 2. | |
| NOTES: later released on 'destroyed room'. noho furniture sessions 2001. | |
| NOTES: exclusive outtake from 'made in usa' sessions 1986. | |
| NOTES: exclusive demo [not on dirty deluxe] w/ vocals. | |
| NOTES: short edit of vocal version of theme from 'things behind the sun' film. | |
| NOTES: live version from 08/27/91 bremen | |
| NOTES: live version from 08/27/91 bremen | |
| NOTES: same version as 'sonic nurse' lp. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'surbubia' soundtrack. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'made in usa' soundtrack. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'kali yug express' EP. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'bull in the heather' single. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'you can never go fast enough' compilation. | |
| NOTES: later released on 'destroyed room'. noho furniture sessions 2001. | |
| NOTES: recorded live 06/04/87 london, town & country | |
| NOTES: same version as 'demonlover' soundtrack | |
| NOTES: same version as 'sonic youth' ep | |
| NOTES: later released on 'destroyed room' w/ 'fire engine part 2' as 'fire engine dream'. outtake from nurse sessions. |
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| NOTES: later released on 'destroyed room' w/ 'fire engine part 1' as 'fire engine dream'. outtake from nurse sessions. |
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| NOTES: same version as 'just say noel' compilation | |
| NOTES: unreleased instrumental version of 'free city rhymes'. | |
| NOTES: early instrumental version of 'i love you golden blue'. 12/21/03 remix | |
| NOTES: live version from 11/03/90 irvine ('dirty boots' EP show). | |
| NOTES: outtake from 'a thousand leaves' sessions. | |
| NOTES: outtake from 'a thousand leaves' sessions. | |
| NOTES: outtake from 'a thousand leaves' sessions. | |
| NOTES: outtake from 'goo deluxe' | |
| NOTES: alt mix featuring only thurston's bass + jad fair spoken word (removed from 'goo deluxe' remix) |
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| NOTES: same version as 'confusion is sex' lp. | |
| NOTES: outtake from 'goo deluxe'. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'at home with the groovebox' compilation. | |
| NOTES: recorded live 11/05/88 chicago. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'made in usa' soundtrack. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'whitey album' lp | |
| NOTES: same version as 'experimental jet set' lp | |
| NOTES: same version as 'pola x' soundtrack | |
| NOTES: same version as 'sister' lp | |
| NOTES: same version as 'made in usa' soundtrack | |
| NOTES: side 2 of 1991 ecstatic peace! 7". rec 01/19/87 steve/lee/kim/watt | |
| NOTES: same version as 'bull in the heather' single | |
| NOTES: recorded live 06/09/88 hoboken. an edit of what appeared on the daydream nation deluxe reissue as 'totally trashed'. |
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| NOTES: same version as 'rather ripped' lp. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'psychic hearts' lp. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'sonic youth' ep reissue | |
| NOTES: same version as 'whitey album' lp | |
| NOTES: same version as 'rather ripped' lp | |
| NOTES: same version as side 2 of 'sonic youth' cassette | |
| NOTES: same version as side 2 of 'sonic youth' cassette | |
| NOTES: same version as side 2 of 'sonic youth' cassette | |
| NOTES: same version as side 2 of 'sonic youth' cassette | |
| NOTES: same version as side 2 of 'sonic youth' cassette | |
| NOTES: same version as 'rather ripped' lp | |
| NOTES: live version from 'daydream nation' deluxe reissue | |
| NOTES: same version as 'freedom of choice' compilation. | |
| NOTES: instrumental from unreleased "Rehearsin' For Ya" cassette, 1988 | |
| NOTES: instrumental from unreleased "Rehearsin' For Ya" cassette, 1988 | |
| NOTES: same version as 'trees outside the academy' lp. | |
| NOTES: live 06/09/88 hoboken, out take from 'daydream nation' deluxe | |
| NOTES: same version as 'demonlover' soundtrack | |
| NOTES: outtake from 'daydream nation' deluxe reissue. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'if i were a carpenter' compilation | |
| NOTES: live version from 'daydream nation' reissue. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'dgc rarities' compilation | |
| NOTES: recorded live 09/30/06 newport beach, ca. | |
| NOTES: recorded live 09/30/06 newport beach, ca. | |
| NOTES: rec. 06/18/87 for geneva radio session, used on 'master=dik' EP. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'the eternal' LP. | |
| NOTES: rec. live 08/11/85 chicago. given away via 'the eternal' BEGN offer, later released on 'give listen help' compilation CD. |
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| NOTES: outtake from 'demonlover' soundtrack | |
| NOTES: same versions as 'master=dik' EP. | |
| NOTES: same version as 'master=dik' EP. | |
| NOTES: rec. live 08/06/04 ottawa | |
| NOTES: same version as 'the eternal' LP. | |
| NOTES: rec. live 06/14/87 eindhoven | |
| NOTES: rec. live 08/17/02 chicago | |
| NOTES: rec. live 08/17/02 chicago | |
| NOTES: from 'the eternal' rehearsal sessions | |
| NOTES: from 'the eternal' rehearsal sessions | |
| NOTES: preview of forthcoming SYR9 track. | |
| NOTES: recorded in july 2009 for 'gossip girl'. | |
| NOTES: very early '88 recording of 'rain king'/"rehearsin' for ya". | |
| NOTES: probably from similar '88 "rehearsin for ya" jam tapes. | |
| NOTES: an alternate mix of captain beefheart cover "electricity". | |
| NOTES: from bonus CD released with simon werner DVD. | |
| NOTES: untitled 1988 Lee demo previously appeared on mix tape 6 as "Untitled (Lee Home Demos)" |
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| NOTES: untitled 1988 Lee demo. | |
| NOTES: preview of forthcoming SYR9 track. | |
| NOTES: early '88 composition tape of 'candle'/"rehearsin for ya". | |
| NOTES: from bonus CD released with simon werner DVD. | |
| NOTES: same version as side 2 of 'sonic youth' cassette, mix tape #5 | |
| NOTES: same version as side 2 of 'sonic youth' cassette, mix tape #5 | |
| NOTES: same version as side 2 of 'sonic youth' cassette, mix tape #5 | |
| NOTES: same version as side 2 of 'sonic youth' cassette, mix tape #5 | |
| NOTES: same version as side 2 of 'sonic youth' cassette, mix tape #5 | |
SOCIAL STATIC -- an 11:41 dronefest compiled for a Chris Habib film circa 2002, I believe.
MADE IN USA THEME (OUTTAKE) -- a 4:16 outtake, alternate version of the 'Made in USA' theme that does not appear on either the soundtrack, the 'satan's foot' compilation, or a mix tape. Download available via SY's 'mp3' section.
LIVE 11/03/90 "GOO DELUXE OUTTAKES" -- 5 tracks from this show originally appeared on the 'Dirty Boots' EP. "The Bedroom" was included on Goo Deluxe, and those 5 tracks plus one more from this show were made available for download from SY's mp3 section (a 7th, "Catholic Block", appeared on Mix Tape #3, see above): "White Kross" "Eric's Trip" "Cinderella's Big Score" "Dirty Boots" "The Bedroom" and download only track "Mary-Christ".
"SONIC YOUTH" EP SIDE 2 -- The SST cassette release of this EP featured all 5 songs on the first side, and all 5 songs in reverse on the second side. These five backwards tracks were included in Mix Tape #5, and were nominated for permanent downloadability in the 'mp3' section of sonicyouth.com (for now).
"FREE CITY RHYMES" -- alternate take first seen on Mix Tape #3, available for permanent download in the mp3 section of sonicyouth.com.
"THE DRUMMER IS FINE" parts 1-3 -- an instrumental improvisation split into three parts, recorded during the sessions for 'a thousand leaves'. This first appeared on Mix Tape #3, and is now available for download from SY.com
SYR6 EXCERPT -- excerpt from SYR6, available as a free sample from SY's site.
3-SECTIONAL LOVE SEAT -- this NoHo Furniture session track from 2001 first appeared on Mix Tape #1, and was later included on "The Destroyed Room". It's also available as a download from the mp3 section of sonicyouth.com.
FIRE ENGINE DREAM -- a Nurse outtake that first appeared on Mix Tape #2 in two parts, later combined and released on "The Destroyed Room", as well as a free download from sy.com.
MEXICO CITY FEB 24 2007 -- Leah Singer footage of the Expressway soundscrapes from this high power gig.
"RATHER RIPPED" MUSIC VIDEOS -- videos for "Do You Believe in Rapture?", "Reena" (both by Braden King), "Incinerate", and three versions of "Jams Run Free" (both by Claire Denis) have been made available for download.
SY LE MOUV RADIO PERFORMANCE -- Leah Singer footage of SY's performance (during their brief 2006 quartet period!). Features clips of "Sleepin Around" "Do You Believe in Rapture?" and "Shaking Hell".
JULY 2005 -- a slideshow of footage from recent SY happenings set to a fuzzy instrumental demo of 'Sleepin Around'.
THURSTON, KIM, and STEVE @ FLYWHEEL -- footage from an impromptu July 2005 SY minus Lee gig where they debuted 4 forthcoming 'Rather Ripped' tunes. Afri Rampo and Lightning Bolt also appeared. a collage of footage from the evening is available for download from SY.com.
TURKEY -- slideshow of images from SY's visit to Turkey in May 2005.
NAGOYA -- footage of Expressway coda from 03/19/05 Nagoya, Japan show w/ Afri Rampo.
INHUMAN (GNARLY TIMES) -- film by Lee from 08/02/04 Detroit gig of furious Inhuman finale w/ Wolf Eyes & Hair Police.
MY SONIC ROOM 2 -- Patty Orsini's sequel to her highly enjoyable Corporate Ghost DVD bonus feature.
"I LOVE YOU GOLDEN BLUE" -- Dave Markey's video for this track made its debut appearance on SY's front page.
"PEACE ATTACK" -- Chris Habib's jumping frog interpretation of 'Peace Attack' was initially available via the enhanced content of the SONIC NURSE disc, and is now available for permanent viewing @ SY's site.
"UNWRITTEN" -- Chris Habib's documetation of the "Paper Cup Exit" writing process was also initially available via the enhanced Nurse CD, and is also available on SY's site for viewing.
MURRAY STREET - REHEARSIN' FOR YA -- 06/09/02 rehearsal for "murray street" tour that was webcast and archived on their site. Features all tracks from "Murray Street" and "Candle" rehearsed in Echo Canyon.
MURRAY STREET MINI-DOCUMENTARY (3 parts) -- a press kit for 'murray street'.
ECHOSCAM -- a unique tour of Echo Canyon studios featuring misters Moore and Habib masquerading as thieves. a Must!
"FREE CITY RHYMES" nov 99 -- a very cool video of SY's performance at the Harry Smith tribute in November '99, filmed by Jonas Mekas. a very rare instance of Thurston and Lee swapping stage positions! at this point, the song was still titled '1'.
A THOUSAND LEAVES press kit -- EPK for 'a thousand leaves'.
CANDLE SUPER-8 -- super-8 footage shot by lee during the filming of the CANDLE video, may 1989.
LIVE IN POITIER -- a live version of "Making the Nature Scene" from June 26th 1983 on their first European tour was posted, a very very cool document. Here's hopin'; they post more!
SY/MARC JACOBS -- SY performing "Jams Run Free" and "Kool Thing" for a Marc Jacobs fashion show in February 2008.
SONIC YOUTH IN PARIS -- a collage of recent footage of Sonic Youth in Paris. Shot and edited by S&G Films, Paris.
OTHER SIDES OF SONIC YOUTH -- filmed by Lee during the July 1st 2005 Roskilde Festival, which was later released as SYR8.
LR + THE SOUND UNIVERSE 1994 -- "A lee dig from youtube."
WHAT WE KNOW -- film clip for "What We Know" directed by Chris Habib during 2009 tour.
ANTENNA (LIVE) -- filmed by longtime SY visual archivist Bob Teagan at the June 28th, 2009 Chicago show.
SENSATIONAL FIX: MALMO -- "Pink Steam" shot by MV Carbon at Sensational Fix opening, Malmö, Sweden, May 27th 2009. (7'02")
ALWAYS SEEMS TO MOVE SO SLOW -- a Chris Habib film on the making of the "Sunday" video. (8'02")
SY + ENRIQUE MORENTE -- SY performing 'Martinete' w/ Enrique Morente at the October 28th, 2005 Valencia, Spain show. (10'00")
I WOULD MAKE THE DANCES. -- Chris Habib assembled this piece using audio of Merce Cunningham and John Cage discussing dance over a collage of SY foot footage taken from the July 31st, 2010 NYC show.
THE YEAR PUNK BROKE -- The trailer for the "1991: The Year Punk Broke" DVD, now blocked by UMG due to copyright infringement.
DIAMOND SEA, PART II-ROCKPALAST -- The final verse/chorus and noise outro of "The Diamond Sea" from the April 7th, 1996 Dusseldorf performance. (7'18")
SONIC YOUTH 1991 - LIVE - ROTTERDAM -- "Eric's Trip" and some of the "Expressway" outro recorded multi-cam at the September 1st, 1991 Rotterdam gig. (5'08")
GHOST BITCH - LIVE IN 1985 -- "Ghost Bitch" from the August 1st, 1985 Columbus, OH set, previously released on Atavistic home video. (6'33")
1983 SONIC YOUTH INTERVIEW -- A very early interview, likely January 1983. The band discusses their recent Midwest tour and talks of playing around NYC in February with their new drummer Jim Sclavunos. Footage from the December 15th, 1982 Minneapolis gig is promised but unfortunately absent! (3'05")
SPUTNIK CINEMA CLUB - BERLIN 1985 -- A collage of footage from "3 days in Berlin", beginning with interviews and ending with "Brother James" from the April 17th, 1985 gig. (5'48")
UCI CRAWFORD HALL 1990 -- A fan-shot clip of a particularly destructive "Kill Yr Idols" from the November 3rd, 1990 Irvine, CA show (the same show which appears on the "Dirty Boots" EP). (3'11")
DAVID BOWIE & SONIC YOUTH - I'M AFRAID OF AMERICANS -- SY joined David Bowie for "I'm Afraid of Americans" at his 50th Birthday Party gig on January 9th, 1997 in NYC. (5'35")
SUNDAY / HOARFROST @ TVE SPAIN 1998 -- SY's February 15th, 1999 appearance on the TV show 7º de caballería, performing "Sunday" and "Hoarfrost". The band is interviewed between songs. "Hoarfrost" begins with almost a minute of noise. (13'33")
In 2018, the band also made recordings from their live archive available for streaming/download via the nugs.net & bandcamp sites. More details are available here.
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